Word of God: Jeremiah 31:3

The other day I was feeling overwhelmed and confused. It is one of those days when I feel extra small, uncertain of my future and doubtful of my abilities. I turned to the meditation of the day from The Word Among Us, more out of habit rather faith that God would speak to me. Somehow God didn't care about my motivation as I was brought to tears. The verse that stared back at me was this:

“With age-old love, I have loved you; so I have kept my mercy toward you.” (Jeremiah 31:3)

Couldn't He be louder?

Years ago I attended a very special love retreat and this same verse was chosen to help us meditate on God's steadfast love for us. Amazing things happened that day and I experienced the love of God in a tangible and unforgettable way. I realised that God was indeed speaking to me that day when I was feeling down. He reminded me that He has loved me and will continue to do so. Past participle tense because that action has been completed through His death on the cross. No matter how troubled or lost I feel He loves and cares for me. I need not fear because I am not walking alone.

Movie: The faulty yellow bus

I love Little Miss Sunshine. It is a show that strikes a deep cord and brings to foreground what is easily forgotten; that every person is unique, important and special.

Two quotes that I wanna remember from the film:

..all those years he suffered, those were the best of his life 'cause they made him who he was. All the years he was happy? Total waste. He didn't learn anything...

...Y'know what a loser is? A real loser is somebody who's so afraid of not winning, they don't even try.


Interestingly, these nuggets of wisdom were dished out by the supposed losers. First was by Uncle Frank - the guy who was sacked from his job, whose gay boyfriend deserted him and eventually he attempted suicide. Even then he failed his attempt. What could be more loserly than that? Yet, he had the wisdom and strength within him and when situation presented itself he rose to the occasion and provided the support and encouragement that his nephew needed.

Second quote was by the grandfather, a drug addict who was kicked out of the home because he was foulmouthed and often behaved inappropriately. Yet he loved his family. Olive, the granddaughter was afraid to be a loser and that was what her grandfather shared with her.

What i love about the show is how everyone came together and how much they loved the family despite their dysfunctions. From the perspective of the society they do fit the loser definition and yet they are winners in so many ways.

I feel that each of us has our own dysfunction. With that we also have our strength and wisdom. No one is perfect and it's so just tiring to chase after perfection. I always believe that no one is too rich to receive and too impoverished to give. And i don't mean it just materially. I've learned so much from patients whom I've worked with. One may ask since their lives are in such a mess, what can they offer me that I don't already know? Well, plenty. For one I'm amazed at how they struggle to pick up their lives, how brave they are in trying to make amends to those whom they have hurt, how they try to lift their heads up again to a society that doesn't quite understand and trust them. That's tough.

I've always been fortunate with my lot. I've received a good education, smart enough, people are okay with me and some are even fond of me. I'm not rich but i don't have to worry about not having enough. I was not the most popular in school but i wasn't the one who got bullied either. I have enough friends whom i know will be there for me. My family is far from perfect but I still have them and their love and support. Sometimes it's hard for me to imagine how it's like to be the marginalised and the outcast. From my patients' experiences i learned how blessed I am to not have to go through those feelings.

I love movies, books and plays that make me think; that provide me with snapshots of what i don't experience in my own life. Stories that are not perfect yet reflective of life. Stories that provide hope for the losers, the odd one out, the too late too little. Little Miss Sunshine certainly does all that for me.

Go watch it if you need a great dose of laughter and tears.

Word of God: God is my light

...that God is light and in him there is no darkness at all.
1 John 1:5

Reflection:
Light provides life, luminance, clearer vision and direction.
Light directs and leads.
God is light.
God is the one who provides direction in my life and give me the luminance so that I can have better vision.
God is the light which enables me to see the beauty in His creation and the goodness in people. God is the light that shows me my flaws and weaknesses and drive all my fear away.
In God, there is no darkness.
Darkness implies uncertainty; one has to grope and feel around in order to walk or move forward. Darkness could also mean blindness to God's beautiful creation.
But in God there is no darkness at all.
I can see clearly the beauty that God has placed in me and others.
The light of God is my hope and my strength.

Thanks be to God.

Quote of the day (QOTD)

Time spent attempting to change others affords little time for personal change. --Georgette Vickstrom

One of the challenges I struggled a lot in my early years of marriage is that of changing my husband.  Not only do I expect myself to grow and change, I wanted him to do the same. Yes, I fell into the trap magnificently. Needless to say it was a losing and painful battle. I learn it the hard way that I need to let him (and others) be who they are, regardless of who I want them to be. Acceptance of the others is the best gift we can offer to those we love.

What I Know For Sure

Change is the only constant as they say. Things change all the time and it is not always easy to deal with them. Is there anything that we can hold on to in the midst of storms and rain?

After reading The Top 20 Things Oprah Knows for Sure I was inspired to think about my own list.

1. There is a Higher Power much greater than I.
2. Life is full of surprises.
3. No one is too rich to receive and too poor to give.
4. This too shall pass.
5. The desert spares nobody. Dark nights eventually find us all.
6. Marriage is like a plant and it requires constant work and nurturing.
7. Friends especially girlfriends are angels in disguise.
8. Where there is a will, there's a way.
9. Not all battles are worth fighting.
10. Human being is adaptable, resilient and stronger than he/she thinks.
11. Change begins with me.
12. The best is yet to be.
13. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger.
14. Every day brings a chance to start over.
15. Being a mother is the hardest job on earth.
16. You reap what you sow.
17. There is a time and place for everything.
18. Seek first the Kingdom of God and all the rest will fall in line.
19. Charity begins at home
20. The attitude of gratitude can help you get through tough times.