Paradigm shift

When work is not just work, but a ministry, an act of service.... BOOM! 

Saved by the blood

There we were, crouching in fear. Fearing that we all would die should Death come pass by our house. 

We were told to paint our door frame with blood, obtained from a sacrificial lamb offering. They said this blood would save us from Death, for Death would not kill us if it sees the blood outside our house. 

Death spares no one, and should any house not be protected by the blood, all inside the house would die. Not even the do-gooders, rich and powerful men, nor pretty faces would be spared. The little ones--babies, toddlers, children too. My children! What crime have they done? Why do they have to die?

So there we were, cowering in fear, for we could sense Death near.

Would the blood really save us? Was our door frame fully painted the blood? Did we miss a spot? The blood was our only choice. We had no other options. They said they even the most beautiful or dilapidated of houses would not be spared. No amount of money given at the temple would save you. Nor would a gold rimmed, big and tall door frame make Death reconsider your fate. 

Covering our little ones with our hands, trembling and shaking, we waited for Death to come. 

Death came. 

Death saw the blood. 

And Death passed us by. 

We were saved by the blood! We did not die! 

We were alive, because of the blood of the lamb. 

We cried tears of relief, tears of thankfulness, tears of joy. We were forever, forever grateful. 

Pride

When one's sense of humility is more important than God's glory, it just shows how proud one is.

Ha. 

Contradiction?

If Jesus is indeed God, and He says He loves me so much as to die for my sins, so that I may live in eternity with Him in heaven, but yet I find it hard to accept His love, either I think He's lying (which contradicts His holiness, godliness, perfectness and character), or I'm wrong about Him being the real God. 

I don't think I'm wrong about Him being the real God. 

So if I don't think God is a liar, His claims of love must be true. My sins must be real. And bad enough as He says. And His promise of redemption must be trustworthy. 

So if one can't accept His claims and yet still think He is God and not lying, therein lies a conundrum. A contradiction in the mind and heart. 

So take it or leave it. Jesus loves you. Jesus loves me. That's it.

Worship

Instead of offering joss sticks, we have songs of offering.

Instead of burning paper, we have prayer. 

Instead of going in fear, we are thankful for our Conqueror.

Let the redeemed sing songs of gratitude and awe! 

In denial

I think my firstborn baby is slowly reaching the beginning of puberty.

I can't believe it. It's too fast! Wasn't she this adorable cute toddler girl not too long ago?

My heart is not ready. I do wish I could turn back the time to enjoy my girls more when they were so little and cute. Sigh!

Half a million dollars!

Recently, I did a rough calculation of how much money I could've earned in the last ten years. Not counting performance bonuses, CONNECT plan bonuses and whatnots, I could have made at least half a million dollars in ten years. That is a lot of money! Well, anything is a lot compared to earning zero dollars i guess! 

And so I have been telling Hubby and kids and even my parents that I gave up so much money to just stay home with the kids. My Pa said not everything can be measured by money. True. That's precisely why I stayed home. But many times I wonder whether it mattered, whether it made any difference to the family. If I had continued working, life would've been more comfortable materially. Was my staying home worth it? I really wondered often. 

Then today, E told me about her conversation with her classmate. Her friend envied her because E got to help me crack and cook eggs for dinner sometimes. She told E that she was very lucky and blessed that I am home with her, to be there for her, cook for and with her. Her friend is usually home alone without her parents as both parents worked, and she was the only child. Oh my.

I'm glad that at least E felt that she was very lucky and blessed too. Am thankful for this encouragement.