122. Wala ka sa Lolo ko. He loves because God first loved him.

6 March 2021

God’s Love and Ours

We love because He first loved us. 1 John 4:19

1 John 3

16 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.

23 And this is his (God's) command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us.

From "Heroes" by Dr. Harold J. Sala:

"Sacrifice of Love

Sir Ernest Shackleton

"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13

In the year 1908, the Irish explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton headed an expedition with the goal of reaching the South Pole in the Antarctic. The destination of the expedition was to cross twenty-one hundred miles of antarctic wasteland and reach the pole that had never been done before.

In his diary Shackleton told of the time when their food supplies were exhausted, save for one last ration of hardtack, a sort of biscuit, that was distributed to each man.

The fire was built up, and weary, exhausted men climbed into their sleeping bags to face a restless sleep, tossing and turning. Shackleton said that he was almost asleep when out of the corner of his eyes, he noticed one of his most trusted men sitting up in his sleeping bag and looking about to see if anyone was watching.

Shackleton's heart sank within him as this man began to reach toward the food sack of the man next to him. This was one of his most dependable men. Never did he think that this man would steal from his neighbor. 

Shackleton didn't move and watched as the man took the food sack of the man next to him, opened it, and then took his own hardtack and put it in the other man's sack.

How did they survive?

God answered the prayers of these hardy explorers, for a great deal more than Irish resolve was necessary for survival. God honored the spirit of a man who was willing to give his last morsel of food to his brother.

Sometimes very difficult situations demonstrate how great individuals really are - generous, caring, and compassionate."

People in my survival journey.

I am grateful to God for the people who put provisions into my survival "food sack" during my personal journey through severe affliction for about 5 years from 2000 to 2005.

My father and my mother prayed for me and lent me money while waiting for my car to be sold.

My father-in-law and my mother-in-law prayed for me and lent me money for daily needs.

My siblings and my wife Marlou's siblings prayed for me, lent me money, and fostered my 2 daughters while attending Ateneo (we were in Lipa back then).

My benefactor in Christ, the couple of Kuya Nani (Ret. Lt. Gen. Hernanie Perez AFP) and Ate Becks Perez, led me and my family to faith in the Living God. (Along with their cell group, we being in their fellowship, received comfort and encouragement.)

Pastor Dan Guzman patiently held one-on-one Bible study for me, while his wife Myrna Guzman ministered to my wife.

Our Dear Pastor Clem Guillermo's voice over DZAS program "Heartline" spoke to my heart about 4 years before I would meet him personally and have the rare privilege to be under his mentoring at church, and a buddy at the fairway.

My Kumpareng Lito and Kumareng Dhine helped me get a bank loan.

Couple friends Pareng Ike and Mareng Lilia (now in-laws of my second daughter) gave me lots of Nexium for my abdominal spasm.

Dr. Pascasio gave me so much encouragement over my depressive syndrome, and prescribed me probiotics which proved to give me healing.

Couple friends Sol and Marie Mendenilla bought our house in Lipa (before being foreclosed by bank) that I was able to pay off all my debts.

Ateneo University (with Fr. Nemesio Que then as Director of Admission and Aid, now Vice President for Administration) took in my 2 daughters on scholarship which definitely was a special favor for my family.

My own companions in my perilous journey, my wife maintained light countenance and her baking earned us a living, and my children were very diligent in their studies, and by God's grace, were not affected by our economic difficulties, giving relief to me the supposed breadwinner.

My gratitude also goes to other people not mentioned here; God knows each and everyone of them, and for all of them through whom He channeled His love for me, my prayer is that the Lord continue to bless their hearts that they can bless even more people.

My children's children will someday say, wala ka sa Lolo ko; he loves because God first loved him.

May you be blessed with God's Word.

Maraming salamat.