God knows best

God is good that He knows what’s best for us. I remember well that was August 2003 when I received an email that my paper, the abstract of my MA thesis, was accepted for paper presentation in Hawaii International Conference on Education. I was so happy, that I started preparing all the documents I would need for the interview at the US embassy in December 2003. Prior to the interview, I had already paid the registration fee worth Php 20,000; my sister pledged that she would lend me money for my allowance; our Sister president had also endorsed me to her friend in Hawaii where I would stay. So, everything was prepared. However, on the day of my interview at the US embassy, I was so confident that I would get a US visa, yet it never happened. When the consul asked me a question on how much I was earning a month. I said the exact figure; of course it’s just small, because I’m a teacher. Lo and behold, he said, “I’m sorry, you’re not qualified.” I did not leave at once. I asked for a reconsideration; I even said that I had already paid the registration fee and our school president had already made arrangements regarding my accommodation. But still, he was firm in his decision.

At that time, I felt so sad. I even questioned God why He let it happen. All the while I thought He would answer my prayer. It was only after a few months that I realized he had a reason for not answering my prayer. In May 2004, my father was confined at the Heart Center due to difficulty of breath. At that time, he underwent ECG, 2D echo, and angiogram. If my Hawaii tour materialized that time, we would not have enough money to pay our father’s hospital bills. From that time on, I realized how God loves me and my family. I begin to have a positive image of God that He really is all-knowing, loving and forgiving.