Divine appointments

Sharing this personal testimony to a virtual growth group called "The Conquering Ladies" in the Philippines led by Dra. Jena Fernandez. These are women who are cancer survivors or who are still in the midst of the storm. Praying it can minister to you as well especially to loved ones and friends who are devastated by the recent typhoon/flooding in Southern Philippines. It may be hard to see now but God cares and He is in control. Keep the faith!

Hello lovely ladies… good evening to you all! I love your group’s name for truly you are conquerors through our Lord Jesus Christ!!! It is an honor for me to be part of your small group. I feel inadequate as I know you are the ones who have more life lessons and reflections than me. In my experience with the loved ones and friends, I know who has been on their cancer journey, I come to them to show support but it’s always me being blessed and encouraged by their faith and their tenacity to go through hardships.

I don’t know each one of you personally. God willing, I can meet you someday and get to know your individual stories. Each of your stories are precious, unique, and powerful. I know that each one has a different response to this trial - some are just in full fighting mode. On the other hand, some are just exhausted with the various chemo sessions, tests, treatments and receiving of news both good and bad. Regardless of any state, still all our stories are unique and are designed to make an impact in someone’s life.

Let me introduce myself. I am Ivy Gomez born and raised in Ilog, a town in Negros Occidental. I went to high school at Fellowship Baptist College in Kabankalan City, the same school where Dra. Jena’s husband, Pastor Philip Fernandez attended, and we have been close friends since. Fast forward to today, the friendship has extended to Dra. Jena through the years and I witnessed the growth of their family with their two adorable boys. I am blessed with their individual ministries and the impact they are making. I went to UP Los Banos for my Computer Science degree then Ateneo Business School for my Masters in Business Administration degree. I migrated to Canada in 2009 and was later joined by my brother and his family in 2015 then my father followed the year after.

I believe in divine appointments. I believe in a Sovereign God who holds the universe, who has limitless knowledge of what is happening and has the ultimate control of everything. Everything happens for a reason and in our limited comprehension, all we see is chaos. Trusting Someone who knows it all, gives us joy and peace amidst all the perceived chaos. For you listening today and have made the decision to attend this growth/care group regularly, this is not a coincidence. I applaud you for taking this step as it is an indication that you are reaching out to God for hope, inspiration, and answer to your questions. The Lord is present in every stage of our lives. He is not someone indifferent to us but someone who wants to be involved in us. He wants a deep and personal relationship with us. All He asks for is our surrender, our complete trust in Him. I pray that you would respond to Him and make Him the main driver of your life. Life will still have all its pain, heartaches, and challenges here on earth as this is still our temporary home that is imperfect and fallen. As God’s children, we look forward to the day where we will reunite with Him in heaven where there will be no more tears, pain and sorrow. While here on earth, we can go on living with Him reigning in our hearts. He will get us through until that sweetest reunion in heaven with Him.

I will share 3 major trials I personally experienced, how the Lord has broken through me and lessons I have learned through all these.

First was the passing away of my Mother in 1999

It was sudden. It was unexpected. It was heart breaking. I was 22 that time and was working in Makati City. Mama had a major stroke on a Saturday evening, and I learned about it Sunday morning. I rushed to take a flight to Bacolod City and after several delays, came to see her too late. She already transpired and was in the funeral home. Her death shook me to the core. She was my best friend, my biggest fan, my greatest cheerleader. I was just starting in my career and we did not have the opportunity to experience our dreams together. I felt that the most stable thing and comfort in my life has just been ripped off from me. I felt exposed, vulnerable, and uncertain. It was my first taste of a devastating loss that had a major effect to me and my family.

I learned that as long as I am on this earth, I am never immune to pain, challenges and hardships. As much as I would like life to remain rosy and happy, I don’t have control of my circumstances.

The persons and things I hold on to, these are temporary and can vanish at any point in time. Only the Lord Jesus Christ is constant and secure. The personal relationship I have with Jesus gave me a deeper meaning. I am comforted with the thought that Mama is there in heaven with Jesus. Claiming the promise of eternal life in heaven through my Lord Jesus Christ, I can look death in the eye and quote the same words of Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:55-57 “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Death is not the end; it is the beginning of forever with my Savior and Lord.

‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” – Revelations 21:4 I look forward to the realization and fulfillment of this promise.

Second trial was my open-heart surgery in 2006

I was diagnosed with Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) – in layman's term, there was a hole in my heart. It is a congenital disease but for me, I didn’t show any symptoms while growing up. It was detected when I was going through a pre-employment medical exam. Through this, it brought subset of diseases – hyperthyroidism and endometriosis. Due to hyperthyroidism, my emotions would be all over the place – I could be super happy, depressed then angry. My heart disease also always rendered me physically exhausted.

I learned that God would bring us to our knees until we learn to surrender everything to Him. This came at a phase when I let go of God’s hand. I was so engrossed in accomplishing my personal goals. I was so career driven. I had long hours at work being in a managerial position, I had my postgraduate degree studies, and all other things going on that I forgot who the center of my life was. I was not consistent with my quiet times with Him and because of this I lost sight of Him. I was driving my life by my own. Still by His loving grace, He intervened for me to be back in His fold. He did not want me to go around in circles, live a meaningless life, lose sight of my purpose. When I placed back my trust in Him, He just worked out miraculous ways and provided finances for me to undergo open heart surgery. After which I felt that I was given a new lease in life. All the other subset of diseases gone as well. I have my scar in my chest and I am happy it’s there because now whenever I face any obstacles, I look back to it as a reminder of God’s goodness and faithfulness. This scar also reminds me to grip God’s hand tighter when times are tough.

Matthew 6:33 rang true to me. “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

Third would be the transitions in life (3 distinct transitions I can share – first is going to university miles away from home. This meant leaving a sheltered to an independent life. Second was working and living on my own in Macau and Hong Kong for two years and third was migrating from the Philippines to Canada.)

It has not been easy road – there were a lot of uncertainties, a lot of challenges, a lot of unfamiliar situations. I learned that the choice is up to us on how to react to our circumstances. Do we let these become roadblocks to us or can we turn these into opportunities?

A friend of mine (Lyelle Ducoy) who is into her cancer journey is the most positive person I have ever met. When her cancer recurred last year, she decided to launch her YouTube channel with the intent of helping those who are also in the same journey as hers. I recommend you check out her channel called “Unfiltered Soul”. I recommend these videos,

1) Finding the courage to smile amidst the storm

2) Leave the bed and face the day

3) We shaved my head – an episode where she turned a positive spin on a terrifying and saddening moment of shaving off her hair

She reminds me always to view things through the eyes of the Heavenly Father. To intentionally, find something to be grateful for and focus on the positives.

Our journey here on earth is full of challenges and roadblocks. It is never an easy road. May we be always reminded that the Lord is in control. I pray that we continually allow Him to drive our life – let’s surrender everything to His capable hands. May we intentionally find Him in our daily experiences. This growth group you are attending is not by chance, this is His way of reaching out to you. That call, that hug, the words of encouragement you’ve heard and received from a loved one is appointed. See the sun rise and the sun set, see the beautiful skies, see the beautiful flowers, plants and animals. See the care and concern from a stranger, from the nurses and medical team. May we all see Him moving and working in our lives. Let’s look ever so closely.

I leave you with 3 practical applications that have made a difference in my life. My conversations with my Lord Jesus Christ always keep me going. I keep a prayer journal in my laptop where I converse with Him and each time, I focus on these 3 things.

1) At the end of each day, list down 5 things or more to be thankful for

2) At the end of each day, seek the Lord and ask what are you trying to tell me Lord?

3) At the end of each day, how can I be a blessing to someone?

In God’s world, the more you give, the more you receive. In Matthew 10:39, it says,

“Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.”

It has been a blessing to be part of your growth group. I am praying for your journey. May God strengthen and heal you. May the Lord grant you and your loved ones peace of mind and comfort. Above all, may you experience a beautiful and wonderful relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ. God bless you all.

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