The Gift That is Nanay

Nanay was my grandmother. I call her by that Filipino word which means "mother" rather than what we normally use for grandmothers ("lola"). At 81 years old, she passed away in a hospital bed on June 7, 2007 at 10:15 A.M. I received a phone call ten minutes later at my office that Nanay had passed.


The effect on me was emotional. I mourned her physical death, yet I have the assurance that she's with the Lord Jesus Christ in heaven, having had a personal relationship with Him in her lifetime. Nanay had suffered from the stroke since August 2005, and has spent her last year living in my home city, Iloilo. She's originally from Manila. The conclusion of her race of faith was here, and she spent most of the time inside my parents' house, where I live.


I would spend time with her in her room and read her the Bible and pray with her. She was no longer capable of reading, and the right side of her body was mostly paralyzed. This was my main ministry to my grandmother -- to make sure she stayed close to the Lord. I even remember one night where we had worship right in her room, and I led worship with the guitar. She was singing her heart out to the Lord, although she couldn't articulate her words very well anymore.



Nanay was a gift to me. I grew up knowing her as Nanay. She was a second mother to me and to my sister, and she would always communicate her love to us, especially when we're staying in Manila. Growing up, I would go to Manila frequently, every year or two, most times with my mom, and I would stay at my grandparents' house. I would say she's the most excellent cook I had ever known. And I doubt that anyone in our family has been able to cook as excellent as she has. She was a master chef around the house.



Nanay finished her race strong. I know she's in heaven worshipping our Savior, and rejoicing in His love and faithfulness. The suffering is over. She is finally home. Nanay lived to see her great grandchild and to carry her in her arms, who happens to be my niece. She is an example of what it is to be a mother.

I still remember the last conversation I had with her before she had the stroke. It was the last time we talked wherein she was still able to articulate words. It was July 2005, and my parents were both in Manila and I was left alone in Iloilo. I talked to Nanay over the phone and she asked how I was doing, being alone in the house. I said I was doing fine and I can manage. Then she asked, "Pwde ka na pala mag-asawa?", and I replied yes. Sometimes relatives who haven't seen me in a while still imagine me as a child. But then they realize how old I am after a while. I would always remember that last conversation and if I ever get married, Nanay would be one of the people in my mind. I would be thinking about her, and though she wouldn't be there among the guests, my thoughts will include her.

Now it's time to continue my race. I want to finish strong as well...

The Finish Line

"Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us"
- Hebrews 12:1


The Bible compares our Christian walk to a race. No, not a sprint, but a marathon. Speed is not the determining factor in this race. It's endurance.

Imagine yourself in a race, with a large crowd watching, and some have already finished the race themselves. What are they saying to you?

Unlike an actual marathon, you don't know where the finish line is. You know there is one. But how much more do you need to run to get there? You don't know that. Okay, so you need an illustration from real life, right? Let's ask Mr. Wikipedia again:


I know, that picture wasn't so clear. But look very closely. The guy at the right is facing everyone else. You know who that is? That's the coxswain. The coxswain is the person in charge of a boat, particularly its navigation and steering. The others can't see the finish line, but he knows where it is. They have to get all their directions and encouragement from him.

Jesus Christ is like our coxswain. He knows where the finish line is, we don't. We just have to keep following His instructions, because we trust Him. We know that ultimately, all things work together for good (Rom. 8:28).

A story is told by Max Lucado of a man on an African safari deep in the jungle. The guide before him had a machete and was whacking away the tall weeds and thick underbrush. The traveler, wearied and hot, asked in frustration, “Where are we? Do you know where you are taking me? Where is the path?!” The seasoned guide stopped and looked back at the man and replied, “I am the path.”

Doesn't Jesus do the same? He did say He is the Way (John 14:6). He told us not to worry about tomorrow (Matthew 6:34). We follow Him day by day. To me, that's awesome. Jesus is our Way. Our path. And the Bible says that our path shines brighter everyday (Proverbs 4:18). Everyday is a step closer to the finish line when we see Jesus face to face to hear Him say, "Well done!"

Until that day comes, I have to keep reminding myself to live one day at a time. Not to jump to too many conclusions. Not to worry about my life tomorrow. Not to hold my plans too tightly. This world is passing away, and we are on a race. Let's finish strong, like the apostle Paul who said at the end of his life,

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing." - 2 Timothy 4:7-8

How did Paul do it? He left us with a clue.

"Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. " - Philippians 3:13-14


Press on, press on, and press on...