Publisher's Note

Publisher’s Note
It was 22 years ago when I arrived in Canada and chose Calgary, Alberta to be my home. Leaving my family and friends behind, it was a new adventure for me to be in a new country without knowing anyone. That was the time I looked for a Filipino community paper and never found any, [...]
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The Callouses of Life

(Mga Kalyo ng Buhay)

by Pastor Nilo Briones of Jesus Word of Life

Over the weekend, I have been visited by a former colleague accompanied by her close friend, who (along with their children) newly joined her husband here in Canada. With this quick visit, her friend shared how her family gets into immigration, which to her was a phenomenal event. I think that in every phenomenon, there is a personal story. And truly indeed, her story is worth a pen to be shared as it delivers a dramatic message that signifies her faith in the living God. As she tearfully reminisced the past sufferings of their family, she remembered how their house and small business went into ashes while her husband got no favorable results in applying for an overseas job. But they never lost hope and trust in our merciful Lord Jesus. It is when we declare our nothingness that God’s power is made manifest so that His Name will be glorified and honored. Finally, in a small space of advertisement, her husband took interest with an urgent hiring of carpenters for a Saskatchewan company. The perks were attractive – promising provincial nomination for the successful tradesmen including free ticket to the point of employment. At that time, her husband (who is an electrician) had been laboring over a carpentry job that was offered by an employer who had been delaying salary payments. With this arduous task, she recounted how her husband cried as he developed unsightly callouses in his hands. Although he knew the job, he had not been exposed to this manual hammer-pounding task under the scorching sun. It was out of desperation that he took it for the sake of sustaining support for his family. With excitement and a borrowed P200 (around CAD $5) in pocket, he took off and went to a Makati agency only to be dismayed as the guard told him that the hiring company was located in Quezon City. He barely made it though as the interview was closed for that day. But he humbly requested as he begged to be interviewed. Good heavens, the Saskatchewan employer accommodated him for a quick interview. But here’s the acid test; he had to prove that he’s really a carpenter aside from his almost faded High School diploma wrecked by the Mt. Pinatubo disaster. With a brief stint of time, the employer asked him to show his hands to ascertain if he’s used to hard labor. Lo and behold, the calloused hands evidently convinced the employer! Hallelujah! The family did find grace in migrating here with the Lord’s intervention and answer to their prayers.

God’s infallible Word says, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose ” (Romans 8:28). Yes, indeed, the callouses of life are sometimes masquerading as blessings to a prosperous life. So, let us then continue to humble ourselves before a loving God for in due time we will reap the blessings! Be strong then, and do not waiver nor faint with your faith. “Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart (Psalm 37:4). In His time, He makes all things beautiful!

The Callouses of Life

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