Facing the Giants

Vacation is a very important part of student (and teacher's) life. It allows us to have a breather from the suffocating requirements brought by teachers (like me, of course). But to me, vacation is also an important time to ponder upon life and learning; it is that transition stage that should push us towards an even greater level compared to the previous school year. Otherwise, we will never level up, literally and figuratively. 

As I grope for some stuff to read over the internet, I stumbled upon an article in Yahoo (Blind student graduates magna cum laude), and I cannot help but smile and at the same time shed a few drops of tears (of joy of course!). 

Marco was my student in PNU when he was in 1st year and 2nd year. (As mentioned in the article, he left for the States during the 2nd sem of his 2nd year to study under the Fulbright scholarship, so his graduation got a little bit delayed). On the first day of our first meeting, I felt a little off because seated beside him was his mother who would always be there to literally guide him throughout college life. I was a young teacher back then and my worry is that the mother might call for a PTA meeting in case I mess up! But I was wrong, mommy was really very appreciative and supportive.

What's more problematic during that time was that he was enrolled in a READING CLASS!!! I'm not a SPED major so I really had a lot of inquiries and research as to how I would teach a BLIND man to read. We eventually resorted to some READ ALOUD strategies (i.e. his mother reads to him, he processes, and his mother writes the answers to my tests, so the magna cum laude goes to his mother too.)

As I reflect, I remembered King David in his youth (1 Samuel 17). Young David was a shepherd boy who's about to face the giant Goliath. However, if you read the entire chapter, never will you read an iota of doubt or fear from David. In 1 Samuel 17:26, he even taunted Goliath by asking "...who is this uncircumcised Philistine?" (In Tagalog... alam nyo na yon)

David never allowed Goliath's size and might to destroy himself and his country simply because he knows that he has a bigger God; that they are not destined to be defeated, to be destroyed. David had a very strong faith. He just knows that he can do it; that he can face the giants.

Similarly, I have never heard or seen Marco doubt. When he was about to leave for the U.S. I asked him "Pano yan, di na kasama si Mommy don? OK lang ba sayo?" Jokingly, he answered, "OK nga po yun eh. Para walang bantay!"

Marco was literally blind but his goals were crystal clear. Despite not seeing his physical world, he has always seen that he will eventually WIN (just like David did). It took him a lot of time to achieve his goals, but he did. 

Have you ever thought about your limitations? Have you ever thought that you are bound to fail? Have you ever considered yourself a sore loser? Have you ever thought, "Wala eh. Hanggang dito lang talaga kaya ko. TAO LANG" 

Think about David. Think about Marco. They have seen beyond the walls that block them from reaching towards the goal. 

They have learned how to face their giants. 

You can do the same, too! If you trust God while doing your best, you will never fail.

REMEMBER: "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me."  (Philippians 4:13)

God bless you all! =)



P.S. 

(CONGRATULATIONS Marco! If you're reading/listening to this)