However, I was bewildered because I am still currently employed under a contract that ends this June. I know that with the compensation that I would receive from the new employer, I could easily pay the penalty for my breach of contract. But I also know that it is not just about money, but my commitment to stay until June. I do not know whether there will still be an opening after my contract ends. For a while, I thought that God was provoking me. In my mind, I almost asked, Seriously, God? You know how much I want to be at this dream institution. You made this arrangement, and then, what's next? Will You make me decline this dream that I earnestly prayed for?

Then, I was led to the story of Abraham.

Genesis 22:1-2 – Some time later God tested Abraham. … "Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about." (NIV)

Abraham did not say a word of protest or refusal. He just followed. He didn't know what God's mind was, but he knew that God loved him. In the end, God provided a ram for the sacrifice. So, the position offered to me has become my "Isaac", and I am turning it down because I have a commitment and obligations to fulfill. I will have to wait and see what God will provide instead.

Proverbs 3:5-6 – Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. (NIV)

God wants us not to lean on our own understanding. He does not call us to sacrifice what we love because He wants to hurt us. He does that for us to be reminded that we should not love anything more than we love Him. The reward will be most fulfilling, because it assures us not only of our future, but also of our eternal glory in Christ.

What has been, or is now, your "Isaac" — a person, possession, or anything that you value so much that you just can't afford to let it go, but God is asking you to do so?

Prayer: Dear Lord, there are so many things that we just can't understand. Teach our hearts to choose You always, as it is a decision that we will never regret. You are the all-knowing God Who directs us toward a future of hope. Help us not to settle on our dreams, but to surrender them to You, for victory will always be ours when we have You. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Shall we therefore conclude that we love to love and be loved? If that is so, what could be more exhilarating than knowing that God, the supreme being, loves the whole world, including you and me? Then, we should appreciate John 3:16 more than February 14th!

John 3:16 – For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (NIV)

"For God so loved the world …". Let's ponder the truth of how a perfect God could perfectly love imperfect beings like us. He never withholds from us anything that is good and for His glory. He never gets tired of embracing us with His grace. He has loved us from the beginning, up to the present, and to all eternity. With our sins, we all deserve to die, but in Christ, He made a way to keep us close.

"… that he gave his one and only Son …". He has given us everything that we need for life and godliness while we are still here on earth. Today is also Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent, a time when we remember that God secured our future when He sent Jesus to die on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins — such an incomparable gesture of love!

"… that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." It takes only faith — believing that Jesus is God's Son and trusting in what He did for us on the cross so that we can be saved from eternal condemnation. Again, it takes only faith — God does not require us to do good deeds each day to earn a place in heaven. There is nothing that we can do that will take us to heaven — only what Jesus did.

The truth that John 3:16 brings makes us celebrate genuine love, not just for one day but for every day!

This Valentine's Day, let us share the best love that one could hear about and experience. While flowers dry out and chocolates are consumed, the love of God is always fresh and lasting. Go on a date and share God's love. The gospel is ready. Are you?

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for the selfless love that You've shown to us undeserving ones. As we treasure the love that we have received from You, help us to pass it on to others, as we aim to please You by letting other people hear of the gospel. This we pray in Jesus' name. Amen.

My time here has come to an end because I am praying for a new opportunity for growth. I know that God's grace will never end.

John 14:27 – Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. (NIV)

Jesus said these words when He was about to die and eventually go back to heaven. The Saviour, who had been with the disciples physically, would no longer be seen by them. The anxiety of separation would definitely be felt.

Do you find yourself worrying each day? If we look at the calendar, there are at least 365 days in a year. But if each day brings us something to worry about, take heart: the Bible mentions the word "peace" more than 400 times!

John 16:33 – I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. (NIV)

This verse reminds me why I should hold onto Jesus' peace and let my faith grow each day. He has already conquered the biggest fear that anyone could have — death. The rest of the things that I care about are just trivial in comparison: my job, my regular expenses to settle, the needs of my growing kids, and so on. God will never prove to be neglectful.

Christ will never leave us needing more. The truth is that He has already equipped us with what we need, both the tangible — the Bible, which contains everything that we need to know — and the intangible, including peace.

Let's allow the unknown future to lead us to trust the all-knowing God more!

Pray with me:

Prayer: Dear God, I pray that I will always remember Your promises more than the worries over which I have no control. May no situation make me faithless, because You remain faithful, no matter what. Thank You for being my constant in this changing world. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

My kids heard that loud "rawr" not only from the dinosaur video that they were watching, but also from me!

I hate to do it, but lately, I've been screaming a lot, getting discouraged over menial things more often, and seeing myself getting worse each day. I easily give in to anger. After almost breaking down from freaking out, only then did I realize how monstrous to my kids I have become!

Is anyone else guilty of the same feelings?

The chaotic house, the take-home work, the seemingly endless responsibilities of being a mom, a wife, and a career woman all stretch me too thin.

There are mixed tasks from these roles that trigger me and transform me into that wild beast! The sad thing is that I burst it out on my kids.

Inhale, exhale …

In such situations, we need to remind ourselves not to see things the way that they appear. Instead, we should look at things the way that the Bible describes them. For example:

Psalm 127:3 – Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him. (NLT)

The people and situations in our lives are God's gift to us. This truth will help us to shift from being ill-tempered to being grateful. We have something that God has entrusted to us. And it's not just something menial, otherwise it wouldn't have been important enough for Him to give it to us. As for me, He has entrusted me with lives to nurture, to train, and to lead to Him. Am I doing what I'm supposed to do? Am I training them in preparation for their future responsibilities? Are my actions leading them to knowing God? The monster in me is tamed. All I can mutter is, "Help me, God."

For each one, seeing life as a gift that has come from God helps us to see how blessed we are. Sometimes, what we try to get rid of in our lives is exactly what others desperately desire to have. Those gifts are something that we may not have asked for, but they were deliberately given to us. They are not just given by a random bystander but by God our Father, our Creator. He knows us well. He created our inmost being, and He knows what our purpose is. Therefore, He knows what we need to develop and change so that we can fulfill the mission that He has given us.

Prayer: Dear God, thank You for giving us countless gifts that we can't even name one by one. Forgive us for how we sometimes deal with the people and situations in our lives. Remind us that they are Your gifts to us and that we should handle them with utmost love and care because they are gifts from You. Help us to be faithful stewards of all Your gifts. We pray in Jesus' name. Amen.

• First, I wanted to be rich, not poor like Cinderella. I grew up in a family that started well-off, but since both my parents became jobless, my story became more of a riches-to-rags plot. From the time I was in elementary school till I went to college, my brother and I and sometimes my sister lived in a small part of a distant relative's house.
• Second, I wanted to find Prince Charming like Snow White did. I did not grow up with my parents. After they became jobless, they separated ways. I ended up choosing to live with a distant relative. It's hard to gain love from someone who is not your biological parent. I felt that I was fighting my struggles and life's battles all alone. I thought that Prince Charming would help.
• Third, I wanted to be like King Midas — whatever he touched became gold. I wanted anything that I touched to result in a treasure and, to everybody's delight, make me impressive. Being from a poor family lacking in love, I felt that my achievements could boost my esteem, and that is what I worked towards.

Now, wishing time is over! Being a grown-up showed me that there is no magic carpet ride to my dream life. Life is a real story, not a fairy tale set in a faraway land.

But once upon a time, I found the most wonderful adventure in the most unlikely place: the school where I am now working. I finished my high school there and met a teacher who is more than a fairy godmother. She loved me and pointed me to the most powerful Being, Who does not do magic, but performs miracles and provides for my needs: God! Yes, my teacher taught me about God. While I was like Alice in Wonderland who was lost and couldn't find her way back, this teacher led me to the Way: Jesus. He is the way, the truth, and the life — all that I need — and all that I was looking for was in Him.

When I was poor, Christ has made me rich — rich in wisdom and strength. Prince Charming? Christ is our everyday protector and the constant lover of our souls. His love is unconditional. Gold? Christ makes available everything that we need — it's just a prayer away.

Ephesians 3:20-21 – Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work in us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (NIV)

Having Christ makes me dwell on what Thumbelina said, "Don't ever wish to be anything but what you are", because in Christ, we can live happily ever after — eternally!

Prayer: Dear God, we thank You for making everything that we need within our reach, because You first reached out to us by sending Your Son, Jesus. Thank You for the love that You gave us that enabled us to have a feeling of worth. May we become good stewards of what You have entrusted to us, and may we continue to share Your goodness at all times. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.