Father Daughter night (2)

This is another memorable time spent with my little girl. Almost every night we spent time together (she likes to build tower, unplug jigsaw, throw balls, and coloring). And after all the plays, i will pull the Bible and read for her.

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Caught vs Taught

I remember vaguely the words that say,”character / virtue is caught instead of taught.” And i often wonder what does it mean. Another friend said,”you cannot give what is not there. You yourself must have it.” And again, this words alone, confuse me. It does inform me something, but it’s not very clear.

But i guess, this what probably they all mean by the above words…

I have been teaching my little girl to pray before meal. We are doing it consistently. And the result is not bad. But i sense it’s not there yet. After almost 1.5 years, she still does not do it automatically and naturally.

Yet, she saw a few times when my wife struggle to keep the food and i always pray. Now, when she hears mother is coughing, she immediately in prayer position, without i have to ask her. She is the one leading in prayer. And not only that, even when grandma is coughing (not as bad as mother), this little girl quickly rise up and pray.

I could see the difference (like heaven n earth). One is taught, and the second one is caught. Nobody taught her to do that. It’s something that she caught in a process.

Reminded me of myself. I learnt about prayer, not because i was taught. But because first i saw my grandma prayed on her knees. Somehow, that one experience stayed with me till today.

So yah, probably the best way to teach our children is not about teaching them the best thing or sending them to the best school. Probably the best way to teach our children is to get it right ourselves. The things which are closest and dearest to us, those are probably the things which would stick permanently in the mind and heart of our children.

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Victory over Fear

Last nite we read Psalm 23 for our family devotion.

Particularly in the current situation of ongoing battle of LGBT issues, the word is relevant:

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.

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Biblical Prophesy about Jesus in the Old Testament

Yesterday we read on Psalm 22. For the first time I was astonished to find out that it contains more prophecy about Jesus than what I knew before.

In the past, i only know it prophecies about Jesus’ crucifixion. Read on verse 12 – 18:

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Thank God for Journal

I read again my entries in 2012 and 2006. It brings back the memories when mum is still strong and healthy. It touches my heart and warms it. The entries, no need something spiritual, but just descriptive of events, feelings, and emotions.

Thank God for mum, for my sis, for the journey we did together, and the memories kept.

Thank you Lord for journal.

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A blessing

God’s blessing does not always in form of health and wealth. But many people think it is. What else could be valuable as money and good health? They are probably the main thing in most people’s mind.

This afternoon, my wife texted me. Our girl fell asleep next to her, without crying for milk. I know what does it mean. That little girl has behaved very well. Indeed she’s such good child. Very independent and capable.

And i remembered what most our friends told us. We are so blessed to have such daughter. If we have this kind girl, even 10 of them won’t be difficult 🙂

Indeed, God’s blessing comes in many forms. And to have a wonderful daughter is a preciously rare blessing. Praise the Lord!

 

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Always provided

Just checked our savings account today. And was so glad that the 3% interest did come again this month. And it’s quite a sum for me.

Reminded again how the Lord continuously provided, from time to time, through different seasons.

When i stopped one source of income many years ago, the Lord said that from that day onwards, He will always provide. And from that day, there has been a few changes & transition for our source of additional incomes.

From trading, dual currencies, credit card cash back, higher interest (as far as i can remember). They come and go, changed and obsoleted. Yet the Lord is ever faithful. Indeed from that day onward, we always find extra.

 

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Half the journey crossed & Not forgotten

Just renewed my mom-in-law visa. Thank God so much…

This morning brought her to the immigration. Listening to my wife’s words to go there early. The journey took less than 1 hour, and our little girl went with us. There were already long queue. And she started to eat the bread.

We were waiting there, and the queue moved very slowly. There are 10 people in front of us, and took minimal 15 minutes to process 1 person. In fact after more than 1 hour, they just finished processing 5 people. And my initial plan this will take max 1 hour. We have time to go see the gynae for my wife appointment in lunch hour.

Our girl already finished few rounds of bread. And she got bored waiting. I brought her down. We went to see some artifacts, she played awhile and got bored. I brought her up again, and the queue hasn’t moved. So i brought her down again. This time i thought to call my cousin who lived opposite the immigration.

She is at home, and she quickly told me to drop our girl there. I carried her (almost asleep) across the road, went up to her home. Thank God, our little girl immediately liked the house and enjoyed herself. So i left her and run back (after bought a drink and bread for my mum-in-law).

Later found out the queue hasn’t moved. And my mother in law shivering because of cold. Asked her to drink the warm milk. This time round i forgot, she didn’t come back, and the queue were very slow. The hour was ticking, and i called my wife at home, nobody picked up the phone. I messaged her also no answer. I was in torn…most probably would miss to see the gynae appointment with this rate of slowness. And our girl had not had her lunch / meal. And i didn’t leave her any change / extra diaper to change….The whole things just bad.

But suddenly, the queue no moved very fast. And my mother in law hasn’t come back. And when it was our number, I still couldn’t see her. So i hoped i could represent her. When i stood up and walked towards the counter, i saw she’s coming. Thank God, she made it on time.

The interview didn’t start well. I made some mistakes during the application. The officer was not happy and didn’t grant us the 60 days extension that we’re hoping. I learnt the lesson, not to argue with official authority. Whatever they say, just accept, give them a smile. And by the end of the lecture, she suddenly gave us the favor. Thank God so much.

Then we rushed to pick our girl. This time round, we had problem with the lift. And when we arrived, I was delighted because her husband is there. Both of them entertained and being entertained by our little girl. She had eaten lots apple. And drank water too. Thank God for the providence. Both of us got drink also. And we’re told the short and quick way to reach the gynae. Apparently they go to same hospital also.

Hence tonight, when i paid the extension, and received the announcement of the extension date (after our girl birthday). IT was such great delight. Certainly the Lord has not forgotten. He has blessed us with such a great day, great adventure, and great relief. He has answered all our worries and petitions.

Praying for my wife, she is given strength to carry through this pregnancy. It has been very very difficult. Half the journey crossed. Thank you Lord.

 

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Guarding a Christian soul

I thought these days are pretty stressful. Hardly have rest for myself. Looking after a house, a child, a wife, and still hosting in-laws. Told my wife that i has not read the Bible for some times.

Thankfully this afternoon, the little girl sleep soundly. I took the time to water my plant. This left one enduring plant that still alive. Very enduring…after all the 10 others gone, this one still surviving. But i have not watered or cared for it for some times.

I softened the ground around it, watered it…at the same time, i picked to see if the pandan next to it still alive. Coz the stump is still there. To my horror, it left with only the stump. The plant already died long ago.

Suddenly the thought came to me….is this like a Christian soul? A person may still look alive on the outside. But something deep down, it’s already dead. Many i heard has left the faith. Could it be the gradual process which nobody notice? Like the plant that not cared & watered. It will eventually died. Our soul i believed is the same. If we don’t care about it…it would also eventually died.

How Psalm 1 makes more sense now. Blessed is the man who meditate on God’s law day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of waters. Always yield its fruit in season.

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Heartfelt thanksgivings

My wife just called me from home.

She told me that a friend of her just visited her. And brought her a lot of food.
I stopped listening at the list of food she mentioned. For it’s just overwhelming. Butter cookies, organic soya milk….not sure what else.

Last week in fact, another friend came and brought her a very healthy and nice chicken soup, also rice that is wrapped.

I don’t and can’t believe it. My wife’s friend so nice and concern. And this one came by taxi even, just to deliver food!! Better than those pizza hut, kfc, or macdonalds.

Unfortunately we don’t have things at home that we could give to these generous people. May the Lord repay all their kindness.

Thanks you so much Lord for your great love and mercy!

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