“God’s Perfecting”

I have been attending a “high-power” meeting in KL about once every two months for the past six years. I have always amused myself as the “outstanding one” being always the only woman in the meeting, and being the only one who is not “high-power”.

For the past six years, there are change of faces. Members of the board are actually representing the media, universities and government departments. I have actually been through with three terms of different Chairman.

While I remain, there is another journalist who remains too. He is also the “outstanding” one, but among the gentlemen – he is the only one without a lounge suite on. He always wears “black and white”.

I like his white shirts and black trousers – always neat, clean and classy. Two days ago, I was in the same meeting. This time, he wore a “starched-shirt”. I could not see one “crease” on his shirt when he entered the meeting room.

“Oh, you starched your shirt so well,” I bubbled out the words.

He surprised me and all others who were early for the meeting with details on how to starch the shirt, how to iron – from A to Z, from good old days to modern days method.

As he talked and I listened, I visualized his hands moved with impressive deftness and dexterity on the shirts. And lo! a perfectly pressed, starched shirt in front of my eyes!

Is it not a perfecting picture of the workings of God? Is He not starching and ironing our worldly passions and pursuits and constantly perfecting us?

Let Him!

Aroma of Christ

Today I baked some 300 pieces of cheese cookies!

I love baking. It gives me such great joy as the fresh aroma filled the whole house. Today, I am reminded –

But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life. And who is equal to such a task? (2 Corinthians 2:14-16)

We are called the aroma of Christ!

Now, the task is to give that good fragrance always, just like the aroma of cheese cookies!

The 300 pieces of cheese cookies have been packed! And I am ready to share this fragrance with my good friends in Sing-Land tomorrow!

Being proactive on health matters

One thing I like being a journalist/writer is, you always have your curiosity satisfied. I am sharing this piece of wisdom on being proactive about health matters by a doctor whom I interviewed some time ago –

I believe that we are all given a definite life span. If we are given to live to the age of 80, we must lead an active, independent and healthy life on this given life-span. We should not be bedridden at the age of 60 and having to employ two nurses to take care of us. I am now 58, if I go out and get involved in any an accident and die now, this is my given life-span. So be it. But the fact is I have led a very independent, active and healthy life all my 58 years.

Holding Hands

A dear friend forwarded me this little story that warmed my heart this morning –

Little girl and her father were crossing a bridge. The father was kind of scared so he asked his little daughter, “Sweetheart, please hold my hand so that you don’t fall into the river.”

The little girl said, “No, Dad. You hold my hand.”

“What’s the difference?” Asked the puzzled father.

“There’s a big difference,” replied the little girl. “If I hold your hand and something happens to me, chances are that I may let your hand go. But if you hold my hand, I know for sure that no matter what happens, you will never let my hand go.”

Let the Father hold your hands – it’s sure a strong grip, and He will never let you go…

Beatitudes for parents

Recently, I had a heart-to-heart talk with Rachel, my 17-year-old daughter. Among other things, she said at one stage, she felt that I sided her brother, Christopher more. It came quite a surprise to me that she should feel that way. But, it allows me to learn to be a better person, whether at work or at home.

I came across this “beatitudes” this morning and thought it’s worth reading and for some thoughts.

by Marion E. Kinneman (1895-1985)

Blessed are those parents who make their peace with spilled milk
and with mud, for of such is the kingdom of childhood.

Blessed is the parent who engages not in the comparison of his
child with others, for precious unto each is the rhythm of his own
growth.

Blessed are the fathers and mothers who have learned laughter, for
it is the music of the child’s world.

Blessed and wise are those parents who understand the goodness of
time, for they make it not a sword that kills growth but a shield
to protect.

Blessed and mature are they who without anger can say “no,” for
comforting to the child is the security of firm decisions.

Blessed is the gift of consistency, for it is heart’s-ease in
childhood.

Blessed are they who accept the awkwardness of growth, for they
are aware of the choice between marred furnishings and damaged
personalities.

Blessed are the teachable, for knowledge brings understanding, and
understanding brings love.

Blessed are the men and women who in the midst of the unpromising
mundane, give love, for they bestow the greatest of all gifts to
each other, to their children, and — in an ever-widening
circle — to their fellow men.

Blessed are those who read these words…but more blessed will be they
who follow them!

Garbage Trucks

Yesterday, Rach, Chris and I went to breakfast at a busy coffee shop. The “Laksa’s store” took a long time to give me the change for the ten ringgit I paid for the RM3.50 lousy laksa. I waited for a little longer and decided to go and ask for the change.

The owner was reluctant to give me the change. He said I only gave him RM4.00. I told him if he thought I gave him 4 ringgit, he should have long given me the change of 50 sen which would make sense.

With a smile, I asked him to think about it and got back to me. With that, I walked back to my seat. I settled in with my conversation with Rach and Chris. I was prepared to take that 10-ringgit laksa.

Shortly, a female helper handed me RM6.50 and apologized to me. I told her that it was not her fault.

I am glad that I did not allow the “laksa’s nonsense” ruin my day. Sharing this story today –

I hopped in a taxi, and we took off for Grand Central Station. We were driving in the right lane when, all of a sudden, a black car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us. My taxi driver slammed on his breaks, skidded, and missed the other car’s back end by just inches! The driver of the other car, the guy who almost caused a big accident, whipped his head around and started yelling bad words at us. My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. And I mean, he was friendly. So I said, “Why did you do that? This guy almost ruined your car and sent us to the hospital!”

And this is when my taxi driver told me what I now call, “The Law of the Garbage Truck.”

Many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger, and full of disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it. And if you allow them, they’ll dump it right on top of you. When someone wants to dump their garbage, don’t take it personally. You just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on. You’ll be happy you did.”

So this is it: The “Law of the Garbage Truck.”

New discoveries

This is latest to my chopstick collection. It came late as birthday present. Jamie lost her father a day before my 7-Eleven birthday. Still, she did not forget my birthday. Yes, it’s really another heartwarming story of friendship beyond chopstick.

Never have I thought by blogging about my chopstick collections, there were new discoveries about friendship and love!

The Wonders of Christmas

I have had a stressful week. Just as I thought I need a break, of music, of coffee, of good company, a friend gave me this Christmas album. Christmas? It’s too early. Not really. I am sure Singapore’s Orchard Road has transformed into celestial-like wonder. Even on Sunday, my church has used “O Come O Ye Faithful” as the opening hymn – sending rushes of good cheer and upsurges of exhilaration throughout my body as I sang the hymn.

This album of Josh Gorban has worked perfectly to de-stress me yesterday and today. It reminds me of the institution given by God – family. I have liked the credit given by Josh to his family. He has written,

To my beautiful and loving family: Mom, Dad, Chris, Grandma Evy, Gaga, Sweeney…every note on this album is inspired by the love you’ve shown and what you’ve made Christmas for me these last 26 years.

As I write this, Chris’s UPSR (Primary Six Exam in Malaysia) result is out. He has 6A and 1B, which we give thanks to God. The “B” is for the Chinese comprehension. The less than perfect result is because mum is a little less than perfect. She has some say in his Chinese. Meaning, I coach his Chinese 🙂

Chris said many classmates cried because of that “less than perfect” result. He saw one girl hurted herself by scratching hard on her forearm…to the point of bleeding. My heart sank. I am now working on a “researched” and “interviewed” series of articles on “depression”. And surely this raised much concern!

After UPSR, there is still a long way. It’s Christmas – a time to be reminded of the grim worlds – share love, care and compassion of our Lord Jesus.

Who is watching?

Rachel earned her first RM50 working in a hotel coffee house/restaurant.

She related to me this interesting and thought-provoking incident –

The hotel is catering a certain seminar of a “Kementerian” (Ministry) yesterday. After the supper, few participants asked if they could take the left-over milk in the jar to their rooms.

Rachel’s reply is “no”.

Then, these participants asked her to get some warm water for them.

“When I returned with the warm water, the guests were gone, and the milk disappeared.”

I like this joke –

The children were lined up in the cafeteria of a Catholic elementary school for lunch. At the head of the table was a large pile of apples. The nun made a note and posted on the apple tray:

“Take only ONE. God is watching.”

Moving further along the lunch line, at the other end of the table was a large pile of chocolate chip cookies. A child had written a note,

“Take all you want. God is watching the apples.”

The ingredient

The most important ingredient is always love.
—Anonymous

I wrote earlier that I have more good in store for my 7-Eleven Birthday.

Yes, my journalists bagged 12 prizes of the total 20 prizes in six categories. Among the 12 prizes, three prizes were top in three categories. And that is the 19th Kenyalang Shell Press Awards held at Kuching Hilton on my birthday. Kenyalang Shell Press Awards is a joint project of Federation of Sarawak Journalists Association and Shell Sarawak.

My birthday lunch with Shell friends was called off due to my other business commitments. But, at the Press Awards dinner, it was all hugs and birthday wishes from Shell friends.

After the dinner, my best friend, Sandra came to fetch me for a drink – the coffee that I have missed for few days. Yes, coffee just before midnight.

Sandra sent me back just before midnight. She said, just before your dress turns into rags, and my car into pumpkin!

Back to hotel, few journalists/colleagues gathered and chatted until 2 am!

My 7-Eleven birthday that was – of GOD’S LOVE shared – the most important ingredient to fun, food, fellowship, friendship and fulfillment of life.

Thank you, everyone!