I have the privilege of knowing an amazing young woman in the Philippines. She’s a single mum who gets up at 2am to go to a market, buy food items, return home to cook them then back to the street to sell them to passers-by. She also works in a construction job to earn enough money to support her mum and her 3 children. She lives in a 'slum' and shares a room and facilities with numerous other residents in order to be where the work is so that she can pay her bills and send money home.
She regards herself as poor, of little account. She compares herself to wealthy, Western women and feels small. She has little formal education yet is bright spirited and speaks English fluently with natural ability. She’s passionate and really, really cares about people. She gives free food to children on the street who have no money. She teaches the homeless, the forgotten children, to see and treat themselves with dignity and respect. This woman, this angel, completely humbles and amazes me. Yet how easy it is to mistake our wealth, our technology, our education, our comfortable lives for what it means to be human and to succeed. I can hear disturbing echoes from the New Testament – if we have all these things and yet lack love, we are nothing. This woman, this beautiful daughter of God, demonstrates the kind of character, the kind of love, that I only hope and dream of. At 2am, she will be back on the streets again, tired but uncomplaining. God – help me be like her.
16 Comments
Carina Veracierto, MA
20/6/2016 05:44:22 pm
"There are no great things, only small things with great love. Happy are those." (Madre Teresa)
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Nick Wright
20/6/2016 05:45:47 pm
Thanks for sharing that quotation, Carina. Madre Teresa is a source of inspiration for this special woman in the Philippines too. All the best. Nick
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Adrian Spurrell
20/6/2016 05:46:28 pm
Wow - and that is how living should be! That is what is meant by the art of being!
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Nick Wright
20/6/2016 05:48:05 pm
Thanks Adrian - yes, I agree...and, when I see this woman's life and example, I realise in contrast how hard I find it to 'be'..! All the best. Nick
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Ericka Krystalyn
20/6/2016 05:49:32 pm
She needs a huge hug. No words.
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Nick Wright
20/6/2016 05:50:05 pm
I agree, Ericka. She certainly deserves one. All the best. Nick
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Brian Casem
20/6/2016 05:50:46 pm
Love has always perplexed me. Some may wonder incredulously, "How is that possible! You just read a perfect description of love right here." I know this and fear censure for my lack of understanding, for right here, in this article, is a very beautiful snapshot of "Love." But when ever a glimps of love comes before my view, I feel compelled to ask myself a question. That question is, "And what events, trial, error...acts of grace...what of her own humiliations, lapses of faith...consequences of action has this woman experienced before this snapshot of her was ever taken and shared with all the world "to see" and witness? I don't actually know. But what I do know is that she is a human being. I am a human being. You are all human beings. I can really see none of you. I can not actually see or know that woman. However, we all have one thing in common: We are all human. And awareness of this brings about another question which is, "Isn't my own story important enough to inspire myself to live within in the same grace, humility...charity, good will and divotion as is so beautifully exampled in this story?" I want the answer to this last question to be yes. If I don't want to judge myself, you or even her by proxy of insinuated implication of human imperfections that ALL human beings share to some relative degree then I must not compare another's espoused virtues over my own because then I fail to recognize that perfection of anything, let alone "love" is possible, for to do so obliterates my ability to care or feel for another. Empathy, forgiveness...redemption and grace, given enough room to evolve, will keep us living in the trials and error that, if fostered correctly, will be just as beautiful as this humble woman...if we don't feel bad for her, or pity her...and by this not judge or hate ourselves. I know I can look at my own story...and I see love evolving through a whole life time of story, and it looks absolutely nothing like this woman's. Judging, comparisons...unworthiness. These are terrible things to live with. So I ask that we don't do that. Every one has a very precious story. We can see a beautiful act in a span of time, but before that, there is a story for every one. There is a story of that woman which began before the snapshot, there is also a story behind the wealthy man who hordes his wealth. There is a story behind the corrupt politician. There is a story even about the woman that lays feverishly shaking in the gutter and whose arms are full of infection and track marks. We all have a story, and it's equally precious and inherently includes elements that have great and endless potential for love...and compassion...and devotion...and forgiveness...and redemption. The out come of every one of these stories may come to be just as beautiful as the one here about the very beautiful and humble mother, or if fostered without too much self hate and judgement which inhibits the flow of a loving spirit, it may be even more beautiful...and just might inspiring even more people into awareness of even more abundant beauty in sight of endless love in the endless ways it comes about (hopefully) in every story. I hope this is true for every one. Amen.
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Nick Wright
20/6/2016 05:55:36 pm
Hi Brian and thank you for sharing such deep and profound reflections. I love your comment: 'Every one has a very precious story.' It's something about discovering, creating, experiencing our own story and allowing God to shine through who we are, not trying to imitate someone else or someone else's story. I think that is a much-needed message of hope in the world! All the best. Nick
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Roxanne Goss
20/6/2016 05:56:45 pm
Such a beautiful story of a child of God! It sure makes one stop and think of how to continue forward. How can I hope to be like this women. There is a unique plan for each of us. We only have to listen and follow. Thanks for sharing this Nick.
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Nick Wright
20/6/2016 06:00:48 pm
Thanks Roxanne. Yes, she certainly stops me in my tracks! There is a unique plan for you...and for me...too. I love your words, 'We only have to listen and follow.' I allow myself to get so easily distracted. But God knows that too...and he still chooses me. Thanks for your encouraging words, Roxanne - I'm sure she will be encouraged to read them here. All the best. Nick
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Robert Dallmann
14/7/2016 07:55:21 pm
Thanks for your story of this Filipino woman and her loving diligence.
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Nick Wright
14/7/2016 07:55:59 pm
Thanks Robert...and amen to that! All the best. Nick
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Marita Jane Laxa
14/10/2016 02:08:42 pm
Thanks for this, Nick. I had the chance to visit my parents' home country many years ago. I can still remember walking just outside the city centre and seeing those little kids walking barefoot, trying to sell food to tourists, and returning to their homes which they've built in the junkyards. Many of us take all the we have for granted, still complain, yet are able to afford so much so easily. This Filipina is an example of the sacrifices that the Lord has made for us. She is love, humility, respect, faith, and kindness.
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Nick Wright
14/10/2016 02:11:33 pm
Thanks Marita. Yes, these encounters can be challenging, humbling and inspiring. This special Filipina is a continual source of wonderful amazement to me.
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Arman
14/1/2023 08:31:18 pm
How amazing she is!
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Nick Wright
16/1/2023 08:53:55 pm
Hi Arman. I agree. God bless you too! 🙏
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Nick WrightI'm a psychological coach, trainer and OD consultant. Curious to discover how can I help you? Get in touch! Like what you read? Simply enter your email address below to receive regular blog updates!
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