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by Yoly Tumangan Tubalinal.
November 16, 2011
I love Thanksgiving and would not dream of skipping celebrating it or picking any other holiday, except Christmas, in its stead. I think it offers us a wonderful opportunity to express in a more personal way our gratitude for and appreciation of our Lord’s bountiful blessings, the many things but more importantly, many more people He has sent into our lives.
Not that I or anyone has to wait for Thanksgiving to thank someone but just like any other holiday or special occasion, it takes a dedicated day to make everything seem more meaningful, relevant and really special. It must have been due to the extraordinary attention and focus it gets from everyone all across the country and the world.
Regardless of the many challenges we faced this year, I still consider ourselves fortunate and richly blessed. Walking in the presence of God has made many of our challenges an enriching and empowering, rather than a debilitating experience. Truly, as I declared His goodness and mercy and believe that the “Lord God is a sun and shield… that the Lord gives grace and glory… no good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly” (Psalm 84:11) I am overcome with joy and faith that not only will all things come to pass but that these challenges will pave way for better things that have been in store for us.
I thank God Almighty for the many answered prayers. For my husband whom He has showered with talents, strength of purpose and restored health. For our children who continue to receive His grace and blessings of good health, protection, happiness and success in their endeavors. For sustaining my aging brothers and sisters and their families. For friends who have remained true, supportive and caring and for FilAm MegaScene and the Gintong Pamana Awards Foundation, Inc. through which Bart and I continue to live a life with a purpose, according to His wishes. Last but not the least, I thank God for providing us a local church, the IPJM, which gave us a Christ-centered life and put us in the right path.
Without any intention of measuring the help and support we get from friends, I wish to make a special mention of Dolly Engracia’s benevolent support for Gintong Pamana Awards Foundation, Inc. (GPAFI) In an unprecedented act of generosity and complete faith in the works of GPAFI, Dolly had asked the guests she invited to her one-of-a-kind celebration of her 50th Birthday at the Intercontinental Hotel in Chicago, to make a donation to GPAFI in lieu of gifts to her. Her complete faith in what we do touched me deeply. In all honesty, more than the financial rewards of that act of generosity, it was the trust she has demonstrated to us that made us both grateful and proud of her.
We are aware that there are many Doubting Thomases in our community, they who cast suspicious glances at us and sneer at the works we supposedly do. These are situations we cannot avoid but rather than be held back by other people’s lack of faith in us, we press on and continue to move in the direction our conscience and God’s word have been giving us. We believe in God’s promise to vindicate our purpose.
There’s no material reward we can give Dolly but we are certain that is not what she expects from us. There is, however, something we can always do for her and that is to pray for her continued success, good health, safety and happiness. We have found favor in her generosity but she has found favor with the Lord.
On Thanksgiving Day as you and your family are gathered at your dinner table, proclaim your praises and faith in our most loving Father and thank Him mightily for all that we have and everything that is to come. Make this the beginning of your partnership with Him, from whom all things have come.
“Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power
and the glory and the majesty and the splendor,
for everything in heaven and earth is yours.
Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom;
you are exalted as head over all.
Wealth and honor come from you;
you are the ruler of all things.
In your hands are strength and power
to exalt and give strength to all.
Now, our God, we give you thanks,
and praise your glorious name.”
1 Chronicles 29:11-13 (KJV)
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