Sunday, May 23, 2010 

I am sorry...

I am sorry I have only known you from afar.
I can say that I was not given the opportunity to know you, but I know I could have done better.

I am sorry I only really remembered your name at your wake.
I am sure they have mentioned it before in front of me, but I just didn't think it was necessary enough to lock it in memory.
"There is always the next time," but now there isn't.

I am sorry I only got to know you through your eulogy.
I have only know you as the tall, steady old uncle who still drives to church every Sabbath.
You were also the sweet old husband who still takes such good care of your wife.
You were never noisy. You were never murmuring.
You had that quiet confidence which I admire.
A faithful, silent worker.

I am sorry that I have never spoken a single word to you.
I now wished that I had.
I wonder now if you even knew my existence, whether you have noticed me around.

And I am glad now, extremely thankful, that God had allowed a small gathering just a couple of weeks ago, when I had the opportunity to sit at the same table with you.
Though it was brief, it was probably the only time when we had shared the same space, and air.
But you didn't speak much,
I don't think I heard you at all.

As I watch you now lying there,
I know that you are no longer there.
I know that you have rested from your labours,
and you would be very happy with the Lord.
But as I sing, the tears just came.
Perhaps it is a sense of sadness for the family you left behind.
Or perhaps it is a sense of regret for not knowing you.

How many yous must it take me to change?
I have got to stop making excuses for myself and move out of my comfort zone.
I have got to sit and listen more.
So that I can learn more, and love more.

It's really strange, but I miss you, Uncle Patrick.
I will definitely miss seeing you and your car every Sabbath lunchtime,
and how you would help your wife into the car.

I hope we will meet again.

In the sweet by and by, we shall meet on that beautiful shore;
In the sweet by and by, we shall meet on that beautiful shore.

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Tuesday, May 18, 2010 

The Reserved Moses


Moses' three stages of his life:

Rash
Reserved
Reverent


Which one do you identify most with?

Then, at this saying, Moses fled and became a dweller in the land of Midian, where he had two sons. “And when forty years had passed, an Angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire in a bush, in the wilderness of Mount Sinai. (Acts 7:29-30)

How was it like these forty years?

The Bible Study leader gave the word "reserved" to describe Moses at this juncture. Indeed, the picture in Exodus 2-3 painted for me was also one that speaks tranquility.

Moses was described as "sitting down by a well" and "tending the flock". Sounded like a very... mild and unhappening life, but one that has much contemplation and reflection. Well, it did sounded like Moses had a lot of time to ponder and think!

I decided that I really like the Moses at this time. A Moses who was silent before God, who stood still for the presence of the Lord. He may not know what else he can do at the moment. Probably, he felt that he cannot do anything anymore. He don't know how. Yet, God was going to use him in ways that is beyond what he can imagine.

I often feel like the Moses here. Many things I thought I could do for God have one after another closed their way in front of me. And at times, I wonder what is my purpose for God? If I can't do anything right, then what is the reason I am here for? I wonder if Moses also had similar thoughts running through his head then.

However, Moses patiently underwent training. He waited to understand. He endured to be molded. He went through 40 years quietly (at least, that's my impression) before God appeared to help him understand.

Can I endure my 40years?

Can I willingly undergo such training before God shows me what His plans for me are?
They are likely to be plans beyond my imagination, if God is willing to use this lowly vessel of mine.

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Sunday, May 16, 2010 

I. am. not. happy.


The same question keeps coming back: Is it just me?

Many thoughts remain as thoughts.
Many comments or remarks do not get translated into audible speech.
I don't want to say anymore lest I am the one on the wrong path.

Yet, I am very unhappy.
I am displeased.
I am most displeased with myself.

I only wish... there is someone who will direct me to the right path and tell me where I have gone wrong, with love.

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will guide you with My eye. (Psalm 32:8)

Friday, May 07, 2010 

I am thinking of you. - God


The sun was setting.

While glancing out the bus on my journey to church, I found my thoughts returning back to my students.

Even while the music played in my ear about Jesus, I began to think about how I want to nurture my students in an environment of love and acceptance. About how I want them to learn to love each other and to love me. I also thought about this particular girl who I feel I have neglected and I made a mental note to talk to her sometime soon about her emotion management.....

And so, I found myself thinking about my students 24/7. I care for them too much such that it is almost taking over my life...

But, suddenly, at that instant, I thought about God.

If I, with my limited and imperfect love, find myself thinking about my students 24/7, what about God?

I must be in His thoughts 24/7 too.

And not just me, but you as well. Every one of us - is in His thoughts 24/7. He never stops thinking about us because, with His perfect love, He loves us so so much.

Me, in God's thoughts 24/7.

I almost blushed at that thought.

What a marvelous, loving thought as Sabbath approaches. :)
---

How precious are your thoughts about me, O God.
They cannot be numbered! (Psalm 139:17 NLT)

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Life's principles in Romans 14


Don't judge others in whatever they do,
and don't stumble others with whatever we do.

We have the responsibility ourselves
to make sure that our good is not spoken of as evil by others.
If there is any slight chance of a misunderstanding,
it is better not to do at all.

Sunday, May 02, 2010 

Malachi 1:2


"You are special; and I love you."

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  • From Singapore
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