Perfect Timing

So we'll be heading back to Spore this coming Thursday. So looking forward to heading back to hang out with the family and friends.

A couple of weeks ago, a dear friend sent me a message via Facebook to check if we're going to be back in Spore the same time that she's going to be. And it turns out, yes! Our boys would be able to hang out and play. Then a few days ago, I was reading my cousin's who is also one of my best friend's blog, she's living in England for the moment. So she wrote that she'll be heading back to Spore next week. And I almost fell off my chair reading it. Popped her an email straightaway. Super excited to be able to see her again. Have not seen her for more than six months and more importantly, she's bringing her partner to Spore too. I've not met him. And yes, uber excited!

I know that it might sound silly to be excited over little things like these. But its when one's living away from home that these moments become important. There have been times that I try to schedule meet ups and stuff like that but the meet ups don't pull through and yes, it can get disappointing. Or sometimes I schedule too many meet ups that I don't have time for myself. So I've come to this point. I've a priority list. There are people that I would really like to see when I get home. And these are the people that have the priority. And the rest of the people, if I've the time, I'll see them but if not, next time then.

Yes, I may sound bad but when time is limited, that's what I've got to do. And over the years, I've come to realize that people who really want to catch up with me, they will make the time to see me. Anyway, I'm super, uber excited that we have perfect timing to meet my friends. And yes, another ex-colleague that I've not seen in years and years! Yes, I'm excited to see her again!

You Choose Your Attitude

So yes, it's been awhile since I posted on my blog. Life has been same. Nothing has changed much. Well, except that Ba Ba's growing up a little too fast. Oh yes way too fast. Can't believe that he's already 19 months. But he's still a cute little kid. Totally adorable!

I've been thinking a little about stuff as usual. I remember listening to a sermon once and that pastor said that we may not be able to change the situation that we are in but we are able to change our attitudes and when that happens, it would be easier or at least more bearable for us to face the situation. That kinda got me thinking.

Well in life, we do not always get what we want. And the earlier we come to realize that, the easier our lives get. Hence, when little Ba Ba throws a tantrum, he never gets what he wants. And yes, do you know how ugly it is for an adult to throw a hissy fit at work? Anyway, yes, sometimes it's hard when we don't get what we want. Or sometimes we find ourselves in situations that we don't like. So what do we do? Stamp our feet and demand it? Well, sometimes that work and what if it doesn't work?

What happens when we find ourselves in sickness or our loved ones in sickness? Or job situation changes? And yes, there's a million and one situations that we can find ourselves in. The situation may look bleak but should we wallow in it? Or have an attitude of faith that God will take care of things? Over the years, I've learnt through the hard and easy ways to present my burdens to God and know that He will take care of it.

A week ago, someone from our cell group shared about the first Saturday after Good Friday. He asked us how do you think Jesus's disciples felt on that Saturday after Jesus died? And he likened that Saturday to the trials or situations that we might be in. I shared and said that I believe for the disciples it would have been very difficult as they have never been through it before. But for me, I've seen Jesus coming through and walking me through difficult situations that I'm no longer as worried about life as possible. I've been through some very difficult times and He has seen me through those dark times so what have I got to worry?

So ha! Maybe I spoke too fast. There were some things that were presented to me this week in which I've to make a decision. The deadline is next week. It's not something really bad. It won't probably affect my lifestyle or the relationship between Babe and me but there might be slight changes. We prayed about it. Deep down in me, I feel that God has already spoken to me but at the same time, I'm reluctant to obey in some ways. So what do I do?

I'm going to choose my attitude. And my attitude is? I'm going to listen to God because I know that whatever it is, He has plans to prosper me not He wants no harm to come to me but He has hopes and a future for me.

Playground

As a child, I used to go to the playground a lot and had lots of fun. I was even telling a friend, whose husband I used to hang out with at the playground, at lunch yesterday how much fun I used to have. It was the childhood that I would like little Ba Ba to have. But guess I forgot that when I used to go to the playground I was at least 6 years old.

So little Ba Ba was at the playground today when he met with a tyrant, bully, horrid and ill-mannered kid. But then, guess it's not really that kid's fault. I honestly blame his mother. So anyway, little Ba Ba was at the playground happily playing and running up and down when the bully came. First bully tried going up the ladder and pushed a little girl that's probably 1 year or maybe younger than little Ba Ba aside. And when the little girl's mother told him off, he elbowed the little girl. I was aghast! The little girl's mother grabbed the bully's arm and insisted that he apologized. And he did. He's probably 3 or 4. Then little Ba Ba was going up the ladder and bully came, pushed Ba Ba aside but I scolded him. He then waited and when Ba Ba sat at the top of the structure or playground or whatever you call it, he stomped on Ba Ba's fingers. I got mad. And it was then that his mother called for him to go home. So all along his mother was at the playground chatting to her friend.

That got me and I promptly told bully's mother what he did to the little girl and to Ba Ba. All she did was, cuddled her son and stroked his head and said, 'Guai, guai!' Which means, good boy! I was livid! I asked her, how could she praise her son and not scold her son for his misbehavior? He did something wrong and I asked her what sort of mother is she? Well, all these were spoken in Mandarin. If I could express all these in English, she'll be in for more than an earful! I was beyond pissed, livid, mad or whatever! What sort of values is she passing on to her kids? And her friend was also calling the boy, 'Guai' too. I'm like you freaking kidding me, right?

I walked away thinking what sort of mothers or parents think that's its fine to bully others or to push people out of their ways to get what they want? Do they not think that their parenting will come back one day and bite them back? I'm not teaching Ba Ba to be a wimp or anything like that. To me it's wrong to push people out of the way to get to the top and to trample over people. I'd rather Ba Ba be at the bottom but his conscience is clear and he's a God fearing man. Yes, Ba Ba should stand up against these bullies and he should never become or take revenge on these people because vengeance is always the Lord's and the good Lord will always provide for little Ba Ba. And like I always say and believe, I don't care how much money or what sort of a job Ba Ba has in the future. As long as he's a God fearing man, I'm more than happy.

So will Ba Ba go to the playground again? Yes, he will. And will I intervene again, I might or might not. I'll intervene sometimes and if Ba Ba can stand up for himself, I'll let him do it but if he can't, I'll be there. But at the back of my head, I know that I can't be protecting him from such people for the rest of his life. I'll have to teach him coping strategies and pray that he'll know what to do.

Relentless God

Once again Babe is away. He left early this morning and he'll be back this Thursday. I'm going to be honest and write that whenever Babe is away on Sundays, I get a little concerned. I get a little concerned because our helper, J will not be around and it's only little Ba Ba and me. When Ba Ba was a little younger, it was easier to deal with as he basically slept and drank his milk but now that he's older, things can get a little complicated.

But this Sunday, it turned out fine. Actually, more than fine. It was great. I texted a couple from church who lives on Park Island as well if little Ba Ba and I could that a ride from them to church. And they were more than willing to help. After church we had lunch with them. Little Ba Ba behaved somewhat alright. Well, alright in my books. He ate his lunch, no throw up and minimal fuss too. So he was great. They gave us a ride home too. Got home little Ba Ba took a nap for 2 hours and I could recharge at the same time. Woke up, and I brought him to the playground. He ran around, came home, had his dinner and then, thank God, J came home. She got him into shower, we went to the supermarket and then, he went to bed. Prefect!

As the day wind down, I reflected and throughout the day, the word relentless kept popping into my head. I thought about the word. And realized that my God is a relentless God. Each time I stray or veer and even try to hide from Him, He comes after me with relentless grace, mercy and love. And He even sends His children, my brothers and sisters in Christ to surround me relentlessly. I remember in my uni days when I was straying, veering and yes, hiding from Him, He pursued me relentlessly. He planted my best friend in Brisbane to keep me grounded. And every now and then I would receive relentless love, mercy and grace from Him through people around me. And even today. It would have been easier for me to say, no, I'm not going to church. It's going to take too much out of me. But when I asked for help, help was given and there were thoughts of how am I going to get home with our humongous stroller and what am I going to do for lunch. Even as those thoughts flowed and me not praying for that, my relentless God answered my prayers without even me asking or praying about it.

Yes, my relentless God. My relentless God provided and still provides for me when we don't ask for stuff and He just provides. So the question is, what have I done to receive or deserve this relentless love, grace and mercy? The answer is nothing. Next question, what have I done to pay back? Answer, again, is nothing. So there you go, my relentless God loves and pursues me relentlessly and what have I got to offer Him? Nothing! How does that make me feel? Crap! And what am I going to do about it? Time to ponder. How am I going to be a relentless Christian? My life might be the only bible that some people might read and it's now my choice or rather my conviction how am I going to portray my relentless love, merciful and gracious Father.