MARILOU SANDICO-OCAMPO
How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. I do not love you because you gave me a beautiful home or a profitable business. Also, it is not because you gave me two priceless daughters or a good looking husband. But you taught me to love you not for what I could get from you but for who you are. You didn’t love me for what I could do for you but for whose I am.
You have pierced my heart to the core. My home burned to the ground. I had cancer. My business went bankrupt. You have used these unfortunate circumstances and my other misfortunes to reveal the true meaning of the cross to me. It is through death that I experience resurrection. It is in losing my desires; I am set free to follow your wishes.
What I thought was gain can never surpass the priceless benefit of knowing you. Your intimate presence and leading are so real to me now. Your prayer is now my prayer, “not my will, but yours be done.” You opened my spiritual eyes to see you and hear you as your greatest love for me was demonstrated through your having given your life for me even yet when I was a sinner to give me eternal life.
Job 42:5-6. “I have heard of YOU by the hearing of the ear, but now my eyes see YOU. Therefore I abhor myself and repent in dust and ashes.”
Lord, before I only heard about you, but now I know you intimately. You walk with me, stand by me, you bear my pain and give me joy. I will never walk alone. You are with me always and never forsake me.
How do I love Thee? It is utterly impossible to count the ways- they are eternal and forever.
Marilou conducted Bible Study when she resided in Manila and has continued teaching when she moved to California.
Wonderfully said! Truly, everything rests on an actual and personal encounter with Jesus.
Only a personal encounter with God can change the heart. Only thru pain and suffering can we truly experience who God really is.
Amen! Agree Sis!
In everything, because the same way u experience in ur journey with God, it is also the same way we as believers of Christ, we will experience. Why? to reveal our true self & to reveal who Jesus is in our lives.
The more death to self, the more resurrection to life we will have so that the life of Christ be seen in us.
Col 3:3 – For we have died & our real life is hidden with Christ in God.
Our response with what we experience in Christ just like Paul said, in abundance or in lack, in turmoil, in hardships, in pain or otherwise or anything else we experience should always be more of appreciation of Christ for what He can make in & out of us.. His character & image being developed in us! ?
Brings tears to my eyes because I have personally witnessed and experienced this journey of yours with you and can confirm that indeed sufferings draw us closer to God. God is truly such a wonderful and faithful Father who loves us ever so deeply. Thank you for being a testament of His great love! To God be all the glory!
It is because He first loved us, that we are able to love Him. Who else can bring us joy amidst all the trials and temptation we encounter in life. Thank you for the wonderful article Tita 🙂
What an awesome way of exaltation to express your deep love for JESUS. You are the living proof of GODs mercy, favor and grace. You embraced your trials by total surrender with praise and thanksgiving. It is in dying to yourself that you were spiritually transformed in His righteousness.
I praise and thank the LORD that our paths met as you were very instrumental in my renewed relationship with JESUS.
Thank you my dear sister for your guidance in my spiritual journey. To God be the glory.
Your growth journey in Christ is very inspiring to read! For in Him we live and move and have our being. He is the Potter, we are the clay. All we need to be is soft and yielding to His touch and He’ll do the rest! Let’s all journey together in Christ!❤️?
It’s so nice and inspiring story!
Well said, Marilou. Thanks for sharing your journey. You inspire me in more ways than one.
Stay strong in your faith. He is always here with and for us.
It’s awell written blog, Marilou. Life’s experience is like a rolling ball. It has its ups and downs.
Be observant for the right opportunities; and count your
blessings.
“Fear not for He is with you. Goodness and love follow you.”
Marilou, did you mean “who I am” on the last sentence first paragraph?
nded to a booklet with the same tittle.
I really meant whose I am which means it doesn’t matter to God what I could do for Him but what matters more to God is that I belong to Him ( whose I am). I discovered that there is nothing good in me that is acceptable to God . Only thing acceptable to Him is what Jesus does through me as I have died to my freshly desires. It is in my death I am given new life in Christ just as it was in Jesus ’s death he gained resurrection . Read rom. 6:4-5,rom 8:8-17
There are two contrasting pictures showing God’s love and faithfulness in your blog. But in the end it gives your readers a clear picture of God’s love and purpose…. to make himself known through his son Jesus. The seasons in your life brought you to a closer encounter and appreciation of your position in Christ! Your blog is so rich that the readers will want to read it a second time .
Only someone who truly experienced the presence of our loving God can wrote an ode like you did. God has a game plan in revealing the true love that you must have. When He calls He did not give specifics but clarifies it in the midst of trouble. He matures you and perfects you in the midst of problem. Reading your blog in that game plan of God, makes me feel i am secured in His presence.
hi Tita Marilou! This is Lian, daughter of Inyang Laderas. My mother had you as a friend back in Embassy Gardenhomes, West Triangle, QC. I hope everything is well with you and your family. It was nice seeing you and reading your post.
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