#TimeToMoveOn

There was a time when my friends and I liked being outside more than staying in front of the TV or the computer. We were so full of energy, always ready to run, jump and play. We knew everyone on our street 'cause we play with them almost every afternoon. A variety of games like patintero, tumbang preso, tagu-taguan, ice ice water, and piko are just some of the choices we have on what to do every time we play outside.We even have a special "code" when calling each other when we wanna play. We'd clap as loud as we can outside our friend's house to get his or her attention, then it's either they let us in their house or they join us outside. We'd play and horse around to our heart's content or until it's dinner time. Sometimes, we'd eat dinner together, at a different house each night. Reminiscing about it so much fun, but it also makes me wonder...

In every day we spent with each other's company, every game we played, every conversations we had, everything between us, there's always been a hope in me that we would be friends forever. We've been friends since our parents' became friends, and right now, I don't think we are anymore. When did it stop? When did we stop clapping? Who gave up first? How can you just stop talking to someone who's known you since you were in kindergarten? Someone who's seen you naked as you played together at the kiddie pool? Someone who knows the names of your pets? Someone who lives right next door? And most importantly, why did that have to happen? People would often answer, "oh, we grew part," but you grew up together! How can you just grow apart like that? Now you treat each other like strangers, you can only call them a friend in Facebook 'cause you don't talk in real life, and you don't even chat on Facebook. You used to have "monito, monita" with them, but now all you exchange are awkward greetings when you pass by each other in the street; not even a tiny chat to check up on each other. I can tell you it's because we attended different schools during high school. Or maybe we made new and better friends. Maybe our schedules just won't let us see each other anymore. Maybe we always had better things to do than clap outside a neighbor's house. But God only knows the real reason why we grew apart. He also knows if we still have a chance at being friends; after all, we were close friends once.

You can cherish the memories from the past. The afternoons you spent together, the games you invented and played, the time you laughed, cried, and sang together. You can keep those memories in your heart. But now's the time to move on. Time to stop dwelling on the past. God is creating new beginnings for you. In fact, you are a brand new creation. A new creation in Christ. He's introducing you to new acquaintances. He's bringing you closer to your friends now. To someone you can talk to every day. To someone who'd know all your pets' names and all your favorite things. To someone you can grow old with and not grow apart from. He brings people in and out of your life for a reason. People change. You change. They grow, and you grow. And when that happens, it's time to move on. :)

“The righteous keep moving forward, and those with clean hands become stronger and stronger.” Job 17:9 (NLT)

Decrease to increase.

Just a while ago, I found out that a couple that I admire broke off their engagement. The level of sadness I felt was as if I was the one who just got un-engaged. I thought, "they're perfect together, how can they just break up like that?!" Then after stalking the guy, (I found out that more people are consoling him since he posted about the breakup on Facebook) I realized that there are times when everything seems perfect, something will happen that can make you think otherwise. A lot of people were posting Bible verses on his page. It's really overwhelming how friends, and even strangers are there for him, posting words of encouragement and support. I'm still trying to let it sink in. A couple that seemed so perfect just broke up and it makes me feel a little less hopeful regarding relationships. 'Cause if something like that can happen to a perfect couple like them...what would happen to other less-than-perfect couples? God's plan. That's what happens. That's exactly what should happen.

When you think that everything's so perfect, everything's going your way. You need to stop thinking. Stop thinking about what you want and start thinking about what He wants. What He wants for you is beyond perfect, beyond what you can imagine. After all, He's our father. And fathers want what's best for their children. Realizing all that is very important for me. 'Cause all too often, I focus on what I want and it always ends with frustration. In every bad situation, we need to keep in our minds and hearts that God is working. Always cheering us on during tough times, we just need to stop and look for His hand, always ready to carry us through. We need to use the bad things that are happening to strengthen our faith. We can use the pain we are feeling to heal other people's wounds. Don't waste the pain.

Broken can be beautiful. Better things are coming. For that couple. For you. For us.
Trust Him.