Something More

An Unconventional Advice

Friday Afternoon

Christian Anthony's POV:

"We're not here to collect some money and be rich...nor make achievements and be famous. We're here on earth just to follow the will of the Lord."

Imee's currently explaining the Gospel of the day into a group of youth: it's from the Book of Mark where Lord tells us to leave all the earthly things, take up the cross and follow Him. Imee is starting to become more active in church life as she extends her regular Sunday cathecism with a weekday bible sharing among  churchgoers. Because of this, she is starting become familiar...and later become known by some...not to mention the continuing word of mouth about her miracle on the Eucharist weeks ago.

"Dear friends, following the will of the Lord means not being selfish...because we are not the one who controls our own fate...it's God's. So if you want to know your real dreams...if you want to see your future...and if you want to seek true happiness and love, you should follow the will of God. And if you want to follow the will of God, our Good Lord said to us to sacrifice, to carry our own crosses and follow Him to the Calvary...and into the Resurrection."

Imee then makes an example through herself. "I myself carried the cross and sacrificed just to follow the will of God to me. As you can see, I'm paralyzed from neck down...dependent in ventilator...and my eyes are blind. I was even close to death so many times but...I won't complain...I still always wear a smile...because I accepted the will of God...for I know He will bring me true happiness in my heart...for He loves me. You know...I always admire our Good Lord...because He bears His cross...He bears all the sacrifices...He doesn't care about himself...because the He knows the will of His Father...which to became the bridge for humanity and save them from damnation and sin. So friends, if you want to seek true happiness...forgot earthly things, sacrifice and carry your cross with Him. Worry not, your sacrifices will be paid off when you entered the kingdom of heaven...for God will be pleased...and reward you with eternal happiness and eternal life."

"Wow, Ate Imee. You're so good at this!" A little girl from the group comments at Imee's sermon.

"Thank you, sis. I'm just doing my job to bring and share the Good News to all of you." Imee humbly thanked the girl.

"Ate Imee! Ate Imee! Please help me!"

"Huh?"

Then I saw Catherine, running towards us. Though she is helping us in performing our duties, she only doing this in weekends and holidays because she's still attending school.

"Hello, Catherine. What seems to be the problem?" Imee smiles at our troubled friend.

"Oh, Imee! I need your help! How could I get close to my crush?"

"Wha-whaaat?!?!" Imee stuttered and blushed. "I me-mean...I'm no-not the right person to re-refer when it comes to love! I-I'm only ju-just giving bible studies...no-not love advice!!!"

"Bu-but...please...help me! It's my only chance..."

When I saw Catherine's eyes begins to be watery, that's when I step in to help little Imee.

"Alright, what would be the problem, Catherine?" I asked her.

"...sigh...I'm too shy to tell my feelings to him." Catherine confesses her problem. "Back at school...I admire that boy...his name is Jefferson. He's the most popular boy in school...and every girl likes him. I mean he's handsome, he's rich and he's smart...what if when I confess to him...he will reject me? This is my one and only chance to have a crush! If I can't...sniff...sniff..."

"Oh! Geez, please! Don't cry in front of me, Catherine! Why you didn't say anything about it last Sunday?" Imee calms her down. "I'm really sorry, I don't really have expertise about love problems...but there's the only thing that you can do, just be true to yourself."

"Yeah, Imee's right." I approved her advice. "It would be very awful if you pretend to be rich and umm...a spoiled brat. As if...you're trying to imitate him; that actually insults him. Love him just the way you are. Remember, opposites do attract."

"Bu-but...what if he rejected me?" Catherine follows up.

"Well, accept it." Imee simply answers it. "Just like what I told to the youth earlier, you need to follow the will of God to obtain true happiness. I really hope that your crush will love you back. But...if things don't fall in your favor, don't worry. God will provide you with somebody else...somebody better. Somebody who will bring true happiness to you."

"Whoa, Ate Imee! I thought that you didn't make love advice? Yo-you just make one with Kuya Anthony! Hehehe!" The same little girl from earlier comments again on Imee's advice. "I thought both of you are couple right now!

"Wha-what?! No, we're not!" Imee and I blushed in her comments.

"Hehehe! You guys just crack me up!" Catherine giggles at us. "Alright, I will try my best to confess myself to him. Thanks to the advice, guys. Tomorrow, I will do my best to help you."

"Yaay!!! Hehehe!!!" Imee giggles back in joy.

Imee continues on with her bible sharing and ending it with a prayer.

"Lord, you always told us that if we want to be granted with eternal happiness and eternal life, we should take up our crosses and follow You. Though we are sinful...though we have so many challenges ahead of us, help us to do so. If we can't able to bear the weight of our crosses, help us to bear it with you. I pray that our sacrifices, whether it is large or small, will be befitting to you...and will be paid in the end with endless rewards in heaven.

Also, I would like to pray to you, that Your Will may be done...according to your Word. We may accept Your plans to us...whenever it is hard to deal with it...because Your plans to our lives will lead us to be a better person. Amen."

I always be amazed with Imee whenever she prays...she's devout...she's faithful...she's holy...she's one extraordinary person that I am taking care of. Because of her, I started to understand the power of God through Imee's words...and miracles. And from that point, I starting to form...some sort of feelings at her...

"Imee..."

"Huh? What is it, Anthony? Why are you holding my hand?"

I come closer to her ear and whispered...

"Imee...I'm starting to...umm...like you. Is that alright with you?"

Imee turned her blind...but beautiful eyes towards me and smiled sweetly...

"Hehehe! Of course, why not?" She replies and giggles. "Thank you, Anthony!"