The Unspoken Dream I Almost Forgot
It was just an unspoken dream, but God made it REAL!
10 years ago, I had the privilege to go to Hong Kong for work and did a side trip to Hong Kong Disneyland with my close workmate on a weekend (with permission and personal expenses, of course). I still clearly remember that while we were having lunch in one of the restaurants within the resort, I saw a Filipino family next to our table—a typical and complete Filipino family: baby, kids, dad, mom, lolo, and lola. I saw the JOY in the father’s eyes while he was carrying his baby and making sure that everyone enjoyed the food. He was a mid-30s kabayan whom I presumed was the one shouldering the cost of the whole family trip.
At that moment, deep inside my heart, I desired to bring my family to Hong Kong Disneyland. But let me put it into context—I was still single during that time. However, I already dreamed of going back to Disneyland with my future husband, future children, brother, and parents. For years, I just kept it inside and eventually even forgot about that dream.
Sometimes, God’s faithfulness in difficult times becomes clearer when we look back and see how He has been working through both our dreams and our disappointments. This is one of those stories for me—a dream I had almost forgotten, fulfilled during a season when my family was also learning to walk through grief.
When a Dream Collided With Grief
Fast forward… late last year, that dream came back to life as it sank into me that TIME is so precious, especially since my parents are already aging. So, I took advantage of a seat-sale and booked tickets in the first week of December. My Mama was still alive and well during that time. I didn’t know that in just a couple of days, she would no longer be with us. As we all know, Mama went home with the Lord on December 19, 2023.
God’s Faithfulness in Difficult Times
So, I initially thought of cancelling the trip and getting a refund, BUT GOD intervened on Christmas Eve by allowing me to instantly win a purple travel luggage in an electronic raffle during a random stroll in a mall—using my Mama’s birthday “722” (July 22) as the winning number combination (I posted about this last December). GOD IS SO AMAZING! He comforted me and my family through that unexpected, supernatural moment.
When the Unspoken Dream Became Real
And then the day finally came… that unspoken dream… that forgotten dream… became REAL!
I have no words enough to express how IMMENSELY GRATEFUL I am to the LORD for granting my desire. Me, carrying my daughter, standing there with my husband, son, Papa, Kuya, Sister, and niece (gipakapinan ni Lord), looking at the Hong Kong Disneyland Castle with its spectacular lights, sounds, and fireworks truly made my heart FULL and brought tears of JOY and THANKSGIVING to the LORD for HIS FAITHFULNESS to me and my family.
Even though my Mama was no longer with us, GOD is so good that He allowed my Tita to be with us, whom I look up to as my second mom. I cherished every single moment I spent with them because I deeply understand that TIME IS GOLD. It will never come back.
Cherish the People God Has Given You
So if you still have your loved ones with you, I encourage you to hug them tight and love them sincerely. Don’t waste any moment. Don’t exchange precious moments for unnecessary drama. Let go of drama as quickly as you can and EMBRACE PRECIOUS MOMENTS.
Finding God’s Comfort in Grief
I truly loved the lyrics of the song played during the “Momentous” nighttime spectacular show: “Just live the moment and love the memory.” It felt like GOD was speaking to me at that very moment: “My child, just live the moment with your family and love the memory of your Mama. It is time for you and your family to move on from grief and allow Me to do NEW GREAT THINGS in your lives.”
And so there I was, standing in AWE of GOD’S FAITHFULNESS, COMFORTED BY HIS LOVE, and IMMENSELY GRATEFUL. I never thought I would share something so personal and heartfelt, as it was difficult for me to open up about grief—but GOD IS GREAT, and I want to share this testimony with everyone, especially those who are going through the grieving process. GOD IS FAITHFUL, and He will always be forever.
I’ve learned that God’s faithfulness in difficult times doesn’t mean we won’t experience loss, grief, or disappointment. Sometimes joy and sorrow exist in the same season. I deeply wished Mama could have been there with us, yet in the middle of missing her, God reminded me that there were still moments to cherish and reasons to be grateful.
If you’re walking through grief or a difficult season, give yourself permission to grieve, but don’t be afraid to receive the new moments of joy God brings along the way. Loving the memories of those we’ve lost and embracing the people who are still with us can exist together.
Sharing with you this picture I had seen in my mind 10 years ago (actually, gipakapinan pa ni Lord—more than what I had ever dreamed of). It was just an unspoken dream, but God made it REAL!
Glory to HIM alone!
Lamentations 3:22-23
The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
