Chance?

    In the afternoon I received a text that my flight was delayed for about 70 minutes. Originally it was supposed to be by 4 pm, I thought I was going to get ready on board at 5:10, then it got delayed again at 5:50 pm. I decided to proceed to A&W before I got hungry for my flight. Realizing that two of the staff were Filipina I asked one of them, "Meron po kayong burger sandwhich? Yung tinapay na may palaman, parang sandwhich (Are you selling burgers? A bread with something inside, synonymous with a sandwhich)1" Taking my question as real, she just pointed out the pictures and answered yes. I smiled back saying, "Pabili po ng buddy burger, ung pinakamura, walang cheese. (Can I buy a buddy burger, the cheapest one, without cheese)1" She bursted out laughing. To keep the ball rolling, I even added, "Ayos airport noh teh? may patong eh noh? 3.66 X 40, parang mala mala nasa 140 pesos sa burger noh? (Fix the airport, sister, there's always a top-up. $3.66 times 40,. we are actually paying 140 pesos just for a burger!)1" 
    I expressed interest in paying via tap for a credit card. She turned her back and prepared for my buddy burger saying, "Sandali lang ha (Just a sec)1" Then I added, "Ate penge ren po tubig, ung libre lang. (Can I have water, the free one)1" I noticed there was nothing on the screen of their payment machine, I uttered again, "tap po" to signal my readiness to pay. "Ano gusto mo dito? Bigyan na kita ng drinks (What do you want here? I'll give you a free one)" she said. I'm surprised. I'm grateful for her kindness. I then asked, "wala pong juice? (Is there a juice)" with a smile. She gave me a large iced tea. As I signalled again for the third time to pay for my burger, she said "Ok na, libre ko na sayo (It's okay, I'm giving you everything for free)" Wow! I'm extremely thankful for her. We parted ways telling her I would pray for her. Accident or miracle?
    I ended up boarding the plane at 6:25 pm. Upon landing at YVR I proceeded to the ticket booth for my train. I was analyzing the diagram on how to get to Surrey Central Station. I felt a tap on my back. As I turned around I saw a teen who was about to offer me something. My initial reaction was that he was going to sell me something. When he began showing a card, I thought he wanted me to buy his used card. Then he started saying, "Hey, do you want a ticket? It's all yours! You can still use it." I was shocked by what just happened. Accident or miracle?
    Is it just a chance? or an act of the divine creator? God watches over [our perceived] little things in life.
    At first, I was hesitant to buy a buddy burger in the first place. I was able to convince myself to buy it because I could always reimburse it anyway. Afterward, I decided not to reimburse later and just paid for the food out of my personal money. But lo and behold. God intervened.
    Upon landing at YVR, I had an option to ask to be picked up. Since I got free food, I am more than willing to spend the ticket even without reimbursing it. But God intervened.

"Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?"2 - Matthew 6:26


Footnotes:
1 Translations to Tagalog are more dynamic rather than literal.
2 Biblegateway. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%206%3A26-34&version=NIV (Accessed July 26, 2024')

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Team Melana

Image
  There were couples in the bible who met at the well. But it's different now, like Joana and Jomel. Stories may vary in the past, present, future. If you find yourself in one, remember, “Stay pure.” Words being spoken are his ultimate talent. With passion, he preaches the message to be sent. I’m sure he will not only shower her with sweet love but also affirming words like a hug from a dove. She keeps her friends like treasures, as what the prophet says. The community is blessed for the remaining days Where can you find Proverbs 31:30 woman? I don’t know, I would ask the bridegroom how he got one. Wow! A lovely combination of gifts from father. As they use it for the kingdom, it brings them further Our God is faithful always and worthy of our praise Let’s celebrate as Team Melana starts their phase
Read more

Ajeje

Image
    Kobe Bryant started YouTube episodes called "Detail" after he retired from basketball. The channel features different NBA star players and Kobe gives his detailed analysis of every movement of the player. The idea behind the episodes is for the viewers to learn from these players especially the details that they might miss while watching them.      One of the leadership skills that I observe in the people I meet is playfulness. Do not underestimate this magical factor of playfulness in Tagalog, "kakulitan" If there is zero tolerance for you being "makulit" there is a tendency to interpret your sentences or words as "cold". "Makulit" or playfulness factor is tricky, especially in an environment where respect and formality are expected. Another element that should be considered is the "wavelength" for both the giver and receiver of the message. Whenever I send messages to certain kinds of people, it is valid and fair if they...
Read more

Happy Mother's day

Image
     Wow. Time flew so fast. I vividly imagine during the first Christmas of pandemic era where I was hosting our church Christmas party in Zoom and her beauty stood among the crowd.  I can still recall our moments together when we all wore white and went to Fish Creek and recreated the post. I remember the times where we sang and dance to the beat of Backstreet Boys at Saskatchewan. We also drove all the way to Edmonton to buy some clothes from Uniqlo.       The first precious moment that we've had was when I offered her a free coffee one time and she accepted my treat. We then took a ride and she didn't expect suddenly we were in front of the Hyundai car dealership at 130th.  I attempted to convince her to come with me and she stood her ground. You were immovable.  A year later I found out that she will be my sister. What a surprised from our God the father. It was a great gift from heaven.  The NIV version states, "Every goo...
Read more