Room For God

Last weekend my grand plan was to train (swim, bike and run), do  pending stuff for my multi-sport team Endure, put into writing those overdue blog entries in my head, tackle the take-home work, and then go out and hear mass. In my physical and mental exhaustion, I only managed the first two and the last task. I skipped the emotional release that is my blog and the bread-and-butter that is work for spiritual nourishment and a chance at love. Bahala na. I think I got my priorities right naman.

I hurriedly went to Greenbelt to catch the evening mass. I circled the basement park lot about 3 times when I blurted out in frustration. Lord, minsan lang ako makapag-simba, bigyan mo naman ako ng park slot. Lo and behold, an SUV vacated a prime slot just in front of the mall basement entrance. There is indeed a God!

I decided to loiter inside the mall while I wait for my companion and for the mass to start. On the middle of the aisle I saw the Condura Marathon registration. I was eyeing the 21K marathon distance of that race, but I was simply too busy to register for it. Registration for long distances was already closed days before, but I heard organizers might open new slots. I casually asked and had to ask this twice in disbelief: Are you sure meron pa talagang 21K slot? Yes, there is a slot. Yes there is a God.

I registered in a jiffy. Eight minutes tops to complete the process. Five minutes to eat my free Hershey bar while I bring my unexpected Condura kit back to the car. Hurry up I said. In my Condura excitement, I forgot the mass has started.

I reached the church in that part of the homily where the priest explained:  It is alright to have goals. Short-term, medium-term and long-term. But leave some room for God. Leave room for Him to do miracles in your life. I smiled. I just experienced a small one. In a few moments my companion arrived. God does His miracles in quirky ways -  like park slots, race kits, flaming cheese and vanilla ice cream.