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Or have you ever lost your cellphone—with all the phone numbers lost
forever?
Or have you ever had the terrible experience of your computer crashing—
and all your files vanishing to oblivion for all eternity? (I wonder if there’s a
data heaven somewhere in this universe?)
Or have you ever experienced your boss shouting at you for something that
wasn’t your fault?
But here’s my bigger question: What do you do when bad things happen to
you?
Do you sulk?
Do you complain?
Here’s my simple yet big message for you today: Winners have a bias for
action. That’s why they’re winners.
I want you to watch this crazy short video. It’s less than one minute. It’s
really funny.
Insane, right?
But you’ll be surprised that a lot of people do the exact same thing when
bad things happen to them.
They freeze.
They complain.
Stand up.
If you can’t run, walk. If you can’t walk, limp. If you can’t limp,
crawl. Stumble your way to greatness.
Why? Because God never said that no bad thing will ever happen to
you. But here’s His big promise: That every time a bad thing will happen to
you, good things will come out of it. Every time! Because Romans 8:28 says
that all things will work for good to those who love Him.
After she wept many tears, the old man told her, “Let’s go to the kitchen. I
have something to show you.”
In the kitchen, the grandfather prepared three pots of water on the cooking
range. On the first pot, he placed carrots. On the second pot, he placed
eggs. On the third pot, he placed coffee beans. And he lit the fire beneath each
of them.
For twenty minutes, they sat in silence as the fire heated the pots. After
twenty minutes, the grandfather said, “If you notice, the fire underneath the pots
are the same. Same heat. Same temperature. Yet you’ll notice how different
things react to the fire.”
He fished out the carrots and placed it in a bowl. He made his
granddaughter touch it.
Finally, he opened the coffee pot—its fragrance filling the room. He poured
a cup for her. She took a sip.
“That’s nice,” she said, “thanks, grandpa. But what does this all mean?”
Were you laid off at work? You’re now free to get a better job at a better
company or become an entrepreneur.
Are you sick right now? This is a wake up call. Your body is telling you,
“It’s high time to care for me.” You’re now free to become the healthiest person
you can become.
Eleven years ago, my friend had cancer of the breast. But that cancer set
her free. Because of that cancer, she served God more, she loved her family
more, and she took care of her health more. She started eating more fruits and
vegetables. Eleven years later, she’s a healthier person, she’s a more loving
person, and she’s a more spiritual person. Her cancer set her free.
Did your business fail? You’re now free to start all over again and make it
better.
Because these men didn’t want to bow down before a pagan idol, the
king was so angry, he threw them into the furnace—and asked his strongest
soldiers to tie them up.
But when they were in the fire, God rescued them. They were
protected. Even their clothes weren’t burned. They walked out unharmed.
But here’s the amazing part: Nothing was burned except for the ropes that
bound them.
You keep moving forward. You put one foot in front of the other until
you get out of the valley.
In the 90’s, Rudy was on top of the world. My friend was one of the key
figures in the exports garments industry. He was running a huge company and
was very well paid.
But in a blink of an eye, it was like someone pulled the rug from beneath
this entire industry. China took over. And the entire export garments industry
died (almost).
Did Rudy sulk? Did he simply give up and hang up his gloves? Did he get
depressed that the hand that fed him suddenly disappeared?
He doesn’t actually run a farm. But he works with lots of small independent
farmers—and he teaches them organic farming. And then helps them sell their
products.
For years, he met with guys in suits, ties, and briefcases. Now, he meets
guys in torn shirts, straw hats and muddy boots.
And in dealing with small farmers and other poor people, he grew in his
passion of helping the poor. Thus, he joined Alay Buhay (If you want to vote for
them for your party list organization, they’re #66!) that helps small
entrepreneurs across the country.
His tragedy turned into triumph—not only for him but also for many other
people.
Along the way, four men met them. They were carrying long
knives. They told her uncle to face down on the ground. And they hacked him
on the neck and killed him.
Maricel was in total shock. Especially that the men were their
neighbors. She tried to escape, but the men ran after her.
She cried, “Kuya, ‘wag po, ‘wag n’yo akong tagain! Maawa po kayo sa
akin!” (“Don’t kill me! Have mercy on me!”)
But they weren’t listening. With a long knife, a man slashed her on the
neck too.
She also saw the feet of the men around her, but she pretended to be
dead.
Sometimes, she’d faint and fall to the ground. But she’d regain
consciousness and run again.
When she was near her home, Maricel called her mother.
Upon seeing her daughter, her mother screamed in terror. She wrapped
her bloodied child in a blanket and carried her to the hospital.
Here was the problem: From her house to the highway, it was a 12-
kilometer walk.
When they arrived in the hospital, the doctors thought Maricel was going
to die.
But for 5 hours, they operated on her. It took 25 stitches to stitch together
the long knife wound in her neck and back.
Being very poor, Maricel’s family also didn’t have P50,000 for their
hospital bills.
But God sent many angels along the way to help them.
Today, she’s staying with the nuns at Regina Rosarii with Sr. Eppie
Brasil, O.P.
Instead of cursing God why she had no hands, she now uses her wrists in
incredible ways that will boggle your mind.
Maricel was cited as the most industrious, best in computer, and most
courteous in the School for Crippled Children.
Nothing can stop this young lady from reaching her dream.
Because last Sunday, I invited Maricel to the Feast (Note: This is our
weekly prayer gathering. If you want to join us, click here for our schedules or
call (02) 725-9999 and ask for the details.)
We saw Maricel in front of us.
Using only her wrists, she cut the vegetables and prepared a delicious
salad.
Maricel Apatan
Bo Sanchez