My Psychology

Introduction to Agreeableness

This section of your profile describes your interactions with other people. The ways we communicate our feelings, beliefs and ideas to others are influenced by our cultural backgrounds, the way we were raised, and sometimes which side of the bed we got up on this morning. Some of us are very mindful of others making decisions we hope will be in their best interests, even if it means sometimes neglecting our own interests. Others of us believe each person should be responsible for themselves, taking deep pride in our own character and independence with a firm belief that others are best served by doing the same. The following describes how you engage with others; illustrating the dimension of your personality that determines your independence or your desire to reach out and touch others in meaningful ways.

You are best described as:

USUALLY TAKING CARE OF OTHERS

Words that describe you:

Understanding Unquestioning Humane Selfless Gentle Kindhearted Gullible Indulgent

A General Description of How You Interact with Others

Here's one important truth about you: you have a tender heart. Yes, you know that others need to learn to take care of themselves. Yes, you know they need to accept the consequences of their foolish or bad behavior. And sometimes, even when your instinct is to help them, you will let them fend for themselves and let them suffer the consequences of their choices or circumstances. But most of the time you are there to help when they need you. If they are in trouble, you offer compassion and go out of your way to be helpful. If they need someone who will listen, you are trustworthy and sympathetic. And you are direct with them; when they need advice or counsel, you offer it in a straightforward, direct manner, without beating around the bush. You're also smart enough to know that you cannot take good care of others if you fail to take good care of yourself, so you listen to your own wants and needs. If you've run out of sympathetic energy, you spend time restoring yourself. If you've ignored your own pain or frustration, you find a friend who will listen well, or go into your own private healing place and give yourself permission to focus on you. But before long, you're back at it with your friends, offering a sympathetic ear and compassion on which they learn to trust, also giving straightforward advice and counsel when they ask for it. You do know how to take care of yourself, but your genuine interest is in taking care of others.

Negative Reactions Others May Have Toward You

Selfish people might be embarrassed by you. While they're using their time and energy almost exclusively on themselves, they see you giving time to others, and your kindness puts them in a bad light. Maybe they'll think you're a phony, that you use your altruism to get others indebted to you so they'll then owe you a favor. Or perhaps they'll accuse you, directly or behind your back, of focusing on the needs of others so no one ever focuses on your foibles or your genuine wounds. All of these are false accusations; yours is a genuine compassion, because you truly have a tender heart. One criticism might be more substantial, though. People might notice when you let things get out of balance and spend so much time responding to others that you neglect your own needs. Perhaps it's true to some extent that you are more comfortable when the focus is on someone else's needs than when you and your needs are front and center, and this may be a criticism worth paying attention to.

Positive Responses Others May Have Toward You

Positive responses to you are likely to far outweigh negative responses. For many people, your genuine kindness will be an example of a way to treat others and a way we want others to treat us. They will see in you the traits of compassion and sympathy which they might want to focus on in the development of their own character. For those people you help you will be the friend they need, there at the right moment to help them when they've stepped into yet another thicket of pain or confusion. They will be grateful for your listening, for your straight talk when they need straight talk more than anything, and for the hand you extend so they can find their way, with your help, out of whatever tangle they've gotten themselves into.

Introduction to Openness

How firmly committed are you to the ideas and beliefs that govern your thinking and guide your behavior? Some people trust their current ideas and beliefs the way a climber trusts the mountain; whichever way they move, whether the climb is on a familiar trail or over new ground, there is something solid beneath them, something they count on. For others, new ideas, new solutions to old problems, new beliefs that replace tired convictions are like welcome wind in their sails. They can hardly wait to tack in a new direction and ride a new idea through uncharted waters. If it's new, it's interesting, and they're ready to explore. The following paragraphs describe your responses to new ways of thinking and believing. How do you handle new information? Are you more like the climber on a familiar mountain or a sailor with a tiller in hand and a fresh breeze to propel you? How you integrate and process new information about the world and about others is a core aspect of your personality.

On the Openness Dimension you are:

CURIOUS

Words that describe you:

Original Inventive Thinker Brave Eccentric Avant-Garde Out-of-Touch Unique

A General Description of How You Approach New Information and Experiences

You think like an artist. Or better, you SEE like an artist. While most people look at life's straight lines, its height and depth and width, you're bending the lines with your imagination and turning black and white into shades of blue and yellow. And in conversations at work or with your friends you want to ask, "Do you see what I see?" A few might, most don't, but you've piqued everyone's curiosity with your own original and inventive ways of thinking. You can, if you must, think in conventional ways. But left on your own, you'll usually opt for the eccentric or avant-garde; in fact you're usually bored with what everyone else is comfortable with. You learn from reading, talking, watching people and other fauna and flora, and simply sitting in the soft chair of your mind and wondering how people would learn how to count if they could only use uneven numbers. You are out in front of conventional ideas, bravely originally defining true and false, right and wrong, the good, the bad and the ugly.

Negative Reactions Others May Have Toward Your Style of Thinking

You drive through life faster than the speed limit, and when you hit speed bumps, and you hit a lot of them with your mind distracted from the straight line ahead your wheels leave the ground. For people who like life at a safer speed, you move too fast and lose touch too often with the solid ground they prefer, hence their discomfort with you. As odd as you might find this, many people feel safe in the shelter of the world they already know. They like the familiar. They breathe easily and sleep deeply knowing with more certainty how the world works. So although they might enjoy your company and be curious about your latest notion of how to count backwards by threes, they can only take you in small doses. And they wish you'd quit trying to push the boundaries of their personal and social cosmos.

Positive Responses Others May Have Toward You

Even those whom you make uncomfortable know, as just about everyone does, that you're not a flake. You think well, and even your wildest fancies have their roots in the deep soil of sound ideas and tested beliefs. So even if some people don't want to drive at high speed with you, they will respect you for your courage as an innovative and unconventional thinker. You lend color and imagination to what would otherwise be the straight black and white lines of their work world and social environments. A few more daring people of your circle might even learn from you to take a risk they would otherwise never consider. As comfortable as they are on solid ground, they may be curious about what it would be like to go faster than the speed limit, or paint the living room two shades of blue, or question ideas or beliefs they've fingered like sacred beads since they were children. After all, they watch you do it, and you seem no worse for the risks you take. In fact, your eyes are wider and your breath quicker, and maybe they can find at least a bit of this for themselves. To be certain, they don't want their wheels to leave the ground, but maybe the next time they approach a speed bump they might just brace themselves and speed up just a little bit.

Introduction to Emotional Stability

We're born with the capacity to feel deeply, so it's as natural as breathing to experience a range of emotions. Fear and joy and sadness, anger and shame and disgust lie somewhere within each of us. Ah, but to what extent do we control these emotions, and to what extent do they control us? How you answer this question of how your emotions play out in your life has a great deal to do with your levels of personal satisfaction and with the character of your relationships with others. Do you manage your emotions well, keeping them in check with your thinking and your willpower, or are you someone who lets emotions have their way, giving in to the wild dance of feelings? The following paragraphs describe your emotional range in terms of being a person who is emotionally steady or someone who is responsive to whatever feelings swell up in you.

On Emotional Stability you are:

SOMETIMES STEADY, SOMETIMES RESPONSIVE

Words that describe you:

Adaptable Engaged Able to Cope Passionate Perceptive Flexible Receptive Aware Avid

A General Description of Your Reactivity

In some ways, you've got the best of emotional worlds. When emotions rise up from inside you or are brought forth from a conversation by a friend, you know how to engage them. You deal with sadness, fear, joy, anger - whatever comes up - in ways that are perceptive and flexible. You can adapt to whatever level of emotion is appropriate to the moment. At other times, you are able to cope with your emotions in a more reserved manner. Because you are aware of what does and does not make emotional sense in a particular situation, you will decide when it is an appropriate time to express your emotions and when it would be best to keep them to yourself. All of this gives you a rich emotional life. You are free to express your passions about certain subjects with appropriate people. But you are also emotionally adaptable; if the conversation needs to be more cerebral, you'll keep it "in your head" and talk calmly through whatever issue is on the table. This emotional awareness serves you well. You seldom get in over your head, either by opening up to the wrong person or by triggering in someone else's emotions they may not be able to deal with.

Negative Reactions Others May Have Toward You

When it comes to dealing with emotions we all meet some people with whom we don't match well. You bring a balanced approach to your emotional life. As such, those who are at the extremes are most likely to have a negative reaction to you. Those who live in their emotions may feel you tend to "live in your head" while those who go through life as an emotional rock may feel that you are a bit too "touchy feely" for their approach. And of course it is always possible that because you do balance your emotional approach to life you may misread others - we all do at times. So there have undoubtedly been those times when you have misread cues and stayed in your head with someone who hoped for a more open emotional approach or you may have opened up emotionally with someone who keeps their emotions bottled up. But these things happen and since you do have a good balance of being in touch with your emotions and not being overly impacted by emotional swings, you undoubtedly are able to adapt. Another potential problem is that as people get to know you well, they will discover that you have a great balance between emotional expression and emotional control. If they don't have this balance they may wind up envying you. They can't express feelings as well as you, or they are too often out of emotional control and resent you for your ability to cope so well with the very emotions that may trip them up.

Positive Responses Others May Have Toward You

Many people will be grateful to find a friend like you who can stay in control when emotions verge on chaos, but who can also go into the tangle of emotions when it is safe and appropriate to do so. Because of your ability to engage them at whatever level they are comfortable, to adapt to whatever changes in emotion emerge in the conversation, and to cope so well with all of it - well, they'll be very glad they found a person like you. You may, in fact, wind up as something of an emotional mentor. Your awareness of the emotional temperature of a situation, your ability to adapt to either heat or cold, and your ability to cope with whatever winds up happening in the conversation could be models for them to follow as they come to terms with their own emotional worlds.

Introduction to Conscientiousness

It's a work day, breakfast is over, and you're dressed and ready. So how will you approach the tasks at hand? Some people work best with a clear schedule, a set of priorities and a due date for every step in the process. Others are, shall we say, less regimented. They approach a task with as much imagination as organization, and with a willingness to bend and modify in order to exercise some urge of creativity. How about you? Do you walk in a straight line toward a clear goal, or are you more likely to dance your way down whatever path will get you wherever it is you're headed? The following paragraphs describe ways in which you approach the tasks life brings to you, and to what extent you are focused or flexible in how you choose to proceed.

Your approach toward your obligations is:

FOCUSED

Words that describe you:

Deliberate Careful Regimented Determined Proactive Obliged Methodical Perfectionist Purposeful

A General Description of How You Interact with Others

Everybody knows they can count on you to do what you promise to do, be where you say you'll be "on time" and finish what you start. If you say you'll chair the committee, you'll come with an agenda and a clear outline of the tasks to be accomplished, give everyone a chance to speak their minds, and then call for a vote on each issue, schedule the next meeting, hand out assignments and adjourn at the appointed time. You like order and discipline, and use these to methodically accomplish whatever goals you have set for yourself and for others. And you have a strong sense of obligation if you accept responsibility, you are proactive; you take it on with a single-minded commitment, as if you've pledged your allegiance to the assigned task. People know that they can depend on you. Your personal life is also one of order and discipline. You are likely to have a pretty firm schedule, and to stick to it. You make time for your friends, but not at the expense of your work duties. You can be talkative and funny in social situations, but seldom out of control. In fact, you are pretty careful; you seldom, if ever, cross the line into impulsive behavior, and you are even careful to control how much of your inner world you disclose, even to your close friends. You keep yourself in check because you don't want whatever mess might be inside you to leak out into conversation or make a mess of a relationship. There are things to accomplish in life, both at work and in your social world, and you don't want to let unnecessary clutter hamper your drive to get all of it done, and done well.

Negative Reactions Others May Have Toward You

It's not hard to imagine one of your friends or colleagues saying, probably under their breath, "Just once I wish you'd be late to something, or wear the wrong clothes, or trip over your own feet. You seem so tightly put together that, just once, I'd like to see you explode, in laughter or anger or . . . anything." In part, they may be envious. You get so much done, and done so well, that they might feel they never measure up. Your discipline and sense of duty put them to shame. But it may also be that they sense that beneath that single-minded and orderly demeanor of yours is a complex and sometimes complicated person whom they'd like to know, not so they can make fun of you but so they can share their perplexed humanity with you and get you to share your complexity with them. They might wish you were less cautious, and therefore, more accessible to their friendship.

Positive Responses Others May Have Toward You

"If we want something done, we know whom to call." Most of your friends and colleagues will learn to count on you, and they will appreciate you for this reliability. If they get off track in a work situation, they'll turn to you because they know you've got the goal clearly in view and you're moving toward it with that characteristic discipline of yours. You'll help get them back on track. If they need a personal friend to count on, they know you'll show up when you say you'll be there, dig in to whatever the common task is, whether it's planning a party, organizing the garage, or working through a financial mess, and see it through to completion. For anyone in trouble, you are the proverbial "friend in need". Many of your friends will see you as an example that they seek to emulate. When they get disorderly or disorganized, they can watch how you live and work, and find in you a mentor in self-discipline. They might well admire not just your ability to get to the goal or your single-minded drive, but also the underlying quality of your character; they will see your sense of duty to yourself, to life's tasks, and to your friendships, and admire and imitate these qualities in you. Your focused life will be a guide to them when they get themselves so out of focus that they don't know where they're going.

Introduction to Extraversion

Some days you want to hang out by yourself, not answer the phone, and make the world go away. The next day you e-mail everyone, schedule lunch with a friend, and try to find an evening gathering to take part in. It may be the phases of the moon, or something you ate; some days are just like that. In actuality, your desire to be with others or to be alone reflects something deep in your personality. Some of us are more comfortable by ourselves or with one or two friends, while others of us crave the crowd and can't stand it when the house is empty or the phone doesn't ring. The following paragraphs describe your fundamental desires about being with other people; whether you are generally an outgoing person or more reserved, if you seek adventures with others, if you tend toward assertiveness or kindness.

When it comes to Extraversion you are:

SOMETIMES OUTGOING, SOMETIMES RESERVED

Words that describe you:

Moderate Amiable Laid-back Temperate Relaxed Poised Civil Uncommitted Pleasant

A General Description of How You Interact with Others

Lucky you! You enjoy your own company as much as you enjoy the company of others. You are a great conversationalist and thrive in the wonderful kinds of connections you know how to have with your family and friends. You also equally enjoy your own company, whether sitting in a favorite chair with your book and soft music playing or meandering in the woods by yourself. You like coming home to your family or your roommate; but if no one is home, you find quiet, solitary time to be just as pleasurable. What a great combination to enjoy being outgoing and to be just as comfortable being reserved. Lucky you!! Because you are so amiable and relaxed, you are comfortable with almost any group of family or friends. Whether they are pumped up and lively or calm and subdued, you remain at ease. If someone needs to take over the conversation, you are comfortable taking the lead; you can also lay back and let someone else be in charge. If the conversation gets rowdy, your moderate demeanor will often draw it down to a more temperate level. If someone in the group loses their cool, you will most likely maintain your poise, and if they get nasty you know how to keep a civil tongue. You may find yourself out of balance on occasion. If you're alone too much, you may need to get in touch with someone. If you spend too much time with your family and friends, you may need to sneak off for a day by yourself, to putter and read and clear your head of the noise of too much conversation. When you're at your best, you live with a rhythm of time with others, time alone, time with others, time alone It's a satisfying, comfortable balance. Lucky you!

Negative Reactions Others May Have Toward You

You may occasionally run into problems with other people. Since not everyone is as balanced as you are, close friends and family may get frustrated with you, or you with them. They may be more sociable and outgoing, and find you too laid-back and relaxed. They want conversations to be lively and passionate while you keep things amiable and civil. Or others may be more quiet and reserved than you, and when you're in one of your more animated moments they may wish you would back off. You may be ready to put more energy into a conversation than they are comfortable with. And your balance may be a problem. Other people may be consistently more sociable or more reserved than you, and find you to hard to read, some may even say you ride the fence. Others may find themselves envious of your ability to be outgoing at times, and at other times comfortably reserved. If you pay attention to pick up these cues you will be in a better position to know how you want to interact with such folks.

Positive Responses Others May Have Toward You

Most people will truly appreciate your flexibility in social situations. They will like you for your amiable warmth and your willingness to engage, and for your ability to sit back and let others take the lead or the spotlight. They will appreciate ways in which you temper what could become intemperate moments; by remaining poised and relaxed when others; temperatures are rising, you keep things civil and sane. You are as good at listening and following as you are at talking and leading, and people will often appreciate your ability to adapt to the situation. Because you are sometimes outgoing and sometimes reserved, you will make most people comfortable in your presence, and they will truly enjoy your company.

My Mama’s Love

I have to say my pride got the better of me.

It made a play on me little by little.

Just when I thought I was in the know.

My anger shot up over the past two years.

I was –am– doing much better with my money.

When, without mama, I wouldn’t get here at all.

It all came together at my lolo’s funeral.

Mama shed tears when no one looked.

She was strong and beautiful, dependable and wise.

She gave money she didn’t have – finding a way to provide.

She closed her eyes to the future hardship.

She is the eldest, and has hope only at her side.

At first, I wanted to scream at other’s selfishness.

But her sister simply stood amazed, boasting of her always.

She helped me see that mama acts all out of love.

I thought I could live grand if I didn’t imitate her ways.

But mama just loves the best way she knows how.

As a daughter, a sister, a mother, and a friend.

Mama is always generous with her time.

She cooks with care, and waits upon me each day.

She does everything without expectation.

She humbles herself and borrows money you ask.

Just so you can have what you wanted.

She puts her family first, herself always last.

I withdraw in shame at this revelation.

I am nothing like mama, and I am wrong.

For her I will eternally be grateful.

They Can Be the "Debt" of Me

Today, while looking for something, I stumbled upon a brand new notebook PC.
I said no to it because of their mounting debts that remain unpaid.
I said no to it because my family does not live a simple lifestyle.
I said no to it because it would be a second notebook PC within the same house.
I said no to it because we could not afford it -- just yet.
But I was mentally calculating it, "How can we afford it?" (I learned that from a book).
Yet, they just couldn't wait...got the notebook, got the house, got to be a one-day millionaire.

Many times they deceived me so they could extort money out of me.
They asked money from me to pay for their credit card bills.
They asked me to pay for the US interview fees.
All the while giving the same excuse to borrow money from other people.
They tried to borrow money from my aunt using my education as an excuse.
They buy a house, and borrow money to use as a downpayment.
They send balikbayan boxes to the Philippines instead of pay their debts.

Today, I cleaned the house because the dust has accumulated over time.
As usual, I usually picked up the slack because no one would voluntarily tidy up.
I had hoped that she learned to live life without househelp.
I used to pick up after her mess back in the Philippines.
I tested if there would be any change of heart by intentionally not cleaning.
Her room is a pigsty, the new house already has insects living in it.
No change, no initiative, no learnings from the past.

I am at my wit's end, and refuse to tolerate this.
Could there be a clinical term for people who try to escape from their debts?
Blindness. Nonchalance. No sense of responsibility. Intervention please!
Whatever happened to responsible parenting, and growing up?
I will save up money to buy the things necessary to live here.
I will be a good financial steward, and will not be moved.
Call it tough love; but there's one thing real that I call it: Poverty.

The Overcome Inspiration

I am inspired. I heard this song entitled Overcome. But a song is just a pointless melody if it is without a story: Overcome Song Story. The video of the song: Overcome.

Sing to the Lord. The New Life church saw that God is real despite the many tragedies that happened to them. Whether in stormy waters, spiritual drought, or joyful moments, we can sing our own beautiful anthems to the Lord.

God is near. I ponder on these words and see that the word come is associated with drawing near to, or coming into contact with someone. God sent many prophet – and even showed Himself to some of them – so as to speak to His people. God saw that that wasn’t enough, so He sent a Son named Emmanuel, which meant God is with us.

He overcame. He did not just come…He overcame. What do I know in the last 10 years that keep me coming back to God in prayer or in service? That I am made right before Him through the blood of His Son. With this knowledge, the only appropriate response is to say yes to Him whatever the cost, to do right despite the worldly ways that tempt me, and to persevere moreso if it reaches to a point of desperation - where everything around me compels me to believe that He has forsaken me.

I've come into full circle. Many say that to follow the Lord, one needs to turn 180 degrees. I have my own interpretation of the life that I now lead. It is coming to terms with everything around me and me personally changing how I deal with these things. I may go 180 degrees but a bend in the road may get me back to the same circumstances that tell me to just go with the flow. So I think I have come into full circle. There is nothing in this world that can change who God is, who I am to Him, and who He is to me.

It is done. I delight in the same God who has given us His breath, His promise, and His character…the Holy Spirit. With His power, what can we not overcome? If God is the Alpha (and He is), then we know how this will end (He still is).

Title: Overcome/Author: Jon Egan/Artist: Desperation Band

Seated above, enthroned in the Father's love. Destined to die, poured out for all mankind. God's only son perfect and spotless one. He never sinned, but suffered as if he did.

All authority, every victory is Yours. All authority, every victory is Yours.

Savior, worthy of honor and glory, worthy of all our praise, You overcame. Jesus, awesome in power forever, awesome and great is Your name, You overcame.

Power in hand speaking the Father's plan. You're sending us out, light in this broken land.

We will overcome by the blood of the Lamb. And the word of our testimony, everyone overcome.

This is my story. This is my song. Praising my Savior. All the day long.

With All I Am

Taken from Hillsong's album For All You've Done:

Into Your hands I commit again
With all I am, for You, Lord
You hold my world In the palm of Your hand
And I am Yours forever

Jesus I believe in You
Jesus I belong to You
Youre the reason that I live
The reason that I sing
With all I am

Ill walk with You Wherever You go
Through tears and joy Ill trust in You
And I will live In all of Your ways
And Your promises, forever
I will worship I will worship You

Through It All

I just wanted to honor God through this song, Through It All, taken from Hillsong's Blessed album. Through it all, God showed me His faithfulness and victory. Thank you Lord for thirty-one faithful years.

You are forever in my life.
You see me through the seasons.
Cover me with Your hand.
And lead me in Your righteousness.

And I look to You.
And I wait on You.

I'll sing to You Lord a hymn of love
For Your faithfulness to me.
I'm carried in everlasting arms.
You'll never let me go through it all.

Hallelujah. Hallelujah.

No Longer Unknown

Now, I am given another year. I just fall at His feet, praying that He is so far pleased. I strum my guitar, and sing with all my might. Up to now, I keep trying to win His love. Then He tells me that there is nothing I could do that would make Him love me more; there is nothing I could not do that would make Him love me less. As I ponder on that, one word -- that does not encompass His magnanimity -- settles in my heart. Sovereignty.

I had no childhood to look back to. I was robbed off my innocence at the age of nine. I wanted someone to be accountable for all the wrongs done unto me. But no one could pay me. Nothing could give me the answer to my question, why. I rebelled against God because He allowed it to happen. I thought I was dirty, and did not deserve love. I just believed that I was loathsome. I felt unknown, unloved, and unprotected. Still I worked for it. I kept getting honors, medals, and success. I tried all.

When I learned to live in community, it was not acceptance that I learned. It was God’s sovereignty. It was His sovereignty that made me see that there is much more to what cruelty was done to me. It was His sovereignty that told me He cried with me while my dad’s friend violated me. It was His sovereignty that filled my room when I cried myself years and years later on as I held this secret. It was His sovereignty that taught me that I was beautiful. It was His sovereignty that opened my eyes to the fact that I am His beloved. It was His sovereignty that kept me in places where I will be with Him. It was His sovereignty that assured me…He knew.

My self-perception was corrupted. It was filled with lies. My desire to be made worthy of His love was too great. I became weary. I was after something that was right in front of me. Until He opened my eyes, and there He was fighting for me. "But you will not even need to fight. Take your positions; then stand still and watch the Lord’s victory (2 Chron 20:17)."

My God sees, knows, and guides. For though many are the plans of man, God’s will is unchanging (Prov 19:21). My life is not without purpose. My life is His, and all the wrongs have long been paid for. He blesses me with a ministry: a story of a life that was mine…and now, His. The ministry is simple. It will inspire. It will teach. It will move. It will change. It will bless. Be it now or when I join my Master, it is His will that prevails. He will make a way for me to get there. He staked a claim on me. I am no longer unknown. There it goes...The story of my life...For Him.

"I have called you by name... You are my Beloved, on you my favor rests. Wherever you go, I go with you, and wherever you rest, I keep watch. I will give you food that will satisfy all your hunger and drink that will quench all your thirst. I will not hide my face from you... I know you as my own. You belong to me... Nothing will ever separate us. We are one." - Henri Nouwen, Life of the Beloved

Favor Undeserved

Last year, I knocked at His door.

God has made me right before Him. He breathed upon me when friends did not believe. He told me to not pass judgment. His Spirit was my comfort and strength. He taught me to forgive the unforgivable. He taught me to love the unlovable. I saw that I have different needs. He drove in my heart that quest even in a new church. I met new friends. I was able to keep old and faithful friends. He taught me to simplify my life to extend blessings to my loved ones. He gave me an unexpected work promotion at a time of recession. My green card was released after only 11 months. My sister was able to join us. We moved to our new house. Now, I have my own room. I can pray without interruption.

I received an undeserved favor.

All my days, whether burdened or blessed, I will proclaim God’s greatness. For my God is able. His grace allows me to ask even when circumstances overwhelm me. I cannot even imagine how far He has gone for me. I dared not test Him. Yet, as though He wanted to prove to me His greatness, He poured out blessing after blessing upon me and those around me, while my enemies watched. But I will always remember. All I have now is undeserved, yet He gave.

Now, I still cast my cares upon the Lord.

1. That I would learn more about God’s Word.
2. For opportunities to become more involved in social action.
3. That He will not let me grow weary in praising and pleasing Him.
4. That I will not sin even when I know God is forgiving.
5. That He financially bless me more so I can help my family.
6. That my brother’s petition gets approved.
7. That we can furnish the house with nice things.
8. That I can buy my own car to become more independent.
9. To meet my inside-out handsome partner.

I dare not doubt. Because I believe He can make things happen at a snap of His fingers. He knew I was going to ask even before I asked. I ask because He finds favor in those who ask. The blessing He has already prepared to send my way. I hold tight in the Lord, for He knows everything.

Ecclesiastes 3: 1-15

There is an appointed time for everything, and a time for every affair under the heavens. A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to uproot the plant. A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to tear down, and a time to build. A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance. A time to scatter stones, and a time to gather them; a time to embrace, and a time to be far from embraces. A time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away. A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to be silent, and a time to speak. A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

What advantage has the worker from his toil? I have considered the task which God has appointed for men to be busied about. He has made everything appropriate to its time, and has put the timeless into their hearts, without men's ever discovering, from beginning to end, the work which God has done.

I recognized that there is nothing better than to be glad and to do well during life. For every man, moreover, to eat and drink and enjoy the fruit of all his labor is a gift of God. I recognized that whatever God does will endure forever; there is no adding to it, or taking from it. Thus has God done that he may be revered.