Common Denominators

I have my new work now as an art instructor for kids. I'm only a couple of week old in it and still in the adjustment period. Arts and kids = great combination! Part of the adjusting season is missing my former work and the people that I was with there. I used to work in a non-government organization (NGO) for the poor and I had those times when I went in to houses that are built under bridges, near dump sites, on relocation sites and evacuation centers and spent some time with people living there. I also saw many kids in those places and most of the time if they are not in day care centers, they are just playing with their fellow children and living out their childhood days.

Here in my new work, I'm now more exposed to kids. They are just the same with the kids that I've encountered in my past work --  energetic, fun, have great potentials and a future. Only that they have more resources like they have cars and houses and maybe they are studying in exclusive schools.

Now I'm realizing that God put me in a place where I can see kids from both worlds. They might came from "different" spheres (different backgrounds, upbringing, language used in speaking, etc.) but they are all under the same heaven. Other than food, water, air and shelter, they all need from us are

Love

Appreciation

Affirmation

Understanding

Discipline

And yes, some sweets :)

Yesterday was the coronation night for the Bb. Pilipinas beauty pageant. I didn't watch the pageant (since I wasn't really into it hehe) but I watched the Q & A portion of the crowned Bb. Pilipinas-Universe 2013 on YouTube. The question was something like if women have something to teach men, what would it be? The answer of the beauty queen was-- sensitivity, because men tend to be so logical and rational. The morena beauty got a point there!

But you know, if men have something to teach women that would be rationalizing. Because women tend to be so sensitive and emotional! (I should know being a woman myself!)

So therefore the common denominators for that would be-- understanding and adjusting. :)

I thank you! :) (left hand on the waist, stomach in, chest out, flash that big smile and do the "beauty queen" wave on the right hand) :D

The Beauty Queen & I

This is me with our very own Bb. Pilipinas Ms. Universe- Janine Tugonon.

Janine used to attend Victory- Ubelt church (which is I'm now part of) when she was still a student in UST (which is also my alma mater and the oldest university in Asia ^^).

It was in our Friday youth service when our youth pastor announced that Janine will be with us on our 7pm service to give us a short talk and encouragement. This is what she said that stayed on my mind...

"Focus on what God wants you to do..."

In her personal experience, there are a lot of people who are bashing her, saying that she doesn't deserve the title of being our country's bet for the Ms. Universe beauty pageant. And in joining the competition again for the second time, many were against it and she sacrificed a lot to be where she is right now.

In our very own lives, we may be sure of what God wanted us to do... But there are times (or maybe most of the time) people and circumstances say otherwise, making us put off our focus on Him and on His purpose for us. Like what she said that night, in doing God's will you need to sacrifice things. You'll be sacrificing your own dreams and even your family's dreams for you.

But why do we need to sacrifice these for God's will?

Because when we miss God's will or purpose for our lives, we miss the whole point of why we are here on earth. If we don't do what God wants us to do in this life, it is not His lost... It is OUR lost.

So who says that God can't use a beauty queen to advance His Kingdom on this earth? ;) In this I will quote one of my fave verses from the Bible--

"Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised." -Proverbs 31:30 (NIV)

Though I know that being a beauty queen is not for me (haha!), I know that God can still use me in ways my mind can't comprehend for His glory & pleasure. :))