A Glimpse of Hope

Things happen the least we expect it. We always come to a point of being discouraged and giving up when things go wrong. No man has ever been excused from grief and sorrow. We lose hope and sometimes blame God for the sufferings that we encounter along the way. It might be hard to accept but life is designed that way so we can learn. It’s just a matter of choice, take it or leave it!

February 6, 2012, 11:49am, Monday. That must be a day every Franciscan will never forget. A 6.9 magnitude earthquake shook most parts of Visayas especially Guihulngan City where St. Francis College is located. It was strong enough to bring down every structure that stood tall at that moment. Everyone seemed helpless as they watched some of the institution’s buildings fell down into ruins. There was nothing that could stop it indeed. No one could tell what the future has in store for our beloved Alma Mater.

As one of the Franciscans, I can say that our once glorious school has already lost its balance just like a house that lost one of its pillars. Upon seeing the aftermath of the devastating earthquake, I can’t help myself but feel sorrow because no one has been exempted. But nothing’s more heartbreaking than hearing the news that we lost some of our fellow Franciscans. I believe everyone could be feeling the same way too. Most of the people may have lost hope but there are few that still believe that everything’s going to be okay soon.

Through the unceasing efforts of some people, everything is at least getting back to its normal phase as of now. There might be a big change but I know, someday, St. Francis College is to regain its beauty and glory. It’s going to take some time but everything’s going to be worth it if we can see the smiles on the faces of the future generation that will benefit from it.

2 Timothy 1:17 states, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity but of power, love, and self-discipline.” The passage only proves that God has designed us for life’s challenges. We might have lost our faith because of the tragedy that we have encountered but we must always remember that everything happens for a purpose. God never gives us challenges if he knows we can’t survive them. He gives them because He believes we can. As long as there’s life, there’s still hope!