Looking back at my life, it was a journey full of ups and downs. It was a life filled not just with moments of peace, joy, and love but also of uncertainties, misery, and hatred. As a youth, it is truly hard to live a life of holiness when tested by life’s unavoidable tragedies but seeing where I am right now and what I have become is truly a testimony of God’s faithfulness for His beloved child. A child who stumbles and falls over and over again but is also repeatedly rescued by her faithful and loving Father. Nothing is easy, especially to those who are striving to do the will of God every day of their lives, but we all know that we can never go wrong in doing so.
Growing up witnessing how God moves in my life by letting me encounter and conquer family problems, conflicting relationships, and failures still didn’t stop me from doubting His faithfulness. I always expect a grand experience with Him, that everything He does must be visible and impactful and whenever I face difficulties He must fix them immediately. I almost forgot that faithfulness is not measured by grandness but just by being devotedly present with the one you love through good and bad times and never giving up. In my desire to feel God’s presence in a glorious way I failed to recognize that He was with me through it all. He was with me through my family who comforted me whenever I am tired of life’s expectations, He was with me through my friends who are willing to listen when I needed someone to share my happy and not so happy stories, He was with me when I encounter strangers who are unexpectedly kind for no reason, He was with me in the affirmations of the young people I am called to take care of, and most of all, He was with me when I thought I was alone fighting on my own on this course of life.
Called to be God’s missionary, His instrument for evangelization, and His faithful servant, I am aware of my weaknesses but also of His grace that will get me through in this journey to heaven. I have come a long way because of His provision and I’m sincerely grateful for all the experiences I encountered that made me the person I am right now. Whether we are in our ups or downs, our hills or valleys, the only important thing is that we are never alone and that is all that matters. I gave up so many times, lost my way, and complained about life but for all that had happened, truly, God’s faithfulness prevailed.
Ate Camille Salido is a Mission Volunteer of MFC Youth from Iloilo. Her assignment is the MFC Youth Western Visayas.
