A Prayer Heartfelt

My eldest sister, ate Pia, lives in Manila. She works at the call center at Makati. It's been 2 years since she left Davao and worked there. I really miss her, all of us at home miss her. So, all of us are looking forward to her homecoming this Christmas. She takes an annual vacation at home during the Christmas season but only for a couple of weeks.

At that time, my father's 57th birthday was fast approaching. Ate Pia and kuya Nigel, her boyfriend who lives at Sydney, Australia, planned to take a plane to Davao on friday afternoon and surprise my dad since dad's birthday was on Saturday. They only stayed for 2 days, but those two days were filled with so much love and fun that it seemed more than what was real time. Too bad my older sister, Ate Purl was working at Cebu. The family would have been really complete.

It was the first time that I met Nigel. At first he seemed shy. I didn't open up much yet. But the Holy Spirit kept on tugging me to talk to him. So I finally did and we got along pretty well.

We did a lot of things during their stay here. We went to Malagos Eagle Center, since Nigel really likes birds. We ate at Jack's Ridge and watched my kuya PJ's rock band play at the stage. I forgot the name of the bar but it was located near the restaurant. We also ate durian at Magsaysay park, but probably, the most significant experience I had was when we paid a visit to Lolo Anton's grave at Memorial Park.

My father asked ate Pia and Kuya Nigel if they wanted to visit the grave that Sunday. They immediately said yes. The moment dad asked that question, God was telling me to prepare. I somehow felt that I was going to lead the prayer. My father always does that, letting me lead the prayer instead of him. But, this time, I didn't refuse. I felt the burden to pray. After arriving at the park, I really prayed that the Holy Spirit would teach me to pray as I ought. We were all standing at the foot of Lolo's grave and true enough, my father asked me to lead the prayer. He told me to pray for the soul of Lolo and for the safe trip of Ate Pia and Kuya Nigel back to Manila.

The moment had come. I was a bit nervous but God just gave me the grace to be honest and say the prayer with all of my heart. Suddenly, tears were flowing from my eyes. I spoke words that weren't premeditated. I started to pray for my family and that God would just let the Spririt of peace come upon us and that He would keep us together - one heart and one mind, despite the distance. I can't remember all of the things I prayed for, all I know is that God heard them and it's all in His hands. It was the most heartfelt prayer I had ever prayed. All glory to God! He provided me the words to speak and the thoughts to think and I am more than blessed to be used for His glory. That prayer did not come from me, it came from the Holy Spirit and I'm just so thankful because God is so good.

There are countless times that God has been faithful to me. So I in turn, should be faithful to my friend. In faith, I know that all of the things I prayed for will come to pass in God's perfect time and will.