Shalom, as promised I will update my blog once again. Happy Sunday by the way. Hope you guys out there spent enough time reflecting on your entire week and spending some quality time with your loved ones on this wonderful day. It's quite sunny and somewhat windy here in Kuantan. Love the warm evening breeze. reminded me of home. Sobs. Anyway, went to church as usual this morning. Father Danny just came back all the way from Indonesia for a meeting and it's been quiet here in St. Thomas Church as he was not around for two whole weeks. Miss his cooking by the way (chapati and lap changs...yummy).
So anyhoo, there was this guy called Martin Jalleh here at church just now and he was giving a terrific speech on parenting and growing in faith with your children. His speech was brief; of about 30 minutes and a very moving one indeed. Made me thought about mom and dad. He talks about success and broken homes. He related the two topics together and explained in the most impressive tone of voice ever. I don't know why but this man has an audacity that none of us could understand and it actually made us all "tersentap". With his broad language and convincing gestures, this man might have been somewhere overseas. Anyway, what he tried to point out was people with broken homes or family are not necessarily happy with their so-called "success". BMWs, women, condos, parties, iPhones, mansions, vacations and executive offices. Are these really what we aim for when we talk about success? Many of these people are very fortunate indeed to have everything that anyone could've wanted. The things we see in TV and on shop windows; they all have it. But happiness? Can you put a price on that? (...with Jessie J's song playing in the background)
But yeah, Christ does want us to be successful in our lives. Who doesn't? Our parents for instance. (Hi mummy & daddy!!) Spending thousands maybe millions of dollars just to send us abroad and bringing back not just degrees but smiles. :) My parents though did not do all of these but what can I say; do I need all of those? I am contented and proud of where I stand now. I have such wonderful parents that I can't explain in exact words how much I love them. Their over-flowing love is enough to keep me going and gave me strength to do my best. And not to forget Him. My parents NEVER forget to place a priority on each and every one of their child; to learn the Bible, to say grace before every single family dinner, to kneel and ask for forgiveness before going to bed. My parents never fail to let us know that God is watching over us no matter where we are; in Kuantan or at home or even overseas. They raised us all strong and tough in faith and in morality.
Mr. Martin Jalleh also mentioned these metaphores; sandcastles and rock-castles. These castles are like our faith. I reflected right at that moment. Am I a sandcastle; vulnerable and easily washed away by the waves? Or am I a rock-castle; hard and unbreakable---prominent to the vicious winds and waves. I smiled. I knew my answer and I hope all of you out there know yours. Don't be shaken with what we come across every single day in our lives. Get a grip PEOPLE!! Are you a sandcastle or a rock-castle? Those materials are just materials. They're not forever.
Go home and hug your brothers and sisters. Give your parents a kiss every now and then no matter how old you are. Ashame is when you don't know how to love and that you are actually loved by them. These are the people that would die for you, or maybe with you. Take note: success only comes after faith.
Dedicated to mum & dad. May God bless you both whenever and wherever. <3
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