Help! My French Press is Broken...and Other World Problems

The sound of water boiling in my electric heater excited me. I was looking forward to capping my lunch with a cup of freshly brewed coffee. At times like this, when the school is on semestral break, things are really slow at the office and I get really sleepy. I thought I’d prep myself a cup of coffee to get me going.

Alas, when I poured the ‘just boiled’ water, the glass leaked! It was heartbreaking. I was planning on being on a bad mood for the rest of the day (yes, its possible to plan to be on a bad mood..haha!) until something slapped me back to my senses.

SOURCE

Last Tuesday, our worlds were rocked. Literally. A 7.2 magnitude earthquake hit parts of Visayas, with the epicentre in Bohol. It hit us too, in Negros, getting a 4-point-something magnitude. Nothing was damaged on our end but in Bohol and Cebu, churches that were centuries old were toppled down to pieces. Lives were claimed and many families were homeless.

2007. Leaning on the sturdy wall of Baclayon Church during a tour.

The internet loomed with photos of the damages the disaster brought upon the islands. Bohol is a tourist destination mainly because of its beautiful beaches and the old churches that were reminiscent of the Spanish life in the Philippines. But all those churches are now reduced to rubble. It was devastating to watch.

Before typing that last paragraph, I sent a message of condolence to a former student who lost her child at birth. She posted pictures of her little angel’s funeral on Facebook. Heartbreaking.

The southern part of the Philippines is still recuperating from the wounds of war that I think was pointless. Frustrating.

The US Government just ended a shutdown. Scary. (Although, I don’t understand half of it.)

Somewhere in the world, a child dies of hunger, or gets trafficked, or wanders aimlessly, ignorant of the world around him because he has no access to education. And yes, he could not care less about whether I will get my coffee right now or not. Or that I prefer brewed over instant.

The earth broke open and still keeps on turning.

I should not fuss over this broken French press.

Philippians 4:6-9

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 

p.s. I had tea and some cookies instead.