I emailed someone last week how hurt I was about something. I felt so down and trashed inside. Just after I clicked the ‘send’ button, I received a message on my Facebook from a young friend, Loveth, a nursing student. 

What she wrote me turned the bitter taste of my tears to that of unsolicited joy and comfort.:-)

Here’s an extract of her message (with her permission):

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“Hi, Ate Au! How are you? This week we had a patient who had a motor vehicular accident… she had a broken clavicle, broken mandible, and all other bones near her sinuses, and both eyes have blood clots…The sight of her was almost unbearable…she was in utter pain…she was scheduled for an operation last wednesday but they have no money.

I sat beside her and began to pray silently. I didn’t know there were tears on my eyes already…I remembered you and how hard it must have been for you too… When I opened my eyes I saw her crying too…I told her and her family that we’ll continue praying…that God knows what they are going through right now…

And SURPRISE! Early this morning, I’ve heard that the patient at room FS6 was scheduled for operation already. I was soooooo happy! More than happy…For a moment I didn’t know what to say to Him. A “thank you” was not enough. He is awesome!!!

It’s another surprise from God for me….And I wanted you to be the first one to know. ”

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Wow. The thought of having someone remember me and thought of how hard it must have been for me right at that moment when I was hurting and felt so alone just blew my feet away. She definitely had no idea what the heck I was going through! But surely, Someone knows and cares. There was no immediate cure to my heartache. But just to be reminded that Someone was present with me at that time was more than a comfort I could ask for.

I  have shared to Loveth a few of my ‘surprise’ stories when she visited here in Singapore a while ago. She was going through a rough time. I had no answers to her questions. I just listened and shared my life to her through my stories. I told her about my motorcycle accident more than 10 years ago. I had broken clavicle. Half of my face was badly bruised. I broke my cheekbone and my knee. And I broke the hearts of my loved ones who were so hurt to see me that way. I had to walk in crutches. But it was no death for me. I was physically paralyzed for a while, but my heart was alive. I was bound on my bed or chair, but my spirit was flying and have not stopped dreaming. I was at my lowest, yet highest point of my life.

I was glad to have stirred Loveth’s heart to life again. I have challenged her to be ready for God’s surprises for herself. I believe He has something for her. Just for her. I secretly prayed, “Oh, God. You better do something! You have done great things for me. Please also show your wonder to this young woman!”

She went back to Cebu and we kept in touch. She would tell me everytime a surprise comes her way.

This recent one that she just shared is a surprise to myself as well. I was able to smile again.