small victories

I love my church and I've always longed to serve in some way. There are a lot of opportunities and over they years we've had more and more people willing to serve and it has been such an encouragement. A few months ago, there was an opportunity to serve with the youth and our leader was replaced by 4 of us. More like three of us, since one went away for studies.

It has been quite difficult getting the young ones to respond to weekly meetings. In our first meeting no one turned up, though it could have been due to the timing of the meeting than anything else but still it was very discouraging. We just played a few songs and worshipped, all three of us. It was good worship but still. As I thought of what we could have done better, and ways we can improve, another thought came into my mind; maybe I've bitten more than I can chew again. Maybe I've made another impulsive decision before thinking it through. Nobody likes to look bad and sometimes we don't persist with things because we don't look good straight away.

There was also another thought, far better than the previous. More like reminders; don't despise the day of small beginnings. Sometimes nothing happens until we pray. There was also the question, how much do you want to make a difference?

I saw a quote on Facebook the other day "Vegetarians make bad hunters". And for me, it was probably a test of commitment. I don't have to try hard to come up with excuses why I don't want to do this. And if I decide that I made a mistake and back off, no one would hold it against me but is that what I really want?

It was not coincidence that the message in church the next Sunday was on Faith. And I learned that God is not impressed by your good behaviour, but Faith gets God's attention. And Faith must be progressive, not passive. This changed my thinking and removed the burden on me. Now its not up to me whether it works or not. All I have to do is play my role and trust that its important enough to God to make things work out.

Last Saturday we went from Zero to Two people. A far cry from the numbers we should have but don't despise small beginnings. Everything that is big was once small. For me its a great encouragement. Next week we'll be having an outing, and most of the Curtin students will be back so there will be more people. Sometimes, merely being willing is not enough.

-ONWARD!

I found this on tumblr and it spoke to me so I'm sharing it here.

To love means loving the unlovable
To forgive means pardoning the unpardonable
Faith means believing the unbelievable
Hope means hoping when everything seems hopeless
-G.K Chesterson

-ONWARD!

the bathroom is a great place

This morning I was complaining a bit about some of the things I want now and my imagination was working overtime. I think of the craziest things. Anyway I was complaining as I was taking my shower then something happened. You know when it seems like you're talking to yourself, almost like there are two of you, one talking to you and the other which is still you is listening? No? Well it was like I was talking to myself and the place in the bible where it says that our life does not consist of what we eat or what we drink, it consists more than just that came to mind and I was comforted.

Its so easy to complain and worry about all the things we are missing out on and its a perpetual struggle to look on the bright side. But everyone, if they would stop and be honest, has something to be thankful for. For me, every time I find myself complaining, I'm trying to be thankful instead. Was trying to find cool quotes on gratitude but its okay.

Isn't it funny the kind of things you think about in the bathroom? Its so weird.

-ONWARD!

thank God for good health

People come and go. Life is made up of seasons. Enjoy the one you're in. Cherish it, relish it, and enjoy it because seasons change. People come and go.

I want to make a short note to thank God for good health. Last week I started having sore throat, then flu, then those headaches. Used a lot of tissues, sneezed a whole lot, didn't want to leave the house. It rained that morning so I had double excuse to stay home. But after a short prayer and drinking hot tea (I like Jasmine Green tea) the flu was gone, but I started coughing a lot. I guess its because of the sore throat. I've not had flu heal that fast before. Just one day. It usually takes a few days and a few cups of hot tea to kill it.

That's just one instance but on a larger scale, I don't remember the last time I had to take medicine. Even the headaches die down after a short nap. So I thank God for very good health. I know I don't do a good job taking care of my body but God has been very merciful and I am grateful.
-ONWARD!

don't be a spoilt brat

An interesting thing happens when you don't get what you want. The other day after lifegroup, little Gabriel wanted his mummy to buy milo peng (iced milo) for him because some of the Curtin students bought McD on their way back home. He was whining and making a fuss and his mummy didn't really pay attention to him. She's used to it I guess. It reminded me of the time when I would ask my mummy for things and she would say no and that was it. My mood was sour after that but you had to deal with it. She's like a brick wall when it comes to irrelevant things. When you don't get what you want, you are in an interesting place of helplessness and most times having your request turned down is good for you. Spoilt brat is what we call people who always get what they want and its not a compliment.

In church and lifegroup (lifegroup is what we call cellgroup), we've been going through a lifestyle of worship and one thing that was pointed out, and I'm not alone in this; when we get what we want, and have been asking for we stop praising God/seeking God. Its a bad habit and does not respect the relationship we have. I see this on twitter a lot "Oh I'm sorry. I forgot I only exist to you when you need something". Its true right? The correct attitude is to always have a lifestyle of worship, whether you need something or not or already got what you wanted.

God values your soul more than anything.
I don't know if I've talked about this before but it bear repeating anyway. If being successful will draw you away from God, then God may not give you success. It sounds so unfair right? But what's more valuable? It's not that if you are wealthy or lack few things you get scared that God will take it away. I like to believe that God is good and people like Abraham convince me that it is possible to be wealthy and still have a close relationship with God. Again it does not mean that if you're struggling financially that you attribute your situation to this fact. But its true that God values your soul more than anything and will go to any length to get your heart and your attention. He's passionate like that.

The past few weeks has been great. I really enjoy catching up with my siblings, especially the sisters. Sisters are the best. And I love my brother too. He's special. I feel so blessed.

-ONWARD!