I took Wendy to UBC and we walked around VST on a beautiful Saturday afternoon. We also walked the labyrinth, which was a very neat experience. I think I might go back another time to do in more slowly.
After dropping off Wenzi and David at the airport this morning, I decided to catch up on some much-needed rest and slept in until about noon. My prayers be with them as they continue the journey of their lives together. May their union be blessed, full of God's grace, and may God be part of their relationship every step of the way!
When I woke up I felt especially down. Partly because I missed my sister who had just left (one moment she was here and the next she was gone, I knew then how my parents felt each time we returned to Taiwan and left, I understood their anticipation and their sadness when we had to depart) and partly because all the worries in my life suddenly came back to me. It was as if they had been blinded by the long-anticipated visit of Musquito but now were coming back full force to bring me down. Emotionally, I suddenly felt tired.
I had been wanting to attend the 2pm Taiwanese Service for awhile, and today seemed like a good day because I had already listened to Glen's sermon on "The lion and the lamb" this past Thursday at community worship. Pastor Wang preached on the passage from Matthew where Peter walked on water with Jesus. Peter had asked Jesus to walk on the water just as Jesus was doing. And surely by faith, Peter did. But then a strong wind came and Peter became afraid and started to sink. He called out for Jesus to save him. "Lord, save me!", he exclaimed. Jesus immediately reached out his hand towards Peter and saved him from drowning, saying to him "You of little faith, why do you doubt?". At times when our lives are going great and our faith is strong, we become lazy and our focus is shifted from Jesus. Then something unexpected, much like a sudden gust of wind that stirs up a violent storm in the ocean, strikes us. Often times we have no control over the situation. We try hard to solve the problem by our humanly efforts, but fail. Then we begin to sink... We had, in the midst of our complacent happiness when things were going well, shifted our eyes from Jesus, just as Peter had when he discovered that he could actually walk on water! In times like this we are not scolded by God, but we are reminded of his powerfulness and his providence. "You of little faith, why do you doubt?", he says gently as he reaches out his steady hand to save us from going deeper. Yes, we are weak. No, we can't do it on our own. We need to hang on to Jesus Christ and his words at all times, in good times and in bad. Rejoice within the grace and love of the LORD when we are joyful and when we are mourning. He will take care of us, he has everything planned out. What a relief! This is just what I needed to hear, what I needed to be reminded of. God speaks to us through others. Thanks be to God for his might and mercy :o)
Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in his wonderful face
And the things of this world will grow strangely dim
In the light of his glory and grace!
Also, I am happy to report Jesse has once again returned to sleeping by my side (very comfortable) now that Allergic Musquito is gone.
When I woke up I felt especially down. Partly because I missed my sister who had just left (one moment she was here and the next she was gone, I knew then how my parents felt each time we returned to Taiwan and left, I understood their anticipation and their sadness when we had to depart) and partly because all the worries in my life suddenly came back to me. It was as if they had been blinded by the long-anticipated visit of Musquito but now were coming back full force to bring me down. Emotionally, I suddenly felt tired.
I had been wanting to attend the 2pm Taiwanese Service for awhile, and today seemed like a good day because I had already listened to Glen's sermon on "The lion and the lamb" this past Thursday at community worship. Pastor Wang preached on the passage from Matthew where Peter walked on water with Jesus. Peter had asked Jesus to walk on the water just as Jesus was doing. And surely by faith, Peter did. But then a strong wind came and Peter became afraid and started to sink. He called out for Jesus to save him. "Lord, save me!", he exclaimed. Jesus immediately reached out his hand towards Peter and saved him from drowning, saying to him "You of little faith, why do you doubt?". At times when our lives are going great and our faith is strong, we become lazy and our focus is shifted from Jesus. Then something unexpected, much like a sudden gust of wind that stirs up a violent storm in the ocean, strikes us. Often times we have no control over the situation. We try hard to solve the problem by our humanly efforts, but fail. Then we begin to sink... We had, in the midst of our complacent happiness when things were going well, shifted our eyes from Jesus, just as Peter had when he discovered that he could actually walk on water! In times like this we are not scolded by God, but we are reminded of his powerfulness and his providence. "You of little faith, why do you doubt?", he says gently as he reaches out his steady hand to save us from going deeper. Yes, we are weak. No, we can't do it on our own. We need to hang on to Jesus Christ and his words at all times, in good times and in bad. Rejoice within the grace and love of the LORD when we are joyful and when we are mourning. He will take care of us, he has everything planned out. What a relief! This is just what I needed to hear, what I needed to be reminded of. God speaks to us through others. Thanks be to God for his might and mercy :o)
Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in his wonderful face
And the things of this world will grow strangely dim
In the light of his glory and grace!
Also, I am happy to report Jesse has once again returned to sleeping by my side (very comfortable) now that Allergic Musquito is gone.
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