Gratitude

Over again, God continually reveals to me how patient He is with me all the time. I had learned a while ago that if I don't immerse myself in learning more about God, or developing a personal spiritual relationship with Christ, I grow distant. Not just from my faith in Christ, but also in the people and things around me. So lately, I have dedicated myself to reading daily devotionals again. I'm also rereading Rick Warren's The Purpose Driven Life. This time, I'm set on actually finishing it. On top of that, I'm determined to also study the Bible. I actually started reading it last night, following one of the Bible reading guides that my family's Bible Study group leader handed us in the beginning of the year. But before I share what I learned from them, here's an epiphany I had before starting this particular post:

I was restlessly going back and forth from the bed to the desk and back again, when my Bible, the Bible that my dad had given to me, was speaking to me. I looked at the cover, nothing extraordinary. I flipped through the pages, there was nothing in it either. And I just sat on my bed, wondering what it was telling me. Until I got it.

I don't remember the exact date when my dad gave me the Bible. But it was around the time when I wouldn't go to church at all. It was around the time when I made excuses to not go either to church or to any other Bible study. I remember treating the Bible like any other book, which is a mistake to me now since it is clearly unlike any other book--at all. This particular Bible--because I actually have three--is an archaeological NIV study Bible. I'm not so interested with its archaeological aspect yet, about the ancient histories and cultures mentioned in the Bible, because I really want to focus on God's Word itself, although I know that learning about it archaeologically is also important. What I love most about this Bible though, is its introductory pages before the books themselves. It gives you a background information on who wrote it, where, when, for whom they wrote it, what to expect in the following chapters, the themes found in the books. I find it extremely helpful!

When I finally realized what God revealed to me through my Bible, I couldn't help but smile. His patience truly is abundant. He knows and understands me because He, alone, created me. For Him, and His purposes. There have been many occasions when I've cried in frustration, believing that my parents do not get me at all. But God knew. He knew that I would get here. It was just a matter of opening my senses, my mind, my heart to the idea that He is there for me through thick and thin, carrying me when I'm unable to push forward, pulling me up when I'm down, hiding me in His protection, delivering me when I'm tempted, and loving me when I hate myself. Because of what God has constantly shown and provided for me, I know that Jesus Christ is my everything.

Thank you O God, for every single little thing! =')