AGAINST ALL ODDS
(What are the odds Ninang? 😁)

I have always thought the song “Against All Odds” meant fighting for one’s love “against all odds”. I remembered this song after attending a wedding of a residency mate and friend. The couple had heart-rendering ups and downs, twists and turns, humps and bumps, in their Love (story?) saga (!) before they finally got married. And aptly, they did not “fight” but rather Waited for the big moment, against all odds.

Let me quote from the song:
“So take a look at me now,
There’s just an empty space,
If you’re coming back to me it’s against the odds,
And that’s what I’ve got to face.”

The song doesn’t cause you to strive and struggle in the hope of getting something you want. It gives you the confidence to hope despite what has been and what is; despite science and logic, your emotions and mental capacity, and what is visible. Even though hope is as little as a flickering candle on a moonless night in the forest, the 1% outside the confidence interval, a keyhole light in a big dark prison room.

There are other stories. Another classmate of mine also ending up married with her first love and moving out of the country to start a life with him. Despite the odds of time, distance, and circumstances they still ended up together (beautiful couple!). Sometimes the waiting is not for the person but for the “permission” to marry (at 40 Ninang? “Higher!”). A guy finally (after probably more than a decade of courtship) won the heart of a self-assured, independent, seemingly relationship (guy)-allergic friend. Against the odds, patience, quiet perseverance, faith, and hope prevailed. (And Love Ninang! )

But what good is a song if not to reflect the truth from the book of life and the Word of God. Every hope is in vain apart from seeking the will of God. Every hope is in vain apart from the holiness and power of a loving God. God, alone, is the true hope against all odds.

And so against the odds we hope..
Peace for Marawi, end of poverty and corruption, and Progress for our country..
Healing for our loved ones and friends..
Marriage for our older single friends who desire to be married..
Responsible and responsive sharing of wealth by all who have more..
Self-sufficiency and Self-sacrifice to serve our country men..
All people to believe in Salvation by Faith apart from works (though works will follow) in Christ Jesus..
Unfazed obedience to God..
Peace of mind..
Joy of the spirit..
We hope..and pray! (Amen Ninang!)

– Ninang written thoughts, against the odds of someone actually reading it 🙂

“But now, Lord, what do I look for?
My hope is in you.” (Psalms 39:7)

AGAINST ALL ODDS
How can I just let you walk away,
Just let you leave without a trace,
When I’m standing taking every breath,
With you, ooohhh,
You’re the only one who really knew me,
At all.
How can you just walk away from me,
When all I can do is watch you leave,
Cause we shared the laughter and the pain,
And even shared the tears,
You’re the only one who really knew me at all.
So take a look at me now,
There’s just an empty space,
There’s nothing left here to remind me,
Just the memory of your face,
So take a look at me now,
There’s just an empty space,
If you’re coming back to me it’s against the odds,
And that’s what I’ve got to face.
And you coming back to me is against the odds,
And that’s the chance I’ve got to take.
Got to take
Got to take

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God– not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)