Friday, August 05, 2011

Work Still In Progress

I just finished washing the windbreaker and jacket I need to use for my trip this Monday. I also did the rest of the laundry.

In between the washing and hanging of the laundry, I took the time to reflect on what happened last night with my parents and grandma and also the moment I spent with two dear siblings-in-Christ over dinner this evening.

During this period when I am struggling in my relationships with my loved ones, I have to confess I harboured hatred against them for not appreciating my love and concern. I also admit I have stumbled them before when my life was not in check but lately I have come to realise my complacency and have been actively working on my walk with God and also on my relationships with my loved ones.

While praying, God opened my eyes to a few lessons I can learn from here.

1) Hatred looks at the fault whereas love sees through that same fault and focuses on the person behind it. That person (it could be you or me) matters to God because all of us are still work in progress.

2) If we are all still work in progress, who are we to find fault with others? Is it not hypocritical? Instead should we not help each other to become better individuals by means of affirmation rather than criticism? By means of forgiveness rather than grudge? By means of walking with each other than walking away from each other?

I will continue to ponder on the above-mentioned at the retreat. :)

The fellowship over dinner with two dear siblings-in-Christ was a good one. I needed their counsel on a matter I have been praying about lately and that prayer has been answered but not one that I was hoping for. No matter what, it is still an answered prayer! Praise the Lord for that!

Life will still go on for me. In fact I will be using the retreat to seek God further on this matter as I have been challenged by these dear couple to not close the door but to consider my options. Whichever way God directs me, I know I will still be happy. That is good enough for me. :)

Anyway, that aside we also discussed about another matter. I gained a lot of insights from that conversation itself because one of them has been through it. It now helps me to be more objective in my prayer and I know God will answer it in due time. No doubt about that whatsoever! What I need to do is to press on.

Through tonight's dinner fellowship, I learnt another precious lesson - God always allows certain experiences we go through for a reason. Sometimes they break us but what comes next is the building and moulding. He never stops till the job is done. The result is that of a finely-crafted masterpiece!

Good night and have a restful weekend. :)

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