Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?
(Matthew 6:26, NIV)
Looking out the glass door…against the usual natural backdrop of our little porch is the mighty old tree which stood strong for ages. Its simplicity never fails to give me calmness and serenity. It’s a home to many birds and the source of the morning music. Oh, I love the chirpings. My ears have been attuned to this natural alarm clock. Ashton loves it too!
A mynah flew over and perched on our black gate. Its movement very quick yet gentle. I moved over to Ashton and softly whispered into his delicate ears, “Shh…look at the mynah…” He mimicked me. We watched the creature intently, following every movement. From the gate, it flew down to the ground inside our compound. It looked to the right, then to the left as if being very careful not to be caught. If only it knew it has been watched.
Slowly it took a step forward. Halted. Looked around again. This same process repeated a couple of times.
Ashton stayed very still and quiet giving full concentration to his lesson for the morning. A natural provision for his curriculum - bird watching. Isn’t it cool to let God be our Teacher and his world is our classroom?! The boy learned to be still, attentive and patient as he followed the bird’s moves. He listened. He watched. Suddenly the mynah bent down and pecked on the remnants of bread left on the floor. “Oh,” The boy exclaimed at the highlight of nature’s show. It ate to its satisfaction before it flew off. “No more,” Ashton called out declaring the end of the wondrous display.
How many times God nudges us and whispers, “Shh…look at the bird…”?
If the Loving Creator provides for these creatures and care for their needs, there is absolutely no reason he won’t care for us, his beloved children. We can count on the immensity of his love to be concerned of all our needs. Perhaps you argue, “I don’t want the ‘remnants of bread’…” The Creator of the Universe knows exactly what (and when) we need. Whether it is scraps of bread to fill our immediate hunger, or a piece or two to make us full, or a big sumptuous loaf to lavish us, the Father is always wise to give accordingly. We are definitely more valuable than the birds.
Shh…pause…take a moment and watch the birds…
Soak in Matthew 6:26 and be full today!
Heavenly Father, Teach me to watch and learn. I trust You will provide all my needs as I seek You daily. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Monday, January 11, 2010
Oh, What Big Hands!
The time ticks away.
Time waits for no man, so they say. How true!
Take it easy. Relax. Slow down. What common phrases. Most of us live lives as though there aren't any hand brakes. We just have to keep going. The feet is on the accelerator all the time. Too many things to do. Too little time. Some dawdle. But some sincerely work so hard yet still can't seem to find enough time to accomplish all the tasks. Perhaps just too much. Is this balancing act an art? No wonder I always see life liken to a dance. Its movements vary but there's a constant flow. Some pauses in between but never too long.
I am wondering how others cope while others are wondering how I cope?! Perhaps it is a disease of post-modernism. Too much work. Too little time.
It is only a week past the new year. My eyes see the dreams and desires my heart contains. A little anxiety as I caught glimpses of potential challenges. My hands may not be strong enough, big enough, and careful enough to hold all. I haven't stop telling the Father all of my concerns. There seems to be silence. It's as though He is listening and smiling in between my talks, nodding in agreement with full understanding. But He is still quiet. My heart beats faster waiting for his response, hoping to tick off every concern with an answer right away. He still didn't say anything. But I sense his quiet presence. While I struggle to comprehend the how(s) and what(s)...I am determine to stay contented knowing my hands may be incapable of handling the all that's to come (and the ones which are already here), yet He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. (Colossians 1:17, NIV)
When he holds all things together, and goes before me, I can always rest assured all things will work out for the good for those who love him (Romans 8:28). Perhaps the Father has pleasant surprises in store for me. I will wait patiently as I await each of them to be revealed.
What about your state? Excited. Anxious. Worried. Carefree. The year always starts with good dreams which our eyes may lose focus as time ticks away into the months...but let's remember the Father is listening to our needs and concerns; and work is already in progress even as we ramble to him. Our days are securely held in his hands. Nothings slips through his fingers.
Some may still stay put in the old. Still riding on the regrets of the past year and rollerskating on the guilt trip. Stop! Pull the brake and cease it. Step into the new and welcome a fresh breath of the Spirit. Isaiah 43:18-19 proclaim, "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.
Thank You Lord for Your big and mighty Hands. I trust my year into Your big Hands which all power flows. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Time waits for no man, so they say. How true!
Take it easy. Relax. Slow down. What common phrases. Most of us live lives as though there aren't any hand brakes. We just have to keep going. The feet is on the accelerator all the time. Too many things to do. Too little time. Some dawdle. But some sincerely work so hard yet still can't seem to find enough time to accomplish all the tasks. Perhaps just too much. Is this balancing act an art? No wonder I always see life liken to a dance. Its movements vary but there's a constant flow. Some pauses in between but never too long.
I am wondering how others cope while others are wondering how I cope?! Perhaps it is a disease of post-modernism. Too much work. Too little time.
It is only a week past the new year. My eyes see the dreams and desires my heart contains. A little anxiety as I caught glimpses of potential challenges. My hands may not be strong enough, big enough, and careful enough to hold all. I haven't stop telling the Father all of my concerns. There seems to be silence. It's as though He is listening and smiling in between my talks, nodding in agreement with full understanding. But He is still quiet. My heart beats faster waiting for his response, hoping to tick off every concern with an answer right away. He still didn't say anything. But I sense his quiet presence. While I struggle to comprehend the how(s) and what(s)...I am determine to stay contented knowing my hands may be incapable of handling the all that's to come (and the ones which are already here), yet He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. (Colossians 1:17, NIV)
When he holds all things together, and goes before me, I can always rest assured all things will work out for the good for those who love him (Romans 8:28). Perhaps the Father has pleasant surprises in store for me. I will wait patiently as I await each of them to be revealed.
What about your state? Excited. Anxious. Worried. Carefree. The year always starts with good dreams which our eyes may lose focus as time ticks away into the months...but let's remember the Father is listening to our needs and concerns; and work is already in progress even as we ramble to him. Our days are securely held in his hands. Nothings slips through his fingers.
Some may still stay put in the old. Still riding on the regrets of the past year and rollerskating on the guilt trip. Stop! Pull the brake and cease it. Step into the new and welcome a fresh breath of the Spirit. Isaiah 43:18-19 proclaim, "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.
Thank You Lord for Your big and mighty Hands. I trust my year into Your big Hands which all power flows. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Bring the Best Gift with You Into the New Year
Christmas isn't Christmas till it happens in your heart.
Jingle jangle, jingle jangle...is the music till ringing in your heart? The Christmas do is over. We have crossed into a new year. Time waits for no one. Whether we are ready or not, it is here - a brand new year! A fresh beginning. So where is Christ in this new year? How true many remember him, talk about him, sing of him during the hyped up year end holiday each year. I hope we haven't packed him into the closet together with the Christmas tree and ornaments.
I can't forget the moment Ashton swiftly grabbed the gift from my opened palm as I showed Nat the pretty little bronze earrings I got for my sister. He cheekily ran off with excitement as Nat ran after him. I was sure Nat would do the job well in returning me the gift so I can wrap it up nicely for a dear one on Christmas. She took the boy back to me but we only found one side of the pair. The frantic search began. The boy couldn't had possibly lost that earring. I looked high and low. Then I walked the trail from one room to the next. The anxiety increased. I crawled through the path again looking intensely for that tiny thing. Every now and then, I asked the boy, "Where is it?" and he would replied, "There!" There? Where?
You bet. I did pray. I asked God to help me find and I was pretty sure it would be found. Simply because I knew God answers prayers. Afterall, this is a Christmas gift for my sister. It is important. It is not a selfish prayer. As I searched and prayed continuously, a small voice broke through and rang in my heart that there is one gift I need to treasure most - Jesus. I should pursue Jesus endlessly like I embarked on this frantic search. And that I should present this Gift to as many people as I can because this is the best. Through this Gift comes many gifts. What you want him to be, He will be because God is "I AM WHO I AM".
I still haven't found the earring. A friend joked that she should do a treasure hunt. If she finds it, she can have the gift. My sister insisted she takes the other side anyway. So I gave it to her and I prayed she too will find the fulfillment in Christ every time she looks at the incomplete pair.
Do you have the Gift? Where is your Gift?
I hope you didn't leave him under the unkept Christmas tree or tugged in a box in the closet. Or confined in the Christmas songs, or even the Christmas story and sermon you heard.
Bring the best Gift with you into this new year and experience the fullness of his indescribable love, peace and joy.
Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! (2 Corinthians 9:15, NIV)
Jingle jangle, jingle jangle...is the music till ringing in your heart? The Christmas do is over. We have crossed into a new year. Time waits for no one. Whether we are ready or not, it is here - a brand new year! A fresh beginning. So where is Christ in this new year? How true many remember him, talk about him, sing of him during the hyped up year end holiday each year. I hope we haven't packed him into the closet together with the Christmas tree and ornaments.
I can't forget the moment Ashton swiftly grabbed the gift from my opened palm as I showed Nat the pretty little bronze earrings I got for my sister. He cheekily ran off with excitement as Nat ran after him. I was sure Nat would do the job well in returning me the gift so I can wrap it up nicely for a dear one on Christmas. She took the boy back to me but we only found one side of the pair. The frantic search began. The boy couldn't had possibly lost that earring. I looked high and low. Then I walked the trail from one room to the next. The anxiety increased. I crawled through the path again looking intensely for that tiny thing. Every now and then, I asked the boy, "Where is it?" and he would replied, "There!" There? Where?
You bet. I did pray. I asked God to help me find and I was pretty sure it would be found. Simply because I knew God answers prayers. Afterall, this is a Christmas gift for my sister. It is important. It is not a selfish prayer. As I searched and prayed continuously, a small voice broke through and rang in my heart that there is one gift I need to treasure most - Jesus. I should pursue Jesus endlessly like I embarked on this frantic search. And that I should present this Gift to as many people as I can because this is the best. Through this Gift comes many gifts. What you want him to be, He will be because God is "I AM WHO I AM".
I still haven't found the earring. A friend joked that she should do a treasure hunt. If she finds it, she can have the gift. My sister insisted she takes the other side anyway. So I gave it to her and I prayed she too will find the fulfillment in Christ every time she looks at the incomplete pair.
Do you have the Gift? Where is your Gift?
I hope you didn't leave him under the unkept Christmas tree or tugged in a box in the closet. Or confined in the Christmas songs, or even the Christmas story and sermon you heard.
Bring the best Gift with you into this new year and experience the fullness of his indescribable love, peace and joy.
Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! (2 Corinthians 9:15, NIV)
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