The Extra-Ordinary Life

"Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for Him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.” Psalm 37:7

Nursing is one of the in-demand courses here in the Philippines during the decade of 2000s. The Filipino people were given a lure of limelight due to the great opportunities that had opened in various countries like the USA. Unfortunately, this opportunity went down in a landslide as it blurs away leaving the Philippines overflowing with unemployed nurses. Part of the nursing experience is to face the arduous trip in passing the Philippine Nurse Licensure Examinations.

In fact, according to the Guinness Book of World Records, BS Nursing is one of the most difficult courses in college. We faced thousand sets of examination and hours of clinical duty with case presentations, drug study and of course the great tempest of our journey, the Nurse Licensure Examination.

After I graduated last March 2010, our barkada(a circle of friends) had decided to take the July 2010 Nurse Licensure Examination. Unexpectedly, only one in our group failed to pass the exam. We were sad about the event and we couldn't feel ourselves completely as a registered nurse because of our friend. Nevertheless, we continue to motivate him. We helped each other in providing the things that he needs for the upcoming December 2010 Board Exam and we kept our faith for our friend who strongly showed his willingness not just to pass the board exam but also to top it. Then, he took the board exam for the second time last December 2010.

2 months after the exam, the results were out and the roster list of successful examiners lurked the internet. As we searched for his name in the list, we were shocked because he didn't passed the exam again.

Our spirit were downed and our hearts were filled with emptiness. Days after the results were released our barkada decided to have a dinner together. From there, he opened about his plans of taking his 3rd exam by December 2011 instead of July 2011. He even asked some advice and suggestions for he was still undecided during that time. In the end, he made up his mind by taking the July 2011 Board Exam. After all, he's still motivated and he even told us that "There is no such thing as failure... Only success-delayed"

Then finally, his third board exam rendered... July 2 and 3, 2011. Our barkada prayed hard during this time and we believe that He deserved to have that R.N. title. Even after the examination, we continued praying for him.

A few days ago, one of our friends invited us to have a get together with the whole barkada on Saturday, August 20, 2011. Many of us came and a miracle happened. August 20th was the day wherein the results for the July 2011 board exam will be released! We stood aghast when we heard the news that our alma mater had 388 board passers out of 389. We hoped and prayed that it's not our friend who didn't passed the exam. As the roster list were finally uploaded and we searched for his name...

GOD IS SO GREAT!!!

HE PASSED THE BOARD EXAM!!!

A loud sound of cheers and greetings enveloped our friend. We were all happy because we witnessed a rare event wherein all of his friends were present when the results for the board exam came out! Some of us cried for the wonderful blessings He had showered in our barkada...

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Waiting on God. It seems right before dinner is the time you get the hungriest, and you feel you just can’t wait. It’s tempting to eat a cheap snack and then have your appetite spoiled for the great meal awaiting. That’s how it can be in life too. We are hungry for things—a job, a spouse, healing—and it feels like we just can’t wait, not even for God. You see, if you have a promise from God for something, it can be tempting at times to make it happen yourself.

A lady named Sarah in the Bible did this—and greatly regretted it. God had told her husband that they would have a son, even though she was old and infertile. But she just couldn’t wait any longer, and so she told her personal maid to sleep with her husband so she could adopt the child as her own. But this wasn’t God’s plan and it caused great heartache for all involved. The Bible says over and over, “Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD” (Psalm 27:14).

Sometimes God’s timing may seem a little…slow. He does this on purpose. When would we have time to grow faith and trust in Him if we got everything we wanted the second we asked? No, the Bible says instead, “The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time” (Psalm 145:15). At the proper time is the key phrase here. What are you waiting for? Don’t do it in your own strength; let God make it happen for you. That doesn’t mean that you have no part in it; it just means you don’t act and do something when you know it isn’t what He wants for you.

You’ve got to know that His plan is way better than yours. God did indeed bless Sarah with her own son, Isaac, and he brought her great joy and laughter to see God do such a miraculous thing. But she didn’t have to make the mistake of not trusting Him. Take a moment right now to ask God to help you be patient and direct your paths. You can trust His perfect plan for your life. :)

To God be the Glory