Finding Mr Perfect ...

Giggle wrote today ...

"Finding Mr Perfect" - that was an eye-catcher on the cover of a teens magazine, which caught my attention when I was at the check-out counter at a supermarket today.

It prompted me to think ... Is there such a person as "Mr Perfect"? or "Miss Perfect" that exist on this earth?

As I look around our society today, and read of all the newspaper reports day in and day out about domestic fights, divorce rates climbing sky high, hear of "horror" stories about so and so's relationship or marriage not working out, etc - I have come to a conclusion ... "NO, there's no Mr Perfect or Miss Perfect at all."

Why then do we keep looking out for Mr or Miss Perfect? I guess too often, our eyes have been clouded by what we see on TV - the perfect guy with the perfect gal (Hmm... makes me remember the "Da Chang Jin" - how ideal, how perfect huh ...) or perhaps we have been too drawn in by the characters that romance novels depict, or perhaps we just refuse to break out of our fantasy bubbles with the image of that perfect guy or gal who will appear finally and sweep us off our feet ...

I noticed this quote on my ex-student's MSN which reads, "A woman should be so hidden in Christ that only a man seeking Him could find her." I was so WOW-ed by it.

I think too often, we have been too busy "looking out" for the perfect guy or perfect gal that we lost track of what's really important. What then, is really important? Over the years I've learnt and am still learning that it's not about finding the RIGHT guy or gal, or the PERFECT guy or gal. But in the process of waiting for the person which God has intended for your life, to use that process to BE the RIGHT person for him or her.

A friend used to remind me, "Don't settle for the second best when God wants to give you the BEST." And from the Bible, we know that God is a giving God - one who gives the best to His children. I can't agree all the more with what she has said.

How to be the right person then? Well, at least for the ladies, we have the Proverbs 31 woman to model after (go read Prov 31:10-31). Prov 31 sets a very high standard, a seemingly "impossibility" for any woman to attain, but I think (this is my personal conviction) that if we set our focus on vs 30 "Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised." we can be quite sure we won't deviate too much from the model set for us.

I work with youths and have heard many young teenagers switching from one boyfriend to another ... some even "agonizing" over why they are so "unfortunate" that all their friends are attached, but they are not. Hey folks, relationship is NOT a trend or fashion fad for us to follow or keep up with - we don't have to be afraid of losing out just because we're not IN!

As I challenge you, I'm reminding myself too - let's go for the best which God will give us, not any second best; and meanwhile, be the RIGHT person instead of looking for the right person.

A mentor's joy

Giggle wrote today ...

I couldn't agree more with the apostle Paul the delight that fills his heart as he hears about his spiritual children growing in the Lord. Read some of these expressions in his letters to the churches in Philippi, Colossae & Thessalonica.

Ever since I started serving the Lord in the different ministries such as Sunday School, youth ministry, cell groups, worship & music ministry, school ministry, etc - the joy that fills my heart has always been seeing those I have been mentoring grow - spiritually and into maturity. In fact, this joy is so rich and deep that all the hardwork, misunderstandings, hurts and pains experienced in the process of serving just pales in comparison.

I can't hide the joy when I hear of the two ladies from my previous cell-group going (or has expressed the intention of going) into full-time ministry - well, at least for now, one is doing a short-term theological course before deciding further, and the other one is applying for internship with the church. I burst into joy each time both of you shared with me the lessons you've been learning from the Lord and the things you've been hearing from Him. You know, it's my prayers answered - I've shared with you before that when I was leading our previous cell group, I committed specifically before the Lord the two of you that your lives may be lived well for His glory!

And I delight and thank God too for some of you girls whom the Lord has brought into my life through the ministry in school - especially those of you whom I had the opportunity to personally mentor and spend time with. I've seen the growth in each of you - though not overnight, but I've seen it so evidently - through your life, sometimes even through the things you shared in your blog ... no longer were they just complaints (I can understand and accept fully what was written in your blog when you just "complain" and "rant" - that's just you and you shouldn't change that just to "please" people around, be yourself!) but reflections too!

All the time spent with all of you are worthwhile investment, never time wasted. Thank you for being willing to share honestly with me your lives and allowing me to speak into your lives through the Word of God. May we continue to sharpen each other as iron sharpens iron (Prov 27:17). Remember, I'm learning from you too as you receive inputs from me =)

Haha, I'm beginning to feel that I'm somewhat "speaking" like Paul =)

Tail-gate

Giggle wrote today ...

What do you think about tail-gating?

Some says it's dangerous - and indeed it is, because any moment you may end up in an accident you didn't want to create if the person stops or the driver brakes suddenly. But I guess tail-gating requires "concentration" and "focus" - I mean, if you want to tailgate, you need to follow really really closely that someone, or that vehicle in front of you, isn't it?

My P gave me permission to be absent from school today since all our schools had an annual staff get-together in the evening which requires us all to be present. Since the venue is near my theological college, it makes no sense for me to return back to my own school which is in the east side, by around 2pm, and only to make a trip down to the west end again before 5.30pm. As such, a wonderful colleague and pal consented to having me come by her house - to rest, to fellowship, and also to discuss about our course project.

Being someone who stays in the east, I'm not familiar with the west side at all, and she had to lead the way so that I won't get lost. I had to remind her to "Please don't drive that fast - remember I'm following behind you!" I mean, I'm not a slow driver, but she's the faster one =)

It's amusing as I recall the entire process of tail-gating her - first, I think I followed the wrong car (Haha, see, I said my sotong nature relapses once in a while!) and I had turn into a side road to watch out for her car to pass by before continuing on in the journey. Then, at one of the "Give-way" junction, she had to zoom off at the spilt seconds the oncoming traffic was coming by - and I had to really "Give way" to these oncoming cars to avoid any collision. As a result, she was far far ahead! I knew she would be watching out for me from her rear-view mirror and would be waiting for me somewhere ahead, and indeed, there she is! And so the story goes, that I made it to her place with her help!

Now what did I learn from this whole episode? To me, our Christian life is something like that too - we need to tail-gate Jesus - to concentrate and focus on Him closely, otherwise, we lose track of where we are going and we lose sight of Him. And too often, we have heard of people who got thrown off the race because they were so caught up by other distractions.

The Bible says, "we live by faith, not by sight" (2 Cor 5:7) - I fully agree. We need to exercise faith as we walk and grow in the Lord, but I guess there's this part about living by "sight" too - keeping our eyes closely on Jesus - watching out for the ways He's opening for us and leading us. There is an acronym "WWJD - What Would Jesus Do?" - but how can we know what Jesus do or did, if our eyes are not open to see what He did, and then follow in similar manner?

The other lesson I learnt is that Jesus will never leave us as we take this journey with Him. Like my colleague who waited for me when she knew she had "lost" me - Jesus is even more faithful to stick with us to the end. And when He knew that we had lost our way, not only is He there watching out for us, but He's also there waiting patiently for us, and when we finally get to where He is, we can see His broad smile and feel His warm embrace as He said to us "Welcome home, I'm glad you made it." - refer to the parable of the lost son in Luke 15.

God's love never fails ... God's love never give up ... and God's love never leave us - but as He initiates, we need to respond.

What are you waiting for? If you need to tail-gate someone - may it be Jesus that you tail-gate!

Testify to love

Giggle wrote today ...

This blog is only a few days old, but ever since having the intention of creating a blog some months back, I had wanted it to be one that shares testimonies, reflections, poems, songs, etc - anything that edifies the reader and brings glory to the Name of God! I hope that this blog can be different - not one that pours out complains and stop short at that, but one that even as I "complain", I'll take time to reflect what I can and have learn, and then share these lessons with you all. It is also a blog to make me take a step back from the busyness of life to reflect, perhaps also to regain a bit of "sanity" amidst life's currents - after all, I believe that if we take time to stop and pause, smell the flowers, listen to the birds chirping away - we can actually hear God speaks!

Many people say that they don't feel God ... they don't hear God ... they don't "see" God, but I find reminder and inspiration from this lively song ... God does speak, if you will only be still and allow Him to do so ... and as He speaks, will you be willing to share your testimonies with others, that we may testify for Him? The world is bombarded by enough loud voices that are not edifying, let us be that voice which God can use and "testify to love" ...

Testify to love by Avalon

Verse 1

All the colors of the rainbow

All the voices of the wind

Every dream that reaches out

That reaches out to find where love begins

Every word of every story

Every star in every sky

Every corner of creation lives to testify

Chorus:

For as long as I shall live

I will testify to love

I'll be a witness in the silences

When words are not enough

With every breath I take

I will give thanks to God above

For as long as I shall live

I will testify to love

Verse 2

From the mountains to the valleys

From the rivers to the sea

Every hand that reaches out

Every hand that reaches out to offer peace

Every simple act of mercy

Every step to kingdom come

All the hope in every heart

Will speak what love has done

Thanks to those of you who have given me comments and encouragement ever since this blog started. I hope as you read each day's entries, you will find encouragement from what has been written.

So ... my dear HDC, what about my proposal to you to share the poems God has inspired you to write concerning Easter and Christmas Day? Do you want to give me the rights to put it here, or should it be up on our CCA notice board? =)

2 Timothy 1:8 reminds us, "So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord" - may you and I be found faithful always to speak and testify for Him!

Home

Giggle wrote today ...

A house is not a home.

What does the word "home" mean to you ?

For some, it means belonging, security and comfort ... for some, it means that's where the family is ... for some, it means a place where fights and quarrels take place ... perhaps for a handful, it merely means 4 walls, no communication, no love ... and maybe yet for others, they ask, "What's home?"

It's sad to read 8 August ST about the elderlies who are left to fend on their own. They might have a house where they can reside in, but they cannot call that their home. Nobody seemed to care for them ... nobody seemed to notice them ... nobody seemed to be willing to spend time with them ... sad, isn't it ?

Unfortunately, as we progress in life, as technology advances, and we have the opportunity to receive better education, instead of becoming more compassionate and accomodating, we seemed to become more selfish and heartless - in our pursuit for "luxurious and better" living

"We have no time to look after you, so we have to put you in the home (for the aged) ...", "the maid will attend to your needs, please don't bother me ...", "what rights do you have to discipline my child?" ... "what? carry his/her desk from his/her classroom and do detention outside the office? What if he/she falls and injures himself/herself, who's going to be responsible?" Sounds familiar? Heard them before?

Sad, huh? That's why I have great respect for all the social workers who are willing to give their time, their efforts and their love to tirelessly help those who are unloved and uncared for by our society. It's not easy. And the mockery is that we need someone else to love those that we are actually supposed to be responsible for ... sigh*

Do you know that since the beginning of time, God's heart has always been moved to compassion by people who are oppressed ... those who are denied justice ... those who are "rejected" by society and the world? There are many records in the Bible, but I think I'll just quote one verse here ... "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." - James 1:27.

If you have a home where you can find warm, love, comfort - a place where you can belong to, be thankful. If you have families that you need to be responsible for, be thankful as well. May we in our blessedness also, not forget those around us who are deprived of such warm and love. Even if we are unable to reach out to them personally, may we remember to take time to say a prayer for them, that they may find a home - a place of warm, love and belonging, in the Lord.

This is one entry that I took the longest time to write - I guess I'm overcome by melancholy more than anything else ... but I hope as you find time to read what I've written, you will be challenged to allow your heart to beat with compassion in this buzzling, fast-moving world.

Kids' behavior ...

Giggle wrote today ...

I felt as if I've just came back from a battlefield ...

I brought my 2 godsons out for a movie "The Ant Bully" this evening, thinking that it's going to be a real fun time with them.

Well, on the whole, the outing was fun, but I think tired and draining is probably the more appropriate words to describe. No wonder my colleague commented that I'm very "garang" to bring 2 kids (a 5-yr-old and a 3-yr-old) out on my own when I told her my day's plan. I think I know better now ... =)

What's tiring is not so much having to make sure they eat their sandwiches, drink their water, checking whether they need to visit the toilets, whether they understand the movie, keeping them still at their seats, reminding them perpetually not to speak at the top of their voice, etc - but what's tiring I think is really understanding them, "humouring" them, communicating with them, and then wondering if they understood what you have spoken ...

Kids can also be very "demanding" and temperamental, at least that is how I feel about them now ... when the younger one heard that his brother had barley water (well, actually it's just water, I still can't figure out why the older one wants to kid his brother ...) in his water bottle, he wanted it too, and he wanted it NOW! Thank God the younger one's easier to persuade and coax, otherwise, I don't dare to imagine the scene I have to put up with if he screams and cries ... =P

Next, the older one wants to have pop-corn. Popcorn? After the show is over? when it's going to be dinner time within minutes after I get them back home? Again, I have to coax and reason with him - and I had to promise him popcorn the next time I see him. Haha, better not forget your promise to a kid - I think they remember ...

Then when I sent them back home, they both wanted to press the door-bell. Being still small in size, of coz they can't reach. The older one jumped and missed, and he didn't say he wanted me to carry him to reach the bell, while the younger one did, and so I did. Guess what? the older one was upset, and fuming - and when the gate opens, he refused to go into the house, with tears streaming down his face. My!

It makes me wonder why he reacted the way he did. Was it insecurity, did he feel "rejection", or what? Does not getting his way mean adults care less about him? But then again, it's not about getting your way, or having your rights, but what is RIGHT!

On my way back home, I began to think if we adults also sometimes behave like that towards God too. We want our rights ... we demand our rights ... and we feel "insecure" when we see others having much more or accomplishing much more than us. Do we feel that when our prayers are not answered, or when we don't get what we want or hope for, we begin to doubt God's presence, His involvement or even His love towards us? The Lord affirms His love for us in Jeremiah 31:3 when He said, "I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness."

While Jesus encourages us to "believe" like little kids do (aka have child-like faith), I believe He doesn't want us to "behave" like little kids.

Will I still take the 2 of them out? I believe I will, because I think I learn a lot from them too. But I guess I ought to pray for more strength and wisdom the next time I do so ... *Grin*

COOL!

Giggle wrote today …

What’s considered COOL ?

Well, to a teenager, the fact that an adult, well, maybe in a narrower sense, a teacher, could even log onto MSN, or create a blogspot – that’s COOL! =)

It’s funny how teenagers seemed to see adults (or their teachers) as “aliens” – and they are always amazed at the fact that “you mean you watch movie too – and THAT ONE?” ... or “you mean you listen to these songs too?” ... or “you like that so and so artiste too?” ... or “you mean you shop at these places, and you buy stuff like that ? WOW!” – I never fail to be amused at their reaction. Hey, we are humans too – like you!

Just some days ago, I was asking a student, my HDC (you know I’m referring to you, right ? =) how to change the skin for my blog, how to include tag board, links, etc – and her immediate reaction was “WOW! You’ve got a blog, that’s so COOL man!” SMILES! Thank you for teaching me but I’ve yet to figure out what you said =)

Teenagers get excited very easily when they know you can do the very things that THEY do – like sms-ing, logging on to MSN, speak their lingo, create a blog, etc. It’s actually very easy to get into their world – just take time to listen to them, speak to them, and you will gain the rights to speak into their lives. For me, I would think that’s really COOL =)

However, may I suggest that as we think about the word COOL, let it not just be an expression or exclamation that we (and others around us) can keep up with the modern times and technologies, but let us also be COOL for the Lord, living our life to the fullest for His glory. Do you know that Jesus is COOL too, for He is “Christ Our Only Lord” – and I hope you are saying now “WOW, so COOL”. Wink*

Animals

Giggle wrote today ...

Friends were "amused" that amidst the piles of assignments and readings, I can still create a blog and lock in entries daily (well, the blog is still fresh, so is the enthusiasm =). Well, writing helps me de-stress, I mean, besides writing theological papers which "stresses" me =)

I said I will write on animals if I have the time =) so here am I ...

Animals are lovely - well, at least for me, dogs and cats. Many people like dogs because they are the most loyal friends you can ever have, while some like cats because they have "character". Well, I have both - 2 doggies and 1 cat. They are simply the love of my life - I never fail to get cheered up by them whenever I come home tired and weary. When they wag their tails (I mean, my dogs) I just can't refuse to give them a pat on their head or play along with them for a while - their looks and their enthusiasm towards you just steals your heart away ... As for my cat, haha, you will never believe that it's now "behaving" like a dog - after being with his 2 "siblings" for so long. Whenever he sees me playing with the other 2, he will find his way to squeeze in and get me to pat and stroke him too. They can get jealous too! Watch it!

Besides being lovely, animals are therapeutic too. Sometimes when I'm really not in the mood to play with them no matter how they "plead" with me, they would just sit around me, giving me that "Are you ok? You look troubled, and I'm sad that you are. Can I share your problems with you?" look. They can't talk but the way they look at you just make you feel that you don't have to shoulder all your problems alone. They might not be able to help in any way, but their presence is there to assure you that you are not alone.

Animals help to keep you alert too - at least that's what I kept telling mum whenever she grumbles that all we do is play with the "kiddies", while she has to cook their meals, feed them, clear their daily business, etc. In any case, she has to agree with me that with them, she is kept occupied, and prevented from going senile =P Thanks, mum.

On the flip side, it is emotionally very draining when your "kiddies" are not well, or when it comes to a point that it's time for them to leave you. I lost count of how many buckets of tears I've shed when I lost my white mice, my rabbit, and my previous 2 doggies. I really cried! Somehow, everyone of them left me fond memories that I felt so hard to forget and let go. But the ironical thing is that though I know the strain of these emotional attachments and that one day I'll have to go through it again when my "kiddies" are old and aging, I still can't help it but continue to keep these pets around ...

Keeping animals require responsbility too - they should not be bought at the spur of the moment, or under impulse. Please consider carefully if you can commit to feeding and bathing them regularly, bringing them for regular vaccinations and visits to the vet when they are unwell, cleaning up after them, and most importantly, bearing with their nonsense at times (well, when they feel they are not getting your attention, they can really create something to get it from you, and you have to see it from their point of view instead of being angry with them or wacking them). Don't do these lovely creatures a disservice by depriving them of what they long for when they entrust their entire life and pin their hopes on you.

May you be the righteous one that the Lord spoke of in Prov 12:10 "A righteous man cares for the needs of his animal, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel."