MANILA, Philippines - My favorite book author is Bo Sanchez, a very good-looking and kind–hearted man, a Filipino Catholic lay preacher and minister, successful entrepreneur and best–selling author. What I love about him is his simple yet powerful words of wisdom and meaningful experiences full of lessons learned that he uses in many of his writings.
Whenever I read Bo’s books, I feel like I have found a new true friend who is always there for me, to encourage, to share, and to remind me that I am beautifully, wonderfully made and unconditionally loved by God. Aside from reading many of his books, I am also fond of reading his blog posts on his website, Preacher in Blue Jeans. I even watch him preach on KerygmaTv every Sunday morning.
I will be forever grateful for his books for helping me fight and overcome my depression I have had for years. I feel hopeful and empowered as I read his books. I have learned a lot from him and applied some of it in my daily life. If before I was so pessimistic, now I am an optimistic person having the benefit of a positive outlook on life. Because of his books, I am inspired to write my own poems about living simply, praising God and reaching for my dreams. He and his books are blessings from God for they uplift me and make me a lot happier than I was before.
Having the courage to share his horrible past personal experiences made me love Bo Sanchez and his fantastic books even more. He, as a true friend, gave me ample strength to accept my past and heal myself. He made me realize that life is coupled with second chances and there is no concept of being “too late†since we can do what we desire in our hearts “now.†He also inspires me to share my unlikely past full of miseries yet jam–packed with lessons learned well. Based on the messages of his books, it does not matter who we are and where we are; we are all coming from past hurts, difficulties and addictions complete with painful stories; however, our past does not define our future and God is bigger than our biggest problems.
I grew up having a hearing difficulty and started wearing a hearing aid set in high school but even when I started schooling, I was always seated in the front chairs of the class. Aside from being hearing impaired, I also had speech defects which resulted in verbal annoyance from people, especially my classmates. These things created in me a very shy personality, troubled by talking with others. Not only was I being teased, I was also molested by a boy classmate when I was in grade school. Being called awful names such as “stammer,†“fat,†“stupid,†“curly†and many others became even worse as I grew up to be a teen and then, a young lady. I developed an inferiority complex as my insecurities worsen.
All that time, I never knew that my insecurity resulted from being a pessimist. I was so blind that I couldn’t see the good things that life offered me every day because my eyes were so closed to it while my mind was open to intolerance and my heart was full of hatred; no wonder my relationships with my family, folks and friends suffered a lot.
I never saw the beauty and strength that is within, the things I can do with all my God-given talents, intelligence and skills. I was too preoccupied with my insecurities and lived a lonely life in the past. But now that I have learned not to worry, I rejoice with God every day and thank Him for the gift of life. God is really bigger than all of my problems. I was healed little by little as I accepted God in my life, the God introduced to me by Bo Sanchez; a God who is a selfless Father, Leader, Provider, Healer and Protector.
Bo’s sense of humor in his books makes me glad. I even share what I have read and learned from him with my family and close friends. He and his books truly are blessings to the nation and the world. I wanted to be like him, being a successful entrepreneur and best–selling book author someday, inspiring others while still enjoying the simple life, embracing what is really important. I believe I can turn thoughts into things and will harvest the good seeds I planted in my heart at the right time. I also believe I can do the impossible, make my life beautiful, prosper and be a “blessing magnet.†Life is beautiful. Life never runs out of second chances. Each and every one of us is given another chance to love, to live righteously and find God. Now, as I look up to Him with greatness, I give Him a big smile and thank Him for all the blessings and for the many, many more good things to come in my life.
THIS WEEK’S WINNER
Vince O. Pablico, from Sorsogon City, Sorsogon, has a BS degree in operations management from the Lyceum of the Philippines University (LPU) – Cavite Campus and enjoys reading books and writing, photography, dancing, decorating and playing word games like Scrabble.