I have been reflecting on how I felt this time last year - everything felt wrong but I didn't understand why. And with the coming of the new year (2008), I clung on to the hope that perhaps the start of the new year would bring about something magical in my circumstances. Maybe things would shift. Maybe I would learn whatever it was that I was meant to learn, and then God would bring me out of this horrible season. Maybe I'd just feel a lot better after I rested. Maybe ...
Interestingly enough, I really felt God speak a word over my 2008 - and that was 'breakthrough'. I've had a pretty tough last three years anyway, so I figured it was about time things got better! But 2008 came, and come March I didn't feel any better - actually I felt much worse!
I remember one night being so agitated that I started to paint my nails to take my mind off everything. Now one of my finger nails always gave me problems when it came to nail-polish. The surface of the nail wasn't smooth, so no matter how many layers I tried to put on, it NEVER looked smooth. In fact, the more layers I applied, the uglier it became!
I felt God speak to me clearly that night. No amount of polish was going to hide the fact that my nail was rough. The harder I tried, the worse it became. In the same way, all that effort of trying to overcome my agitation and pain myself was only making things worse and showing off my true nature more clearly. The only way things could change was if the surface of the nail itself was smoothened. The only way I could breakthrough was if God did some deep work on my heart.
As I pondered on the events of 2008, I realised God has done just that in specific areas of my life. I've learnt a very precious truth that God can be trusted in every circumstance. Only God can use the difficult and painful circumstances of life and weave it into something beautiful.
So now I come again to the same time of the year, contemplating what my future holds in 2009.
Personally for me, one verse has been captivating me in the last few weeks. Eph 1:5 (NLT) 'God decided in advance to adopt us into His own family by bringing us to Himself through Jesus Christ. This is what He wanted to do, and it gave Him great pleasure.' As I ponder on its amazing meaning, I have felt God breathe one word into my 2009, 'Intimacy'.
I don't know what 2009 will be like. I don't know how God is going to work in my life to teach me or grow me, just as I didn't know how my 2008 was going turn out. There are so many things unknown, but one thing is certain, that 'the word of the Lord holds true and we can trust everything He does' Ps 33:4 (NLT).
2008 has been a year where this verse has proved itself in my life, and I pray that it will be so for you. Your future may be uncertain and life might feel a little too scary and unknown - but we have a God we can trust. May 2009 be a year where we shed off another layer and allow God's word to penetrate deep into our hearts, to change us from the inside out.
Friday, December 26, 2008
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Fav verses in 2008
Psalm 18:28-34
Have you ever been so frustrated with yourself and your lack of ability to fully represent God? This has been a constant struggle especially in my last four years in Adelaide. I have never been more aware of my frailty, my weakness, my cowardice - and oh so frustrated that when I should be loving, I hurt others; when I should be patient, I get angry; when I should speak out, I stay silent... and the list goes on.
I remember Easter 2006 reading Psalm 18:28-34, and being captivated by verse 28
I have been thinking about it for the last few years and have come to several conclusions so far.
One obvious meaning is that God is my guide - He lights up my way.
Looking back at God's guidance in my life, these verses resound within me because I know He has made my way perfect and continues to do that (see also Prov 119:105). Sometimes God's path has not seemed perfect because it has brought me to dark places. But I have come to realise that not all dark places are due to disobedience and sin.
In Isaiah 50:10 the question is asked "Who among you fears the Lord? Who obeys the voice of His Servant? Who walks in darkness and has no light?" The same person was referred to in those three questions, i.e. the one who fears and obeys God YET walks in darkness, (not referring to the darkness of sin). His inferred encouragement to us in Isa 50:11 is to trust in God to light up our darkness as he sternly warns those who would try to kindle their own fires that they would 'lie down in torment'! What a comfort to know that life sometimes throws us into dark situations, and when all seems dark, God promises to light up our darkness if we keep trusting in Him.
The other thought is that God is the one who makes me 'a light' for Him. Matt 5:14 tells us that as Christians we are the light of the world. I don't have to try to make myself shine brightly - it is God who does it. Isn't it amazing that God does the impossible and places this precious light in our frail clay vessels (see 2 Cor 4:6-7)!
Again, as I look back, I see God's hand in my life, using people, experiences, and all sorts of circumstances in order to make me His light
Sometimes (actually most times) I've not really appreciated His method of strengthening me or 'teaching my hands to make war'. It's been pretty uncomfortable, often painful. Yet as I look back, I see that God's discipline afterwards yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have allowed themselves to be trained (Heb 12:11). There have been many things I would never have understood or appreciated without the painful training.
Psalm 18:28-34 has become one of my favourite passages - loaded with personal meaning as I reflect on how God has been my guide, and has lighted my life in dark times, and has placed His light in me so that I can reflect Him to others. Nothing sums it up better that verse 30
Have you ever been so frustrated with yourself and your lack of ability to fully represent God? This has been a constant struggle especially in my last four years in Adelaide. I have never been more aware of my frailty, my weakness, my cowardice - and oh so frustrated that when I should be loving, I hurt others; when I should be patient, I get angry; when I should speak out, I stay silent... and the list goes on.
I remember Easter 2006 reading Psalm 18:28-34, and being captivated by verse 28
For You will light my lamp;
the Lord my God will enlighten my darkness (v28)
the Lord my God will enlighten my darkness (v28)
I have been thinking about it for the last few years and have come to several conclusions so far.
One obvious meaning is that God is my guide - He lights up my way.
It is God ... who makes my way perfect.
He makes my feet like the feet of deer ... (v32-33)
He makes my feet like the feet of deer ... (v32-33)
Looking back at God's guidance in my life, these verses resound within me because I know He has made my way perfect and continues to do that (see also Prov 119:105). Sometimes God's path has not seemed perfect because it has brought me to dark places. But I have come to realise that not all dark places are due to disobedience and sin.
In Isaiah 50:10 the question is asked "Who among you fears the Lord? Who obeys the voice of His Servant? Who walks in darkness and has no light?" The same person was referred to in those three questions, i.e. the one who fears and obeys God YET walks in darkness, (not referring to the darkness of sin). His inferred encouragement to us in Isa 50:11 is to trust in God to light up our darkness as he sternly warns those who would try to kindle their own fires that they would 'lie down in torment'! What a comfort to know that life sometimes throws us into dark situations, and when all seems dark, God promises to light up our darkness if we keep trusting in Him.
The other thought is that God is the one who makes me 'a light' for Him. Matt 5:14 tells us that as Christians we are the light of the world. I don't have to try to make myself shine brightly - it is God who does it. Isn't it amazing that God does the impossible and places this precious light in our frail clay vessels (see 2 Cor 4:6-7)!
Again, as I look back, I see God's hand in my life, using people, experiences, and all sorts of circumstances in order to make me His light
For by You I can run against a troop,
by my God I can leap over a wall. (v29)
It is God who arms me with strength
and makes my way perfect.
He makes my feet like the feet of deer
and sets me on high places
He teaches my hands to make war,
so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze (v32-34)
by my God I can leap over a wall. (v29)
It is God who arms me with strength
and makes my way perfect.
He makes my feet like the feet of deer
and sets me on high places
He teaches my hands to make war,
so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze (v32-34)
Sometimes (actually most times) I've not really appreciated His method of strengthening me or 'teaching my hands to make war'. It's been pretty uncomfortable, often painful. Yet as I look back, I see that God's discipline afterwards yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have allowed themselves to be trained (Heb 12:11). There have been many things I would never have understood or appreciated without the painful training.
Psalm 18:28-34 has become one of my favourite passages - loaded with personal meaning as I reflect on how God has been my guide, and has lighted my life in dark times, and has placed His light in me so that I can reflect Him to others. Nothing sums it up better that verse 30
As for God, His way is perfect;
The word of the Lord is proven,
He is a shield to all who trust in Him.
The word of the Lord is proven,
He is a shield to all who trust in Him.
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Things I've learnt in 2008
Finally, last week of uni is over. No more study! Until the next sem. But now there is just this ... this quietness ... everything slowly winding down. Feels like every reserve of energy and adrenaline has been exhausted just to keep things going this semester.
How different 2008 has turned out to be. I've learnt this year that you can never predict or control the future. So many unexpected events have lead to my today and sometimes when you can't quite see the future clearly, there just needs to be that faith to believe that 'the word of the Lord holds true, and we can trust everything He does' (Ps 33:4). I never thought I'd come to a day when I could be okay with uncertainty - but I'm getting there.
I've also learnt that noble ambitions and happy feelings don't last - and after all that's promised to God, actually obeying Him sometimes requires us just to keep at it because we know the truth. 'I take joy in doing Your will God, for Your instructions are written on my heart' (Ps 40:8)
And despite sad times, I still believe Ps 84:11b 'The Lord will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right'. Sometimes in the midst of our obedience, it just doesn't feel that way. Yet I think there is no other way to live than to live 100% for God. Although I don't have 80 years of experience yet, I have this sneaky suspicion that I'd live to regret it if I didn't choose to lay my life down for God.
I don't write this with any noble feelings at the moment. When the realities of the 'cost' of obedience starts to hit home, the temptation to compromise becomes so appealing. You start to entertain thoughts of 'Does it really have to be this way God?'
But the point isn't trying to negotiate a better deal with God - as if He would give us anything less that perfect. The point is: Do I really trust that He will not withhold any good thing as I choose to do what is right? And do I really want to do God's will because I love Him more than anything else?
I think I do ... I want to ... God, help me to ...
How different 2008 has turned out to be. I've learnt this year that you can never predict or control the future. So many unexpected events have lead to my today and sometimes when you can't quite see the future clearly, there just needs to be that faith to believe that 'the word of the Lord holds true, and we can trust everything He does' (Ps 33:4). I never thought I'd come to a day when I could be okay with uncertainty - but I'm getting there.
I've also learnt that noble ambitions and happy feelings don't last - and after all that's promised to God, actually obeying Him sometimes requires us just to keep at it because we know the truth. 'I take joy in doing Your will God, for Your instructions are written on my heart' (Ps 40:8)
And despite sad times, I still believe Ps 84:11b 'The Lord will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right'. Sometimes in the midst of our obedience, it just doesn't feel that way. Yet I think there is no other way to live than to live 100% for God. Although I don't have 80 years of experience yet, I have this sneaky suspicion that I'd live to regret it if I didn't choose to lay my life down for God.
I don't write this with any noble feelings at the moment. When the realities of the 'cost' of obedience starts to hit home, the temptation to compromise becomes so appealing. You start to entertain thoughts of 'Does it really have to be this way God?'
But the point isn't trying to negotiate a better deal with God - as if He would give us anything less that perfect. The point is: Do I really trust that He will not withhold any good thing as I choose to do what is right? And do I really want to do God's will because I love Him more than anything else?
I think I do ... I want to ... God, help me to ...
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
So what now?
I've just come home from Hillsong conference, and of course it was just amazing. :) Five days of full on, focused worship, learning, and prayer. Five days of listening to God - it's amazing what you hear when you're really focused on listening! Five days of imagining the possibilities of what God could do in one person's life. Five days of stirring up faith to believe for impossible dreams to come to pass.
But now I'm home, back in the same environment I came from, back to the same routine.
I'd like to think that despite being plonked back into the same circumstances as before, I've changed. It's every Christian's dream (I think ;)) that a conference, a camp, or an experience, could miraculously change us from the inside out. But the fact is, I've not changed. My understanding has been challenged, I've been exposed to something greater, but until I prove that my knowledge has become reality by living it out, it will remain a nice experience that I reminisce about, or worse still, just something I talk about and (therefore) think I live out.
Paul encourages us that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises (Heb 6:11-12)
Right at this very moment, it feels very enticing to 'become sluggish', to sit with my blankets and a nice hot cup of milo in front of the TV or with a book, on this very cold winter's night. Yet my very own words are ringing in my ears - we can't expect change if we don't do anything different. So it makes sense to me that if I just went back to my same old routine, nothing would change; no, not even with all those amazing sermons I've listened to. Not that there was anything really wrong with my lifestyle before, but God calls us to keep growing. And particularly at this point when revelation is fresh in my mind, I cannot afford to forget or to lose momentum.
Do you remember the old parable about the foolish man who built his house upon the sand and the wise man who build his house upon the rock? It's even a sunday school song. I never realised what the parable was really about until I came across Luke 6:46-49 again. The wise man is whoever comes to Jesus and hears His sayings and does them (see verse 47)! Whereas the foolish man was the one who heard and did nothing (verse 49). From this parable, we have a very vivid picture of the necessity of strengthening our faith by action so that it can withstand the storms of life.
I love conferences like Hillsong, because every now and then we need that boost of faith and that special touch from God to recharge us if we're weary, refocus our vision if we're lost, and enlarge our thinking. If we stay in the same environments we've always been in, we'd never see the different things God is doing in this world. Yet for all that, it would just remain a conference if we don't do anything about it. And I don't intend for that to happen.
The biggest fight is now, when the conference is over, the crowds gone, the band silent. Seems like we're back to square one - but there is a difference. We've tasted and we've seen a life worth living - one of total abandonment to God's cause. Will we fight to make that a daily reality?
But now I'm home, back in the same environment I came from, back to the same routine.
I'd like to think that despite being plonked back into the same circumstances as before, I've changed. It's every Christian's dream (I think ;)) that a conference, a camp, or an experience, could miraculously change us from the inside out. But the fact is, I've not changed. My understanding has been challenged, I've been exposed to something greater, but until I prove that my knowledge has become reality by living it out, it will remain a nice experience that I reminisce about, or worse still, just something I talk about and (therefore) think I live out.
Paul encourages us that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises (Heb 6:11-12)
Right at this very moment, it feels very enticing to 'become sluggish', to sit with my blankets and a nice hot cup of milo in front of the TV or with a book, on this very cold winter's night. Yet my very own words are ringing in my ears - we can't expect change if we don't do anything different. So it makes sense to me that if I just went back to my same old routine, nothing would change; no, not even with all those amazing sermons I've listened to. Not that there was anything really wrong with my lifestyle before, but God calls us to keep growing. And particularly at this point when revelation is fresh in my mind, I cannot afford to forget or to lose momentum.
Do you remember the old parable about the foolish man who built his house upon the sand and the wise man who build his house upon the rock? It's even a sunday school song. I never realised what the parable was really about until I came across Luke 6:46-49 again. The wise man is whoever comes to Jesus and hears His sayings and does them (see verse 47)! Whereas the foolish man was the one who heard and did nothing (verse 49). From this parable, we have a very vivid picture of the necessity of strengthening our faith by action so that it can withstand the storms of life.
I love conferences like Hillsong, because every now and then we need that boost of faith and that special touch from God to recharge us if we're weary, refocus our vision if we're lost, and enlarge our thinking. If we stay in the same environments we've always been in, we'd never see the different things God is doing in this world. Yet for all that, it would just remain a conference if we don't do anything about it. And I don't intend for that to happen.
The biggest fight is now, when the conference is over, the crowds gone, the band silent. Seems like we're back to square one - but there is a difference. We've tasted and we've seen a life worth living - one of total abandonment to God's cause. Will we fight to make that a daily reality?
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Restricted OR stretched?
Just last Friday, I was talking with a friend about the pressures of life we were each facing. After looking forward to returning to a normal Mon-Fri roster for so long, it was a shock to the system to experience the busyness and exhaustion of my new work rotation. I felt like I was hit with a tonne of bricks ever since I 'returned' from the land of shift work.
There has been a constant fight in my spirit. The seed of God's word in my heart waiting to bear fruit VS the thorns and weeds that are choking life with its cares. On days when patients are particularly nasty, and I come home to more things to do (like settle my salary sacrifice arrangements!), the thorns and weeds feel like they are getting the upper hand. And on top of all that, there are church responsibilities and many people to catch up with.
So it was soul-searching time on Friday night when I felt God ask me this question - 'Are you being restricted OR stretched?'
Good question.
---
On restrictions...
Nobody likes restrictions - especially not a task-oriented person like me! I thrive on activities. In my uni days, when I reached the end of my rope in terms of juggling life / uni / ministry responsibilities / sanity (and that happened often!), dad would say to me 'You are not big enough to carry all that you desire to carry, so put some things down.' And I'd leave the conversation a little grumpy but relieved. Grumpy because it hurt my pride to think I'm not that capable :), but relieved because secretly, I knew I couldn't cope.
As I grew older, I learnt to ascertain the 'restrictions' of God for myself and to appreciate and even enjoy them. Now at the ripe age of 26+ :) I've come to understand that restrictions can liberate us to focus our energies on what God is specifically calling us to do at this point in time, so that we truly bear great fruit. I've also learnt that despite the best-est intentions, if God didn't say to do something, I might as well go and push against a wall or elephant or giant rock or great big immovable object. (You get the point.)
Paul said in 2 Cor 10:13a "We will not boast beyond measure, but within the limits of the sphere which God appointed us - " Perhaps by staying within the 'restrictions' of the sphere God has appointed me, life would be so much less stressful and frustrating.
On stretching...
And then there are the times in my life when I have known deep inside God's gentle yet persistent nudging, "Grow. Become bigger. Don't give up." Incredibly, I'm equally uncomfortable in both scenarios and the circumstances may seem as overwhelming and impossible but the difference is that this time, God actually thinks I can handle it. Or to state it more accurately, God intends to grow me so I can handle it.
Once we get used to life, we usually don't push ourselves to grow. So God orchestrates things to shake us up a little - so we start to stretch our faith and our love again. Invariably, as I have trusted God's stretching despite how painful it felt initially, I would look back and see the that I've increased in my capacity to carry more. What a joy it is to know that it is not because we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God (2 Cor 3:5)
---
So am I being stretched or restricted? Is God providing me more opportunities to serve because He wants to grow me? Or is He closing certain doors because it is time to focus on different things? I guess these are questions only God can answer for each individual.
Life presents itself with so many choices but what does God want us to do, today?
There has been a constant fight in my spirit. The seed of God's word in my heart waiting to bear fruit VS the thorns and weeds that are choking life with its cares. On days when patients are particularly nasty, and I come home to more things to do (like settle my salary sacrifice arrangements!), the thorns and weeds feel like they are getting the upper hand. And on top of all that, there are church responsibilities and many people to catch up with.
So it was soul-searching time on Friday night when I felt God ask me this question - 'Are you being restricted OR stretched?'
Good question.
---
On restrictions...
Nobody likes restrictions - especially not a task-oriented person like me! I thrive on activities. In my uni days, when I reached the end of my rope in terms of juggling life / uni / ministry responsibilities / sanity (and that happened often!), dad would say to me 'You are not big enough to carry all that you desire to carry, so put some things down.' And I'd leave the conversation a little grumpy but relieved. Grumpy because it hurt my pride to think I'm not that capable :), but relieved because secretly, I knew I couldn't cope.
As I grew older, I learnt to ascertain the 'restrictions' of God for myself and to appreciate and even enjoy them. Now at the ripe age of 26+ :) I've come to understand that restrictions can liberate us to focus our energies on what God is specifically calling us to do at this point in time, so that we truly bear great fruit. I've also learnt that despite the best-est intentions, if God didn't say to do something, I might as well go and push against a wall or elephant or giant rock or great big immovable object. (You get the point.)
Paul said in 2 Cor 10:13a "We will not boast beyond measure, but within the limits of the sphere which God appointed us - " Perhaps by staying within the 'restrictions' of the sphere God has appointed me, life would be so much less stressful and frustrating.
On stretching...
And then there are the times in my life when I have known deep inside God's gentle yet persistent nudging, "Grow. Become bigger. Don't give up." Incredibly, I'm equally uncomfortable in both scenarios and the circumstances may seem as overwhelming and impossible but the difference is that this time, God actually thinks I can handle it. Or to state it more accurately, God intends to grow me so I can handle it.
Once we get used to life, we usually don't push ourselves to grow. So God orchestrates things to shake us up a little - so we start to stretch our faith and our love again. Invariably, as I have trusted God's stretching despite how painful it felt initially, I would look back and see the that I've increased in my capacity to carry more. What a joy it is to know that it is not because we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God (2 Cor 3:5)
---
So am I being stretched or restricted? Is God providing me more opportunities to serve because He wants to grow me? Or is He closing certain doors because it is time to focus on different things? I guess these are questions only God can answer for each individual.
Life presents itself with so many choices but what does God want us to do, today?
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
What does God look like?
The lamp of the body is the eye. Therefore, when your eye is good, your whole body also is full of light, But when your eye is bad, your whole body also is full of darkness. Luke 11:34
Recently at bible study, we watched a movie on Martin Luther's life. What intrigued me the most was the journey Luther took from viewing God as angry and waiting to punish humankind, to seeing Him as a loving Father, arms outstretched, waiting for us to come home. Luther's perception of God greatly tainted the outworking of his faith. He lived in fear, served God in fear, until he met Him through the word of God, in the face of Jesus Christ.
It made me realise how important our view of God really is. When our perception is right (when our eye is good), our actions will show it (our whole body will be full of light).
This is why Paul emphasised this in his letter to the Colossian church. You can hear his heart as he prays that they may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding ... increasing in the knowledge of God (Col 1:9-10)
And again in Col 2:2 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God.
Why? Because it is only when we hear and know the grace of God in truth, that it bears forth fruit. (see Col 1:6)
What does God look like to you? How do you see Him? As angry? Waiting to punish us? As distant? As unconcerned? Or do we see with the eyes of faith Jesus, the image of the invisible God (Col 1:15a), who has reconciled us in the body of His flesh through death, to present us holy, blameless and above reproach in His sight --- IF we continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel (Col 1:22-23).
There is only one condition! To continue believing, to be grounded and steadfast and unmovable from the hope of the gospel! And what is this hope? That God demonstrated His own love toward us, in that whilst we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Rom 5:8) The righteousness of faith speaks this way, "Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved!"
Perhaps we think that we do not see God as angry. After all, in this day and age, we are so used to hearing messages that God is love. Then why are so many Christians afraid to follow God fully? Why do we fear that if we gave Him our lives, we would be shortchanged? Why do we secretly believe that if we were 100% devoted to Him, we would be miserable and suffer? What does that say about our view of God? This is not the picture of a loving Father who delights in His children. If we truly see God in the face of Jesus Christ, there would be no fears in trusting Him fully with our whole life.
So what does God look like to you? If you look and find your eye is 'bad', look to the cross, find Jesus in the Word, for the commandments of Jehovah are pure, giving light to the eyes (Ps 19:8b)
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Memories of my mom
A few weeks ago, Ps Jonathan preached an amazing message on "remember" - and that sparked off a train of thoughts that have brought me back to the past. As I looked back on my wonderfully rich life so far, I revisited some beautiful memories of my family. Since mothers' day has just passed two days ago, I thought I'd share some of those memories of my mom. Enjoy.... :)
I reckon mom was meant to be a tour guide by profession. She can make ANY PLACE interesting, and on any sort of budget! As a child, I think I visited every possible touristic spot in Peninsular Malaysia. Mom thrived on making fun trips to waterfalls, beaches, museums, cultural events, etc. And she was absolutely the best at planning out itineraries for visiting friends, taking them not only to the 'normal' spots tourists go too but also to the lesser known places to give people a taste of the culture and life of Penang.
The greatest challenge to her skills came when we left Penang for Sibu in 1990. Now Sibu is a tiny, sleepy little town, which became known as the "second largest town in Sarawak" solely because it was placed along the Rajang River and was important in transporting goods, particularly timber, to the ports. (Miri is fast overtaking Sibu now that river transport has become less important). Hence, as you read between the lines, there was not much entertainment or places of interest. Actually, there was only ONE shopping complex there at the time, (if it could even be called a shopping complex!) and it was only 2-3 stories high. And McDonalds wasn't even there yet when we first arrived (it came a few years later).
So mom worked her magic. If you visited us in little ol' Sibu in those days, a snapshot of your itinerary would look something like this:-
- visit the wet markets because they sell all sorts of weird animals!
- take a night out on the Rajang River port (never mind that the river actually looks like milk tea. That's why you go at night, you can't see the colour)
- possibly take one of their river boats across to the little amusement park- just for the sake of a ride
- visit that park somewhere out of Sibu
- take a tour in the pottery factory and buy some handcrafted little vases!
- visit the pepper factory (Sarawak is famous for its pepper). You can even buy pepper perfume (an acquired smell I think)
- possibly visit a long house
- visit the little museum (which I have to admit is pretty interesting)
- of course, Bandung is a must - because it sells the best 'ikan bakar' (grilled fish / stingray)
- try the famous kam-pua mee (noodles)
- try the yummy belian (ferns - only available in Sarawak!) and crispy skinned chicken (I've never been able to find anything similar anywhere else)
- eat at Chopsticks for their yummy fish noodles and buns (can't remember the name)
There, that would probably take up a good 4-5 days at least, and you're sure to have lots of great memories after. :)
And we didn't stop there. If you asked most Sarawakians, they have hardly been to any other place in Sarawak except their own town and perhaps Kuching (the capital city). My family has been to Kuching, Sarikei, Bintulu, Miri, Mulu caves, Kapit, and a host of other little tiny towns and even a few longhouses. We've travelled by boat and on untarred mud roads all over Sarawak because of mom.
You see, I reckon mom's magic is the ability to help us discover why a place is so interesting. In my teen years when I turned my nose up on these wealth of experiences, I looked for the big, flashy stuff, you know, the fancy coffee shops, the shopping malls, the cinema or other 'fun' experiences. But as I have 'aged', I'm beginning again to appreciate the experiences I've gone through because of mom. It is getting beneath what the city offers to its tourists and truly experiencing life as the locals know it. And discovering that no matter how "boring" a place might seem at first, if you look deep enough, there are treasures to be found.
In the same way, just as mom is able to look past and see the treasures within a place, she is able to look past the outward appearance and see the treasures within a person. One of the most significant memories I've had is watching mom love and build relationships with the youth in Sarawak - relationships that lasted even when we came back to Penang. I learnt from her to value all people because when you do get close enough, you'd realise that everyone is interesting and has an amazing story to tell.
My mom was also the first in our family to start using computers and internet (yup, even before us kids!). I distinctly remember being instructed by mom to reply my emails when I was 16 because I was being "rude". Haha. I reckon I'm the only teenager that has ever been told by my mom to get on the internet! She learnt to use MSN and other chat programs way before I did and she visits more blogs that I do. Although dad has fast overtaken her in the number of hours they individually spend on the internet, mom remains the winner in terms of being the first to get us on to it. I think part of this is because mom is probably curious and a pioneer at heart - willing to try new things. Without her, I'd probably be stuck in the middle ages. ;) Also I think she has continued to learn because she wants to be involved in what her children are doing. She surprised me one year by her wealth of World Cup knowledge - solely because David was into it so she was watching football with him! I wonder if I'd ever be that sacrificial. hehe.
There are so many other great memories I have of mom, but this last one always sticks out. I remember our heart to heart chats usually in the afternoon. Mom usually would be doing something, ironing, folding clothes, etc. I'd be slacking on her double bed. I've always been able to share openly with my parents about things, and I think the main reason why is because their response has been so totally unexpected. The first time I thought I dropped a bombshell (i.e. I did something naughty ;)) I expected anger, punishment, etc. Instead, I received understanding, empathy, and even a few stories on mom's part of what it was like for her when she was young. And of course, I'd receive truth. Mom's listening and empathy, AND sound advice, drew me to be honest with my parents.
This was tested to its greatest when I was 18-19 and I willfully disobeyed God and my parents. I remember mom's exasperation once, when she just said pointblank that I'm old enough to make my decisions, and she cannot force me to change my mind, but that they have given me godly advice and it is now up to me. The surprise of realising that mom wasn't going to sit on me till I changed my mind taught me so much about love, and how love does not manipulate or force others, even to do what is right and good. What a painful place to be in when you watch someone you love possibly choosing the wrong path, and yet knowing that you cannot change their mind by force unless that person choose freely.
This freedom I've had to share with my parents who I am and what I am going through has helped me so much in my relationship with God. I personally have never struggled to come to God just as I am, because somehow inside, there is this child-like faith that God would never turn me away. The experience of love from my parents that is kind and gentle and does not force or manipulate, yet believes all things and hopes all things, gives me so much security. It has shown me a picture of God's love. It has in turn taught me to express love to others in the same way.
My mom is truly an amazing woman who has fulfilled God's calling on her life as she cared for her children, and is continuing to fulfill that now that we are grown up. A speaker a few months ago said this:
Influence is to win the heart and soul of another through character. It is more powerful than authority. Authority can shape what people do, but influence shapes what people becomes.
Thank you, mom, for being such a key influence in my life. You have obviously the authority to shape what I do but thank you for fulfilling your more important role of shaping who I've become.
Happy mothers' day! :)
I reckon mom was meant to be a tour guide by profession. She can make ANY PLACE interesting, and on any sort of budget! As a child, I think I visited every possible touristic spot in Peninsular Malaysia. Mom thrived on making fun trips to waterfalls, beaches, museums, cultural events, etc. And she was absolutely the best at planning out itineraries for visiting friends, taking them not only to the 'normal' spots tourists go too but also to the lesser known places to give people a taste of the culture and life of Penang.
The greatest challenge to her skills came when we left Penang for Sibu in 1990. Now Sibu is a tiny, sleepy little town, which became known as the "second largest town in Sarawak" solely because it was placed along the Rajang River and was important in transporting goods, particularly timber, to the ports. (Miri is fast overtaking Sibu now that river transport has become less important). Hence, as you read between the lines, there was not much entertainment or places of interest. Actually, there was only ONE shopping complex there at the time, (if it could even be called a shopping complex!) and it was only 2-3 stories high. And McDonalds wasn't even there yet when we first arrived (it came a few years later).
So mom worked her magic. If you visited us in little ol' Sibu in those days, a snapshot of your itinerary would look something like this:-
- visit the wet markets because they sell all sorts of weird animals!
- take a night out on the Rajang River port (never mind that the river actually looks like milk tea. That's why you go at night, you can't see the colour)
- possibly take one of their river boats across to the little amusement park- just for the sake of a ride
- visit that park somewhere out of Sibu
- take a tour in the pottery factory and buy some handcrafted little vases!
- visit the pepper factory (Sarawak is famous for its pepper). You can even buy pepper perfume (an acquired smell I think)
- possibly visit a long house
- visit the little museum (which I have to admit is pretty interesting)
- of course, Bandung is a must - because it sells the best 'ikan bakar' (grilled fish / stingray)
- try the famous kam-pua mee (noodles)
- try the yummy belian (ferns - only available in Sarawak!) and crispy skinned chicken (I've never been able to find anything similar anywhere else)
- eat at Chopsticks for their yummy fish noodles and buns (can't remember the name)
There, that would probably take up a good 4-5 days at least, and you're sure to have lots of great memories after. :)
And we didn't stop there. If you asked most Sarawakians, they have hardly been to any other place in Sarawak except their own town and perhaps Kuching (the capital city). My family has been to Kuching, Sarikei, Bintulu, Miri, Mulu caves, Kapit, and a host of other little tiny towns and even a few longhouses. We've travelled by boat and on untarred mud roads all over Sarawak because of mom.
You see, I reckon mom's magic is the ability to help us discover why a place is so interesting. In my teen years when I turned my nose up on these wealth of experiences, I looked for the big, flashy stuff, you know, the fancy coffee shops, the shopping malls, the cinema or other 'fun' experiences. But as I have 'aged', I'm beginning again to appreciate the experiences I've gone through because of mom. It is getting beneath what the city offers to its tourists and truly experiencing life as the locals know it. And discovering that no matter how "boring" a place might seem at first, if you look deep enough, there are treasures to be found.
In the same way, just as mom is able to look past and see the treasures within a place, she is able to look past the outward appearance and see the treasures within a person. One of the most significant memories I've had is watching mom love and build relationships with the youth in Sarawak - relationships that lasted even when we came back to Penang. I learnt from her to value all people because when you do get close enough, you'd realise that everyone is interesting and has an amazing story to tell.
My mom was also the first in our family to start using computers and internet (yup, even before us kids!). I distinctly remember being instructed by mom to reply my emails when I was 16 because I was being "rude". Haha. I reckon I'm the only teenager that has ever been told by my mom to get on the internet! She learnt to use MSN and other chat programs way before I did and she visits more blogs that I do. Although dad has fast overtaken her in the number of hours they individually spend on the internet, mom remains the winner in terms of being the first to get us on to it. I think part of this is because mom is probably curious and a pioneer at heart - willing to try new things. Without her, I'd probably be stuck in the middle ages. ;) Also I think she has continued to learn because she wants to be involved in what her children are doing. She surprised me one year by her wealth of World Cup knowledge - solely because David was into it so she was watching football with him! I wonder if I'd ever be that sacrificial. hehe.
There are so many other great memories I have of mom, but this last one always sticks out. I remember our heart to heart chats usually in the afternoon. Mom usually would be doing something, ironing, folding clothes, etc. I'd be slacking on her double bed. I've always been able to share openly with my parents about things, and I think the main reason why is because their response has been so totally unexpected. The first time I thought I dropped a bombshell (i.e. I did something naughty ;)) I expected anger, punishment, etc. Instead, I received understanding, empathy, and even a few stories on mom's part of what it was like for her when she was young. And of course, I'd receive truth. Mom's listening and empathy, AND sound advice, drew me to be honest with my parents.
This was tested to its greatest when I was 18-19 and I willfully disobeyed God and my parents. I remember mom's exasperation once, when she just said pointblank that I'm old enough to make my decisions, and she cannot force me to change my mind, but that they have given me godly advice and it is now up to me. The surprise of realising that mom wasn't going to sit on me till I changed my mind taught me so much about love, and how love does not manipulate or force others, even to do what is right and good. What a painful place to be in when you watch someone you love possibly choosing the wrong path, and yet knowing that you cannot change their mind by force unless that person choose freely.
This freedom I've had to share with my parents who I am and what I am going through has helped me so much in my relationship with God. I personally have never struggled to come to God just as I am, because somehow inside, there is this child-like faith that God would never turn me away. The experience of love from my parents that is kind and gentle and does not force or manipulate, yet believes all things and hopes all things, gives me so much security. It has shown me a picture of God's love. It has in turn taught me to express love to others in the same way.
My mom is truly an amazing woman who has fulfilled God's calling on her life as she cared for her children, and is continuing to fulfill that now that we are grown up. A speaker a few months ago said this:
Influence is to win the heart and soul of another through character. It is more powerful than authority. Authority can shape what people do, but influence shapes what people becomes.
Thank you, mom, for being such a key influence in my life. You have obviously the authority to shape what I do but thank you for fulfilling your more important role of shaping who I've become.
Happy mothers' day! :)
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