The Birthday Drama

On my Birthday I sinned, laughs! Seriously, I sinned on my Birthday because of the following story:

The day before my birthday, I invited my friends to attend the Sunday service in our church. It was not for the benefit of our church but for the desire of seeing my friends listening to the Gospel of Christ. I wanted then to have something so precious I have. I don’t care if they would not come back to our church after that. My hope was that they would begin to have a relationship with God. I even pleaded to them to come as their birthday gift to me. My heart was broken for the fact that no one replied except for my best friend Comy who sent me his text message of apology for not coming over. I was hurting inside and was battling with myself.

On my birthday, Gracia and I woke up early to attend the 9AM Sunday service in our church in Calamba. I was excited to see my brothers and my sister Nikka Lynn. I was also hoping to see Psyche Jean and Mama and Papa that day in San Pedro but I did not voice out my request for the reason that I did not want my wife to be offended. This was my first birthday as a husband and for sure, she wanted this to be celebrated with the two of us. So I was still excited. I did not want ‘real party’ because it would not be practical which was fine to me.

But then, something happened before we even left the house. I excitedly requested for Gracia to borrow our camera from Ate Ye. Ate Ye was still sleeping that time and you know the morning moods, right? In other words, they had a very small argument. Gracia was suddenly out of the mood. I tried to calm her but it did not work.

At church, instead on focusing on the service, I was looking for my brothers who did not come at 9AM. So I waited until they arrived just minutes before the next service. Nikka Lynn was even late! In other words, we never had a chance to have a real talk. I was hoping that they would attend the 9AM service so we could talk after. But that did not happen. After eating Mami and Kwek-kwek, Gracia and I went home and she was not feeling well. Sigh to that.

When we got home, she requested to have a short nap in a hope that she would get well when she woke up. I waited and tried to do something else. I even dreamed of receiving a call from anyone who wanted to greet me. An hour passed and it was getting lonelier. I went back to our room and Gracia was still sleeping and not feeling well. Instead of worrying about her, I started feeling a selfish anger and rejection. I went to the living room and watched TV with my in-laws and tried to smile every time someone remembered my day as if it popped up in their head and greeted me Happy Birthday. I went back to our room hoping to find Gracia waking up but she was really feeling sick and I was feeling more selfish.

I went out to Ate Amy’s house where I rented a computer and checked my facebook page in a hope to find funny and warm messages for my birthday and found no greetings there and it was almost late in the afternoon! After two hours of crying my heart out on facebook, I went back to our house and found Gracia still on the bed! That snapped the last nerve and I surrendered myself to selfishness.

I went upstairs and comforted my selfishness and I was not listening to any explanations anymore. I was holding on to my selfish reasoning that I decided not to see my siblings in a hope that we would have still a great day! But nothing was happening and the day went so ordinary to me.

That was my drama and even if Gracia was apologizing a thousand times, I hardened my heart and would not forgive her. I chose to be more selfish and decided to hurt her some more. I went so bad on her! I was struggling to commit a prayer for I knew in my heart that it was all wrong.

Thank God that the day did not pass without the forgiveness of our hearts. I learned not to go on facebook when you are hurting or on emo mode. I learned to see the blessings more than my selfish wishes. I also saw the grace of God who was teaching me so that I could become the better me. And I am thankful to God that He forgave my wrong attitude at church.

Now let me share the following greetings from my family and friends.

A. Quotable

1. I asked God, “How do I get the best out of life?” God answered, “Face your past without regret, handle your present with confidence, prepare for the future without fear.” Then He added, “Keep the faith and drop the fear. Don’t believe your doubts and never doubt your beliefs. Life is wonderful if you know how to live.” God knows. God sees. God blesses. Happy 28th birthday, Pamangkin. Prayer ko all your prayers will be granted. Thy will be done. —From Tita Sol, October 23, 12:23AM

2. It’s better to wake up having a bad breath, than to wake up having no breath at all.

Appreciate life. Happy Birthday! Have another blessed year ahead! —From Daphny Gargarita, October 23, 07:53AM

3. Thank you, LORD, for the many things: music and songs, sunshine and laughter; friendship and love, memories and dreams…all these are your gifts. Teach us that all the storms of life come, not to destroy but to deepen the roots of our faith, hope, and love.

My Happy Birthday message to you. —From Jeremy Marfori, October 23, 8PM.

B. Personal

1. Kuya Fernand, happy happy birthday to you! You’re the best Kuya I ever have. Pagpalain ka ni Yahweh sa special day na ito. Huwag ka magbago, OK? Your kapatid sa puso, Comy. —From Comy Comia, October 23, 07:39AM

2. Happy birthday, mahal naming Kuya. We miss you so much! Ingat ka palagi! Muwah! Muwah! —From Christina, October 23, 08:18AM

3. Hey Happy Birthday! Enjoy your day. God bless! —From Jeph Jarabelo, October 23, 08:59AM

4. Happy Birthday, Kuya! Love Love. —From Nikka Lynn, October 23, 09:01AM

C. Pinch My Heart

1. Hi Kuya, happy birthday to you. From Papa and Mama. Si Papa mo ito, nagluto ako ng pancit akala ko darating ka. —From Papa, October 23, 01:01PM

2. Hi Nan, Happy Birthday! (It’s today, right?) Wish you more strength and joy. God bless! —From TL May, October 23, 02:37PM

D. Intriguing and Funny

1. Ei, Happy Birthday…tagay-tagay…he-he, musta? Magkaka-baby na kayo? —From Arnel Isulat, October 23, 02:45PM

E. Simple Yet Warm

1. Hi, Happy Birthday. God bless! —From Ritzel, October 23, 12:26PM

2. Happy birthday. —From Mary Jane Berdin, October 23, 06:26PM

F. Late Yet Appreciated

1. Belated happy birthday, Nan. —From Nikka Lopez, October 24, 11:34AM.