JUN MARFORI
Proverbs 3: 6: In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.
For as long as I can remember, verse 6 of Proverbs 3 has always been a source of the Lord’s loving assurance, His ever-faithful accompaniment, seeking only that we remain humble in our acknowledgment that He will take care. He has manifested this in our lives throughout the decades, and in my heart of hearts, I know He always will.
Several years ago, my family and I were driving home late one evening from our annual Christmas family dinner in Tagaytay. We were feeling buoyant and joyful, having just shared a sumptuous meal, and shared deep relationship-building time in one of our favorite coffee hangouts, amidst the cool Tagaytay breeze. As was the spirit that prevailed over all these annual occasions, it was also a time to celebrate family, life, love, and the Lord’s provisions throughout our family’s journey throughout the year, acknowledging His abundance, sustenance, strength and consolation, and presence.
As was our custom, as soon as we were underway, we began our prayers, including among our intentions, a safe and incident-free trip back home. We proceeded with the Most Holy Rosary’s recitation, imploring the intercession of our Most Blessed Mother Mary.
It was not so late yet, but traveling the traditional Aguinaldo route would occasionally traverse dark sections and not yet in commercial and populated areas. Going through one of these dark sections, we ran over something hard and metallic at just about the time we were closing our rosary prayers as I could distinctly hear the clanging sound of the object bouncing against the under chassis of our vehicle. Without verbalizing my thoughts, I silently wondered if we will get a flat tire from that.
And as if on cue, in a few minutes, I could hear the distinguishable flip flop sound of rubber, signaling I was running flat. The only option was to decelerate, veer to the shoulder, looking to stop in a safe, well-lit, populated area, praying that
this would be at a gas station. I told my only son to please be ready as we would have to change tires manually, and I will need all his help, while I thought, “only a miracle…..” Nonetheless, I was prepared to change
tires in the dark, secluded area, with 5 other female passengers, excluding my son and me.
But it was to be a miracle, indeed! About 25 meters away was a gas station, and I managed to stop right in front of it. And I said aloud, “Thank God!” once we all saw the gas station. He is good, indeed! But wait, there’s more! God can never be out-done in generosity, as we have always heard and been told. For, as I alighted from my car, ready to ask for assistance from the gas station attendants, to my left and just across the street was – Yes, a 24×7 vulcanizing
shop.
At a time of great thirst, I implored the Lord not to bring me water, but to “delight” me with ice-cold “halo-halo”; instead, he lavished me with “halo-halo” special, “all-in,” with ice cream to boot.
Flanked by a well-lit gas station to our right, an all-day, all-night vulcanizing shop to my left, we were well supplied, safe, provisioned, and were out of there in half an hour – and on our way safely home.
For the Lord says in Jeremiah (29:12-13),
When you call me, and come and pray to me, I will listen to you. When you look for me, you will find me. Yes, when you seek me with all your heart.