"PASKO NG MGA GWAPO"

(A special blog for my first ever LG Christmas Party)

It was indeed an unforgettable night of the 15th of December when our Light Group gathered to have our first Christmas Party as brothers. It was a moment of fun, fellowship, laughter and overflowing of gifts for everyone to receive. It was also a time of reflection and to remember all the blessings that have been poured each and every one of us for the year. And even though there are some minor hiccups, we still managed to set it aside and just make the most of our time.

For the past 6 months, I still can't believe why God gave me these wonderful and amazing brothers who are not just understanding and loving but also ready to help in any means necessary. I admittedly did not believe what our LG Head Bro. Jab at first when he said that prayers are answered in our LG until I experienced it first hand. I was a witness of our LG's generosity and concern to one another proving that the Holy Spirit is working in us.

With my Light Group, I discovered that ordinary things can be special. Worship is much more "lively" when I know that they are around. Whenever I'm with them, I'm secured. I feel safe. I feel accepted, I can be REAL. They are the ones who keep on reminding me that I don't need to pretend when I'm with them. In my younger years, I tend to compete with my friends, when someone is getting ahead of me or when someone is so blessed to have all the material things, it's either I get even or I show-off. But with them, I slowly become accepting of myself. That it is sometimes ok to be on the sides so that others can shine.

We celebrate each other's success and victories, we humbled ourselves because this is what God has instructed us to do. We boost the confidence of one another, empathize when someone is going through rough times and most of all, we prayed for each other. As a result, this transformative love which I believe has somehow produced a nurse and an engineer who both recently passed their exams, a teacher who became more proud and compassionate of his student, an effective batch leader, a brother who just landed a job and two of them even met their own special someone. But you know what? the great thing about all these is that whatever happens either good or bad, we see to it that we remain bonded and we always point to the ultimate source of all blessings and that is GOD Himself.

But just like any other family, our group isn't exempted from misunderstandings and "tampuhan". (And although most of it are caused by yours truly,) we still came through and our relationships as brothers prevail. To tell you honestly, there were times that I thought of leaving this group because of all the "mess" I caused but in the end, I still keep on coming back to them.

2019 is a year full of surprises and turning over a new leaf. It was a year of opening myself up to what God has in store for me. He led me to meet these new people who really impacted me through the core. I might have been betrayed before by the people whom I called "friends" but God tells me to trust again and believe again that there are still people who can show their authentic goodness. As a person who always feels rejected by the people he meets, I almost close my door to all the people that I will encounter convincing myself that people will just be "friends" with me because they get something out of me. But this time, it's different. I will stand my ground and bet on this friendship. Opening myself once more for the possibilities this brotherhood has to offer.

They are not perfect, they also have their limits and for sure they will disappoint me as I will also disappoint or even fail them but this year I have learned not to make them my world. I learned that they (or other people for that matter) will not be my primary source of happiness. True happiness can only be found on JESUS and JESUS alone.

As we face another year as a Light Group, my only prayer is for our brotherhood to remain strong than ever before. May we continue to support one another and be there whether in times of victories and failures. In times of joy and grief. We may encounter new challenges and problems but I pray that we will get through it all together. I pray that we may look beyond our weaknesses and shortcomings and continue to focus on the strength and goodness of every member. Just like what Bro. Jab would always say, "No one will be left behind"

Life is full of uncertainties, doubt and fears. But knowing that I have these brothers by my side, and Jesus as our model, our center and our source, we will keep on fighting head-on and looking forward to a future full of hope.