I'm definitely experiencing a lot of Grace these days. My visit to Taiwan so far has been, well quite frankly, great. Living with three others when I'm used to being by myself is a challenge. You have this expectation (or hope) that your relationship with your family could be a certain way, but most of the time it isn't so. Even within families, some personalities go better together, and some not as well. But that's besides the point. As I've mentioned before, I think my visit having been so good is not so much that things have changed, but it's because God's been there with me and he's given me a whole new outlook on things. I suppose he's helped me to become more humble in realizing that things don't always have to be MY way or people don't always act the way I want them to act. I mean, who am I to judge? I'm tired of nagging, I just want to let go and let things be. Well, I should say I would only continue to keep my loved ones in my prayers instead of trying to change them myself. I continue to remind myself that only God can change a person.
A few nights ago I went to a prayer group meeting. The pastor talked about how when you become a new person in Christ, you are reborn. Gone with the old, and in with the new. I find that although some old habits are hard to break, I really do feel transformed. Pastor Tsai said that some of the things you used to love doing, you suddenly don't love anymore after you are reborn. I remember how much I used to drink and go out. Now, not only do I not feel the desire to go out and do so, I don't really feel like I'm missing out on anything grand (on being "young"). Rather, I find peace and joy in other things in life - cooking supper with friends, going to an early movie then settling comfortably in bed early with a good book. There is so much more to life than partying, computer games, tv, computer. There are things to see, places to be explored. It's sad but the young people these days have become somewhat victims of the advanced technology. While it does us good by allowing us to have fast access to information, and giving us a good way of communicating with others far away, it has also taken something away from us. If I don't check my e-mail or log onto msn daily, I feel unsettled. I have become a slave of the internet. Perhaps this is a habit I should try to break for the new year. I've gotten better though, I used to be worse.
God has changed my perspective on many things. Even with one of the largest battles I've had to face in my life, he is slowing softening my heart and teaching me some important lessons on acceptance and forgiveness, and well, being grateful. He teaches me to do more, and say less, to show my faith through my actions, not by what I merely "think" or "say". Without action, faith is dead.
I prayed a prayer for God to fill my heart with love. I pray that all the love I need in this lifetime would come from him. Let my heart be filled with so much love, that it pours out abundantly to others around me. This is my prayer. I want to spend my life serving others, rather than always wanting things for myself. I want to help the needy, and not always think about how I wish my circumstances were better. I want to use 100% of what God's given me, not just 10%. I pray that God will help me see, what really matters ;)
A few nights ago I went to a prayer group meeting. The pastor talked about how when you become a new person in Christ, you are reborn. Gone with the old, and in with the new. I find that although some old habits are hard to break, I really do feel transformed. Pastor Tsai said that some of the things you used to love doing, you suddenly don't love anymore after you are reborn. I remember how much I used to drink and go out. Now, not only do I not feel the desire to go out and do so, I don't really feel like I'm missing out on anything grand (on being "young"). Rather, I find peace and joy in other things in life - cooking supper with friends, going to an early movie then settling comfortably in bed early with a good book. There is so much more to life than partying, computer games, tv, computer. There are things to see, places to be explored. It's sad but the young people these days have become somewhat victims of the advanced technology. While it does us good by allowing us to have fast access to information, and giving us a good way of communicating with others far away, it has also taken something away from us. If I don't check my e-mail or log onto msn daily, I feel unsettled. I have become a slave of the internet. Perhaps this is a habit I should try to break for the new year. I've gotten better though, I used to be worse.
God has changed my perspective on many things. Even with one of the largest battles I've had to face in my life, he is slowing softening my heart and teaching me some important lessons on acceptance and forgiveness, and well, being grateful. He teaches me to do more, and say less, to show my faith through my actions, not by what I merely "think" or "say". Without action, faith is dead.
I prayed a prayer for God to fill my heart with love. I pray that all the love I need in this lifetime would come from him. Let my heart be filled with so much love, that it pours out abundantly to others around me. This is my prayer. I want to spend my life serving others, rather than always wanting things for myself. I want to help the needy, and not always think about how I wish my circumstances were better. I want to use 100% of what God's given me, not just 10%. I pray that God will help me see, what really matters ;)
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