10 new things I'm thankful for

10 new things I'm thankful in my life:
1. My W595 Sony Phone, gotten last month.
2. Qingwen, Dear.. for his love and encouragement. We're married for 5 weeks!
3. My room, my solace and place of refuge. I love the new brown kitchen table we've got. And the attached toilet we can use so freely.
4. My Mum-in-law, whom cooks really really good food. Her sacrificial love.
5. My Dad, esp now that he treats me as an adult.
6. My new hairdo. I permed it recently.
7. Change in ministry. Now in NUS Arts..serving with new tea, Desmond and Lindy.
8. New church friends, who teach me how to read and recognize Chinese characters in the bible.
9. A chance to choose a BTO flat.
10. A relatively light MSI Netbook!

Becoming

I've been picking up on simple O.I.A during my QT again, with much shame cos I've always told my students about it but I wasn't consistent. Yet, God's really gracious to still help me process His truth as I went back to the Word.

I was at Luke 10 (Parable of the Good Samaritan and the story of Martha and Mary) when some things came out at me.

A lawyer, testing Jesus and really trying to justify himself asked him what he should do to have eternal life. After Jesus answered him accordingly, quoting the Great Commandments- Love God with all your heart, mind, soul, strength; and to love your neighbour as you love yourself-he still asked, "And who is my neighbour?" Jesus then told him the story of the Good Samaritan. With that, Jesus exhorted him to go and show mercy, like the Good Samaritan.

The lawyer's questions was positioned clearly to justify his works. He probably was wondering if he had fallen in or out of the lines. But Jesus cleverly turned him to see it was not so much what he needed to do than what he needed to become- a man with mercy.

Looking bit down.. story of Martha and Mary. "But Martha was distracted with much serving.." Familiar and this time, for me, awfully. Yup I had been distracted. Admidst the transitions, changes. By what I needed to do-To be a good wife. To be a good daughter-in-law. To be a good daughter. To be a good staff. From what I needed to become.

I'm brought to see that I need to choose the "good portion" Luke 10:41 and not be "anxious and worried" unnecessarily. Not to lose sight of becoming what God intends while doing things for Him.

Learning and trying to apply truth in my life.

Beloved

Two days ago, I finally met someone whom sort of understood what I really felt about myself. It was such a relief to read words that describe the confusion and dilemmas that I've tried for years to even know.

Interestingly, he suffered depression. He is a Christian Catholic. He writes short books. Yay. And in his little book "Life of the Beloved", I saw myself. Ha and by the way, he wrote this book for his non Christian friend. Henri Nouwen.

"Over the years, I have come to realise that the greatest trap in our life is not success, popularity or power, but self rejection. ... When we have come to believe in the voices that call us worthless and unlovable, then success, popularity and power are easily perceived as attractive solutions."

I have hurdled from giving myself to others, caving and clocking quiet time, even joining staff to find myself happy but for a while, satisfied but again yearning for something more, spent and exhausted but still misunderstood.

"Yes, there is that voice, the voice that speaks from above and from within and that whispers softly or declares loudly: "You are my Beloved, on you my favour rests." It is certainly not easy to hear that voice in a world filled with voices that shout: "You are no good, you are ugly; you are worthless; you are despicable, you are nobody-unless you can demonstrate the opposite."

I'm nearing the end of the book, fascinated and relived, not just to learn about some holes in my life but to see myself in light of truth, face the broken-ness that makes me feel alone.

Praying that I'd live a better day for my Beloved than yesterday.

handicapped lift

How does a lift become handicapped?

And would anyone dare use it? Hmm..

Dreaming?