“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.” – John 3:16
This is the story of my grandmother. She celebrated her 98th birthday just a few days back. We are really thankful to God for extending her life, together with my grandfather, and sparing them from the inferno.
My mom told me a story that happened 34 years ago, and I felt she didn’t want to say much. It is about how 10 of our relatives and friends painfully suffered to their death, young and old, from 3 to 60+ years old.
For five years, our grandparents were constantly present before the day of Christmas. However, in November 1987, they were able to purchase tickets to Manila after the New Year of 1988. We are all disappointed, aside from missing them this Christmas, I also missed my favorite kakanin with tablea and ube halaya.
Then on 20 December 1987, shocking news about the worst maritime accident was all over the Philippines. How horrible it is to think that almost everyone on that ship died, engulfed in a sea of fire, infested by sharks and sea predators, catching their last breath. Until this day, a flash of torment strike me every time I think of it.
When God sets the universe in motion, the human “free will” is included. We are not like angels and robots, disaster and death to humankind are always present. What makes us different is He allowed us to become His children (1 John 1:3). For that reason, God gave my grandparents a different ship schedule. He is all-knowing. He’s omnipotent. We are like children asking a favor from our Heavenly Father, and He will give the best. Even His divine interventions are beyond our recognition. “I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” – Mark 11:24,
Thank You, Father, for not allowing us to perish in the lake of fire. We commemorate this very special day each year, receiving the wonderful gift we have in Jesus, our “ticket to heaven.” Amen
