I have been very blessed that several people came into my life and took a personal interest in me. They spent time to encourage me to become what I dreamed to become.
I grew up in an environment where both parents were not happy. It was as if they were thrust into a responsibility that imprisoned them. Delight and joy at home were very few and far between.
As it was, like a vulnerable young tree, I was planted (rather, replanted) in an environment of joy, faith, and love. The stark contrast of these qualities to what I knew then of family life have worked through me like a soothing balm, and although I am far from perfect, I am inspired to offer these same qualities so that others around me may be encouraged, too. In more practical ways, allow me to introduce you to my pep squad.
Generous Giver
I met Sue when I was fourth year in high school. She taught me how to meet with the Lord daily in a quiet time. Sue is a single American woman, who demonstrated that someone important, like her, would be willing to spend time with a “nobody” like me. I felt special. Overnight, I felt like a “somebody”. When my college sponsorship suddenly ceased before I entered my 3rd year, she voluntarily pledged to help finance my education until I graduated!
Man of Faith
Alex is a single guy who attended the first evangelical church I went to when I was in second year college. This church became like a family to me. Alex exemplified others at church whose lives were filled with love and passion for the Lord. He unashamedly worshipped the Living God, and shared how the Lord would meet him in a special way in prayer and through His Word. I felt warmth in my heart as I listened to him. I wanted to have a first-hand experience with God, too!
Servant Leader
About the same time, I joined an organization on the campus where I studied. There I met Kuya Willy. He introduced me to a different kind of family life when he welcomed me and two other girls to his home. He and his wife had two young kids. He would serve us freshly baked bread and homemade strawberry jam. In their small living room (and just about anywhere we had opportunity to chat) he would talk about life in general, citing examples from the stories of the Bible and its relevance to his life and in raising their children. I suppose that it was then that I envisioned having kids of my own later and raising them with the same values I was learning from him.
Wise Counselor
When I graduated from college, I considered volunteering as a trainee to help younger students find their way toward trusting their lives to the Savior. However, a man in the same organization, another Kuya Willy, knew my parents expected me to work and help financially. For this reason, he counseled against my taking the position. He helped me find a paying job instead. After three years, I was out of work. Knowing full well my personality and strengths, Kuya Willy was there to prod me to take a different job which proved to be financially rewarding for me and my nuclear family.
Good Listener
When I got married, I moved to a different city, seven hours-drive away from home. After I had my first child, post-natal depression set in. Weeks turned into months, then years, and still the depression lingered. I didn’t know what it was at that time but Malou, a church mate, along with three other women, regularly spent time with me. Those couple of years were the darkest I have been through, but these new friends accepted and comforted me, and ultimately provided a venue where healing took place.
At different stages of my life, (even right now) God has used and is using different people with various gifts to help me grow emotionally, spiritually, and as a professional. What is lacking in my nuclear family as far as good role models and proper guidance are concerned, God has provided through my friends.
Because I was shown how, I find that it is easy to walk alongside others as well. We can be a friend and walk with anyone who comes into our lives. Looking back, the basic ingredient in all of the people I have written about was their sincere love for the Lord, the God who commanded that we should love others as we love ourselves.
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