Nature has its way of bringing people to their knees, strengthening one's faith and making believers out of atheists. Or it could be the other way around… making atheists out of believers. One thing for sure, it does humble human arrogance and makes one realize his or her own limitations in the face of natural calamity.

I'm saying "nature" just for the sake of being explicit about what I am referring to right now… typhoon Frank. Eight days ago, Iloilo City was caught off guard, not knowing what hit it until flashfloods came and filled the streets with water. Then of course, there's the apparent power shortage in the entire city. Except for the fortunate few who had generator, most of were deprived of the luxury of being able to use our cell phones, computers, and of course, there was no light. For most of us medical students who were worried about not being able to study for our Monday exam, we sought refuge in McDonald's where there's light and food readily available if we've got money.

I admit, we complained and whined about the tons of readings we still need to finish, not being able to text people or have hassle-free trips to some place else. Some were even about the discomfort felt since there was no electric fan or air condition. While other people worried about their things being carried away by the current, not having any clothes to wear or even having a place to stay, we selfishly worried about our own… "luxuries".

I'd like to call it "luxuries" because that's exactly what it was during that time. The effect that typhoon Frank had on a lot of the residents here was devastating, to say the least. Mother Nature didn't choose- both young and old, rich or poor, male or female… all were affected. No one was spared.

Sigh. No one was spared indeed. Even though I was fortunate enough not to experience being flooded in my room and frantically making sure my books didn't get wet, I still had to walk through murky water in order to go to some place else like McDonald's. I wasn't spared from the brownout. And most importantly, I definitely wasn't spared from the feeling of helplessness when faced against the so-called "Wrath of Nature".

That brief encounter with typhoon Frank made me realize how blessed I am in so many ways. Before I used to complain about how far my boarding house is from school or the hospital and how I have to walk like at least 10-15 minutes in order to get there. I told myself and some of my friends that I would like to move out and look for a new boarding house. But after the storm, I felt so fortunate not to even have to worry about being flooded in. Even if my room is located in the first floor, water didn't flow inside and I didn't have to worry about putting my things in a safe place where it won’t get wet.

Another thing I used to complain about is the water from the shower and faucet. I used to say it's quite dirty and how I have to put some sort of a strainer to filter out very minute grains or sediments that came with the water. But after the storm, I now appreciate the water supply in my boarding house more than ever. While some had to worry about having to store ample supply of water and go through lengths of making igib, I need not concern myself about any of those things.

Funny how a disaster could make someone appreciate the things one used to dislike or complain about.

Yet what I've said so far isn't really the main point of this entry. The main point answers this question: what is the most important lesson I've learned during the storm? Is it contentment or appreciation of things I used to dislike? Is it humility? Is it even faith? I sure learned a lot but which is the most important lesson of them all?

The answer isn't something that hit me immediately during the storm. Actually, I only realized this after witnessing firsthand the aftermath. The storm did humble me in so many ways but more importantly, it taught me to praise God amidst the storm. After all, my ultimate purpose is to glorify God in all things. That is the most important lesson that I should never forget.

That's why last Sunday, I woke up when the sun was just rising so I can go home early. I slept in Ria's room since I couldn't go home the night before from McDonald's due to the very bad weather plus the fact that it was no longer safe to walk in the dark and flooded street where my boarding house is located.  Mind you, I did wade across muddy water on my way to my boarding house the morning after. And I couldn't help but think of the diseases I might get, mainly Leptospirosis infection. Ugh! Call me maarte but it doesn't help to know about how you could get this disease at times for it brings to mind the effects of contracting one. Haaay… sometimes I get so paranoid and being a med student turns me into a hypochondriac.

Anyway, as I wade through the dirty water… I realized how dirty I am. So when I arrived in my room, I immediately took a long, thorough bath trying to cleanse myself from all the dirt and germs that I might have gotten when I waded across the water. Then I washed my feet with alcohol just to be sure. After putting on clean clothes, I prepared to worship God in silence. It's quite ironic coz I was so keen in cleansing my outward self that I failed to realize that it is my inward self that needs more cleansing and purifying.

So as I sat there with eyes closed and as I started to talk to God without actually uttering a word, I felt it… felt my unworthiness, my insignificance, how tiny and powerless I am, and my constant need for my Savior and my Lord, The Creator of all things.

I bowed my head in humility at the One who holds the entire universe in place yet still has the time for someone so small, so dirty, so fallen a creature as I am. In the midst of the storm, I marveled at our own limitations, us proud human beings who were given dominion over all creatures and as stewards of the earth, in contrast to God's limitless power bringing to mind Jesus' ability to calm the storm with His mere words.

Sigh. We did a poor job in stewardship so we face the terrible consequences. :( Thank God for His omniscience, thus not giving us humans the power to control nature. Otherwise, like what Pastor Girao said in his sermon, we would end up destroying each other and perhaps wiping out the entire human race. Even with our limited authority, we already make a mess out of our lives and the place we live in… how much more if we can wield power beyond our imaginations. I'm sure we would be unable to control it.

O Lord, You knew us humans well enough when You withheld the ability to control nature after the Fall. And for that, I thank You. And I praise You for You alone are God and You remain as One despite my unfaithfulness. No matter what happens Lord, I pray that You always instill in me the desire and longing to glorify You above all things. And also to remind me of my place, just a mere creature yet one so precious in Your sight that You send Your only Son, Jesus Christ, to die for me so I can be with You someday. I thank You, my Heavenly Father. May You be glorified in all things! Amen