Today is Friday (the thirteenth). I know it's not good to believe in superstitions but I guess the devil tried to played on me today.
When I woke up this morning, I don't really feel like going up. I wish it was still night and have more time to sleep but reality really bites so I woke up and did my morning ritual and went off to work. I did my usual 8-hour work with nothing "extraordinary" that happened to me except that I felt like really "working' today.
After work, I usually go to Church for the weekday mass except when I'm really tired and dizzy from work, it's hard and dangerous to drive, except today so once I got into my room, I changed my clothes and drive to Nuestra Señora de las Aguas Church in Mongmong, where I usually attend the weekday mass.
While driving, the DJ on the radio was talking about "friday the thirteenth". I'm really not paying attention to what he is saying because one, I'm driving, and two, I find it rubbish because they keep on blaming "unfortunate" things that happen to them to 'fate'. Before I reached the Church, there's a part of what the DJ said that I liked though and it goes:
"People are always saying Friday is 'malas' especially when it falls on a thirteenth of the month but it's funny how people always say 'thank God it's Friday'",
which for me, makes a lot of sense: how we blame everything on a day well in fact, it's one of the most awaited day of the week.
When I got to the Church I noticed that the parish seemed to havve changed their venue during Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. We usually celebrate the mass inside the main Church but we now do it inside the Chapel. What I also liked is we also do the Evening Prayer.
There was one parishioner, an old man, who I always see but who I do not know, shaked my hand and did some "brotherly" handshake, you know how American teens usually do handshakes. I found it funny, because he knows it more than I do (I am the one who looked old), and I found it nice of him. I looked for a vacant seat and prayed while the mass hasn't started yet. Just before the priest came, somebody handed me a Missal. I really feel blessed how nice people are in the parish. The mass was really solemn and I really felt blessed especially during that hour.
After the mass, I went straight to my car and drove. I was hurrying because it's almost dark and raining. Before I change the gear from park to drive, I always hold the rosary that's on the front mirror and say a little prayer for safety. As I was driving, everything feels normal and good until I reached a stop sign. Waiting to for the road to clear and for my turn to move, I was very reluctant when I suddenly pressed the gas when the nearest lane cleared. I should have stopped at the service lane but for a reason that I do not know, I kept driving and moved to the main road until the car behind me honked. I did
not almost hit him but we're kind of close. Phew, that was close, but not quite. Thanks to God, he kept me safe. He always does.
While I was driving home, I kept thinking about what happened. Normally, when that happens, I feel really nervous and I'm even shaking but not this time. I felt safe, I didn't feel any anxiety whatsoever on what happened. I felt thankful and blessed for He protected me from danger. I really felt blessed.
For some reason, I thought that this is a wake-up call to me: to be careful along the way. The road is not a straight and smooth one, dangers might come into way, the devil may mislead me, darkness may blind me, but God is the light unto my feet that's why I know I will not be lost and I will be safe in this journey.
I want to share one of my favorite Psalm:
Psalm 1161 I love the LORD, for he heard my voice;
he heard my cry for mercy.
2 Because he turned his ear to me,
I will call on him as long as I live.
3 The cords of death entangled me,
the anguish of the grave came upon me;
I was overcome by trouble and sorrow.
4 Then I called on the name of the LORD :
"O LORD, save me!"
5 The LORD is gracious and righteous;
our God is full of compassion.
6 The LORD protects the simplehearted;
when I was in great need, he saved me.
7 Be at rest once more, O my soul,
for the LORD has been good to you.
8 For you, O LORD, have delivered my soul from death,
my eyes from tears,
my feet from stumbling,
9 that I may walk before the LORD
in the land of the living.
10 I believed; therefore I said,
"I am greatly afflicted."
11 And in my dismay I said,
"All men are liars."
12 How can I repay the LORD
for all his goodness to me?
13 I will lift up the cup of salvation
and call on the name of the LORD.
14 I will fulfill my vows to the LORD
in the presence of all his people.
15 Precious in the sight of the LORD
is the death of his saints.
16 O LORD, truly I am your servant;
I am your servant, the son of your maidservant;
you have freed me from my chains.
17 I will sacrifice a thank offering to you
and call on the name of the LORD.
18 I will fulfill my vows to the LORD
in the presence of all his people,
19 in the courts of the house of the LORD—
in your midst, O Jerusalem.
Praise the LORD.
Another week will pass. A lot of things to be thankful to the Lord about. And before I lay to sleep tonight, I will definitely say "thank God, it's a blessful Friday".
