Happy Women’s Month!

DC Herald’s KNOT opens this March with stories of successes of ladies. Here is Ms. Gamao of Panabo. Thank you Jessa Antonette Lumangtad for sharing this article.

A Gem in the Making

MS. JOANNA MARIE SIM
Gamao, Panabo

How many times do we ask God “Why?”
In the midst of darkness, why?
Whenever we stumble and fall, why?
When everything is not going according to our plans, why?

Joanna Marie Sim or “Janna” to her friends was just so young when her parents separated and took on different families. She was left under the care of her mother’s parents.

A couple of years later, she was just barely welcoming her father back into her life when she received the news of his death—he was shot in front of his employees.

Young as she was, she did not understand why such tragedy can befall her and her family, when she was just getting to know her father. Because of her religious upbringing, at that time all she could ever do was cry and pray. There was never a day when she looked up to God for answers. But after days of grieving, she decided to let go and let God in. One morning, she just woke up and the bitterness was gone.

Now seven years later, Janna had become a strong and independent woman. Whenever trials come her way, she learned not to ask God, “Why?”, but instead she prays, “Thy will be done, Lord.”

God tests His people for the strengthening and purification of their faith. As the saying goes, A gem cannot be polished without friction, nor a man perfected without trials. It is with these trials that people may know that God is molding them to become better instruments for His greater purpose.

Next week, stand by for another story from a woman in service. ‘Til next k’wentuhan higala!