Sigh…..
I read all your beautiful stories.
Thank you so much!
As of this time, you’ve written 200+ comments on my previous e-mail, sharing on “What do you do when your best plans don’t happen.” (By the way, I know that some of you are already members of my www.KerygmaFamily.com If you’re not yet one, sign up and receive a mountain load of spiritual blessings for your life.)
Actually, reading your stories made me feel terribly small. My tiny problems are no match to some of the problems you shared. Dear friends, I admire your strong faith!
Okay, so here’s my little story…
Last July 11, I celebrated my birthday in a rather unexpected way.
I had fever.
Complete with aching muscles.
My legs felt like I had just jogged 400 miles.
Even if did no such thing.
I was in fact lying down in the middle of my sala, feeling I was Coyote in those old Road Runner cartoons, run over by an ACME truck.
“Lord, why did you allow me to get sick on my birthday?”
I looked like a zombie too.
My hair was a knotty mess.
My shirt drenched with smelly sweat.
My Genghis Khan moustache unshaved.
Why was God doing this to me?
When My Best Plans Don’t Happen
Before the nasty virus hit me, I had grand plans for my birthday.
Together with our kids, we were going to visit our friends among the poor.
First, the orphans under the care of my friend Rey Ortega. Second, the slums where I first did ministry work when I was 14 years old. Third, a quick visit to Anawim, our ministry for the abandoned elderly. Finally, the streetkids with my friend Jodean Sola.
But three days before my birthday, I started feeling weak.
“Just an allergy,” I told myself. “This will pass…”
It didn’t. The bug had just begun its villainous work to destroy my plans.
On my birthday, I wanted to visit the poor. Instead, I became the poor. I felt so helpless, so weak.
Would you believe? I felt so Low Bat, I didn’t even have the energy to write or read or even watch TV.
All I did was mope.
And sigh.
And mope some more.
The One Thing I Could Do
I wish I could tell you that at the middle of my misery, this Charismatic Preacher stood up, jumped up and down, and sang Don Moen’s, “God Will Make a Way Where There Seems To Be No Way!” Or that I lifted my arms and declared, “Praise the Lord I’m sick!” all the time smiling my toothy grin.
I didn’t do such a thing.
I couldn’t!
I could only do one thing.
I sighed.
Oh yes, I was able talk to God.
I think.
Nah…
On second thought, I couldn’t even do that.
I didn’t even have the energy to talk to God.
So I sighed with God.
And moped with Him the whole day.
But through it all, I felt that God was sighing with me.
And in a weird kind of way, it was absolutely phenomenal.
My Best Birthday Blessing Ever
On hindsight, I believe that on my birthday, God wanted to commune with me in a very deep way. I didn’t know it, but my spirit was crying out for this quiet. So my body temporarily surrendered so that my spiritual birthday blessing can be received.
By nightfall, I was feeling much better.
My in-laws visited me and brought dinner. (I’m one of those strange guys who adore his in-laws.) I was able to sit at table, munch on fish, and even smile.
When everyone left, my wife sat beside the smelly monster. She said, “Birthday Boy, even if your smell reminds me of a rat that has died three days ago, can I spend the night watching a romantic movie with you?”
Without waiting for a response, she stood up, dimmed the lights, plugged in a DVD, and cuddled beside me. She held my hand for the rest of the evening—all the while covering her nose with her other hand. My birthday was complete.
The next day, I woke up healed.
It was as though my spirit’s thirst for quiet was quenched and therefore told my body, “Get well now. I’ve had my fill.”
So how was my birthday?
The best thing that ever happened to me.
Two Choices In Life
Here’s my question to you: What do you do when your best plans don’t happen? You have two choices:
1. You can curse God in anger.
2. Or you can sigh with God in surrender.
And wonder what hidden blessing He is giving you through your problems.
May your dreams come true,
Bo Sanchez
PS. If you have friends in Singapore, tell them to join me! I’m giving two life-changing seminars in Singapore: “How To Be Truly Rich” Seminar on July 28 and “How To Find Your One True Love” Seminar on July 29. For more information, email Jimmy Cruz at brotherjimmycruz@gmail.com now.
PS2. Do you want to grow in financial freedom? Learn the spiritual and financial principles that changed my financial life! On August 2, I’m giving my powerful How To Be Truly Rich Seminar. To know more about it, click here.
PS3. Mentors may be your missing link to your success. (It definitely was mine.) I needed multi-millionaire mentors to teach me how money works. To learn more about my Truly Rich Financial Coaching Program on August 8 and 9, click here.
PS4. When you’re sick, you realize that health is wealth. Learn more about health and healing for yourself and your loved ones! This October, wellness Guru Amado Samia is giving a breakthrough seminar to guide you to discover simple, effective, and life-changing ways of attaining wellness for your body, mind, and spirit. Click here for details.
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good day!
first time ko po na magpost dito…
everyday binabasa ko ang mga nakasulat dito..
even ang mga comments..nakakarelate me lagi..
thanks for having site like this..
dami po nung natulungan…
may mga bagay na gumugulo sa isip ko…
actually po..
may kasama po me sa work…
everybody hates her…
wala na po atang nakakatagal sa company nya…
super hyper sensitive po kasi…
to the pont na dahil lang sa over sensitivity nya nasisira ang araw ng lahat..
kailangan mo pong timbangin lahat ng sasabihin mo in order na di lang sya masaktan…
w/c is parang di ka naman nagsasabi ng totoo…
me naman…im doing my best na pkisamahan po sya…
sabi ko po ill try to prove sa lahat na mabait din ang taong ito…
na kailangan di ako magfocus lang sa bad attitude nya…
i want to be a friend to her…
pero lately po…
nararanasan ko na rin yung mga experiences ng iba kung bakit di nila magustuhan sya..
nasasaktan na rin po ako…
yun tipo po na sya na po yung pinakikisamahan…
sya pa po itong nagmamalaki…
sabi ng iba haba daw ng patience ko sa taong ito…
sabi ko po kailangan nya kasi ng kaibigan….
wala na kasing nagtitiis sa attitude nya…
sa ngayon po med u aloof na rin po ako sa kanya…
cguro po ipapaubaya ko nalang kay Lord ang lahat..
bahala na po sya..
surrender na po ako sa pakikisama sa taong ito…
di ko na po kasi alam kung anu ang gagawin…
pag kailangan nya po ng kaibigan andito lang ako…
pero kailangan nya munang ideal pagiging hyper sensitive nya…
salamat po just want to share my story…
That nasty virus came knocking on our door, too! It hit everyone but my 3-year-old wasn’t able to bounce back and landed in the hospital instead. Boo-hoo!
The doc said we need to change my baby’s environment to a healthier one. That would mean that we can’t stay here at our in-laws because the stink of several dogs (owned by my brother-in-law) plus the pollution is simply not good for my baby who is always getting sick! His weight is down to 11.8 kilos and that’s not good
So there… we now have to scramble to make a new plan for our future. I have a stable job but my hubby is just starting in his career as a surgeon and it’s really, really, really hard because when you’re new hardly anyone refers patients to you (or they only refer people who can’t pay - whom my husband tries to help anyway). I know God has laid out the best plans for our family and somehow that eases my worries.
It helps that when we pray, we give a litany of things that we are thankful for. Even my baby prays, “Thank you for….” and it warms our hearts when we hear him say, “Thank you for my Papa and Mama.” We are then reminded of the greatest gift that God has given us - each other.
God bless!
Hi Bro. Bo! Thank God you were able to rest well on your birthday. It’s really such a disappointment sometimes when things don’t go as we expect them to be, but our Father knows best! Truly, even our best-laid plans had to be canceled sometimes to give way to God’s plans in our lives, and His always turns out to be better than ours!
More power to you and your family!
Sigh . . . Hay . . . HI or AY, ARAY , a combination of both HaaaY . . . the favorite sigh of my seven year old son, J.E. ; when I hear him utter this sigh, haaay! . . ., it is an utter of a person surrendering to the present situation . he is not angry, nor happy, but just a sigh of surrender. . .
my son J.E. is in grade 2 and during his first day in school, I have to make a name plate for him, so his teacher and classmates may know him. My son, after seeing, his complete name, written on his nameplate, he sigh, HAAAY!, “bakit sinulat mo ang pangalan kong buo” I told, him I can’t change it already and told him anyway the J. and E. is written in bigger font and bolder than the rest. So he just sigh, Hay! and when to school obediently.
When he returned from school, I asked him, so what happened in school. did your teacher call you J.E.?, with a shy smile, and an embarrased look, he said ” NO” , ” my teacher called me JESUS EMMANUEL.” , then sighed, HAY!!! Bakit kasi ang haba ng pangalan ko? His real name is Jesus Emmanuel, so we call him J.E. The next day, I changed his name plate to just J.E., but still his teacher still calls him JESUS..
Just like Bo, and just like my son, J.E., I also sighed, in surrender to God for all the things that happen in our life.
Thanks for sharing Bro Bo. It was truly an inspiring experience. Speaking of “When My Best Plans Don’t Happen” Topic, Let me recall some of my expected plans didn’t work out as it should be, Sigh….LoL!
Group Hike April 2008
I joined a small social group in the Catholic Church couple of months ago and we have a hike for the weekend. I believe everything was sorted out from the venue, the members who will join, snacks/refreshments and cars to use. Wow! I am excited, it will be my first time to go for a hike in my whole life. As a preparation I bought a backpack bag for hiking including all the things I might be needed and what to bring (actually it’s not that much). My bro and sister also join us for the hike since they were on school holiday. I am expecting it will be a fantastic adventure for us. The Hike Day came and before we leave home we take few shots LoL (of course!). Some of the members we didn’t expect to join also came. Arriving at destination we started the trail and in the middle we stop for our little picnic. One member won’t be staying long and she needs to go back home with her baby and check their shop as well. Other members are also not going to stay after the picnic. So it’s only four of us; me, my brother, my sister, my co-worker and leader of the group left to continue the trail. Little did I know that our hike would be like that, we just did few trails and it’s not even that far from where we started, then we had our picnic and four of us left and decide whether to continue or not hahaha. I don’t even get sweat. We have no Final Destination for the hike to whatever extent we will go and where we are really going. I thought we are going to the top and arrive to a beautiful spot and enjoy the scenery if any.
Ok let me remind you I am just new to the group so I have no idea how they planned it. Of course we (my brother and sister) are kind of disappointed when we get home. But at least we did enjoy the rest of the trail after other members left us. It was like we just do a few trails inside a forest and enjoy the scenery of trees, up-down-narrow-wide pathways. Whew!
I am not complaining though, what I like here is that our group had a chance to get together. Enjoy the picnic in between chats and bonding. That part I am happy with that. So I learned from this “little adventure” and for our next Hike I’ll make sure that we have our spot destination and make the most of the day as an adventure and challenge.
Yours In Christ,
Evangeline
South Africa
sigh… I love you Lord!!!
Hi Bo,
A very inspiring story…. Just want to share mine.
” Who Stole My Potchoy”
I used to call him Potchoy. Before I met him, I am constantly asking for a right person. And he was given… Everything was so perfect, we are madly in love with each other. We start building our dreams together. We know how “ideal’ our relationship. He is well accepted by my family and I am well loved by his own family. Even at my toughest time when I was so down and depressed by hyperthyroidism, we hold unto each other. As long as we are together, all will be well. But then, our relationship lasts.
My dream has gone…. “who stole my potchoy” “why”…
I know how much we’ve given ourself into the relationship. I know how we been so obedient of not committing “PMS’”….. I know how much we been waiting for to be together in the right time… WHy?
I’ve been in denial for almost 3 months. I don’t want anybody to know that my dreams has gone…. One day, an officemate approached me to join her in a Community (Healing Missionaries of the Holy Spirit). I’ve been from a Catholic school and attending retreat is not a new thing. I used to be a devotee to St Jude and Mother of Perpetual Help. I am also used in spending time in the adoration chapel. I joined her not expecting anything. To my surprise, during the retreat, I cried and cried…. and cried. I’ve been so open to everybody (almost lahat cila first time k kilala) of why I am so much in pain.
It was a good retreat. At first, my motivation is that it will be a good outlet for me to move on faster. That’s the idealistic me, I want to control things most of the time. TO my surprise, everytime I served, I stil cry to death… sbi ko it doesn’t help me ata to move on…
To my surprise, iba ung feeling ko everytime I serve… everytime I share my time, talent and resources to HIm, it gives me a different feeling. My focus on moving on has been set aside. I knew in my heart, that I grew my relationship with God. God is the one who stole my potchoy because He wants me… He is longing to be with me….
For two years, I’ve been so happy, not in a relationship but in high hopes that God will grant me my onetruelove.
Happy Brithday Bro. Bo! and may you have many more brithdays to come, and may the good lord bless you and to your famliy!!!
Bo
Hi there! When I sarted reading your articles, I felt so inspired. Thank you for sharing your wonderful articles to us. Just continue inspiring us with your articles. May God bless you and your family always.
Belated Happy Birthday Bro. Bo!!!
My parents and I were at the feast when you shared your story and Bro. Arun gave the talk instead (that was fun too!)
I too suffer the same pain. Once when I ate something bawal (pork! alam nang nire-reject ng body ko, eat pa rin!), I woke in the middle of the night sa sobrang sakit. The kind of pain na hindi ko alam kung anong posisyon ang gagawin ko ma-ease lang ang pain. I felt cold clammy sweat, nanghihina ang limbs ko, super spasms ang stomach…. excruciating! I used to experience that pero this was the most severe I thought I needed to be rushed to the hospital.
Pero this is the piece of the story …. each time I have that pain, I always remember St. Therese. There is this story about her experiencing the same illness. The story goes …. she was seated at the toilet suffering and the devil comes and says, “See what your God does to you. How can you offer Him anything when He brings you such pain?” St. Therese replied, “To God I offer this pain. To you, I give whatever stink is coming out f me!”
Wheneven I can, with much difficulty, I remember that story and do the same. It does not miraculously remove the pain, but it does give me comfort there is something I am offering.
^_^
Hello Brother Bo,
Truly you are the man with full of wisdom, thanks for inspiring everyone specially during those hard days that hit in life once in a while thanks God for knowing you…
Have an abundant blessing and willful being God Bless
Happy birthday Bro. Bo.!! I am one of your avid fans.. I hope you still remember me — the comments I did during the early days of these websites you have… “making your website as the resing place for people like us (parang ganoon… yata ang sinabi ko??).. basta hindi mukhang tindahan..”.. & also I mentioned those “beautiful front teeth.. blahblah”,,,, well… since that day.. till now.. your sites have evolved… now.. “It’s the REAL resting place for people like us”….
Can I suggest something, if you may… can you make a “Witnessing” website (i do not have the right word) it’s the reverse of BoSanchez.ph. The “people” will contribute their stories - (like .. “how God touches their lives” kind of stories…) (of course you have to do some selecting & editing) then publish them to the said site. The you and your staff can make comments…. at the end… or a site.. like GODTube & YouTube.
Bro. Bo…. up to now.. everytime I see your pix — those beautiful “front teeth” and your “GOD’s heart” .. really make me feel the love and hands of GOD… works within us.
Again Happy Birthday… (belated)!!!
Hello Bro. Bo,
Thanks for the inspiration and blessing!
I think the Lord allowed it for you to see as well that you’ve been busy with the ‘kingdom’ and found less intimate time with the “King” –there is a difference. I know your views are different when it comes to praying but the Lord desires that we do spend time “talking” to Him — LITERALLY. =) Dont get me wrong and pls dont ostracise me mga bros and sis. Yes I believe as well that Bro Bo does that thing–only the Lord knows his heart well, mine is only an observation lately. Bro Bo has been so busy with the kingdom–yes it’s good and God is pleased so much with him I believe that for sure and I personally commend him and all the work he does is so good and glorifies the Lord! BUT there are times we need to sit and be quiet, alone with Him–praying, conversing with the King . =)
Bro. Bo, thanks so much that the Lord sent you to us to inspire us with His love and mercy. Praise be His Name forever!
God bless you & I pray for your good health now and always. Belated Happy Birthday! =)
Love in Christ,
Mheng of Pampanga
Gud day Bro. Bo!
All i can do now is just to sigh and surrender it all to God. I have this older sister of mine that is so materialistic, ambisyosa, sosyalera, pretentious girl in the world. She has this thinking of wanted to have everything in life to the point that all the credit card company ay nautangan na niya, meron pa pala lahat ng nagpa 5 6, personal loan, salary loan lahat ng loan at lending inutangan din niya….diba mapapa sigh ka talaga….hahay!!!!!!!!!… i really wanted to help not just in the financial aspect but also in the spiritual side… Now im paying one of her credit cards.. all i want to see is that she will realize that marterial things are just temporary….pero ito sagot niya sa akin ng tinanong ko siya ” hindi ako makapag work ng hindi ako naka ayos” ….hahay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
paano ko siya matutulungan? na di na to touch ang ego niya? Im 24 and she’s 32, pero sa tingin ko ako pa ang mas mature sa kanya… maturity really doenst come with age po talaga….help!
BoSanchez.ph » Sigh……..
Bo Sanchez blog about his experiences on his birthday last Julu 11….
Hi Bro. Bo..Happy,Blessed Birthday ulit kahit belated! Thank you so much for all your life-sharings with us! It is really life-inspiring msgs..encouraging..good to follow..a model! You are such a blessing to everyone!
Haay,,,got a friend na pag-kinokorek..ginagawa ko raw syang bobo, got her own negative-mind-set sa lahat! Can’t do anything but sigh & lift up to the Lord! What can i do? I wanted to help her but now I felt distancing myself from her though she keeps coming still near my company! I dnt want to be in company of neg. people..nakakahawa kasi minsan!Ewan..pero medyo nakakahalata na rin.Sigh!It’s really difficult to become a real Christ-like to others,sometimes!It’s only by God’s Grace! I thank God for His Mercy & Forgiveness!
God bless you all!
dear Bro bo,
what an inspiring blog once again! am truly in awe at how u view and perceive everything that’s happening in ur life. even the most restful day became a very blessed and memorable day for u! and u always ensure that you are able to share these experiences to inspire & bless others.
thanks for doing your very important role…
and btw, my hubby, Rio (who is also a Sanchez) also adores my mom, and my mom loves his only son-in-law! that’s why she’s here once again in jakarta for a year enjoying her 2nd apo. = )
belated happy bday po! and hi to marowe, bene n francis! will truly treasure the horseback-riding adventure of arlo n bene about 2 yrs ago. = )
Hi Bro. Bo belated happy b- day may natutuhan na naman ako syo iyong pag sigh hayyy… ay pag surrender mo kay Lord nangyayari na rin ito sa akin na down n down na talaga ako nag pray hard na rin ako feeling ko wala na akong masabi kay Lord I just sigh hayyy…bago mananahimik ako nararamdaman ko Sya pinapayapa ang kalooban ko at sinasabing maging matatag ako nadyan lng Siya di niya ako pinababayaan.salamat uli talagang blessing ka sa spiritual life ko more power to you and your ministry.
belated happy birthday bro bo…..
Mine’s a different story whenever my birhday is coming…It was always a disaster….puros sama ng loob ang natatanggap ko parang the day would never pass by that I would never feel disappointed to anything or anyone on my special day of course…..So every birthday I have especially last year…..would turn out to be something I won’t think of and have plan of….the only thing I planned was to be happy on that special day of mine….so I wished to GOD that on my special day I would get sick and have a coma or let me die on that day..but GOD won’t hear my plead…it seems GOD has other plans for me on that special day…But when I read your article today after your birthday it seems the beautiful way to spend my special day this year is to be alone with HIM….in the blessed sacrament so I can share anything on that special day even something or someone can disappoint me….GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY….Belated happy birthday to you…
P.S.
by the way my birthday is on September 18 hope you can greet me on my special day thanks…..again….
I’m just reminded; usually what happens when I don’t get what I want is I enjoy what I have.
I’m a riding enthusiast (on motorbike, mostly backroads and trails). I have an XT225cc dual sport bike and I’ve had my eyes set on a TTR250cc, twin cam upgrade. I’ve had this ambition for 2 months now but I’ve been trying to keep tuned to how God will deliver this blessing as he did with the XT225 (a surprise Christmas gift.) When the release of the bikes I’ve been eyeing for 2 months didn’t materialize, I suddenly realized I had so much more than enough for the things I can acquire to enjoy my rides on the XT225 now, on which I’ve been dilly dollying. So now I have a Komine Breathable rain gear, an Oxford tank bag and am planning on a RSTachini armored jersey.
Mean while, I know God is faithful and will grant my heart’s desire of a bike at a time when I can truly rejoice over His goodness…”and I will make you ride on the heights of the earth.” Isaiah 59:14
I used to curse God when there is problems or struggles. But, I confessed it and apologized. Now, I am trying to surrender my distress to God.
P.S.
Who knows, perhaps instead of a TTR250, a fuel injected WR250 R even!
It’s too extravagant for me I think…unless God thinks otherwise.
BoSanchez.ph » Sigh……..
bo sanchez blog entitled “sigh”. talks about his experience on his birthday and how he is thankful for all the blessings god gave to us….
I can relate with this story, most of my plans didn\’t turned out to good. In someway I was disappointed but I know God never break His promises for us. Sabi nga sa kanta;
From: God will make a way Lyrics;
“God will make a way, where there seems to be no way. He works in ways we cannot see, He will make a way for me”.
and from the Who am I lyrics;
” Who am I, that the Lord of all the earth
Would care to know my name
Would care to feel my hurt
Who Am I, that the eyes that see my sin
Would look on me with love and watch me rise again Still You hear me when I’m calling
Lord, You catch me when I’m falling
And You’ve told me who I am - I am Yours
Whom shall I fear
‘Cause I am Yours
This song make me realized that with God
” Life goes on”.
hi bro. bo, belated happy birthday!
it’s really swell when things don’t go according to plan, but sometimes it also serve as a wake-up call to check if our plan is according to that “big plan” God has for us.
am currently working but right now am in a crossroad, there are a lot of questions on my mind, but am taking it slow since everything is crumbling right now… probably because i’ve used my work as an excuse to keep me from deciding about my future… but i guess God is telling me that work is not my life… and i need to stop and smell the roses now…
Hi Bro. Bo. I have been a loyal reader of your newsletters for a long time already and I have like ten books you authored. But it’’s only today when I read this article that I found out that we have the same birthday. Belated Happy Birthday to us. I’m hoping I could catch your seminar here in Singapore when you visit and I will try to introduce myself if given the chance. God Bless to you and to all the readers.
Belated happy birthday Bo!!
I am now in Thailand and currently experiencing some difficulties dealing with my co-Filipino expats. But anyway, it disappointed me a lot because I thought working abroad is like living in Wonderland. I thought, dollars would just come so easy into my pocket that I don’t have to work hard for it. All the more, I thought, working with Filipinos in a foreign land would somehow ease the burden of being away from your family.. My presumptions were all wrong..
My plan of staying here for 3 to 5 years would be cut down into 1 year (that’s what I am thinking as of this writing). My plan of building my own house back in the Philippines would never be realized if I come back there earlier than expected. My plan of getting married would be postponed (due to lack of money wehehe). Etc etc
It may seem like the movie ‘Series of Unfortunate Events’, but one thing I always ask God everytime I get disappointed with something because a plan didn’t push through is, ‘What do you want me to realize Lord?, What do you want me to see with all these?’. I believe everything has a purpose. I may not see the whole picture at the moment but I know He will never leave me nor forsake me, even in times of distress. As I mature (I am only 23 now), na-realized ko na mas napapalapit pala ako sa Kanya kapag in pain ako, kapag disappointed ako, kapag mahina ako.
All I am asking God, before I lose my sanity over my current situtation here (hehe, hope not), is to give me discernment and clarity of mind to deal with the utmost toxicity of the people around me here.
Anyway, Happy Birthday BO!!!
Sana may Kerygma Feast din sa Thailand, o kahit Kerygma Magazines. More power!!!
In Christ,
Caloy
wow bo,
that was really something.
it might not sound much coming from a girl like me,
but what you wrote made a whole lot of sense to what i have been feeling fr so long.
thank you bo.
and tonight, after more than half of my youth i have been feeling angry, i’ll do my best to surrender. and hopefully before i end my teenage years, i will feel happiness in surrender.
ever since i started reading ur first issue of fish when i was in highschool, you have been enlightening me from day one, and you never stop in doing so.
god bless!
macrise
Belated Happy Birthday! Bro. Bo
Thanks for your inspiring thoughts in life…it inspires me to look life in a more positive way…in His way!
Continue to be an agent of God!
Good Luck to your endeavors and hope that I will have a chance to meet you in person!
belated happy birthday!..
it was truly a fantastic birthday celebration for you being with the Lord…contemplating and sighing with Him…
sighhhhhhh……its 1:45 am….thank you Lord for being with me at this very moment….
hi brother Bo! if ther’es one unique reason why i yearn for your talks and stories, it’s the way you always hit people! just like our Lord, you know what and when to say it = without you knowing it! a lot of my brothers and sisters will agree with me!
just like you, i woke up this morning feeling sooooooo low, weak and helpless. that is, despite of my daily morning prayers, Bible readings, sharing God’s word wiht as much people as i can everyday (you see, celfone has revealed its purpose to me afterall!). i end up saying… “My God, my God…..baket ako?!?!?!bakeetttt!! why oh why?!?%$#@*! ”
assuring words from my cosest friends and forwarded texts from people didn’t pave the way to cheer me up. so..i sat down here on my computer and opened my inbox and presto!ther you are sharing me these things. SIGH!!! i hate you, Bo!those 1st words already brought tears to my eyes and as i write this comment, i couldn’t breathe well!
all i do is complain..plead..beg God!!boohoo!what a shame!keep those messages from God coming!a lot of us need people like you who endlessly and unconditionally radiate God’s love..so we can also share this love from God, through you. with others who need it most!
God bless you and your family more and more!
happy birthday bro. bo!
sickness in my opinion, is God’s way of loving you! that’s how i look @ it everytime i get sick. that way, God wants to be closer to me and talk to me alone in the quietness of my soul. this reminds me of a Priest’s homily , he said, that in order to be happy , three things are necessary— trustful surrender , detachment and abandonment. in other words, just to sigh with the Lord as what you did, and let His grace work in our souls.
thanks again.
God bless you and your family.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY !!!
bituin
we just have to recognize when we have to let go and let God. He does makes all things beautiful in his time, and we just have to recognize the real plans he has made for us, and not the plans that we ask him to make for us.
You’re right, Bo. I recently lost my bestfriend for the nth time…because of a petty misunderstanding. I would normally cry buckets of tears and wish that we’d be friends again. He is one friend I know, who truly loves me for who I am and in one instance, during a difficult time in my life, The Lord used him as an instrument as I drew strength from him and he anchored me back from a dangerous and sinful situation. But this time, the utter kababawan of our disagreement made me realize that maybe God was telling me something about our relationship. If this is truly an ideal relationship, I once thought it was, then why would I lose him over something so ridiculously petty?Maybe He is telling me that it was no longer healthy and we needed this break from each other… For the first time in a long time, I simply held up my hand and said, Lord, sa iyo na ‘tong problema ko na ‘to. I did everything I could to apologize and make ammends but my friend’s heart seemed to have been carved in stone Or maybe, he was still hurting…I don’t know anymore so I simply just let go. Di na kaya ng powers ko… I did just sigh with the Lord. And amazingly, I did not feel any sadness over the loss of that friendship which I have treasured for 7 years… Basta, I know I would simply follow whatever He decides regarding this relationship…Somehow, it felt comforting…I hope and pray that in all aspects of my life…I can simply let go and let Him take the wheel…enjoying the peace and knowing fully well that He has my best interest at heart.
You’re right, Bo. I recently lost my bestfriend for the nth time…because of a petty misunderstanding. I would normally cry buckets of tears and wish that we’d be friends again. He is one friend I know, who truly loves me for who I am and in one instance, during a difficult time in my life, The Lord used him as an instrument as I drew strength from him and he anchored me back from a dangerous and sinful situation. But this time, the utter kababawan of our disagreement made me realize that maybe God was telling me something about our relationship. If this is truly an ideal relationship, I once thought it was, then why would I lose him over something so ridiculously petty?Maybe He is telling me that it was no longer healthy and we needed this break from each other… For the first time in a long time, I simply held up my hand and said, Lord, sa iyo na ‘tong problema ko na ‘to. I did everything I could to apologize and make ammends but my friend’s heart seemed to have been carved in stone Or maybe, he was still hurting…I don’t know anymore so I simply just let go. Di na kaya ng powers ko… I did just sigh with the Lord. And amazingly, I did not feel any sadness over the loss of that friendship which I have treasured for 7 years… Basta, I know I would simply follow whatever He decides regarding this relationship…Somehow, it felt comforting…I hope and pray that in all aspects of my life…I can simply let go and let Him take the wheel…enjoying the peace and knowing fully well that He has my best interest at heart.
Hi Bo, this is my first time to write this
Im a kind of person that is always had a plan for my life also prepared with different options in case that may mag fail. But lately parang all of my best plans dont happen because of so many reasons most of them was my relatives and then I ask myself bkit kailangan kong isa alang alang yung mngyayari sa kanila just in case I pursue this plan? I came to a point Im asking God y all of these things happened that He always give me false hopes I call them that because mostly parang konti n lng maaachieve ko n yung plan then something happened then boom wala n lhat..another option nman again ganun p rin God give me again hope n I will do my best to attain that plan then konti n lng ulit mgiging successful n pero again ganun p rin failed p rin..bkit laging ganun parang Im always trying so intensely but still nothing happen..thats the reason I call them false hopes.
And because of all these I learned how to be patient amd surrender to Him all my plans..Wala nman kc ako mgagawa if ayaw Niya n mgyari yung gusto ko kaya ako n yung sumusuko. But I keep on praying not to give me those false hopes kc umaasa tlga ako at nghihinayang pag ngfail yung plan ko. And I ask Him bkit noon all of my dreams/plans was happened n.. Pero ngayon ang dami ng fail, what was the difference b on me before and now? And I pray now n lng that God will show me the right direction, give me guidance and enlighten me in making decision.
Dear Kuya Bo,
Lumabas na po ang resulta ng architecture board exam, and i was not included. And you know how weak i became after receiving the news. Actually nainspire po ako sa mga sinulat nila sa topic na when my best plan dont happen. I thought madali lang tanggapin. Di pla talaga. After all that expenses it cause me. Hanggang ngaun nagbabayad pa rin ako ng mga utang. and now wala rin po akong magawa kundi mag ’sigh’.
I want to let go. and just let God. Thank God binigyan nya ko ng mga supportive people sa buhay ko. Kalaban ko lang naman talaga sarili ko. Sobrang nanliliit ako hanggang ngaun to think na boyfriend ko na di naman seryoso sa exam nakapasa ako hindi. I felt so small. at namamaga pa rin ang mata ko. Nahihirapan pa rin po akong tanggapin. At natatakot na sumubok ulit. But im listening to your words Bro Bo. thank you at pumayag kang maging instrument ni God. Thank god pinakilala ka niya sa kin. Hoping i could have the same strength that you have. Please pray for people like us whos having a hard time facing failures in life. Thank you po.
highhh… very nice sharing, nakakapagbigay ng hope lakas ng loob sa feeling down sa mga problem at hinanakit sa kapwa. sa totoo lang.. feeling hurt ako.. naghahanap ng sagot.. pero isinumbing ko na ito ke Lord.. at sya na bahala sa kasagutan.. alam ko na the best ang ibibigay nya sa akin.belated happy birthday.. God Bless you & your family.
Hewow Bo,
Frankly, good for you, you only had fever among other ailments.
My birthday was far more disastrous because i would realize many people became homeless, missing or dead. Afterwards, I would realize boats galore have capsized. Not to mention that there we floods everywhere. I, therefore, didn’t wonder that no one came to my party.
Yes, my birthday, June 22nd, was when the Philippines encountered Frank.
thank u bro. bo i’m so inspired and bless of ur story
sad that you haven’t gone to your original planned destinations… well…belated happy birthday! (my bday was last july 9, 2 days earlier than urs).Anyway, i admire your wife being with you even if you stink like a “rat” (as u mentioned in your kwento… hehehe) that time.Napaka loving nya. You are so blessed. I admire your being positive even if you are not feeling well…..kahit puro sigh ka….and yet you still feel that God is sighing with you (sarap naman)…. I only hope that after you get well, you still visited the communities that you planned to visit on the day of your birthday….
what If our best plan never happen?
never have one too on this planet that didn’t encounter some form of difficulty in life. whether, we are rich or poor. i just depends on how emotionally and spiritually a person were could really handle and solved this particular problems without jeopardizing our faith with god. me too! have had many plans that never realize until now! but feel frustrated?my ans. is No…why? i always remember in my young days.
i never forget roaming around the pier hunting for food, cleaning other people shoes for money.and sometimes going to schooll without even a single centavo in my pocket, never a day would pass in my young life that i never felt hungry. never even go to college because my own family is starving everyday how to provide food for six of us. but despite all that, i remember we’r always happy devouring a can of sardines and noodles everyday. Life is always a challenge..it’s enough to inspire me everyday! and to keep life goes on, no matter what happens as long as we all know more deeply that God is always with us and never abandone us!
Thank’s Bro. Bo for sharing to us your stories and making us inspired. Im so overwhelmed when you come here in Vietnam and have a talk..
Regarding po sa topic pg ung mga best plans ko hindi nangyayari at first frustrated ako at pangalawang ginagwa ko i pray to him na kung ano ung plano nya “thy will be done”.
Gaya nung dumating ako dito s Vietnam i have no work, after 6 months nagka offer ako magwork s dubai,sbe ko eto na siguro ung pra sa akin, then ndi pumayag ung father ko kc malayo daw yung dubai. I cry to God, sbe ko eto na po yung work kso may hadlang pdin, i continue praying na kung ano ang plano nya for me,let it be..
Morning i had a call for my brother’s friend, ang sbe sken aplayan ko daw kc naghahanap ng i.t, i go there and interview, and the employer said to me ” you start tomorrow “.. halos mpaluwa ako sa tuwa kc ang bilis sagutin ni God yung hinihingi kong Job.. Praised God!
Trees That Wood
by: Author Unknown, Source Unknown
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Once there were three trees on a hill in the woods. They were discussing their hopes and dreams when the first tree said, “Someday I hope to be a treasure chest. I could be filled with gold, silver and precious gems. I could be decorated with intricate carving and everyone would see the beauty.”
Then the second tree said, “Someday I will be a mighty ship. I will take kings and queens across the waters and sail to the corners of the world. Everyone will feel safe in me because of the strength of my hull.”
Finally the third tree said, “I want to grow to be the tallest and straightest tree in the forest. People will see me on top of the hill and look up to my branches, and think of the heavens and God and how close to them I am reaching. I will be the greatest tree of all time and people will always remember me.”
After a few years of praying that their dreams would come true, a group of woodsmen came upon the trees. When one came to the first tree he said, “This looks like a strong tree, I think I should be able to sell the wood to a carpenter” … and he began cutting it down. The tree was happy, because he knew that the carpenter would make him into a treasure chest.
At the second tree a woodsman said, “This looks like a strong tree, I should be able to sell it to the shipyard.” The second tree was happy because he knew he was on his way to becoming a mighty ship.
When the woodsmen came upon the third tree, the tree was frightened because he knew that if they cut him down his dreams would not come true. One of the woodsmen said, “I don’t need anything special from my tree so I’ll take this one”, and he cut it down.
When the first tree arrived at the carpenters, he was made into a feed box for animals. He was then placed in a barn and filled with hay. This was not at all what he had prayed for. The second tree was cut and made into a small fishing boat. His dreams of being a mighty ship and carrying kings had come to an end. The third tree was cut into large pieces and left alone in the dark. The years went by, and the trees forgot about their dreams.
Then one day, a man and woman came to the barn. She gave birth and they placed the baby in the hay in the feed box that was made from the first tree. The man wished that he could have made a crib for the baby, but this manger would have to do. The tree could feel the importance of this event and knew that it had held the greatest treasure of all time. Years later, a group of men got in the fishing boat made from the second tree. One of them was tired and went to sleep. While they were out on the water, a great storm arose and the tree didn’t think it was strong enough to keep the men safe. The men woke the sleeping man, and he stood and said “Peace” and the storm stopped. At this time, the tree knew that it had carried the King of Kings in its boat.
Finally, someone came and got the third tree. It was carried through the streets as the people mocked the man who was carrying it. When they came to a stop, the man was nailed to the tree and raised in the air to die at the top of a hill. When Sunday came, the tree came to realize that it was strong enough to stand at the top of the hill and be as close to God as was possible, because Jesus had been crucified on it.
The moral of this story is that when things don’t seem to be going your way, always know that God has a plan for you. If you place your trust in Him, He will give you great gifts. Each of the trees got what they wanted, just not in the way they had imagined. We don’t always know what God’s plans are for us. We just know that His ways are not our ways, but His ways are always best.
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yes, i think i can relate to this,
actually it’s been a long time since i got sick, anyways, every time such negative event to occur in my life; I think it was when I surrendered which fueled that God feeling (feeling good).
honestly, I always recalled the story of the Biblical Job. His wisdom accepts all of GOOD and EVIL as gifts from God. I was amazed at the same time puzzled, why Job think the way he thinks.
it was at my young age when I heard the story about Job, and still got puzzled how this wise man think the way he thinks.
hello people love by the LORD,
malimit ang DIYOS ay nagsasalita at nangungusap sa atin,pero malimit din dahil sa kadahilanang masyado tayong abala sa ating mga pang araw-araw na pangangailangan hindi natin SIYA naririnig o sadyang di pinakikinggan.
kung kayat ipinahihintulutan niyang tayoy mag karuon ng karamdaman. sapagkat kapag ang ating mga katawan na ang nagsalita agad natin itong pakikinggan.
Kahit simpleng sakit lng ng ngipin tayoy titigil at makikiramdam,magpapahinga agad, GOD LOVES US SO MUCH, ayaw nyang masyado nating pinahihirapan ang ating mga katawan. Dahil itoy templo ng kanyang BANAL NA ESPIRITO.
GOD BLESS PO SA INYONG LAHAT
hi! Mr. Bo.
i am high school teacher from Pasig Catholic College. i really am very much inspired with the newsletters that would be sent to my account. with all the problems that always come to our doorstep, i am still thankful because of your words and stories. i do hope that you could still inspire other people through your stories. and i also hope that one day, you’ll be invited in our school to encourage not only the teachers but aslo the students here. .
Yup, i felt that sometime, i didn’t just sigh. I even asked God why this has to happen when everything seems okay. But God as He is, He opened my mind to other things through my friends, through the community. I opened my heart to His blessings and stopped asking why. God has the best plans for all of us. We just have to surrender to His will. God has His way of making things not just for our good but it is for the best. God bless all of us and the LOJ community.Praise God
Dear Bro. Bo,
Belated Happy Bday,Sometimes that situation happened.Same like me Im expecting to passed
the board exam held last 12 and 13 july this year but I failed.All the people that I know prayed for me, and I even prayed and study hard but to no avail still I failed.
When the result of the exam was there I did not become sad but I feel blessed,and beside 2 days ago
when I started reviewing I dreamed that my name was not listed in the newspaper.It came true,I dont know why because that was my 3rd failure.
I dont know why, my IQ is superior during my medical exam.In school I am an academic exellent.
But during the board exam I feel blackout I cant remember the correct answer . My memory was temporay lost I dont know why. Maybe its Gods will no
matter how hard we try there is always something
for us. I hope there will be a suprise for me better
than that of the board exam.
Sometimes God has A greater plan better than that we failed off…
Hi Bro. Bo!
Belated Happy Birthday!
We were there at the feast last July 13, i was teary-eyed with the honoring your wife did. nakakainggit. haaaayyyy……..
about a month ago i broke up with my boyfriend of almost 8 years, we made plans, lots of plans——– together. and then one day, it happened. out of nowhere. he texted me saying na he’s no longer happy with me. as in text lang ha kasi di niya ko gusto kausapin. nakakaloka talaga. i was caught off guard.
Grabe Bro. Bo, naawa ako sa sarili ko. feeling ko para akong bata na iniwan sa gitna ng kalsada, at di marunong tumawid.
I was so dependent on him with everything, emotionally & financially. I was hurting & at the same time worried about my financial obligations.
Kaya ayun, i felt so alone & burdened.
Until narealize ko na hindi naman ako alone, iniisip ko lang na alone ako, nakalimutan ko na oo nga pala, andyan Siya, kahit kelan di Niya ako iiwan, kahit kelan pwede ko Siya lapitan at ipinadama Niya yun sa akin through my family & friends. My aunt & uncle who were the ones who introduced you & LOJ to me helped me understand why things like this happen. I was also surprised by mom’s reaction kasi we usually fight, ganon ang relationship namen ni mama (aso’t pusa pero we love each other) pero after what happened, its gotten better. ganon din with my friends, i lost touch with them kasi for many years pero now unti-unting bumabalik. Nakakatuwa talaga si God, dahil alam niya na nagiinarte ako na i feel so alone kaya ayan pinapadama niya sa akin na hindi naman ako alone, through my family and friends ipinapadama niya sa akin yung presence niya sa buhay ko.
You know Bro. Bo dati i pray and i go to church out of routine lang, yung tipo na irerecite ko lang yung prayers, ganun lang, pagumaattend ako sa feast, sige i sing along pero parang walang feelings, pero now, i talk to Him whenever i pray and sing, and its so cool kasi ang sarap ng feeling every after i pray, after hearing mass, after the feast, ang gaan gaan ng feeling. hahaha.
Through God’s grace i’m doing better now. I worry less. He’s making me understand why this happened making it all the more easy to forgive and move on.
Now, my mga moments of weakness pa rin ako. Pag naaalala ko si ex-bf, minsan naiinis pa rin ako, i still question why this happened pero i know naman that its a process talaga and in time it will get better.
In a way, I consider our break -up a blessing kasi now i get to appreciate my family & friends, I was given the chance to rekindle my relationship with them and most importantly, I found my way Home, back to the Lord.
May the Lord continue to bless you Bro. Bo!
Thank you.
7 weeks ago I had a brain haemoridge..I was right in the middle of making a Christian Music Video when it happened so it kind of ruined my day and my plan of doing something for the Lord in making the video.
At first all I could think about was the incredible pain in my head, but then (after a few weeks) I began to reflect on what had happened and what it all meant. At first I was thinking that maybe God was not happy with my lousy acting in the video..(surley not) but really I could see with hindsight how he had used this event for my good.
Whilst the weakness in my brain may be natural and bound to happen, the Lord did use it in a variety of ways. The first was in answering a prayer ! (ANO ?) because I had been praying to be able to quit smoking for about 14 years on and off. And suddenly I could’nt anymore because of circumstances and the nature of the illness. Also I stayed quit so far with very little withdrawal symptoms..Praise God.
Also, as my prayer life had become a bit stale and routine, it improved the quality of my prayer life I think. I was aware that God was in full control, not doctors or nurses or medicine or anything else, and that He would really determine the result. My prayer became more meaningful as I started clinging to Him once again and letting go of my natural independance, in favour of abandonment to the situation and His control of it.
Anyway, I survived, not much ill effects afterwards and making a good recovery, now a non-smoker, and praying more.
Often we have to take the exam first before we find out the subject or lesson in life diba
Praise God for ‘everything works together for the good of those who love Him’
Hello, Bro. Bo
Going back to your article “When My Best Plans Don’t Happen,” let me share my story.
Your article always answers my deepest questions and secrets. i am surprised when i got ur email every week as if God knows what i really need at that time.
What do I do when my best paln doesn’t happen?
Before anything else, I always consider myself a PLANNER, I loved to plan ahead for years with options, parang ikina career ko na. hah!
However, just more than a year ago, I was forced to decide on something that requires my utmost faith in God. I delay on making decision coz i’m employed in a very stable and highly paid company. Sabi ko nga, im at the crossroad of my life, i cant decide what road to continue my travel. My husband wanted me to join him in the middle east, leaving my children behind in the philippines with my sisters to take care of. I’m very hesitant to go, but then something happened to me.. I got sick often until it complicates matter at the office regarding my status. Thus, I was forced to make a decision and eventually resigned from my job.
After a year, I joined him and to my amazement, i found him fatigue and sickly. I took care of him until he recovered. Im now here for several months with job prospects eluding me.
Again, i asked myself, am i making the right decision? did i follow God’s will or my will? But I believe I follow Him with faith.. For the very first time in my nearly 20 years of marriage, that time when the reality sinks in that we’re not getting younger any more, I begun to REALLY FEEL that my husband truly loves and needs me. You see, i tend to prioritized my growing kids and my work before…
I need a job to help my husband provide for the growing needs of my children.Im praying for it… waiting for it… He will grant my prayer in HIs own time. in His own way and according to His will for me.
Bro Bo,
i forgot to greet you…
Belated happy birthday..
God bless…
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to jay,
thanks for sharing this wonderful story ’bout the trees in the woods. yes, it’s true , God always has some better plans for all of us, beyond our imagination! … something which is far wonderful than anything this world can offer! we just have to hold on to Him even in the storms in life in complete ” trustful surrender, detachment and abandonment. ”
thanks bro. bo for this wonderful space!
bituin
Alright! Well taken brother bro! Thanks for sharing this!
And oh, belated happy sigh-y bday! hehehe! AMEN on what you have said!:)
dear bro. Bo,
Belated Happy birthday! I just celebrated my birthday last July 11, too. well, just like you, i had my plans all laid out for the day. I applied for a birthday leave two days before my special day and planned to spend the rest of the day taking care of personal affairs i have didn’t have time to do because i work 8 to 5 monday to saturday. i was also looking forward to treating my daughter out after i fetched her from school at 3pm. i was already waiting for my daughter to come out of the school gate when my cellphone rang and my boss on the other end told me to come to the office right away and disburse the overtime of my officemates, who by the way were already waiting for me at the office. They were actually scheduled to receive their overtime pay on Monday but since i already have their money kept in the vault they could not wait for that time anymore. Sigh… i had to rush to the office with my daughter without having our merienda and with a heavy heart paid them their overtime. i was so disappointed when my plans did not happen. i just told myself that God wanted me to be selfless and to serve my co-employees because it was friday and they needed money badly for the weekend. at 6pm i have served everybody who waited for me and was ready to go home when the office phone rang and one of my bosses said that he is treating us to dinner at a posh restaurant near our office as advance celebration for his forthcoming anniversary as chief of one of our divisions. Wow! together with my daughter, husband (who followed later to fetch us), and three officemates we enjoyed the sumptuous dinner. My best plans for my birthday did not happen because God has His own best plans for me….!
Praise the Lord!
you’re always blessed bro. bo.
Happy Birthday Bro Bo! May you have many more birthdays to come. Thanks a lot fo the many inspiring thought and views that you are sharing with us. Long Live! I truly learned a lot and tying to practice what you preached.
to lea,
wow! always when we think of others’ welfare first, like what you did, being unselfish to your co- workers, God always reward even better, or the best!
maraming salamat bro. bo…
Hi Bo!
Probably my sharing is about my career. I’m a teacher now and I really don’t know know why I became a teacher. This was not my plan but I believe it was His mighty plan for me. I have been a good teacher and an adviser to my students and my passion was ooohh.. fiery??? hahaha…
I love it! I have touched many lives and I believe it was God’s plan for me, like yours… I hope you could reply to these comment and advise me about my problem (shifting to a new career for my family). Thank you so much and I’ll wait for your reply! God Bless you and your team!
An hour ago, i was so bothered by so many problems, i really didnt know which one i am going to face. i was so down and it was as if i felt very low. i was walking along Cubao and was about to go home until something stranged happened to me, i did not know why my feet brought me to the net shop. At first, i was a bit surprised what i am going to do here? is this the solution to my problem? many questions came to me until one sigh Ahhh… ok, for the info, the last time i went to the shop was i think last month…so for sure i have so many unread emails includling Everyday Gods Messages By Bro Bo and his inspiriing articles which really helps me a lot every now and then.
After reading the last article of Bro Bo, i felt relieved and i even feel better. Thank you very much for inspiring me again. Thank you for lifting my spirit up even if i’m on my darkest hour now. I believed that God instrumented you to touch me now and tells me to cheer up. God is telling me now, “Hey cmon, just be brave and be srong, there is no problem too big that i cannot solve it. I will never leave you, I will always be here for you. You are always be my son, no matter what…”
I believed now that your latest article gives me a relief and hope that no matter what. God is always with me…i think and feel that i have to surrender to Him, all my plans. I know that He always plans for the best…Godspeed Bro Bo. Once again thank you for lifting my spirit up. God is really great. He lets every people touch other people lives.
Good morning Bro. Bo,
Happy birthday to you. May our good ,gracious and merciful Lord Jesus Christ bless you even more throughout your lifetime and be with you always and same goes to your family, friends and ministries. Take care and smile always. More power to you and your good works for our dearest Lord Jesus Christ to the least of our brothers and sisters in Him above.All praise and glory be to our God Almighty in the Highest. Alleluia.
I praise and thank our God Almighty for your golden heart and mind regarding everything you do to others. Wonderful people like you and yours are truly blessings to countless
many. You make my heart smile with your kindness
towards the needy. Thanks again Bro. Bo.
In the love and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ, our Savior, Redeemer, Healer and Great Provider,
Evan
You know brother bo, i was always experiencing not having my plans followed…grabe…just like this one incident.
I had committed two weeks before a wedding to sing with my choir but after a week, i forgot all about the wedding and so i once again made a commitment with a friend of mine whom i have no longer seen for a almost a year to accompany her to take a confession on the same day of the wedding.
The day before the wedding/confession, i saw in my “to do list” that i made a mistake…so what i did, I LET GO AND LET GOD.
You know what happened? I was able to sing in the wedding because my friend overslept…and after the wedding, my friend, who wanna go to confession, told me that she wants to make it up to me for not able to go. So we went and have a great time together (she even treated me for dinner). God works wonders talaga!
Sighing with God…what an awesome moment!
Cursing Him…it’s just NASTY!
Cursing, makes you an Hypertensive…
Sighing, makes you HEALED…
I prefer, sighing with HIM…did i say it’s
AWESOME!
recently, God made it sure that i should learn the virtue of PATIENCE, out of all things He could teach me…He chose PATIENCE…maybe because it’s the least of the things I would wanna learn…coz i don’t have it…ever. I’m having a hard time WAITING for things to roll and just happen without me doing anything…it’s a big NO-NO for me, yet recently, God interfered…He did all the job that i ought to do…He, on the other hand, made me WAIT… and it’s been a very long 2 months of waiting…yet i know, personally, i know, i learned PATIENCE in the most unlikely manner, in the most unexpected way and in the most unexpected TIME…
for two long months, i’m sighing with GOD…
and the results were just amazing…
My life right now, is starting to roll and to happen…
hope…God never cease of Loving us all…no matter what…
Thanks for SIGHING with me God…
ahmm…its so nice to read some of your stories. i definitely like the way you delivered it. i can also relate your story in my real life. last week i was also got sick and i was not able to go to school on that time. and i cant imagine why those viruses went inside my body. and on that day it was our prelim exam. but thanks to TATAY GOD coz He help me in what requirements i have to accomplish.
PS. sorry in my grammar and spelling if there’s any correction…
belated happy birthday Brod. Bo
hi brother bo…
this article of yours struck my life right now..you see im in pains right now…im actually referring to what do u do when your plans dont happen…
I recently took the nursing board exam and the results were out last july 25, and my name was not there who pass the exam…i studied so hard for the examination and more than that I prayed with all my heart…I wanted to be a nurse and I want my parents to be proud of me but i disappoint them.
when the results came out my world suddenly turn upside down,,,,i was really crying yesterday to the point that i can barely move my body and my eyes were swollen….
people saying its ok but until now I find it hard to accept it…I work so hard for that examination and I felt like hindi ko na accept na na failed ako and my heart was literally aching…i was an achiever in class then pero talagang ganyan siguro talaga…
I ask God to help me overcome this situation , give me strengh ansd face this situation and suddenly your article came out in my mailbox…
nasabi its a way of God to communicate with me to inspire me with stories na hindi lang pala ako ang may ganiotong sitwasyon and there are lots of problems around..i just have to be strong and life goes on…God has His own way….in His perfect time I know…
PEACE B W/ U!!!
hi!it’s my 1st time hir…anyways b4 anything else i wuld like to grit u a very HAPI BDAY!!! thanks god for his greatness, producing a creature like u Bro. Bo !!!u know what i am fond and feeling bless when i read ur books,it really help me!
Don’t wori Bro.Bo ur sickness just tell that u r still normal person…hehehe!!!
May God bless you always as well as ur family!!!
God loves u so do i,
gracey
Hi Bro. Bo! Belated happy birthday! When I was reading your article, I kind of was able to relate because today is 3 days before my bday.. and I myself am not feeling well! (But I’m still at work of course hehe!) I’m not sure if God wants me to experience a moment of silence and quiet like you did hehe!
It’s not only the learning from the unexpected things going against our plans that is essential but for us to really believe that beneath any trial, there is always a hidden blessing waiting to unfold.
God bless!
To Kris: What you shared was truly saddening.. It really is hard but God will sigh and cry with you through this and let His warm and loving embrace know how much He loves you.
I remember one time when I somewhat was in your position. I was running then for a position in the Student Council and we all really worked hard for it. But when I didn’t win, I was really sad. But after some days, I just allowed God to move in my life, for whatever purpose He has. After a few months, I was chosen to be the Student Coordinator of the Liturgy. He didn’t allow me to take on the Student Council responsibility because He “reserved” me to serve Him in the Liturgy through my leadership and music! From then on, I realized, sometimes He takes away things that we’ve always wanted to do but He will give us the things that we were born to do!
God has a purpose for your life, this is certain. And whatever it will be, God knows it is the deepest desire of your heart.
God bless!
Hi Bro. Bo, Belated Happy Birthday!
I just want you to know that you’re really such a blessing to a lot of people. I’ve attended your Holy Week retreat twice and I can see how God is continuously using you and your group to reach out to more of His children.
Bro Bo, I wrote to ask if you can possibly recommend references for further reading concerning “heaven” or the Kingdom of God. I heard of the new teaching about it from our guest priest in the last Sunday homily. Im really surprised of his explanation that contrary to what most believe or think that heaven is a place, it is in fact a state (of being); which we can feel if Christ is in our hearts.
I believe him, in some ways, but from then on lots of questions are on my mind. If heaven is a state of being which you can be at now, what about eternal life? What happens after death? How I hope I can be enlightened more about this new teaching.
I’d appreciate it more if you, together with Fr. Steve Tynan or pther priests can mention whatever new researches or Vatican II teachings are available on this. I grew up in a Catholic School, also joined Born Again Fellowship meetings sometime during my college life, but decided to go back to the Catholic Church. I’m also sending my kids to a Catholic school. I know I can easily surf the net for an answer but I wouldn’t want to be influenced by other teachings which source I’m not so sure about.
Honestly, that homily somehow made me feel disappointed as heaven is something/ somewhere I have always looked forward to as a prize for following the Word of God, despite the many challenges we encounter everyday in this world.
I’ll be happy to receive an email from you or maybe read your reply through Soulfood or maybe through Kerygma mag. Thank you very much!
More power from heaven!
On hindsight, I believe that on my birthday, God wanted to commune with me in a very deep way. I didn’t know it, but my spirit was crying out for this quiet.
To love Rola…
thank you for the inspiring message…
really…
yah im in my downs right now…
naiiyak ako when people ask me if i did pass..cant help but cry with my answer i did not pass….
i wanted it so badly to the point that i get frustrated..
honestly,
i know i shud nt give up but my spirit and my heart is conquered by my fears, expectations that were not met,…
I ask God Why…
yah..i must admit im really sad…
I ask him to give me strenght ..
maybe there is sometyhing i need to learn..
maybe i wasnt ready yet..
I really dont know..
Maybe in His own time….
Brother BO..
thank you for your inspiring messages ha…as in…
i check my mailbox to read inspiring stories…
truly amazing…
Thank Brother BO>>>
God bless!
belated happy birthday bro. bo! as always, your words inspire me to the hilt!
last july 27, we were supposed to celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary — and we were totally BROKE, as in broken broke. it was a pathetic situation since ’sweldo’ is a stone’s throw away, yet we cannot afford to get into the debt quicksilver once more. my hubb and i decided to really manage our financials prudently so as to prevent further misfortune. yes, we were learning from you!
in short, the word ‘mope’ was an understatement, i was DEVASTATED. there was not just one ‘great plan’ in fact we had options and we planned it a month ahead. on that rainy sunday, the plan went poof.
hubb was apologetic of course, but i told him it was nobody’s fault. there were efforts made yet the plans didn’t push through, i guess it was no longer in our hands. i sighed to god, and i guess he sighed with me that sunday.
hubb and i stayed at home and i did the laundry out of frustration, haha! but the best thing that happened that day was that we had mass as a family, which we have not done in a while.
on our 10th anniversary, hubb and i stayed home, cooed and cuddled all day, rekindling the love we had in the early days of our relationship. it was an awesome loving feeling to be the center of attention of each other, no frills, no distraction, just US. even more, it is nice to realize that inspite of the challenges we faced and the rocky road the trod in the 10-year course of marriage we remained resilient through the storm.
GOD IS SO GOOD!
I am now in my “sighing moments”. I have to call it quits with my husband after almost 12 of marriage. After a lot of womanizing… I had to call it quits. Although I am still wondering if I am doing the right thing. He said nothing about the fact that I am now quitting on our marriage…what he asked is the right to see his kids…would you believe that!!! All I do now is just sigh. Plus the fact that my financial states are not doing well…losing my husband will also mean losing his salary. I am just holding on and hoping that God had plans with me. Your inspiring messages are one of those things that makes me think that life will get better…with God.
Dear Mami,
I can’t help but reply on your message. I am also a solo parent, “sumakabilang bahay” ang asawa ko. I am his legal wife and we have six children. we are now separated for 15 years. when we first separated, I was pregnant with our sixth child, my children were aged 12,11, 7, 3 and 1. I brought all my children with me at my parents province while he was left here in Mla. i was also jobless at first but my family helped me with their love, understanding, and financial support.
It was at this time that I really felt the love of God and my family. I received so much love that losing my husband was not the end of the world for me. I also didn’t stop him from seeing our children and didn’t said any bad thing about him to our children. So although separated, my children continued to respect and love their papa. I gave him all his right to his children and allowed him to visit them and give them his paternal love. I told my children, their papa love them and whatever problem we have is only between us. Both of us showed them our love in our own separate ways.
My children who are now aged 27, 26, 22, 18, 16 & 15 grew up to be good and God fearing children. All of them showing respect and love to us both although both my husband & I are still separated. .
When I separated from my husband, God brought me to a Solo Parent Ministry, who has been my support group and made me feel that I am not alone even without a husband. I pray you can join a support group like this . God has a purpose for allowing this to happen to us, so don’t despair, take courage, for God is with you.
i loved reading this blog, Bo!
it made me realize that when our plans don\’t come true, we should not blame God and instead be grateful for the blessings he keeps on showering on us.
[…] I just read a blog of Bro. Bo Sanchez, entitled Sigh… […]
I always sigh with God in surrender. I believe that when you have problems and you can not do anything about it. God can do evrything for you. Before when I experience problems in my life all I do is cry, but now I ask God to do His thing with my problems I totally surrender it all to Him. I know that God let things happen to us so we are reminded that Hey! Here is your God I am here I will never leave you because I Love you. I can make the best in your life until you ask me too. Open your hearts to God and He will surely make a way when you think there seems to be no way.
Trust in Him and all things will be possible with God believe in Miracles it is happening almost everyday just be sensitive enough to recognize them
In Christ,
Rose
I’ve been so depressed for more than a year now. After accepting my (now-)husband’s proposal, the plan was for me to take a sabbatical and finish grad school. After resigning from work, everything just went downhill. I made one bad decision after another - deferring grad school, taking one bad job and then another, getting pregnant - because I lacked faith in God and in my husband re our finances, and because I was having such a hard time adjusting to newly married life in a condo so far away from home and to a husband who was often away for work. I’ve also had several freelance projects that have failed to materialize and left me without a single cent for my efforts. Needless to say, I’ve been lamenting my lost year terribly.
After reading Bo’s entry, I looked down at my two-month-old son sleeping on our bed and knew he was the gift, the ‘fulfilled plan’, I’d been waiting for.
Dear Brother Bo I am from Davao City 46 years old at gusto kong magpamember sa kerygma family. Nagustuhan ko lahat ang mga inspiring words ninyo. I am a cancer patient at nasa stage 4 na. At gusto ko sanang marinig ang mga inspiring words ninyo for me to go on with my life now. Sometimes I feft bad about myself having a breast cancer.
greetings!!!
God is good!!!
i found a booklet n title didache. nakita ko lans ang book sa floor ng office namin habang naglilinis ako and i read the book. And from that moment i make apoint i have budget to buy the book and after reading it i give to my friends. hehehe ..kuripot,,, now nag iipon ako to buy other book of yours kuya? Bo. evertime kasi na mabigat and pakiramdam ko i read your book at gumagaan ang pakiramdam ko,….thanks to God ,…for people like you.
thanks for the very inspiring blog. God is so good because He sent you to inspire many. Thanks bro. Bo
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