Leap Of Faith – Above and Beyond Life’s Challenges

A Personal Journal Entry…

Sometime in 2008

Life is made up of many cycles. These cycles sometimes starts as dreams and ends to its full realization.

Lately, I concluded one significant cycle of my life. Just like the other cycles that passed me by, this cycle touched my life for a certain time to conclude, at its own phase. Upon its completion, a person enriched with learnings, scarred with memories of pain and struggles, and a renewed individual was left in its wake. Time went on its own course to start another cycle. Let me take you back to a “not so distant past wherein a significant cycle changed my life.

On the later part of 2003, I came to experience a roller coaster ride. This happened overnight. From the crowning glory of being lifted up high, I was thrown into the Lion’s den in almost a minutes’ interval. (Well, life and all its surprises, some are pleasant, and some are not.) My simple, uncluttered life was shattered and broken. I knew I could not let the wounds heal all by self. I cling on to God… This phase of my life continued as I was directed to a new endeavor.

God led me to the doors of Social Service for me to be mended and healed (I started working for World Vision then). Nevertheless, it wasn’t an easy way. As the doors of Social Service opened, I held on to my faith that I would become a part of this world; accepted, not because of physical attributes but because of the person in me. My prayers were answered. As I learned to forgive, I began to let go the shed of bitterness I once felt towards other people because of their actions and deceitful ways. I learned to understand the weaknesses of others as well as my own. I struggled to grow and learn deeper about humanity, humility, and living. I learned that “Life spent in service to others for the glory of God, is a life lived to its fullest.”

The cycle went on for me then… I learned, labored and lived for social service, as I was patiently guided by my mentors and colleagues. I gained confidence and applied what I learned in my own style and strategy, while being a part of a team that focused on giving hope to other people, especially children. I embraced my , driven by passion and desire to serve. I sailed on until I came to a point wherein I was given the opportunity to passed on what I know to others. I began sharing my skills and knowledge with the new members of the team I was in…Maybe I knew then that the cycle was almost over…

Learning -> Application with Innovation -> Mentoring. This is how I look at the process of my life’s cycles.)

Apparently, my “roller coaster ride” concluded as the year 2006 ended. It was one of the best gifts from God. The wounds of my roller coaster ride were totally healed then.

Amidst the busy schedules of 2007, Aplastic Anemia conquered my body. I sought for God’s mercy, and after some time (which is another cycle), it came to end as the year ends. As I was on the later part of my recovery, I also began to wrap-up the cycle of my social services life. I was left alone, but not with nothing to hold on to. This time, a very special person (a mentor)  helped me revived a dream that has been lying deep inside me… a dream that had been there since I could remember… I didn’t have the courage to gamble on this until “an angel” whispered some spell that awakened this almost dormant dream.

I think I’m due for another cycle… will this journey survive the test of time? Will the Heaven see me standing firm until its conclusion? As I write this piece, I can feel the universe conspiring, leading me to that path which gives me fearful thoughts mixed with a very strong feeling of excitement. I would call this one “Leap of Faith”. This one is different from the other cycles that I experienced. It is something more complex, more challenging, and at the same time, more fearsome. As I’ll take this plunge, my heart couldn’t stop whispering prayers seeking for God’s guidance and mercy. I just have to remember, “Great gifts come with big responsibilities”.

It is my prayer that God will keep me going, towards the realization of this dream. This dream would be my armor to take bigger tasks. I need to be equipped and be ready to perform and deliver as well. The realization of this dream would be my very own vessel to reach out and be of service to more of His people. Maybe, God heeded my call for me to maximize my gifts as a servant that would “serve as the rod” of more people. If indeed I would be able to see the realization of this dream, it will not change my personal vision; and that is to be a vessel wherein the goodness of God flowing through the kindness of His blessed ones would flow, towards the lives of the people who needs it most.

This cycle will test my faith in almost all aspect of my life. Why now, when I don’t have anything concrete to hold on to, nothing that I could call my own, would I feel this desire and confidence to give it try? Logically, this is absurd. Why should I feel hopeful and excited without anything in my hands to serve as its foundation? Will it work?

Every time that uncertainty enters my mind, I always go back to a certain point in my life wherein a question was thrown unto me with these words… “What could possibly capture your heart?” A question which I immediately answered with gusto…”It would be something or somebody that I cannot resist.” . I have nothing but my faith, this dream, my goals, and my desire to make it happen… The risk is there, but the opportunities that come with it are enormous. And most of all, I surely cannot resist this opportunity,

Copyright: Leofina Jane G. Galleta

©2008leofinajanegalleta All Rights Reserved