Metaphors of Discernment
How amazing it is that all the while I strive to lead my children to choose the righteous path (through prayer and admonition), they also teach me to live spiritual truths (and not just write about them).
From distress and anxiety, my youngest son Kenneth Daniel has taken me with him into his adventurous journey of faith and trust, taught me once more “to follow your dream” from comfort zone to wilderness to promised land.
Crossing the Red Sea and the Jordan River
I just could not accept Kenneth’s plan to transfer to a university in far Manila, particularly on his final year in college, to leave the first and only resort campus in the country, the Lyceum of the Philippines (LPU)- Cavite. Because the curriculum for BS ComSci is almost the same (he just have to take a few additional subjects on his final sem) and he was so seriously decided, I gave in; hoping that along the way he would have a change of mind when he experiences frustration and fatigue during long hours of travel specially on rainy days, and sees for himself how beautiful the campus he is about to leave compared to the one he is wanting to transfer into; plus the tedious process of securing transfer credential and other documents, submitting them, taking entrance exam again, waiting for subjects taken to be credited.
Is Kenneth moving within God’s will? I pray that God continues to protect and guide my son, forgive him his limitations and have mercy on him, pour His Spirit on Kenneth and bless him in all ways at all times, make him feel God’s presence in his life.
On my part, I sought answers, research on God, ask to receive power to discern. Indeed, when the Holy Spirit moves, He changes the way we see things and the things we see; He also changes the things we seek. When we try to view things from Godly perspective, we see what is truly important for eternity.
On the LPU Cavite application form for transfer credential, on the space provided for answer to the question “Why would you like to transfer?,” Kenneth wrote, “ I want to experience education in LPU Manila.” Thus, the new season in his life begins with this symbolic transfer to another location of the same university.
God empowers Kenneth to cross his symbolic Red Sea as he runs away from his Egypt the land of personal bondage, as the armies of Pharaoh pursue him.
God gives Kenneth power to be very strong and courageous as he crosses the Jordan River, this time no longer running away, but to confront the spiritual enemies waiting for him, the giants in God’s promised land for my son, whom he must slay and subdue forever. All these must come to pass to prepare him for graduation into another season when more battles await to be fought and won for God’s purpose and glory. God is our banner of victory. With the Almighty God, we are more than conquerors.
Now that he has completed the enrollment process, I learned that he would be taking foreign language, Humanities, some social science subjects, leadership and advocacy subjects that are not in the curriculum of his former college. With blessed eyesight, I saw the beauty of historic Intramuros, home to LPU Manila that produced the 16th President of the Republic. Kenneth seems to enjoy his travel to the imperial city, availing of bus, MRT and van, whatever is convenient at a particular time and situation, wearing shorts and slippers during the rain and taking with him his uniform inside his backpack to change into when he arrives at the university. Staying in a dorm is absolutely not an option. Besides, he loves his own “bachelor’s pad” here with WiFi and huge LED screen
Great Opportunity
I regret not being so much involved in the previous personal / spiritual journeys of my other children before Kenneth — Chino, Joey and Isay who also opted to transfer to another universities and become working students because at that time, I could not afford to send them to private universities. Genny was ok at UPLB.
I was thinking Kenneth is so blessed to be studying in that campus with resort ambience, excellent facilities and very good professors; and not lacking in tuition fees and cash stipends (with help coming from his Tita Leng and Ate Genny) compared to his older siblings. But then he faces unique challenges. Now he has left the beautiful resort campus and his Tita Leng is not able to continue paying for his tuition. Genny and I will work it out and God will provide (Genesis 22:8).
Although Carlo faces greater challenges as he is in the autism spectrum and I intend to be with him in the battle where I know he will also emerge victorious, by God’s grace, like all of his siblings.
I can only be grateful about how God continues to be faithful as He walks with us in our journeys in the wilderness — a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night, so we will not be harmed by “desert animals” and sleep safely so that at dawn break of a new day, we are strengthened and renewed.
It is such a blessed opportunity to be mother to my six exquisite children who teach me, by God’s grace, more than I could ever teach them. I owe them a great debt of love, and to quote my friend Judith (a woman of God), “ I intend to pay my debt of love to my children by constantly praying for them, that all is well with their souls whatever the circumstances.” God has blessed me more by making me grandmother to two exquisite grandsons Keith Eno (4 y.o.) and Jacob Eli (1 y.o. & 10 mos.) whom I am excited to pray for constantly. God is faithful and I hold on to His promise in Isaiah 44:3 — “I will pour my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants.”
Cymbeline Refalda-Villamin
Tue 12 July 2016
