By Grace, through Faith.

I am Kiara Alyssa Basa, a graduate and alumni of Class of 2017 of Mary Ward Catholic Secondary School. In this blog, allow me to tell you my story.

Grade 12 being the last year of high school has so much more pressure than one could ever imagine. From needing to be on track, to maintaining your grades to getting into the university/college you desire to go to and lastly, to graduating on stage. However, this did not sink in to me until the last half of the school year when it should have back in September. I did not feel this pressure until I heard someone ask me: “Are you graduating or are you planning to come back next year for an extra year?” As these words were spoken to me, I couldn’t help but panic and stress out. At this moment, I was struggling to meet deadlines, thus leading me to fall behind, and I was faced with the harsh reality that I may not graduate.

I did not know what else to do. I could not turn to anybody because I was ashamed and scared, so I turned to God. I did not know how to start because aside from being behind in school, I started losing my relationship with Him. I have always been the “church girl”, but I started becoming very dependent on other people and their opinions, rather than His.

One day, as I was reading and praying, I came across

Mark 11:23-24,

which says: “(23) Truly, I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea’, and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. (24) Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received, and it will be yours” (NIV).

After reading this, I knew God was speaking to me; that this is the answer to everything that I have been praying for. All I have to do is stand strong and walk in faith.

Every single day, I stood by these words and God walked me through every step of the way. By the end of April, I was caught up with everything in school; back in January I was told I was not going to be graduating. That is God right there.

After dealing with all the stress that came from catching up on school, I thought that was it. I thought I could finally enjoy the last weeks of high school even just for a little bit. However, I was wrong. On May 25, 2017, one of the most important people in my life passed away and I had never felt so weak until I heard the news that she was in the hospital fighting for her life. Then a couple of hours later, I found out that she was gone. I questioned God. I asked: “Why now? Now that I am about to graduate?” I wanted to go home and be with my family, but there was no way I could because of school. I couldn’t understand why everything was going wrong and God led me to

Romans 8:26-28:

“(26) In the same way, the spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. (27) And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. (28) And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (NIV).

These words that God used to speak to me gave me such peace in my heart; that despite of all the questions I have in my head, I do not need to understand everything because it will only hinder me from moving forward.

Last June 29, 2017, I became an official graduate of Mary Ward Catholic Secondary School. From being told that I was not graduating and would be going to summer school to finish up some of my courses, to losing friends and being alone, to losing my grandma, the IMPOSSIBLE was made POSSIBLE. This was all because of grace through faith.

I would have not been able to do it all by myself because I know I would only falter, but because I know that I have a God that provides all my needs according to His riches and glory, I was able to make it.

As I was walking across the stage of the school, I could not think of anything else but blessed I am to be serving a God that knows and listens to every desire of my heart. Trust me, He listens.

Many people have said and would still say, “It’s just high school”, but this is a testimony; a testimony of faith and faithfulness. I was at one of my lowest points, but one thing was for sure: God did not fail to meet me where I was. He healed all the pain, traded all the sorrows into joy, tears to laughter and gave me the peace of mind and peace in my heart that I needed the most. He reminded me every single day that everything was going to be okay even if it did not seem like it.

Stop worrying and lay it all down to him and He is more than happy to help you out because He cares for you. Practice believing in faith and everything shall come to pass.