Ecclesiastes 7:20 Novels & Stories

sabay turo ko sa digital clock. “Just one round, baby…” bulong niya sa akin. “No. Bahala ka. Tulog na ako,” sabay talukbong ko ng kumot, bakas ang inis sa boses. Kaagad naman niyang hinila ‘yon. “In Ephesians 5:22–24; Wives, submit yourselves to your own husb—” Hindi ko na siya pinatapos dahil kusa ko na siyang hinila at hinalikan sa labi upang manahimik na siya. Iga-gaslight pa ako gamit ang Bible verse, eh!

Saka siya ngumuso. Natigilan ako at muntik pang malaglag ang pizza. Mabuti na lang nasalo ni Elias saka sinubo sa akin. "Dedicated for me?" My forehead creased. "Why?" "Because for Lolo Rowan, you need to hold the seven keys to power and authority." "What are you talking about? Seven keys?" "Repentance, develop a prayer life, live in His presence, study His word, grown in faith, walk in boldness, be a giver," sabay na tugon nina Blake at Elias.

” Austin Gray, first reading: 1 Peter 3:7 Likewise, you husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered. Nicky Gray, second reading: Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falls; for he has not another to help him up. Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone? And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

Gigil na napailing ang naiinis na designer. Nagpatuloy ang seremonya. Nagbasa ang pari ng bible verse, mula sa Conrinthians 13: 4-8. “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, It is not proud, it does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hope, always persevere. Love never fails…

pumiyok ang boses ni Lawrence. Tila hinaplos ang puso ni Zards ng marinig iyon mula mismo sa mga labi ng anak. Niyakap niya ng buong-higpit si Lawrence. "Kaya, habang may buhay pa tayo, 'wag nating kalimutan na may Dios na gumagabay sa atin. At higit sa lahat, tandaan mo ang Eclesiastes 12:13, anak," ani Zards sa anak.

“Elders shouldn’t respect if they don’t know how to respect others. Goes to what had you said, the world is turning upside down.” Napatingin kaming dalawa ni tita nang biglang magsalita si Ken na may dalang mug ng kape. I just know na coffee iyon. “Nasa bible iyan. Nasa ten commandments, na dapat galangin ang mga matatanda.” Laban ni tita. Ken rolled his eyes. “Okay, that’s what you believe. I believe in God.” Sabi ni Ken at umalis na. “Iyang asawa mo masasapak ko na iyan.” Lalong nainis si Tita.

Bigla kong naalala ang bible verse na palaging sinasabi ni mama sa akin no'n. 3 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. 4 Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight. (1 Peter 3:3-4 NIV)

Ganito rin ang ginagawa ni Kristo sa kanyang iglesya, sapagkat mga bahagi tayo ng kanyang katawan. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7: "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."

Pareho kasi nilang namana sa ina ang hilig sa paghahalaman. Humugot ng malalim na hininga si Jhaz bago sinumulang magsalita sa madla. “Thessalonians 4:13 reads, ‘Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope.”

"That's right. You have a lot of wisdom. Are you speaking from experience?" "Syempre. A lot have happened since and they shaped me to be the individual that I am now. I don't mind being hurt or going through that. Because God knew I needed that. He prepared us for better things. Hence, stated in Ecclesiastes 3:11 God made everything in it's own time." "Because God knows what his daughters deserve." "Tumpak!" Humarap ako para buksan ang pinto ngunit bumungad sa akin ang nakatayong Cairo. Humalukipkip at nakasandal sa hamba ng pinto.