i am rhonel

I always wanted to be a “please, God” family. You know, those people you look at and silently pray, “please, God make me as happy/ beautiful/ content/ privileged as them. The Pinterest’ and Stock images’ family, almost blinding you with their good fortune. I assumed that that will loudly proclaim God’s care and provision. The perfect family, with their happy smiles and rich travel experiences.

And then one day, within two minutes, we morphed into the “thank you, God” family. You know, the ones you look at and thank God that you don’t have to face their challenges. Their lives make you thankful for your own privileges. And even if you wake up a bit depressed, when you come across their story you relook your life and the veil is lifted to see God’s protection and grace in your own life…

It forced me to relook my own meaning making about life. Is it true that our struggles and “rock bottom” times carry the meaning that God isn’t providing? Is it true that only during our times of easy, comfortable living can we convey God’s grace?

I ponder about the story of the poor fig tree being reprimanded by Jesus for not carrying fruit. But it is clearly stated that “it was not the season for carrying fruit”…It only started making sense to me the day when my own life entered its coldest winter season. And I realised that Jesus expects us to carry fruit even “out of season”.

I decided then I wanted to be the “Thank you God!” family. You know, the ones who can thank God even out of season. The ones whose inner happiness and joy is in strict contrast with the imperfections of everyday life.  I am still a work in progress, and will probably continue to be. And so we became the “please God!” family. You know, the ones who daily pray; Please God teach us to be fruitful – in and out of season!