Summer Lessons

*an excerpt of my message in the Sunday service in the Philippines

When the plane started to takeoff in the evening of March 31, I felt anxious of what would gonna happen to me and to my son. My first time 3-hr BKK-Clark flight with my son was full of mixed emotions. But when we arrived  safely at Diosdado Macapagal Airport, I admired the pilot who has mastered the skill of flying the plane in the vast horizon.

My son got the opportunity  to visit his lolo and lola in Aklan. Every afternoon, we wen to the sea  and played on then sand. It was a great experience witnessing the fishermen fish in the sea. Before sailing, the young men waited for their father's signal on where to throw the nets. While on the sea, the young fishermen were constantly looking on their father's hand waving which place has more fish.

At the end of station 1 of Boracay, my brother and his wife saw the beautiful rock formation. The place was very far but they patiently walked and though they were tired they were captivated by its beauty.

With these  wonderful experiences, I realized that nothing is made perfect overnight. The pilot has sacrificed countless days and nights to become good in his profession and to bring his passengers safely to his destination. He listened to his teachers and has followed all the aircraft navigation rules.The fishermen did not learn how to swim in a split of seconds but swam and fish almost everyday under the scorching hit of the sun. Rock formation too has not formed in a blink of an eye, but in ages.

Like the pilot , let us continually be obedient to follow the Lord's commandments. Let us be reminded that our personal choices can also affect the life of other people.

Like the young fishermen, let us listen to the counsel of our leaders who will help us walk in the right path. Like the chief fisherman, leaders of the church will not lead us to the "dead sea" but to the water full of bounty.

Like the rock formations, which are formed beautifully by the hard smash of sea waves, let us also expect great tribulations, criticisms, and pains. Let's not avoid them. Face them and try to surpass  each of them holding to the iron rod.

Like the pilot, the fishermen, and the rock formations, we can't be perfect overnight. But if we continually obey our Heavenly Father, nothing is impossible. Let us not justify our mistakes to make our decisions right but learn from them and be obedient again.