A widow at 13. Do you weep ?

Today I was weeping for someone who lost her husband when she was just 13 yrs. old, 6 months after her marriage. Her husband fell and died while building a house and at 28 she still misses him - that's the reason she never remarried. W is a foreign worker in KL and according to her story, she is not very well treated. Her boss cuts her pay when the utilities bill is above the usual and she does not get any days off. After work in the shop she goes back to her boss place to cook, to wash ....Her eyes were red as she tells me her story.
I asked her if she misses those Indonesian food like pucuk ubi and tempe. She smiled and replied that she is already salivating as I mentioned those home delicasies. I promised to get her those food. I assured her that the Lord and her makes the majority; she is never alone; etc. She said that God has used me to encourage and comfort her. Knowing that I am a pastor she makes the sign of the cross mentioning God the Bapa [ Father ], Jesus the Putra [ Son ] and the Roh Kudus [ the Holy Spirit ]. She also asked for the Holy Book.
She was actually grinning when I shook her hands and left the shop. BTW, I was shopping for doors. Hmnn.....Where am I going to get pucuk ubi and tempe???

I'' smile when He smiles.

No matter how spiritual we are, I think no one is never 'moved" by others comments about themself. When the comments are bad and negative...we do feel lousy...and we have to walk, ride, fly over them or even eat over them [ like munching on chocolates and Mr. Potatoes ].
But I also feel uncomfortable when nice comments are made about me. It's nice to hear it, but I also feel uneasy - May be there are lot of reasons behind the uneasiness...is it true ?[ doubt ], is it ego ? [ don't get in your head ], did you deliberately fish for it????

Resolution....? What am I really comfortable to hear from others?

Well, when I [ my dead body ] am in the coffin: I would like some attendees to say this of me: " I saw a little of Jesus in this guy." Then i would look over to Jesus and if He smiles I too will smile.

By the way, has anyone planned for their own funeral program?
Emmanuel, my first son once wrote this on the wall of his room: "When u were born, u were crying and everyone was smiling: Live your life such that when u die, everyone will be crying and u will be smiling."

Our first resident at Mercy Home

About 2 weeks ago she gave up her job just after 3 weeks there. When I saw her, she had been on a drinking stupor for 3 solid days - a pattern of behaviour since her marriage breakup. She was shaking/shivering, dark rings around her lifeless eyes, which she turn away when I walked into the "house". It was no point talking anything in any way. Just knew that I had to get her away from the 'dark hole" she was in at that moment. She went cold turkey in our home, helped to clean up the Mercy Home and today she is....different. She is at home - not just the Mercy Home, but she is getting to be at home: at home with herself, with God, with others.
Last night she was at the prayer meeting. It was a different person. She is talking to brothers and sisters, listening and laughing. I think there is a little more light in her world. A little more possibilities of life, of love, of purpose, of reasons to wake up in the morning.
I watch as she chats, as she worship, as she prays...Thank you Jesus - Jehovah Rapha!!

Romance, Disillusionment, JOY

These are the words to describe a relationship journey. I first heard them at a UME - United Marriage Encounter Weekend. By the way, if you have not gone before, you must [ provided you are already married for at least a year ]. Reminded of it last week when the church celebrated some wedding anniversaries.
In different relationships, many people just give up at the middle stage - disillusioned - leave, divorce, go to another cell, another church, another job, another country, another religion, another god etc.
Some just vegetate at this stage - que sera sera. In marriage this is a terrible state to be in. But thank God, this can be the best time to move on to the next stage - JOY. It's not going to be easy. It's learning to speak love language - learn correct communication skills. How to talk honestly, accurately and most importantly lovingly.
Are you at a romantic state - watch out for the disillusion state - then be honest, be open, be humble, be teachable, be willing to change....JOY IS WAITING FOR YOU.

In His Presence is Fullness of JOY...He is the Way, the Truth and The LIFE.