Big in God's Eyes

I've always been fascinated how ants can carry 100x times their own weight (upside down, on glass according to the link). Ants are one of the strongest animals in the world--relative to its size.  This small creature has been endowed by God with something unique and special--a reflection of how He loves the little ones.

Have you ever felt small, insignificant, and even stepped on? In the Bible, God always uses the least of all to do His great works--the youngest brother tending the sheep (David), the least in a family of the least tribe (Gideon), the one sold as a slave (Joseph), a stutter (Moses), a small insignificant nation (Israel), and the list of the least goes on.

Never underestimate how God will use you. The Lord sees a lion in us even if we feel like a scared cat. God who is the source of true strength can give us the power to carry even 100 times the weight  of things we think we can't bear. Remember, Jesus bore the weight of mankind's sins that we may enter heaven. Sometimes our crosses feel like too heavy to bear, but the Holy Spirit enables us! How? We cast our burdens upon the Lord, we who are heavily laden.

“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened,^* and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.” Matthew 11: 28-30

We have a supernatural God who gives us supernatural strength. Without Christ in our lives, we will be borrowing strength from the wrong sources---worse, from the devil---that will lead us to our ultimate fall.

Get your Bible, hold it tight...feel the power, see the truth, live with His strength! You are BIG in God's eyes.

Point to Jesus: My prayers For Max's First Birthday

It's Max's first birthday. Firsts are always special. Max won't remember this day unless he sees the pictures and videos and--reads something about it. And so I go back to blogging after almost a month. John Maximilian Siatong-Llaban was born on August 29, 2012. I got to witness how Michelle gave out all her strength to bring Max out into the world. I salute all Moms!

 Max was the fruit of our Holy Land Pilgrimage. During that blessed trip while renewing our baptismal vows in the river Jordan, I was inspired by the humility of John the Baptist. Though he was great and people followed him, he never lost sight of his purpose--to prepare the way for the Lord.

John answered them all saying, "I am baptizing you with water, but one mightier than I is coming. I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. (Luke 3:16)

I want Max to be as humble as John, never clouded with pride amidst the great things God is doing through him.

Max's name is also inspired by St. Maximilian Maria Kolbe, Martyr and Marian devotee. 2012, Max's birth year, was the Magnificat year for Couples for Christ. In the community we were inspired by Mary's words, "My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord! (Luke 1:46)." I was looking for a saint that experienced and honored Mary in a very special way, thus, Kolbe. I pray that like the great saint, Max will embrace a deep devotion to Mother Mary and emulate Our Mother in proclaiming God's greatness.

Both saints, John and Maximilian, always pointed to Jesus. Max, my prayer for your 1st birthday is to grow up leading others to Jesus Christ--pointing to Him always. May God do great things through you and envelope you with the virtue of humility. Happy birthday my dear boy.