Hi! I am TJ Tirona, from COG General Trias. I am working as an online teacher. I would like to share my story of how God changed me and performed miracles in my life.
It started last March 3, when I experienced brokenness, so I decided to reconcile with the Lord. During that time, I was diagnosed with diabetic retinopathy that caused bleeding at the back of my retina, since I have diabetes for 13 years and this may lead to blindness. It was getting difficult for me to work because of the situation. I asked for opinions from doctors. They told me I have only two options: either to undergo laser treatment which costs P35,000 per eye or surgery costing P150,000 – P200,000 per eye, respectively. Even though I doubted of how could I get this amount of money, I believed that God will grant it. Then, I got a sponsorship for laser treatment last April 23.
However on April 20, I suffered from hypoglycemia wherein my blood sugar went down to 26. (For reference, the normal value is around 80-110). At the same time, I was diagnosed with psychosis – a state of persistent belief of anything outside of reason. I screamed and wounded myself because I heard voices. I woke up one time seeing bruises all over my body. I was still thankful to God because I only had bruises but nothing happened to my eyes. I also realized that I was surrounded with people who loved and supported me to live and fight.
June 28, 2018 was my operation day. I was nervous since this was my first surgery and I believed that God will not leave me. When I was in the operating room, my blood pressure went down to 70. Yet the operation was successful and I only paid P15,000 for the surgery. God has given me brand new eyes with a brand new vision.
Then, I had realizations about my life and why God allowed all these things to happen. First, I was guilty of being a “friend” to the world; in lust and in pride. Second, I was walking not by faith but by sight that’s why I was easily distracted even by few minor problems. So I told the Lord that if He would give me brand new eyes, I will fix these eyes only to Him. God uses all of our weaknesses so we can draw closer to Him because He is close to people that are depressed and broken. You should take heart because He will overcome it with you. That is the challenge.
Now, I am able to make spoken word as my passion to declare God’s unchanging love. I also encourage all of you to go beyond your passion, such as composing songs, making poetry, taking pictures or drawing images, to show the world the gifts that God has given you. Thus, I just want to share my piece entitled “Kawalan”, which my first time to read to all of you. This is about my personal spiritual journey with Christ which is inspired by “Footprints in the Sand”.
“At aking naalala sa isang kwento sa isang panaginip; sa may dalampasigan, sa ilalim ng arawan na ako’y naglalakad na Ika’y kasama ko at ako’y kampante sa piling mo pagkat sa aking paglingon, aking napansin, may apat na yapak ang naiwan at lumulubog sa buhangin. Mga bakas ng paa mula sa dalawang tao, ang Iyo at sa akin.
Kay lamig ng hangin, kay ganda ng tanawin. At sa gitna ng aking pagkakalibang ay aking napansin, dalawang yapak na lang ang natitira at humahabol sa akin. Aking napagtanto na sa gitna ng paglalakbay, ang landas natin ay pwedeng maghiwalay. Ang mga naiwang bakas ay mula sa aking sariling mga paa tila ako’y iniwan ng aking kasama.
Ako’y natahimik at napayuko… Asan na ang Iyong pangako na sa akin di ka susuko? At nabasag ang katahimikan nung sa hangin Ika’y bumulong, Ito ay Iyong boses na nagpalaya sa aking pagkakalulong. “Anak, huwag kang papadala sa iyong nakikita, at ikaw ay kumapit sa iyong pananampalataya. Bitawan mo ang duda ng iyong puso; pagkat minsan ay di kita nilisan at hindi ako nagtago. Sa gitna ng paglalakad ikaw ay napagod at nanghapo. Ika’y aking binuhay dahil hindi mo na kayang makatayo Ika’y aking kinarga at ako’y andito pa rin. Ang mga bakas ng paa ay hindi iyo. Ito’y akin.”
