And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose.

Romans 8:28

I stood from where I was sitting and made my way to the canteen's exit. As I made my way through the grass, the view of Pastor Melchour sitting on a bench captured my attention.
I wonder what he's doing in there?

"Professor?"

"Oh, hi Johanna. Have you eaten lunch already?" I smiled in affirmation.

"Yes, Sir, I have. What are you doing here?" I asked.

"Ah" He began. "The other teachers have invited me to eat outside. I'm currently waiting for them right now. How 'bout you what're you doing here?"

"Me and my best friend always come here in our vacant time, Sir. I still have an hour before my next class so I came here." I replied, briefly scattering my gaze around in search for Mercy. Where is that girl?

"Oh, I see. The peaceful scenery must really help in relieving college stress." He gazed afar, smiling as he spoke.

"Exactly Sir," I replied in assent, "College can get really stressful at times. I barely survived it for the past four years."

"Oh, I thought you studied here for only three years?" He asked, his eyes narrowed towards me.

"Oh yeah," I shook my head, "That's right I studied here for only three years, but I studied at a different university for one year before too. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to continue because of money matters."

"Really? Pastor Marina did tell me that you're parents aren't with you. So who supports you with your studies?"

"My aunt, Sir," I glanced at him briefly and lowered my head, "I'm really grateful for my aunt. She took me in ever since I got here in the city and offered to support my studies in exchange for my labor at her restaurant." I explained.

"Ah, that's great then. I just couldn't help but wonder, though, what happened to your parents, Johanna?"

I took in a breath as I heard him ask, suppressing the negative emotions that came with remembering them as I began to speak.

"Uhm, my dad died of a heart attack when I was five and my mom, uh, ran off with another man, Sir." For a moment silence reigned in our midst.

"Oh," I heard him breathe, sympathy ringing from his voice, "I'm sorry Johanna,"

"It's okay, Sir," I gazed up at him with a smile, "I've gotten used to it and besides..." I took in a breath, "I have Jesus now." I saw his lips curve to a smile at my word.

"Indeed, Johanna." He replied, "Hmm, what's taking those teachers so long?" We probed the environment with our gaze. Still no sign of the other professors. "Ah well anyway. About your aunt. You said she owns a restaurant?"

"Yes, Professor. She owns a restaurant in the city. I work there six days a week after my classes."

"Wow, your aunt sounds like a really wonderful person for agreeing to support you," He remarked. I bit my lip at his word, unsure of how to respond.

"Well, yeah, you can say that, Sir," I lowered my gaze, "It's just that, she never really got along with me. She always cursed me and sometimes she wou-" The memory of Aunt Riza pulling my hair and beating me with sticks flashed in my mind, the thought of the pain it inflicted sending a shiver to my spine. I bit my tongue in haste, careful not to disclose the memory. "Uh, perhaps, it was because there were a lot of disputes between her and my mom before. My mom did horrible things to her so that probably was one of the reasons why she doesn't like me."

"Oh, " His eyes were painted with worry as he spoke, and I couldn't help but be surprised by his reactions. No person has ever shown such concern for me before; except for Mercy. I couldn't quite put a name on how I felt right now, but it was pleasant... and I liked it. A sigh was drawn from his mouth and he began to speak again.

"Maybe she's not that wonderful, after all." He renounced, "What your Aunt does can never be justified, Johanna. However, I do believe that there is a reason why God put you in this situation."

"I guess so," I released a sigh, "I mean, I hope I find out soon." I replied, lowering my glance.

"I'm sure you will, as long as you seek Him and His plan for you with a whole heart. You will soon find out His plans." I looked at him intently as he spoke. "You see, there are many things that happen in our lives, and sometimes these things lead us to question God, but at the end of each trial, we see that God is still in control. He may not always give what we want at the moment we ask it, but one thing is for sure; For the time that He did not seem to hear us, He molded in our hearts something that can only be formed through enduring through those times..."

I simply stared at him as he spoke, fascinated as I heard his words. He was right; there is no better way to state it than the way he did. Right then and there I came to an understanding. God indeed has a plan for everything. He may not have completely orchestrated it, but He is a God that can turn even the most painful things into something beautiful.

"Sir Eyasan!" We heard a voice from behind, "Gosh, we're so sorry!" Ma'am Brenda apologized, walking in haste along with other teachers towards them. "Ma'am Gregor had an extended class so we had to wait for her in the college lobby." She explained, her gaze now upon me.

"Oh, hi Miss Dumay!"

"Hi, good afternoon, Ma'am," I greeted back. Glancing towards the teachers before us.

"Oh that's okay," Pastor Melchour spoke as he stood up, "Johanna here kept me company so I don't really mind. Let's go?"

"Yeah, we should! I'm starving." With this they began to walk.

"See you around, Johanna." I heard Pastor Melchour speak. I bowed my head slightly and waved goodbye.

"Take care, teachers." I sighed in satisfaction as I watched them leave. Pastor Melchour's words still echoing in my mind.

I lowered my head and pondered on his words once more. Indeed, I never actually understood why I had to go through all those pain. I never understood why I had to experience emptiness and rejection. I never understood why my mother abandoned us for another man, why my father had to die early. I confess I often blamed God for my pain, and tried to even convince myself that there is no God, but now I understand.

I would never have reached the condition of intense need of a Savior if I haven't gone through all those. If I had a perfect life, I would never have found the One that can truly satisfy the need in my heart. I would never have had the chance to discover and be who I was created to be.

I lifted my gaze towards the cloudy sky. "Thank you so much, Lord," I breathed.