Character

Been reading the book 'Who You Are When No One's Looking' by Bill Hybels, one of my fave writer. Definitely the book makes it to my fave list too. It doesn't take much for a book to be nominated in my A-list.. not too thick, reasonable sized fonts, well spaced (the wider the space between the lines the better), content is light, yet biblical and practical with few hints (or more) of humour. Alright, maybe it does take much.. :)

Anyway back on track, I came across this powerful phrase while I was still a young Christian and was really taken back by it. The complete phrase was this: Character is who you are when no one but God is looking. Till this day, it still speaks a great deal to me and I'm really grateful for a book written about it. Highly recommended!

Fight or Flight

Honestly, 100% of the time I'd rather choose Flight.. When faced with a tough situation, I'd prefer to either run away or pretend the problem is not there or try to do something only to give up all too soon. It's an easy way out I guess..

Running away or pretending the problem isn't there doesn't make the problem go away unfortunately. It only means a delay in dealing with the problem and sometimes the delay makes things even worse.

Giving up all too soon means missing out on the opportunity the situation brings. Thinking back, one of my proud achievement is actually to be able to ski. Learning to ski was unbelievably difficult (a contrast to how easy it seems) and I was already at the edge of giving up. But somehow I managed to stick to it and didn't give up. And boy! how I'm glad I didn't.
I would also consider my work assignment in Japan as one of my toughest point in my life. There were countless times when all I wanted to do was just throwing in the towel. But staying on and keep fighting at those two situations actually stretched me beyond what I thought I could do.

This needs to be my constant reminder: Be courageous, face the problem and keep fighting.

The Good Samaritan

Back in the good old Perth, I was driving slowly out of car park tonite when suddenly a pick-up car behind me signalled me to stop. A very nice young couple inside it pointed to me that I have a flat tyre. Then they went on to ask me if I needed any hand to change the tyre or not. And they did help me doing the whole thing, coz actually I had no idea whatsoever how to change a car tyre (I probably know now after standing there the whole time watching the guy doing everything).

I must say that their act of kindness touched my heart soooo deeply, especially when I found out later that they're Christian. This is truly what sharing God's love is about. I guess for me action always speaks louder than words. If a person says that s/he loves me, but her/his action doesn't reflect that, then the words are just hollow to me. But a help extended to a stranger in need, sacrificing time and energy without expecting anything in return.. man! you don't need to say a word about love, coz I could see it all clearly.

It is this sacrificial love that I received tonite that reminded me once again about my first love with Jesus and of what He wants me to do as His follower.. and the same love I'm praying will give a nudge in the heart of my mom and sis who were with me tonite.. that they may feel God's love through this act of kindness.
May the Lord bless that lovely couple abundantly...