In this article, I’d like to focus on the truth that our God exactly knows what we need at exact time we need it most. I would share my favorite experience almost 6 years ago how God saved me and how things unfolded after such experience.
Are you ready? Read on.
Almost 6 years ago, I found myself staying in Calamba, Laguna, Philippines. What am I doing there? Simple. Preparing for my future. It’s simple yet it’s not easy.
To give you a better understanding why I said so, first let me share to you my family background.
We’re 6 siblings in the family, 3 girls and 3 boys and I’m the third from the eldest. When my older brother passed away 15 years ago, I became the instant “kuya” of my 3 younger siblings. Since then, I accepted the responsibility of helping them finish their studies.
But before them, I should be the one to finish first. And the struggle was real when my term as an SK Chairman ended. As a family, we struggled financially since my father’s term as a Barangay Captain ended too. We depended more on our eldest sister this time as she was working in Manila then.
Fortunately, we never gave up. Actually there were lots of challenges along the way but I’d like to focus more on my 1 peso experience and how it changed my life. At least by now, you already have an idea what our big challenge really was before.
It was a cold, sunny morning in San Antonio, Calamba, Laguna where my classmate and I were busy preparing for our Pre-board Examination at the University of the Philippines, Los Banos (UPLB). We’re so excited for this day as it’s like a culmination of all our hard works and sacrifices during the review proper which simply means we’re getting closer to the final Board Examination.
Yet, the reality struck when we found out that that morning we didn’t have any money left in our pocket. We didn’t know what to do as we’re just stranger there since we came all the way from Bohol. Good thing, we lived near the house of our professor’s nephew and we thought of doing one thing (by the way our professor offered his place for us to stay for free).
So, we borrowed money from our professor’s nephew and thanks to God, he never declined. He handed us 40 pesos which we thought was enough for our fare and to buy the things needed for the pre-board examination. We prepared ourselves and headed on our way to the school.
We rode a “trolley”, the means of transportation of the residents living near train rails. Yet before riding a jeepney, we bought pens and small notebooks in a nearby school supplies shop so we have something to use during the exam.
And in this same place, the MIRACLE HAPPENED.
When we’re at the counter and the cashier was busy punching the things we bought, someone called her via phone (cashier continued punching) and when all were punched, we couldn’t believe what we saw. The total change we could get if we pay the total bill was only 15.50 pesos and to think that the minimum of the jeepney fare was 8 pesos each. In other words, we need 0.50 cents in order to ride the jeepney all the way to the examination venue.
We’re so nervous that time and we thought of options but most of them we already knew wouldn’t work. So what I did was I left the shop and went outside hoping and praying to find at least 1 peso but to no avail. I’m so worried when I went back in and I was so surprised that the cashier was still talking with someone over the phone. So we have to remind her to process our payments as we’re a bit late for our exam. Handing our change while talking over the phone, she didn’t notice that instead of giving us 15.50 pesos, she gave as 1 peso more. So we received a total of 16.50 pesos and we had enough money for our jeepney fare.
Before we move on, let me ask you this; “Isn’t it a miracle or things like these just happen normally?”
For me and my classmate, it was indeed a miracle from the Lord. I know we’re not honest during that time but I believe that it was the way of the Lord to save us from such unfortunate moment.
Fortunately, we finished the pre-board exam though we’re a bit late. The result was ready the following day and I was surprised when my name was called as Top 10 of all the examinees. This success motivated me to exert more effort to pass the final board examination which was scheduled more than 1 month after.
When I was surprised hearing my name as Top 10 during the pre-board, I had mix feelings when I heard that I became the Top 1 of the final board examination and I found my name in the internet. The Lord’s will prevailed and will always prevail.
I would like to end with this Bible verse to remind you not to give up on your dreams even if you don’t understand what’s happening because God knows your sacrifices and your heart’s desires. He cares and loves you always.
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
– Isaiah 41:10 NIV
May God be praised!
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