Bayad Utang!

How many times I have I not given because of so many excuses. Many, many times. Often my excuse would be I need to save the amount that I intend to give now for an even bigger project. I postpone. And then I would have another excuse: I am saving for the future so that more would be blessed. I postpone. I postpone. I postpone. Procrastinate.

This year, that will change. We a little gratitude.

Most of us are forever indebted when someone lends us money, or gives us something. I feel compelled to do the same for that person, in whatever way I can. The Japanese translation for thank you is Arigato, and Father Rudy, my priest friend who was assigned in Japan tells me that it means that 'deeply humbled'. That's why the Japanese are forever grateful when they receive anything. They are humbled.

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We Filipinos are even so familiar with the term "five-six" . This is a term of payment for loans funded by Bumbays. For every five peso borrowed, the borrower will pay six pesos!

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I bring just a few amount of pesos in wallet, and I admit, I borrow from friends but I pay them right away! Nakakahiya!

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Everything is our life came from God- Our family, our job, our career, our friends... everything. And God does not even want to be repaid in full, but only a measly 10%! Nahihiya ako. We should be ashamed. I pray that he does not collect full payment for all he has given.

We have to act and give our share NOW. What starts as bayad-utang will lead to gratefulness. Because when you give something that is important to you--your money or your time--you will begin to recognize the Being from which all things came.

The gift of generosity is humility. The gift of humility is grace.