An answered prayer. Eight years in the making.

"Ako na lang mag-isa pupunta sa CCF."

These are the sweetest words I heard from my mom. Ever.

I have been praying that God touches the heart of my dearest mother and have her on my side whenever I go to worship. I'd say I've been praying for about eight years or so for that to happen (ever since I became a Christian) and what do you know? God answers prayers in His own magnificent time.

Today I was seriously planning on ditching attending Sunday service at church (Yeah, what a nerve I have to do that, despite of all the blessings I have been getting everyday - seeing my mom alive still at the top of my list). I was about to fore go attending church to what? Attend a kiddie birthday party at Jollibee! Sometimes I could be really dumb, you know?

Early morning mama already asked me if we're going to church today. I told her I might not because of the party. And without the slightest bit of hesitation, she immediately said...

"Ako na lang mag isa pupunta sa CCF."
That was the first time she ever volunteered to attend a Sunday service at CCF. Alone. My insides are screaming with excitement at the fact that she said that. My Mom. Wants to go to CCF. On her own. I couldn't be happier today and nothing can ever spoil my mood. Of course mama has been coming to CCF since the first Sunday she was out of the hospital two months ago. But today I consider this the official answer to my prayer since she voluntarily said she wanted to attend, even if that means she is going alone.

My initial plan was to attend an earlier service (12pm) so I could go to The Fort for the birthday. But since it's a lazy, chilly Sunday, I slept the morning away and woke up at 1:30pm. Which is right about the time that the 12pm service ends. So as I ate my brunch, my mom is already getting ready for church. I was debating with myself if I should still go ahead and attend the party of the service. At 2:30pm, mama and I left the house. My plan now is to go with her all the way to Megamall and wait for my BFF there so we could go to the party together.

But the Lord has other plans...

Thank God for the bad weather, the horrid traffic, the scarcity of cabs in the metro whenever it rains and for my BFF eventually turning down the invite.

In short, I end up worshipping with my mom.

And I have to say, that has to be one of the greatest worships I ever had.

I couldn't stop the tears from falling when the response song is being sang. I could just feel being overwhelmingly blessed. Seeing my mom at my side, strong and alive singing for God... took my breath away and I was silently in awe, thanking God amidst my tears.
Truly, He answers prayers in His own time.

It doesn't matter that I had to wait for eight years to see it happen. In God's perfect timing, it will happen.

So the next time I pray for you, the next time I ask God that you come to church with me. Stop resisting. Because He will touch your heart. I will see you in church. It will happen. So you might as well go now and save yourself the misery. :-)
Oh, if you are wondering how is my mom doing... She's okay. She's constantly tired. Walks a little slower than usual. Breaths heavily after she goes up the stairs. She takes three medicines a day. She needs her BP taken at least once a day. And yes, her aorta, though "sealed shut by her own blood" is still at risk of being slit open again. Doctors said she has to be extra careful now...

Other than that, she wakes up every morning, I see her reading her bible at night, I see her smile with blissful glee when she plays with my nephew. She hugs me every chance she got. She goes out of the house to buy me some food when I'm hungry. She still watches her favorite asian telenovelas... And most of all... in two days, she is celebrating her 62nd birthday.

Whenever my memory will go visit that fateful Saturday afternoon in April when the doctors are telling me the darkest news of my entire life... I can't stop praising God for His magnificence. After that afternoon, who would have thought I'd be writing this?

For He wounds, but He also binds up;
He injures, but His hands also heal.
- Job 5:18