Everyday is a set-apart day as God the Creator created His special creation on each particular day. On the seventh day He rested, metaphorically speaking. He does not rest.
1st April, 20eleven, was indeed another of God's special day. It was a Friday, by world's tagging. It was further tagged as April Fool and it was wedged somewhere in the middle of Lent time. The Chapel of the Risen Christ in kampung Manansawong is thronged by about less than 100 Catholics every Sunday for a Sunday Service without a priest. Rarely does a priest gets to come around.
On that particular day, the rainy days seemed to have ended for the sun was bright till late in the day. A few of the Sunday regulars came for the Stations of the Cross which started at 7.30 in the evening. I did not bother to entertain the nurturing tendency of the 'age excuse' for I know I would be able to reach Kristus Nokotugag Chapel while sitting down, so to speak. I drove alone. I was the 2ndlast to arrive. The Chapel Chairman and family, the last.
When the set service for the Stations of the Cross was over, like a good group, there were discussions pertaining to the goings-on of the Parish and Zone. Some announcements were made and time was not wasted unnecessarily.
Then the rain poured down in torrents, literally in torrents! The sound it made on the zinc roof was barely bearable. The twenty plus or so poured out, some forgetting to make their bow to the alter as they left their pews. They wanted to leave for home but the rain was a preventing factor. In the midst of the zinc roof-rain din I was able to talk and congratulate one Myron on his 2010 SPM achievements. He told me that he managed an encouraging 5As from the 10 subjects norm he took. He shared that he might be doing Matriculation in Labuan. Nevertheless, he asked about his possibility of doing the Form Six. My immediate reaction was to discourage him attempting Form Six citing a two-years time wasting as a reason. Due to that bothering din I did not go any further to deter him from thinking further on that possibility. I could have enumerated a few deterring factors should he need convincing. It was obvious he did not.
The rain considerably slowed down as if to allow people the chance to dash home. I was the first taker considering that there was no one home. Some people requested for a ride in my Arista. They used to get lifts before. There were six people in all and Kumbid was with me in the front.
It was barely 60 yards traveled when the rain and wind started again, heavier than before and coupled by the wind. The rain was a sheet of pouring canvas in front of me. It was quite manageable. When we came to the part where the road gradient was exceptionally steep, I encountered some problem for the mist was too thick at that steep stretch. At hindsight I could have stopped and waited for an allowance of some sort from the mist and rain. It did not occur on me to do just that. The natural tendency was to proceed up the steep gradient. My light was on high. No good! I could not well see. Everyone was helping me keep to the road. Once I missed the center of the road and a few of the passengers swallowed hard. Arista made a screeching sound denoting efforts to climb up from a fall. I was unable to see the road literally. Some of the passengers who might not have been at prayers at that particular instance were volunteering to direct me and telling me I was doing fine. Then as if spirit-led I flickered the light to dip. Everything changed. The road was then in good view despite of the thick mist. I continued the climb effortlessly and continued the journey downhill without any reference to that trial encountered earlier. The six rushed out and ran in the rain as they reached their house. Everyone must have learned a lesson or reflected on a divine message concerning that evening.
What was prominently featuring in my mind as I reflect on the experience I encountered when I lost my bearing and my senses impaired and acutely compromised during that steep uphill drive
was the scriptural text from somewhere I should be able to but I cannot locate nor properly quote, "..if God is on your side what else can go against you.." or something like that. I was aware of some unseen evil force at work on my very being.
As I retired that night I once more thanked Jesus for His saving hands.
