“Call unto me, and I will answer thee and show thee great and mighty things which thou knowest not (Jeremiah 31:3, KJV).
In November 4, 1986, my mother and I traveled from Manila to Leyte boarding the boat named Surigao Princess. We left Manila pier in a calm and peaceful weather. So, our boat started sailing smoothly. As a teenager, I enjoyed watching the blue sea.I smiled as I saw dolphins on the ocean for the first time. I said to myself. “How fortunate I am today to be able to see these sea creatures.” Happiness filled my heart that very moment as we continued to sail on.
However, as we left Manila farther, the weather changed. The sky darkened. The rain started to fall. The wind blew.A typhoon struck us. Fear engulfed me. As the boat moved along, the wind became stronger and our boat swayed left and right. Huge waves hit us washing away all our belongings down to the ocean. Waves grew bigger and struck the boat left and right. Passengers panicked. Some shouted to their gods. Some men jumped. I heard children crying.
One mother with her three children tied herself to her kids. She said, that in case they would go down to the water they shall be together. My mother did the same to me. She used our sweaters to tie ourselves. She said to me, even if we die, at least we shall be together. But I said, "mother, I don’t want to die. I still want to go to school." Then she said, "pray". "Pray to the God in heaven to save us!" So, with all sincerity, I shouted to God in my heart, “Lord please save us!”
To my amazement, the wind suddenly calmed down, the rain stopped, the weather returned to normal as if nothing happened.
God invites us to trust Him even at times when life becomes harsh and tough. For I believe with all my heart that our God in heaven, still answers prayers even today. May we never lose this hope in our minds and hearts whenever we are in trouble.
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