Housework

Giggle wrote today ...

Weekends kind of equate to housework, more so when sis is not in town and I have to take over all the weekly cleaning that she's been doing. Our silent pact is that she will do all the housework while my duty is to bring mum around for her shopping, medical appointments, visits to relatives, and so on.

Well, I used to dread doing housework and the more I'm asked to do, the sooner you'll see a papaya growing longer and longer, perhaps with a "justice bao" surfacing too =P In fact, at one point, my attitude was so bad that God had to "inflict" such a guilt feeling in me and I just have to repent before Him and say, "I'm sorry."

You see, there was actually nothing I had grounds to complain about ... I don't have to worry about doing my laundry, ironing my clothes, cooking my meals, washing the dishes - these are all taken care of by my wonderful mum. The only thing that she hoped I could help her in was to mop the floor, wash the toilets, clean up the balcony - nothing much actually, isn't it? But I guess I broke her heart many times when my attitude was so bad that I either complain or became extremely grouchy while doing all these housework, and I could see the hurt in her - that's why I said God convicted me of my guilt and taught me to repent. After all, if my attitude is right, this is not just a duty or responsibility, but an opportunity to serve my family and my loved ones.

God had blessed me with much - very good parents that I would say brought me up well and very good siblings who doted on me very much - what's there to complain about serving them when I can?

So now, whenever I knew I had a long list of housework ahead of me, I'll pray and ask God first for a right, positive attitude to approach it, and then for His strength that I can cope with these duties faithfully and do it excellently. "I can do all things through Him (Christ) who gives me strength" Phil 4:13.

Be thankful for what you have and the opportunities you have to bless the lives of your loved ones.

Okie dokie - got to get back now to bathing my 2 doggies and 1 kitty ... if I have the time to write on animals who are the love of my life, I will. Till then ... =)

I hate ... - but I've learn

Giggle wrote today ...

I often wonder why God allows inconveniences in our lives to make them get on our nerves. I suppose through them, we get to understand ourselves (strengths and weaknesses) better and learn to change where we need to.

There are a few things I really really hate - as in I'll avoid them at all cost - but sometimes or most of the times, I can't. Curious to know what can get on my nerves?

First, I hate indecisive drivers - those who cannot decide which lane to take and end up hogging the middle marker of both lanes, and then worse still, they drive slower than they ought to. Driving behind them really makes me "curse and swear" (well, don't take this statement literally =)

Second, I hate drivers who were driving behind you and when they see you signalling to change lanes, they deliberately speed up and before you know it, you end up in the lane you don't intend to, behind a whole stream of cars, and you are forced to turn instead of going straight. I hate that!

Third, I hate cab drivers who are driving in front of you, and in their whims and fancy, stop as and when they love it. Well, I know they are earning a living, and every customer counts, but hey, watch out and spare a thought for the traffic behind you before you step on the brakes.

Fourth, I hate cab passengers who take their own sweet time to get into the cab (I'm not referring to the elderly or the disabled, I have patience for them, but it's the young and abled ones!) and then have a "discussion" with the cab drivers where they want to go before the cab finally drove off.

Fifth, I hate supermarkets or stores with narrow aisles - you bump into everyone and anyone when you try to maneuver your way out of the aisle. Oh yes, I understand from the standpoint of a business that they want to pack as much goods as possible so as to increase revenue, but well ...

Six, I hate crowds!! I can't stand it, especially when I consider myself a "dwarf" (haha, compared to one of my classmate whom I call a "giant"). I can't understand why people will flock to exhibitions, whatever fairs, sales at departmental stores, concerts, etc - if I can help it, that's where I will choose to be absent.

Somehow, these things which I hate and choose to avoid at all cost, God allows them to confront me often - especially during weekends when my duty is to bring mum for grocery shopping. Poor mum, she will have to bear with all my grouses as she sits in the car with me =) and if the weather is hot, I'll be grouchier and grumpier than before.

Well, on the flip side, I do look at all these things as lessons God is teaching me. Although I fail very often in all these "tests", God's patience is always there. And He never fail to remind me that even in those trying circumstances, I ought to try and put myself in the shoes of others. And sometimes, He would remind me, "Aren't you sometimes like those whom you find irritating too? So, don't judge." (Matt 7:1-5).

If you have things you hate, remember God might be using them to shape you.

Birthday ...

Giggle wrote today ...

The little red dot is celebrating its birthday in a few days' time and everybody seems to be all excited and geared up.

Why are birthdays so special and important? Is the focus on the one celebrating the birthday or should it be on the One who created from naught you and me so that we can celebrate our birthdays?

It's normal to hear teens intentionally or "accidentally" telling you "my birthdays coming ... on so and so day", or "I wish someone will give me this thing I've been wishing for .... and by the way my birthday's coming soon you know" - well, to such statements, I would apply the accounting principle - debit and credit (aka one ear in, the other ear out =) afterall, there are so many of them, how many person's birthdays do they expect me to remember and before I'm accused of practicising favouritism, I better begin by treating everyone the same.

I used to get excited about birthdays too - I mean, my own. But over the years, it has just become "another day" - nothing special. I guess what matters most about birthdays is that it gives us time to remember that the good Lord has seen us through another year, and is bringing us into a new one, and His promise to us: "Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you" (Heb 13:5b). Shouldn't birthdays be a time to reflect how we have fared, and how we can do better in the new year?

Let's not focus too much on ourselves that we lost that gratitude towards the One who made the day possible for us. Go ahead and celebrate, but include the One who made it possible for He loves to be in the midst of that celebration too.

Happy birthday, little red dot, may you be the one God can work through to declare His glory!

STRESS!

Giggle wrote today ...

Someone once said "stressed is desserts spelt backwards" - I suppose he or she's an optimist like me who learn to look for sweetness within the bittergourd?

I don't like stress although I can manage them fairly well, neither do I fancy desserts that much (watch that waistline! =) but I believe in every stressful situation, there's something God has prepared for us to learn. Come out of it victorious and we will be a better person.

Just today, I feel the stress of incompetency and insecurity when there's no news about what the songs are that they want us to play for chapel - and help, I can't play on the spot - I'm not like my friend, the expert, who melt your heart when his hands begin to touch the keyboard. WOW! That's my dream and fantasy =) And Murphy's law had to be proven true today - i was waiting in the chapel without knowing that everybody's supposed to be at the MPH? - that's my "sotong" nature at work, it relapses once in a while =P

Fortunately, I wasn't the only one who didn't know the change, so I don't feel so "out" when the few of us make our way down to the right location, otherwise, more stress =( And as I make my way down, I was secretly praying that since there's only 1 piano but 2 musicians, I would not have to play - and thank God that rescue was on the way as I pray ... i signalled to a senior if he can help to play and phew ... he did. Eternally grateful =)

Now what did I learn from this whole episode? I learnt not to take things for granted, and I learnt that I have to make sure that by hook or by crook, to get the songs beforehand to practice - there is no place for assumption, you just have to take the initiative to check.

The next few weeks until October's going to be a rather "stressful" period - lots of assignments due, 3 major services within a month in the school that I need to plan for, 2 books which my P has asked me to help compile to launch on the school's special day. Sometimes I wonder how am I going to cope but yet again, the good Lord reminds me, "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them (whatever your giants maybe), for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." Deut 31:6

God has seen me through all these years and He has never let me down - in fact, if you knew me when I was much younger, you wouldn't believe I wasn't what I am (or who I am) today - the change is simply marvelous, but be prepared to go through shaping and pruning, for your own good.

Don't let stress get you down, invite God to manage that stress for you and with you! Giants? Don't worry, they are dwarfs and peanuts for the Creator of you and me.

Scary!

Giggle wrote today ...

It's scary to have your boss tell you everyone's (himself, your other colleagues, the school, the theological college, your church, etc, etc) watching you ... to see if this system of part-time studies and full-time work should be continued. It's scary to know that you are going to be the guinea-pig for this experiment and if you succeed, well and good, your colleagues may have a chance to follow in your footsteps ... if you don't ... I wouldn't dare imagine.

God has always been good and His grace has always been sufficient - and I'm sure He will see me through the entire study at theological college - reminding me to always do my best, giving me strength when I feel weak, keeping me alert and awake for all the piles and piles of reading. And hey! I'm so proud to say I've been able to complete all my readings the past 4 weeks - I've not let any lecturer, myself or God down !! Yey! PTL!

Speaking about the goodness of God, I must never fail to give thanks for the good bunch of colleagues in school that so willingly and readily step forward to support me in my absence. Have you ever heard of a ministry staff in charge of chapel being absent from chapel when it's her duty to take care of it ? Well, my principal graciously gave me the consent and blessing to do so, especially when she knew the module I need to take on chapel day is the core module that will decide my fate for the subsequent year's subjects. WOW! And she even arranged for one of the teacher to stand in and be the "acting CMS". SMILES!

God really sends blessings and rain down from heaven what you can't even keep - I feel really loved when colleagues come up to ask me, "How are you coping with studies?", "I'm praying for you", "Why are you back in the morning - don't you have class ? Are you going to make it on time?"

What more can I say, God's grace is indeed more than sufficient! My ex-boss always say there's 2 schools he will share this "MGS" verse with, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." - 2 Cor 12:9. I'll leave you to guess which 2 schools he's talking about =)

Scary? No more ... no need to =)

Worship Finale!

Giggle wrote today ...

I've been wanting to create a blogspot since ... (well, I lost track). I guess technology these days had caused me to plug more into typing than writing ... sigh* that's bad =(

I love to journal but always too ill-discipline to write, and I'm more a typist than writer .. haha

When should I begin to trace back about fond memories I love to recount? Hmmm... yes, that worship finale!

Since knowing that I'll be starting theological college, I had to relinquish all my responsibilities in church - that includes worship leading and playing keyboard. On one hand, I'm excited about what I can learn from the different churches ... yet on the other hand, having to miss my home church for 4 months ... and my friends ... and my godsons !!! My, I just can't think further ...

I led my final worship at the adults' service on 25 June 06. I've always enjoyed singing and being used by the Lord for His purpose. It was mixed feeling - on one hand it was something I loved that I had to miss ... yet on the other hand it was a relief coz I really don't think I can cope with anymore on my plate - it's so full already ! A fellow worship leader commented after the service that that morning's worship was one of my best - to which I said, "Well, I save the best for the last =)" I guess I'm really really really thankful to my good Lord for giving me talents in the area of music and singing.

Come to think of it - I had been leading worship for the last 15 years or so ? since I taught in Sunday School ? WOW, that was long! Reminiscing the good old days - how the group of us taught Sunday School together in the morning ... attends the second morning service ... enjoying fellowship over lunch, then tea, and finally attending evening service together - our energy never seemed to be zapped out of us! That was good old days, but each of us now have our own separate lives to take care of ...

Over the years, I've seen many worship leaders and helped to train some youths as well ... and I only pray that I will continue to hone my skills and not be complacent ... I pray too that I will not become too conservative neither too charismatic but continue to have my own style which God can use, through me, to reach to His own. It seems "all good things must (somehow) come to an end"? - does it include ministry and service too? Maybe it's time to move on to newer and greener pastures =)

I'm itching to lead worship ... help ... - haha, maybe God knows, that's why an opportunity's coming by on 26 Aug. If you happen to be there, that's going to be me! =)