BITTER TO BETTER

 

In my childhood days, I remember my mother giving me 'kadu'. Bitter medicine. I hated it. I used to hold my nose and drink it as quickly as I could so the horrible taste wouldn't linger on my tongue, violating my delicate taste buds. 

Decades later, I am giving my children the very same medicine and they have the very same reaction. So why am I giving it to them when I had bad memories of the ordeal? 

BECAUSE I LOVE THEM. 

THE MEDICINE IS BITTER 

BUT

IT WILL MAKE THEM BETTER.

God is like my mother. He knows what is going to make me BETTER. He will make sure that I drink the BITTER even if I hold my nose. 

I used to get upset with God when things went wrong. Or if He did not grant me my wish ASAP. So God, like a patient father, has had to bear up with my impatient ways and still not get bullied by me. His chastisement was to withhold His grace long enough for me to realize that I needed Him and not what I could get out of Him. 

Every single day, I slip up and get a sound rap from my God. When I disobey the Spirit's prompting, I land in hot water. I'm like a little baby, just learning to walk. Unaware of how strong the snares of the evil one are until I am engulfed and grasping for breath. 

Then, when I am completely helpless, so broken that all my pride has turned to dust, my loving Father, my Abba, He breaks the bondages and sets me free. 

And what can I say about my dear Mother. Mama Mary? She is my constant consolation. She takes my prayers to Jesus. He cannot refuse her. She teaches me to have patience, have faith. 

Recently, I saw the power she wields. How she can grant something instantly if it is in the Will of God. I'm not a novena person but when my son's world came crashing down around him, I decided to try it out. Nine days later, the tide had turned. 

The bitter medicine is essential, crucial to our physical health. Tests, trials, tribulations are essential for our spiritual growth. The bitter can make us better. SUFFERING, if accepted as SALVIFIC, will ALWAYS make us better people, better Christians. 

I recall a time when I was suffering from asthma. I had gone for an inner healing retreat to GET RID of my sickness. But my Lord said to me, "Your sickness is a GIFT". I didnt grasp the meaning then. Now, in retrospect, I realize that it is truly a gift. 

In my weakness, His strength shone brightly. I conceived and gave birth to four babies with my sickness. Not once did He let me down. 

He has allowed me to function as much as I need to without any major problems. His hand is in mine, guiding me as to what I can and what I cannot do. 

Yet, I sometimes forget His presence, I let go of His hand and I get lost as a result. Then, I have to retrace my steps and search for Him. He's still there, waiting patiently for me. How glad I am when I find my Papa. And how happy He is to see me return! His eyes crinkle with joy, His arms are so comforting. 

From BITTER TO BETTER. 

ALWAYS FIND YOUR WAY BACK. 

HE'S WAITING.

FOR YOU.

FOR ME.