“So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat? Or What shall we drink? Or what shall we wear? … your Heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well.”
(Matthew 6:31-33)
I believe that almost everyone in this room right now knows the newly weds, in one way or the other. You have your own version of the character and personality of this couple and how they are related to you. Anyway, since I’m the “Best Man”, I’ll share to you my own version of who these 2 people are to me and my view of their love story.
We are three siblings in the family. I’m the middle child, the “better version’ of Kuya Jon. He is a totally different person when we were kids, though he retained some genetically implanted behavior that we learned to tolerate.
Honestly, my Kuya and I never really spent much quality time together when we were kids. He is usually outdoors playing basketball (as if!) with his barkada and spending overnight. I was left home with my sister Tin-tin playing Barbie. (Joke lang!)
I never knew much about his love life and I think he never even brought a girl at home. He is always with the barkada --- male bonding ever. But there was a time when he was in high school that he kept a picture of a girl from school in a cheerleader outfit. I never made my assumptions but that’s the closest I got of knowing the he is capable of loving another person. Kasi puro BOYS kasama niya.
Anyway, several years later, he met a YWAM missionary named, Desiree. This was a major event in his life --- COURTSHIP to the max --- kaso nga lang long distance. Unfortunately, Kuya was turned down because it wasn’t feasible for both parties. After that heartache, there was a long period of silence.
Kuya became busy with his studies in seminary and then finally found himself as a full time worker in a small church in San Pedro, Laguna --- The Lord Reigns Christian Church. I saw how Kuya fell in love with God’s work and ministry. He spent his time reading and developing new learning tools for his students. It was a tough job.
All of a sudden, a rumor was brewing and came to my attention, that his student named Billie had a crush on him. I can’t believe the news because I never expected that someone can actually fall for Kuya.
I was on the look-out for this “Billie” person. I thought, “lalake yun”. Until finally, there was a time I picked up the phone in Pacita and it was Billie, looking for Kuya. Major “nagtataray ako”. “
I was mad because I never knew how they came about and I was introduced to her when they are already a couple. I felt by-passed. I can’t blame them because I’m busy with my hospital duties. I never investigated on the details of their relationship. I just let them be. Though still, there are questions left unanswered.
Few months back, my question was answered unexpectedly. In one of Kuya’s message, he said he loved Billie because “she was in love with God” --- and that answered everything.
The passage that I read a while ago becomes a living testament to God’s promise. Kuya Jon and Billie were busy loving God & seeking God’s kingdom. They never worried about what they will wear, what to eat and probably who to marry. Who could have thought that Kuya Jon will end up in that small church in Laguna, accidentally meeting Billie. Both were treading different paths --- two separate but straight paths. But God chose to cross their paths at just the right time at the right place.
God was never slow in His promise. I can say that their meeting & their union has been set-up by their real BEST MAN, Jesus Christ, and I can’t find a better lady/woman/companion to fit Kuya Jon but Billie, a woman who is after God’s own heart, and I’m a witness to it.
Now, I ask everyone to join me as I give this toast to the couple. I’d like to read an excerpt from Mike Mason:
“Real love is always fated. It has been arranged before time. It is the most meticulously prepared of coincidences. And fate, of course, is simply a secular term for the will of God, and coincidence for His grace.”
To Kuya Jon and Billie, keep on loving God more & may the creator of TRUE ROMANCE bless you.
