By Loiue Tecson, CFC Tennessee (Memphis), USA

I realized that I have a moral obligation to share with you things that currently shake and test my faith in the Lord.  Last Friday (April 3), FedEx shed off over 500 salaried employees in the Memphis corporate offices alone.  Unfortunately, I was one of those who spent their last day working at FedEx on Friday.

Needless to say, the layoff came to me as a big shock knowing my performance at work and for the recognitions I have been receiving for always doing a great job.  When I went home early last Friday, for some weird reasons I spent the first few minutes singing the worship songs that I have prepared for our CFC household meeting among other things.  Brothers and sisters probably did not notice me showing any sign of worry during our meeting.  Thanks to CFC for its teaching.  Sis. Jane (one of our sisters in CFC) told Bing, my wife, yesterday that she had a strange dream last Thursday where he saw me inexplicably asking for money (probably begging).  I believe Sis. Jane’s dream is proof that all of us in the CFC are connected through Him.  Having said that, I felt guilty for keeping these matters private.  I know the Lord has something in store for me.  Whatever that is, I believe CFC has a role to play.

Let me end by sharing with you my prayer reflection:

Dear Jesus,

As I celebrate today your triumphant entry to Jerusalem, I thank you for using me and my family as instrument for preparing the way for your re-entry to the lives of our brothers and sisters in the CFC.  As the crowd waived palms in jubilation when you made your entrance, I welcome you to my heart with arms wide open proclaiming you as my Savior.  The day I professed you as my Messiah, I knew that I had to pickup my own cross to follow you. I knew that I will never get to Easter Sunday without going through a Good Friday.  Thank you so much, dear Lord, for being there always.  I may not understand now the things going on in life lately.  But I know everything happens for a reason.  Whatever that reason may be, I feel safe knowing that you will never abandon me.

As I journey with you in these tougher times, please help me remember that during those times where my burden seems light, it was because you helped me carry my cross.  During those times where I seem to stand up quickly after stumbling, it was because you were grabbing me by your arms each time I fall.  Give me the patience, Lord Jesus, to see each day pass in accordance to your will and not to see things through my own eyes.  Give me the wisdom, Lord Jesus, to understand the purpose of carrying my cross and not to rely on my puny understanding of things.  Give me the strength, Lord Jesus, to follow you until the end just as you endured walking the road of Calvary until you breathe your last to save me from my sins.

Lastly, Lord Jesus, I thank you for sending me my brothers and sisters in the Couples for Christ.  Just as you allowed Simon of Cyrene to help you carry your cross, I believe that you’ve sent CFC to help me weather this storm.  Their life experiences, personal struggles, good counsel and more importantly their fervent prayers and their deep devotion to you have made me become the person you want me to be.  

Thank you so much Lord Jesus.  I will be forever grateful for without the CFC I would have probably abandoned my cross and took a different journey without you.