What is there to thank for? 

This is the question that struck me the most as soon as I`ve heard it last Sunday (October 18, 2009) at the SFC Manila: Forward in Christ assembly at the San Carlos Seminary Gymnasium. 

After feeling the wrath of Ondoy weeks ago, why am I willing to give my utmost praise to Him? 

He could have surely commanded the typhoon to cease its downpour and spare us from distress. 

If not for His deeds, my book collection would not have been wiped out. 

My favorite clothes would not meet mud face-to-face. 

Our house would not have possessed a brown wallpaper. 

Our lives would go by normally. 

I could go on with my grievances but as I pile up one sour note after the other, I realized that my perspective has gone awry. 

While I have been so upset about the material possessions that I`ve lost, I never realized that I have been losing grip on the possessions that matter the most. 

If not for Ondoy, I would not be able to spend a lot of time with my family. Because there is nothing left to do but to wait for the flood to go down, I spent each passing moment by sharing stories and just have a casual conversation with them. Because I frequently go out, it seems as if the typhoon served as a springboard to restoring my relationship with these people. 

It`s not that we have deeply-rooted conflicts with one another, it`s just that we haven`t really been able to do those lengthy talks for in a typical day, we would go on to our own lives. With our family together, I couldn`t care less whether our house is being gobbled up by water. Mud stains can be scrubbed away in minutes but familial disparity takes a long time to heal. 

Also, spending time with my neighbors is close to impossible on a normal day. But with everyone evacuating in one house, we were given a chance to give them more than just a nod and a smile like we normally do whenever we meet along the way. Without electricity, we spent the minutes playing card games and reminiscing our childhood days. 

We couldn`t help but laugh at every memory unearthed but with every tickled funny bone comes a revitalized relationship. Though we were all in the state of uncertainty and shock, I certainly feel that each person is trying to uplift the spirits of everyone through charity and compassion. 

If not for Ondoy, people who have been complacent in helping would not mobilize themselves and pitch in whatever they can. I`m sure that the level of charity, cooperation and camaraderie during those days were higher than the flood level itself. Whether they were assigned to pack relief goods or to save those who are trapped in their homes, every person gave their time and energy so that the badly needed aid would reach those who are in most need. 

And if not for Ondoy, there would be a lot of things that we would not opt to throw. I felt as if we have just moved in our new home after going through the process of discerning what items must we save and what items must we throw away. Without the mixture of mud and water either covering or wrecking these materials, we would have not thrown those away. But with the magnitude by which the typhoon has struck us everyone in the neighborhood, there sure are things that are hard to let go but easy to discard due to the layers of stain in it. 

Yet, as we put these things to waste, it gives us an opportunity to start once again. We will surely remember those items that have brought us countless memories even though they are now in dumpsites. They are etched in our minds and in our hearts and surely, no flood can wash those things away. 

And the best part of it all, I am alive. I am given another chance to pick myself up. I am given another opportunity to rebuild relationships that I have taken for granted or have not given importance to. I am given a second lease on helping others in any way that I can. I was given an opportunity to channel my perspective to what really is important. 

It`s not the clothes.
 
It`s not the books. 

Rather, it’s life in itself. I could have drowned away with the water or have been struck by a tree trunk. Yet, God has spared me and everyone who I consider now as my prized possessions, namely family, friends and faith and He has given me a chance to share my outpouring love for them. That alone deserves a ton of thanksgiving. I will find ways to enjoy life better with an immaterial-based thrust. 

There certainly are a lot of things that the flood has swept away. Because of which, I`m also thankful that this experience washed away my notion as to how life should be lived. I can proudly say that though most of my material possessions are gone, I have gained a lot as far as putting things in place is concerned. 

That being said, why would it take a massive catastrophe for me to realize these things? And on that note, what`s not to thank Him for?

Good article - yea all of us very often take things for granted - just recently a friend of mine told me re her daughter who is pregnant with her first child - it is a difficult pregnancy and the mother to be has had to give up her job - she and her husband are living in a new country but this girl`s mother told her that if God is shaking up your life He is doing it for a reason. So, just like the typhoon had its down sides it happenned for a reason - God sometimes allows things to happen to us for a reason - sumtimes we will know the answer and sumtimes we will not - as long as we live - but we have to always keep on trusting in His plan for our lives and believe that He knows best.

Yeah! Sis.
As like what you said.
It`s so inspiring, maybe that`s the message of God.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer, thanksgiving and supplication, let your request be made known to God.

It`s a nice article!

Grabe sobrang inspiring ito...Praised God!thanks Lance for sharing