God's lovely maid

This morning, the morning news show which we frequently watch featured a segment speaking about the song dedicated for President Cory. Apparently, it was a poem which Ninoy wrote for her during the time he was incarcerated for opposing the Marcos government. Jose Mari Chan was requested by one of the supporters of the August Twenty One Movement (ATOM) put melody on the exultation.

I was intrigued by the title: "I Have Fallen In Love (with the same woman three times)" How romantic can it be! How noble for a man to fall in love more than once to the same woman. How praiseworthy it is for him to express it to his beloved. I was deeply drawn and moved by the lyrics as I listened to it. I felt the overflowing love of Ninoy for Cory. I also felt how much he must really felt blessed by God for picking Cory as his partner in a very meaningful life. He adored his wife. He saw that gentle courage in her--seeing her as the source of strength during the times of despair. With that, I had a glimpse of how much heart and grace Cory must have to have moved a very intellectual man. Ninoy unselfishly honors his wife saying:

I have fallen in love
with the same woman three times;
In a day spanning 19 years
of tearful joys..and joyful tears.

I loved her first when she was young,
enchanting and vibrant, eternally new..
she was brilliant, fragrant,
and cool as the morning dew.

I fell in love with her the second time;
when first she bore her child and mine
always by my side, the source of my strength,
helping to turn the tide..

But there were candles to burn
the world was my concern;
while our home was her domain..
and the people were mine
while the children were hers to maintain;

So it was in those eighteen years and a day..
’till I was detained; forced in prison to stay.

Suddenly she’s our sole support;
source of comfort,
our wellspring of Hope..
on her shoulders felt the burden of Life..

I fell in love again,
with the same woman the third time.
Looming from the battle,
her courage will never fade

Amidst the hardships she has remained,
undaunted and unafraid..
she is calm and composed,
she is God’s lovely maid..

I was reminded of the Proverbs wife (Proverbs 31: 10-31). It says:

¹⁰ The truly capable woman -- who can find her? She is far beyond the price of pearls.

¹¹ Her husband's heart has confidence in her, from her he will derive no little profit.

¹² Advantage and not hurt she brings him all the days of her life.

¹³ She selects wool and flax, she does her work with eager hands.

¹⁴ She is like those merchant vessels, bringing her food from far away.

¹⁵ She gets up while it is still dark giving her household their food, giving orders to her serving girls.

¹⁶ She sets her mind on a field, then she buys it; with what her hands have earned she plants a vineyard.

¹⁷ She puts her back into her work and shows how strong her arms can be.

¹⁸ She knows that her affairs are going well; her lamp does not go out at night.

¹⁹ She sets her hands to the distaff, her fingers grasp the spindle.

²⁰ She holds out her hands to the poor, she opens her arms to the needy.

²¹ Snow may come, she has no fears for her household, with all her servants warmly clothed.

²² She makes her own quilts, she is dressed in fine linen and purple.

²³ Her husband is respected at the city gates, taking his seat among the elders of the land.

²⁴ She weaves materials and sells them, she supplies the merchant with sashes.

²⁵ She is clothed in strength and dignity, she can laugh at the day to come.

²⁶ When she opens her mouth, she does so wisely; on her tongue is kindly instruction.

²⁷ She keeps good watch on the conduct of her household, no bread of idleness for her.

²⁸ Her children stand up and proclaim her blessed, her husband, too, sings her praises:

²⁹ 'Many women have done admirable things, but you surpass them all!'

³⁰ Charm is deceitful, and beauty empty; the woman who fears Yahweh is the one to praise.

³¹ Give her a share in what her hands have worked for, and let her works tell her praises at the city gates.

I have seen through Cory, that a woman is indeed God's delicate handicraft--ordained with a special task to carry not only her children in her womb, but also her husband in her heart. If God then finds favor in one woman, he will certainly let her carry others in her heart as well. President Aquino is truly inspiring me--in her faith, as a Filipino, a leader, a friend, a wife and mother (if I will be) and ultimately as a woman abiding by God's design on how to live her life. I pray that by God's loving grace I will also be transformed to that woman He always desired me to be. May every woman discover her true identity and live it up. Together with that, I pray that every man will also celebrate the presence of every woman--the mother, sister, wife, friend, etc-- in their lives and how each influenced and shaped them.

Here is the song by Jose Mari Chan:

i have fallen in love (full song)

Be inspired. :)