the greatest gift is worth the deepest hardship

I was hardly prepared for a climb. My well ironed blouse, jewelry, blow-dried hair, and wedged slippers were a clear indication that "i wasn't informed".  Nevertheless,  had do it anyway - not just because everyone else was but because i wanted to see for myself if a girl like me actually could. More than proving others wrong, i wanted to prove myself wrong. I, however, didn't know what I was in for.

and hence the complaints. I foolishly mistook the climb for a brief and enjoyable walk in the park. I had an idea it might be a long walk (thus thinking long hours of window shopping) but it hardly was close to a Sunday morning stroll. 

Uneven roads. Horse poop, Very steep winding roads. 14 stations of the cross. Seriously not what i had in mind. At first, my arrogance and foreseen bragging rights were motivations for doing what I thought I never could. However, the road less traveled proved to be a very purifying one. What I thought was a round to congratulations became a road that reminded me of my own cross. 

There were around 5 times that i came close to giving up. What was so great about the top anyway? my outfit has gone bad. my chest was pounding hard.my feet were killing me. my knees were aching. my whole body was wanting to scream "Stop!". 

Except for my heart. This was something i simply had to do. My complaints quieted down to deep reflections oddly realizing how similar this was to my whole attitude in life. I just had to start believing in myself for once, the me that God created to do what He wanted me to do. These thoughts kept resonating in my head. I had no idea what will happen at the end of the climb. all i knew was this was meant for me to reach.

Crisscrossing in between thoughts of doubt and thoughts of God's motivation got my mind preoccupied. For at least 3 hours of a seemingly unending journey. this was what greeted me at my final step towards the top. 

What welcomed me was Christ. The Cross. the greatest and most concrete reminder that true love does exist for me. If i only knew this from the start, i would've ran all the way towards the top.

God can be creative at times, to teach me such a wonderful lesson in the most interesting of ways. a lesson on believing in yourself.. a lesson on moving forward.. a lesson on trusting in Him... a lesson on taking on the road less traveled.. a lesson on pain, purpose, and paradise. 

Our lives may not be  what we imagined things should be. Our goals may have not yet been reached, or prayers still left unanswered. No matter how imperfect it is, be comforted that your life is under control of the one who waits for you at your final destination. 

Turn your complaints into contemplation, and put your pains into prayer. 

because the greatest gift is worth the deepest hardship. ü 

all for the glory of the almighty ü