Give Thanks

Singing is not one of my strong suits. More so, singing before a big audience.

But I dared to do both in church the day after the 40th MIBF (Manila International Book Fair). My sister, Aie, who attended the early morning service with me, took this shot, which I will now keep and tag as my favorite photo of all time!

“This isn’t you,” she said, laughing. 

But it is.

It's the part of me that people don't see—or have no chance to see, because it's private. It's how I am when the Lord affirms what I do. So here, I am immensely grateful my face (not my voice) shows it. I now realize I could go public with my inner voice in thanking the Lord who makes even the impossible possible. This action song number was performed together with five other oldish women, so their company vanished my  jitters.

Indeed, it was the perfect day to thank the Lord—about whose grace I write—who made possible, despite many odds (I'd rather not dwell on them) the three books (please glance at the side bar to your right), which bear my name, to be completed in time for the book fair. 

Held at the SMX MOA, this five-day yearly event of book lovers gathered more than what a publisher could reach in one year. They came in droves, despite the heavy rains and horrendous traffic, to the happy place where kindred spirits—people who can’t breathe without reading or writing, and in my case, both—meet. 

Give Thanks

  (by Don Moen)

Give thanks with a grateful heart

Give thanks to the Holy One

Give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ, 

His Son

And now let the weak say, "I am strong"

Let the poor say, "I am rich"

Because of what the Lord has done for us

Give thanks