Birthday and x-rays

I had my 36th birthday last July 27. Although I try to keep my birthdate secret for fear of being surprised at not being surprised on my birthday he, he, he,he. Not really for that reason it’s just that we (the family) all grew up with the thinking that birthday is an ordinary day especially if you don’t have any…hmmm…resources to celebrate it.

I received many blessings on that day.

1. My pupils and my co teachers gave me a cake and a birhday song that I will never forget. I beleive one of my (and our) pupil was teary eyed when she was greeting me. (Maybe she was nervous that I a going to eat her!)

2. The praise and worship team members did a testimonial on how patient I am as a music teacher (Hmmmm….if they only knew how many times I kept myself from committing seppuku in front of them…), and they gave me a long sleeved shirt that I will wear on my next sermon.

3. Our church choir cooked spaghetti and they gave me a gift, a framed picture of me preaching.

4. I was surprised because close friends of mine that I thought I had lost (because I’m a errrr….part time preacher now, they felt, and I sometimes do too, that we are drifting apart—drama here) came to our home and brought a cake. Unfortunately, or fortunately, I don’t drink now (though I have nothing against drinking) so they celebrated my birthday drinking light beer without me. (I could hear somebody or something whispering in my ear, “Hmmmmm…yummy San Mig Light!”)


A couple of weeks ago my blood pressure rose to 150 over 110. I immediately went to the doctor to check if I need medication to control my high blood pressure. The doctor told me to have my chest x-rayed, to have an ecg, blood analysis (or laboratory) and a urine test. Due to lack of funds, I first had a chest x-ray. I was shaken when the clerk told me to have another x-ray because it seems, according to the radiologist, that I had an enlarged heart. So I was x-rayed again but this time they did a left lateral shot of my chest.

I waited for two days, until I had fund for all the laboratory tests before I got the results of all the tests. I was so relieved when I found out that all my tests were normal. I had no problem with my heart, my ECGs are okay, my blood is okay, urine is okay…I was so thankful to God

Those two days tested my faith. I was surprised with myself, though I was afraid and I doubted, I was fearful for my family yet inside theres that voice that kept assuring telling me the results does not matter.

No, I’m not mystic nor do I hear voices but its something more powerful than a literal voice-it’s the voice of the serenity of being with God. (To think that I am not dying, yet!)