Author: Nicole Obligacion

12 Highlights of My 2019

At the start of 2019, I wrote the verses below in my journal as I found comfort in the Lord. I can’t believe it’s been a year, but He has been waking me up for the past 365 days and I can only thank the Lord for His grace and goodness.

Continuing a tradition I’ve done since 2016, here are the 12 highlights of my year. :)


1. ATE’S WEDDING IN HAWAII / KOSHI FAMILY

My eldest sister (Camille) married the man of her prayers (Erin) who loves Jesus and her. Hehehe. From the beginning of their dating relationship up until today, our family has been witnessing God’s grace in their love story. I am sooo grateful for the Koshi family. We love you Erin, Uncle Ray, Auntie Sylvia, Cory, Dee, Rylen, Kayla, and the fluffs (Barley and Brewser)!

 

2. FAMILY TRAVELS TO USA AND TAIWAN

It was our first time to travel as a complete family (with our sister-in-law and niece) to the USA last March to April. After decades of waiting, we had the privilege of spending time touring the States with our relatives who live there. Also, during the last few days of December, the single ones in our family went to Taiwan with our parents too. In both trips, we saw God’s grace and hand of protection and provision.

 

3. PINGPONG TOURNAMENT

Last 2017, my partner and I won the third place during our office’ pingpong tournament. Last 2018, I decided to take a break. Last 2019, despite so many health hurdles during the competition, by God’s grace, He allowed me and my partner to win the championship! More than the award, I appreciate how intentional God was in helping my heart grow in humility and dependence on Him.

4. BIBLE STUDY AT WORK (continuation)

It has been four years since the Lord impressed on my heart to start a Bible study group at work. Although some of them already resigned, we were able to invite new colleagues and spend time getting to know each other as we studied God’s word.


5. COUNSELING

Last 2019, I found a growing desire for counseling as more and more opportunities came and I received affirmations from the Lord, family, and friends. This happened around the time when our family went through restoration of broken relationships last Summer.

6. DGROUP

It has been almost two years since I joined my new dgroup family and I thank the Lord for each one of them. I can’t even begin to describe how I am able to see and experience the love of Christ and learn humility from this group. I am so grateful for the Wednesday nights we got to spend together.

7. SONGWRITING (17 songs)

By God’s grace, this year, He allowed me to compose seventeen full songs (15 English and 2 Tagalog ones). Each song was inspired by personal moments, struggles, Bible verses, and conversations with the Lord. God molded my heart, voice, and hands in the process of applying songwriting and I thank the Lord as I look back on the purpose He had even for the painful times behind the songs.

 

8. BOYCE AVENUE

Many years ago, I used to think that if I do get the chance to travel to Europe or the US, I would want to watch my favorite acoustic band perform live. In God’s perfect timing, during our trip to the US last 2019, I was able to squeeze in attending Boyce Avenue’s concert at Anaheim, California and met the band for the fifth time! Haha.

 

9. HEALTH & CAR CONCERNS

Two seasons last 2019 were very difficult for me as I experienced concerns with my health and car. These lasted for months and I remember how the Lord used them to humble my heart and speak to me. My life and material things are not my own and whatever the Lord allows me to experience won’t change the fact that He will always be good and faithful.

 

10. SEVENTH YEAR AT WORK / PROMOTION

I celebrated my seventh year at our company and got a promotion last 2019! Woohoo! This is only by the grace of God!

11. FOUR WEDDINGS

I had the privilege of witnessing the weddings (and marriages) of my supervisor, dgroupmates, and dear friends from church last 2019. Thank you for letting me be part of your special journey.

 

12. BEST FRIENDS

Growing with my best friends last 2019 was an amazing experience for me. From all the heartfelt talks to roadtrips and coffee dates! I praise God for each one of them and for all the memories we have shared, including the victories, struggles, and transitions together. You know who you are. Hehe. Love you, guys!

—

Hello, 2020! Here we go, Lord! :)

Blind Spots and Brake Lights

*Dad drove beside my car earlier today*

Dad: Anak, sira yung isang brake light mo. Parang yung akin din.

Me: oohh okay po!

*We went our separate ways*

I was supposed to have my gas tank filled after, but I found myself driving towards the opposite direction. Eventually, I stopped at the car shop where my dad usually goes to for repairs. Guess what? He was there too!😅 Just as I was about to park, he was about to get in his car and drive off. The timing was a funny moment for me because I didn’t know that Dad was on his way there too! Also, because I didn’t want to prioritize the brake light at first, but I knew that it was God prompting me to do so instead.

It was supposed to be a quick procedure of changing a bulb, but the mechanic found out that the bulb was attached to a BURNT socket! So he had to replace it as well. I realized that if I did not prioritize fixing this, the busted brake light can cause accidents along the road. Most likely too, I would also be pulled over by an officer if they notice it soon.

We can’t easily know that our brake lights are busted, unless someone else tells us. Why? Because we can’t see it when we drive. It’s a blind spot! What a blessing it is to be surrounded by others who can gently and willingly show us blind spots, not only in our material things, but even in our character and walk.

Some questions I asked myself after this incident:

Do I acknowledge it and work on improving, when others show me my blind spots? Or do I become defensive and proud?

Am I willing to help others see their blind spots too, even if it means feeling uncomfortable at first?

It really is and will be by the power of the Holy Spirit. I am learning to have my mind and heart checked and renewed by Him moment by moment, because I won’t always know my faults, weaknesses, and points for improvement. I remember the importance of abiding in Him and His Word, as I say these things.

Psalm 19:11-14 says:

“By them your servant is warned; in keeping them there is great reward. But who can discern their own errors? Forgive my hidden faults. Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then I will be blameless, innocent of great transgression. May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.”

Compared to the previous car mishaps, this incident was easier to take in. Haha! Thank You, Lord, for Your grace and constant reminders.

Cast All Anxieties on Him

While I was driving home from work a few days ago, I felt an unusual kind of dizziness and a constant tightness on my chest. It lasted the whole 2-hr ride and I remember wanting to get home as soon as possible.

I asked my parents to check my blood pressure and it turned out that I had a normal one.🙃

Me: So, what was it po? What did I feel while driving?

Dad: ANXIETY, anak.

I was shocked because it was the first time that I felt anxiety physically (that intense). It’s possible that the burdens I’ve been carrying this past month overwhelmed me so much. A similar feeling happened a month ago, after I ate a huge chunk of sansrival with thick butter frosting. Both times felt like I was going to have a heart attack.

I realized that God was serious when He gave us 1 Peter 5:7 “Cast all your anxiety on him because he CARES for you.” and Isaiah 26:3 “You will keep in perfect PEACE those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.”

It was God’s way of telling me “Nic, because of Me, you REALLY don’t have to worry about anything. Lift them up to me. I gotchu.”

Whew!

God’s Faithfulness in Our Brokenness

In my previous blog post, I mentioned how I have been experiencing struggles with my health and car this month. It has not been easy especially because of the physical pain and the increase in my expenses. But, God has been faithful in reminding me of who He is. By His grace, He even allowed me to write a new song about it a few days ago. My weary heart eventually found strength in Him as I accepted His will and purpose for me to go through those hurdles. However, this morning, I found myself blurting out “Aww maaan! Not again, Lord!” as I stared at one of my car’s wheels which had a flat tire.

Last Friday night, before leaving the office, I noticed that one of my tires needed more air. At first, I didn’t want to pass by a gas station because it was out of the way and I really wanted to go home immediately. But I thank the Lord for giving me wisdom to still have air pumped in the tires, because I found out later on that one of them only had 4 PSI! If I went home straight from the office, I would have gotten into an accident considering the traffic on a Friday night. I decided to observe it over the weekend and have it checked at S&R (where I have free services) today since it was near my office. It seemed okay even until last night, but when I woke up this morning, the tire had already given up.

My parents were on a plane from another country, my brother was doing errands in the morning, and my sister needed to go to work already (but she did help me try pumping air and looking for help in the village). Unfortunately, the electric pump didn’t help and my car was parked at a slope, so it probably wasn’t a good idea to keep working on it at that angle. I felt so exhausted at that time, so I decided to breathe and eat back at our place. Also, it was because I needed to drink my antibiotics in the morning (another hurdle I’m going through).

As soon as I was able to settle down, I told God how hurt I felt again that He continues to allow the hurdles to happen. I battled hearing lies from the enemy and truths from the Holy Spirit. I dramatically said to Him, “Is this a consequence of my sins, Lord? Is my heart still not surrendered to you? Is it because I wasn’t able to dig deep in your word last night and only poured my heart out on my journal?” I was so overwhelmed that I began to cry. While I was crying, I began to sing the song that He recently impressed on my heart:

“You’re the same today and yesterday, and You will be forevermore (Hebrews 13:8). You’re my Lord and Savior. You are Hope and Healer. You’re the sovereign Lord who holds all things. (Colossians 1:16-17)”.

I then said to myself, “Nic, God is good and He always will be good, even when He continues to allow you to go through these struggles.” I wanted to update some of my accountability partners, but I hesitated to share how my heart was struggling and decided that I would just update them later. But God, in His perfect timing, allowed one of them to send me a chat at that same minute. She said “Nicole! Prayed for you! How have you been?” It was as if God was speaking to me and making me realize that He was with me while I was struggling; that He sees my hurt and knows exactly how to comfort me.

It was such a reassuring moment for me, as the Lord reminded me of what I learned at church yesterday. How I am usually just after His solution and not His presence.

His faithfulness is still written all over my brokenness. I just need to look at the situation through His eyes.

By God’s grace, two men in the village helped change my tire and I was able to safely drive to S&R to have the tire checked and fixed. We eventually saw that a large nail was the culprit as it punctured the middle part of the tire. I praise God for this because if it punctured the side of the tire, I would need to buy a new one, which costs a whole lot more!

It has been a running joke for me and some of my friends about how colorful my life has been in the past weeks because of the health and car issues I have been having. Even though today was another tough moment for my heart, I still praise God for His grace and faithfulness that sustains and strengthens me. If you remember me, please pray that I would not lose sight of Jesus, whatever He allows me to go through in the coming days, weeks, and years.

Here’s my latest original song called “You’re Amazing”. May it encourage you today!

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About Me

My name is Nicole Obligacion and I started this blog because I was inspired by Hebrews 10:24 and Hebrews 3:13. I love to eat, cook, bake, read the Bible, and encourage. :)

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