Gratitude

Dear God,

Today I was just reminiscing those moments throughout the course of my life that made feel grateful because I have you. I remember I was a worrywart even at a very young age because of the crime news I'd see on prime time TV. Every night before I go to bed I'd do the rounds of checking whether all our house doors are securely locked, as well as the windows. But even that is not enough to vanquish horrible thoughts of masked men breaking in and harming us, just like in the news about this family earlier on TV. But I'd be reminded of what the chapel time teacher told us, that I could always call on you whenever I'm scared. So I'd imagine you being in our house, specifically in the bedroom I share with my siblings, as well as in my parents room (the teacher said you could do that because you are what she called 'omnipresent') and guarding us, together with an army of angels. Then I'd feel safe and fall asleep. The next morning in school, the teacher who would lead the flag ceremony would pray and say "Thank you Lord for the good night's rest", and I would mean it with all my heart.

That time when I was 9, we were traveling from my hometown to Bukidnon to attend my tito's wedding, thank you for that Don Moen cassette tape which I think is the only thing we could listen to at that time, because Papa kept on playing it over and over and over and over and over again for 10 hours straight. That is where I learned what is now my all-time favorite song "God will make a way", which is also your promise I hold on to whenever I feel I'm at my rope's end.

When I was in my first year of high school and I was miserable because my family was undergoing financial difficulties, thank you for your providence and for helping us get through it.

Those times when I felt rejected, unappreciated, or alone, thank you for making your presence felt when I called on you. Especially that time at Synovate office and I was just crying my heart out at the corner of one of the toilet cubicles, and I whispered "God are you here? Please hug me." Thank you because I felt that you did, and it made me feel a lot better.

Thank you for the unanswered prayers that turned out to be doors for better things, or hardships that turned out to be blessings in disguise.

Thank you for being my father, my brother, my best friend, my buddy, my fortress, my savior, my redeemer, my God all rolled into one.

Thank you for never giving up on me even if I'm not always faithful and I've failed you trigazillion times already.

Thank you for the people who love me and for the people I love.

And most of all thank you for your love, for your grace that saves, for the peace that surpasses all understanding because of your presence, and for the joy of knowing you.