Bloom Where You're Planted

"Bloom where you're planted."

Do you remember this?

It was Dr. Fundador who said this during a dorm visit.

She said she'd wanted to be a doctor but she can't because funds were low so instead she pursued a different track, as an educator and her success story is she was able to pursue a PhD, found her passion and became the directress of one of the most prestigious institutions in the country, and 'til date she is continuing to be an educator and I don't think she regretted anything.

Do you remember this?

Do you remember the times when things seemed bleak? When we were starting college, we did not know which way to go? You did not know which college you're attending, i was not sure if i was doing the right thing.

Do you remember 4th year (for me) and 5th year (for you) college? We weren't sure if we were graduating because of uncooperative data? But we did, you even had latin honors to go with it.

Do you remember the times of painfully waiting? Waiting for that next job to come, waiting for things to happen, waiting for things to unfold? Do you remember how it hurt each night, thinking, "is this all there is." Do you remember how uncertain we were of the great, "what now?"

Do you remember how we felt rejected at times? How inadequate and low we felt of ourselves? Do you remember how we felt ugly and unworthy? How we felt less...simply less?

But do you remember, how we surmounted them all? How we crushed all naysayers and purged that little insecure voice within us? Do you remember how we killed lions and bears in anticipation of the giants; and climbed hills, knowing that somewhere along the way we will be facing mountains?

Do you remember how we screamed, "Aja!!!" and said, "No! Hindi ako papayag!" ?

Do you remember when we told our dreams, "Come to me!!! I claim you!!!"?

Do you remember how we laughed at the face of complications and problems saying, "at least, things won't get boring!" and sometimes even saying, "Okay, it's time to level up!"

Do you remember when we said, "ang bumangga giba!" ?

Do you remember how we said that we are the Joshua generation? We are claiming Canaan though Moses wasn't able to cross it.

Do you remember how we said that we are Caleb, we will devour the giants? And on the day that we walk Canaan, we would say, "I am still strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I'm just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then." I am made for this!

Do you remember how we held on and screamed and ran and fought?

Do you remember that we are warriors and fighters and Nehemiah?  

Do you remember how we watched our dreams come to pass because of the Lord's grace?

Do you remember how we were overwhelmed when the Lord showed us that nothing goes to waste, even tears and pain? 

I hope you remember because

Fact is: we have never been of those who shrink back and grow weak.

Fact is: we have always managed to pick ourselves up and face things head on.

Fact is: we have always risen, and we will rise again.

Fact is: we have always wanted to finish strong.

Fact is: we have always been water-walkers.

Fact is: we have always looked up.

Fact is: we have always been Queen Esther, somewhere deep inside.

Fact is: though some may not be facts, we will make them facts.

Fact is: we have never been roses - too delicate that it needed thorns.

Because, Truth is: we have always been lilies.

We have always grown no matter the circumstance.

Even Solomon's robes are no match to the beauty of the lilies.

And it just so happens, the most beautiful lilies grow in muddy and murky waters.

And it just so happens that that's where we're in now. LOL! =p