Lord, do you even care?

There are times in your life when you feel helpless and weak, when you run out of options that help you deal with the trials and problems. You feel stuck and powerless, and the only thing you can think of is to give up. If you are a true believer, you know by faith that God is almighty, sovereign, and powerful, and He heard your cries for help. He has said in his word that he would never leave you nor abandon you. Yet despite knowing that God is aware of your struggles, your pain, and your suffering, you still feel left with nothing but a broken heart, and question within as to why God allow you to go through this.

In Mark 4:35-41, Jesus and his disciples are travelling across the sea of Galilee. When a storm came and the waves broke over the boat, Jesus was sleeping during the storm. The disciples woke him up and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care about us? We are going to drown!” (verse 38). So, Jesus got up and gave a command to the storm. He said, “Quiet! Be still!” the wind stopped, and the lake became calm (verse 39).

At some point in your life you feel like you’re drowning, you feel helpless and hopeless, and overwhelmed by the storms in your life, and you feel like God is silence in the midst of your struggles and suffering. You know that Jesus saved you already, and He loves you so much, yet you feel that you lack sufficient faith. You feel that something wrong with you. But God wants you to know that the more serious your problem, the more grace He extends to you. He extends His hands to pull you up, to keep you from drowning (2 Corinthians 12:9, Matthew 14:30-31).

Sometimes, God will allow you to go through the fiery furnace, but you won’t get burned, or pass through the rough waters, but you won’t get drowned (Isaiah 43:2). God is always working on your behalf and you’re never left to fight a battle of your own. Your battles are won 2000 years ago when Christ paid the price for your victory. You can take rest knowing that whatever God allows in your life, He has planned it long before you were born to use it for your good (Romans 8:28).

We are all going through trials, struggles, and hardships in our life. No one is exempted from the sufferings to this world. Whatever you’re facing, there is always hope in Jesus, and He’s telling you to take heart because He’s in control in every situation of your life, and time will come your struggles and pain will end. He cares for you, and it’s always His purpose to bring you through your heartache and reveal more of himself to you.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33

Your pain has a purpose

James 1:2-4, NIV
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

There is a side to suffering you miss when you focus only on your pain and suffering rather than on God’s greater purpose. If you can see the purpose beyond the pain and suffering you will understand God’s ability to use the suffering in your life for greater purpose.

In Genesis 37-46, Joseph (the dreamer) was thrown into a well and then sold him as slave to Potiphar(Captain of Pharaoh’s guard) by his brothers because they were jealous of him. Later, Joseph became Pothiphar’s personal servant, and afterward he became his household superintendent. Potiphar’s wife was so attracted to Joseph and she tried to seduce him, which he refused. Joseph clearly states that he desires to honor his master and that giving in to her requests to be with her is something wicked in the eyes of the Lord. Joseph’s decision is to flee so that he may uphold the moral will of God. Angered by running away from her, she made a false accusation saying that Joseph was the one trying to seduce her. Because of this false accusation Joseph was thrown into prison.

Joseph was released from prison to interpret the Pharaoh’s dream – 7 years of abundance throughout the land of Egypt, and 7 years of famine will follow, and advised the Pharaoh to store food in preparation for the famine. Following the prediction, Joseph became the 2nd in command in Egypt.

In the 2nd year of famine, Joseph’s brothers were sent to Egypt to buy food, these are the same brothers that threw him into a well and sold him as a slave. He forgave his brothers and reunited with them and with his father Jacob, and saved his family’s heritage.

Despite of what happened to Joseph, the emotional and physical pain and the sufferings, he understood that his Heavenly Father love him and he is in control, and Joseph continued to live with the knowledge that he would not be forsaken no matter what he endured. He may have been given a small idea of what the future held for him in his dreams, but he was never told what he would have to go through to get there. He simply trusted God.

God doesn’t hurt you on purpose. The world we live in does. People hurt each other. Greed, selfishness, jealousy, violence, war and deception are everywhere. You may have those that who will turn against you, natural disaster may destroy all you own, your relationship with your partner has failed, or you may diagnosed with cancer. God doesn’t create these things to hurt you. He is the one who wants to rescue you from these brokenness, from the pain and sufferings and turn these unwanted situations to work out for your good. God wants you to grow in a certain area and prepare you for the next level that He wants to take you to.

ESSENTIAL TOOLS TO STARTING YOUR VIRTUAL ASSISTANT CAREER

Starting a home based career is more than just having a functioning computer and a comfortable space. You need to have the essential skills and tools for it to fully work smoothly. Online tools make your virtual assistant career more efficient and in fact simple. Here are some tools that will help you make your virtual assistant job a breeze.

1. Google Account
It is probably the most popular and handy tool to have. You simply have to have a Gmail account and you will get free access to a variety of tools Google has to offer, Google Drive, Google Calendar, Google Groups, and GTalk to name a few. On top of all that, you will have free access to having a YouTube account and Google+.

2. Skype
Skype is a telecommunications app product that specializes in providing video chat and voice calls between computers, tablets, mobile devices, the Xbox One console, and smartwatches via the Internet and to regular telephones. Skype additionally provides instant messaging services. Users may transmit both text and video messages, and may exchange digital documents such as images, text, and video. Skype also allows video conferencing. This app is perfect for video interview.

3. LinkedIn
Is the most professional Social Media platform a home based worker can join. Take Facebook and remove all the Spam postings, gather up all professionals and business entity in a single venue and you get LinkedIn.

4. Jing
Jing is a free tool for creating screen captures and instructional videos. Instructions are easily understood if you could actually see through the process. With Jing, you can capture what is exactly in your screen in image or video format while giving instructions or annotations along side.

5. Vocaroo
Vocaroo is a quick online voice recording app where you can record voice messages and afterwards share them with others via email or personal webpage. Next time you want to send someone a voice email or add an audio message to your online profile make sure to give Vocaroo a try.

6. Teamviewer
TeamViewer is a popular app used for Internet-based remote access and support. TeamViewer can connect to any PC or server, so you can remote control your partner’s PC as if you were sitting right in front of it. For the remote session to work the partner has to start a small application, which does not require installation or administrative rights.

Jump Out of Your Comfort Zone

The Lord had said to Abraham, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you” (Genesis 12:1)

God didn’t give Abraham a detailed map or even show him the exact final destination. He said, “Abraham, jump out of your comfort zone and go where I will show you.”

In March 2015, I resigned from my job, for the reason that my time with my wife and son was being compromised. My wife and I had a series of arguments about my job. My wife asked me to resign, but I refused. Because my job is the source of our income and I was depending too much to it. Plus, I would gain a lot experience and knowledge that could lead me to future success. Then this question struck me, “What is more important to you? Your family or your career/job?” Then I realized, I was being selfish. I was thinking only for my own gain, the skills and knowledge that I would get from that job.

RESIGN! God commanded me to resign. But I didn’t listen and obey right away because I was afraid to jump out of my comfort zone. I was holding on that job as if the future of my family relies on it. Series of arguments happened between me and my wife and finally I gave in and denied my self. No pending job applications or job offers. I’ve submitted my resignation letter to my boss. I indicated on the letter that my family is my top priority over my work. I made the decision because the relationship, the time, and the well being of family is more important to me.

For almost 3 months I was jobless. My wife and I prayed for a specific job which is a work-from-home job. Then I started asking questions to God like “Lord, are you really going to give me this job that we’re praying for?” With the current situation I am at, it is not clear what is your plan for us. No feedback from the companies that I’ve applied for. There are job offers, but the salary offer couldn’t cover the daily expenses of my family. It is like a foggy road. But thru my wife God reminded me that I should hold on to my faith and trust him. My wife asked me and told me these, “What did you prayed for? I answered “a work-from-home job?”, then hold on to that prayer and trust God she said. After my wife told me that, I prayed. Minutes after I prayed. I received an email from a company offering me a virtual assistant/work-from-home job. I had goosebumps when I was reading the email. That moment I was in awe. Lord! This is the job that my wife and I are praying for, and you answered it. I had series of interviews and everything went smoothly. After few days I started my first day at work, and the rest, as they say, is history.

God answered our prayer. The issue that my wife and I were facing is now resolved. No night shifts, no weekend shifts, and I am working from the comfort of my home. I have now all the time to spend with them. I will just go out of my office (another bedroom) when I wanted to see, kiss and hug my wife and son. And this job that God has blessed us becomes an avenue for more blessings.

Like Abraham, We are learning lessons as we walk through our journey. God’s want us to jump out of our comfort zone and TRUST him with the unknowns. We have to leave room for God to guide us. If God were to come and show me step-by-step exactly where He’s going to take me. It wouldn’t need FAITH for me to follow him. Furthermore, if I know exactly where I am going in advance, the idea likely isn’t from God. It likely came out of my own head.

Abraham was able to trust God in now knowing because he believed that God was with him. We also have this assurance because Jesus said, “… I am always with you, in every moment of your life.” (Matt 28:20)

God is with you, so don’t be afraid to jump out of your comfort zone. Wherever you go and whatever situation you are into, God is always be with you.

Lessons learned:

• Step out of your comfort zone (Hebrews 11:8)
• If we are faithless, God remains faithful (2 Timothy 2:13)
• Believe in what you’re praying for (Mark 11:24)

What are the perks of a work-from-home dad?

Work-from-home dads have been seen increasing numbers in Western countries, such as the US, UK and Canada since the late 20th century. In Asian nation, this practice is less common. And I feel blessed that I am one of them. 2 years ago I decided to become a work-at-home dad for the reason that I wanted to spend more quality time with my wife and son. And the rest, as they say, is history.

When people ask me, what do you do? I always answers with a smile and a sparkling eyes, “I am a work-from-home dad.” Then I follow up, “I’m a Virtual Assistant”. Why do I answer that way? Because of the perks and advantages that I get from being a work-from-home dad. And if the person who asked me still puzzled, I explained to them what a Virtual Assistant do.

The Perks

Sure there’s endless crying and knocking on my office door of my joyful 4 year old son, I have to deal with that everyday, but I wouldn’t change being a work-from-home dad for the world.

Rather than looking at the annoying parts, I like to focus on all of the positives that have come out of my experience as a work-from-home dad.

Here are my top 5:

No more peak hour commuting. While other dads are crawling in their cars and public utility vehicles on a heavy traffic, or a falling in long line to ride the train, I’m at home, drinking coffee.

Control over your schedule. Another advantage is you get to set your own schedule. I never had the opportunity to be have a flexible schedule through my career, and it’s a refreshing change to have this freedom.

Avoid the usual workplace distraction. Few things are more annoying than being interrupted when you’re deeply preoccupy in a work task. You can handle this situation very adequately when you you are a work-from-home dad by returning calls or responding to emails after.

More time with your family. If you feel like your office job is eating up too much time, working from home could be the solution. Having control over your schedule means you can make time for your kids and family. How awesome is that? I just go out of my office when I wanted to see, kiss & hug my wife and son. -Not really an office, it’s just another bedroom in our house.

Doing the household chores. Yeah! You read it right. I love helping my wife doing the household chores. My wife and I work together at cleaning and taking of our home. I have no problem sweeping the floor, dusting, doing laundry, or dishes, as well as doing “manly” chores of taking out the trash, go to the supermarket, cook the dinner, take my son to bath, etc.

These are my top 5 perks of being a work-from-home dad, and I hope this perks  gives an encouragement to all dads reading this post to consider working at home and be closer to their family.

I know you’re wondering now what are the jobs available out there for a stay-at-home or work-from-home dad. The answer is Freelancing! Want to know more what are the services that a Freelancer can offer? Click here.