More Of Him

I used to hear people say, "more of Him, less of me"... Or, "more about Him, less about me"...😄. And, I'm thinking that maybe we should pay more attention to our surrounding environment rather than ourselves during this festive season?..

but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. - Romans 5:8

Nowadays, I'm getting used to working on Christmas day..😅. And, that's brilliant!.. Huh?..

So, working in the hospital that operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, up to 365 days a year.., is totally normal. Obviously, the hospitals are never entitled for "public holidays" in their schedules 😬..

As for me, working in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) which mostly we're dealing with critically ill patient on ventilator life support is always normal on Christmas day! It's just like working on the ordinary day with those busy environments... Sometimes, it does make me feel sealed off from Christmas spirits or Christmas feelings as to say.. Oh my...😅.

So, they put me on night duty on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day itself.., so meaning that I'm working 2 night shifts that was on December 24th and 25th, then followed by my days off and holidays only after that...😧.

Anyway, it happened that there was one case admitted to the ICU, our Unit in the late evening on the December 24th... According to the daughter, the family was supposed to be on their way back to the hometown for Christmas.., when suddenly the father claimed of hard to breathe and became shortness of breath, and eventually was noted to had up-rolling eyes in the car... Then, they immediately switched their way and came to the hospital instead...😥.

In ICU, we put the patient on Oxygen via a simple face mask device, and the patient had to be seated up as he was gasping for air, because he couldn't breath due to his abdomen or stomach distended.. I remembered that the whole night, he kept on coughing out stale blood fluid from his mouth and he was unable to rest.

At around 2.30 am in the morning, the patient looked very tired but he was still unable to sleep due to his coughing... Then, we decided to insert a nasogastric tube from the nose into the stomach, draining out even more stale blood fluid from his stomach into a drainage bag below... And, I immediately knew that there was a bleeding or leaking blood somewhere inside his stomach...

But, it was only after that the patient appeared to be less coughing, as all the stale blood fluid was now flowing out through the nasogastric tube into the bag hanged below his bed.. After everything was done, the patient unexpectedly told us that he just wanted to go "home"..😢. And eventually, he was able to rest or sleep a bit after that, at least..😓.

"Agree with God, and be at peace; thereby good will come to you." - Job 22:21

Surprisingly, I come to realise that Jesus has to come and die for us.. Huh?.. And again, He has to die for us to live.. Oh?.. And I feel, that's literally about what a "Christmas" is for... Because I think, God isn't prioritize about the life in this world, but He sees the eternal life in heaven instead.

Then, it feels like it's not only about our health, sickness and disease but also about other things especially our struggles in life. It can be the struggle in the family, in the relationship, in our careers and finances, in our lifestyles or addictions, in our overall mental health and so forth... And, all because of our struggles, God knows... Thus, Jesus has to come into the world at "Christmas" and brings that only one ultimate peace and joy into our hearts... So, no matter how hard or, tough or, rough or, difficult life is now that you need to bear or to go through, you just always need to have this thought in mind when you know that only Jesus will give you peace.

Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. - John 14:27

"Christmas" indeed doesn't bring sadness. It brings joy to those who believe although we do have many struggles in life. Well yes, it's not always easy. It is hard.. But, that particular "Christmas" mindset keeps us going... And, it's always a good thing if we learn to just encourage each other and be kind to each other when we know that there're other people who are in the midst of their struggles especially when Christmas is just around the corner. It will be splendid enough, if only we can show empathy and to have the ability to feel sympathy to those in need during the Christmas season.

When I see whatsoever things that happened in life right now, maybe I should think something like.. Well, it's not only that you may have peace and joy that only "Christmas" can bring but, also may your "Christmas" be more of Him, less of me, too...🙏.

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. - Romans 8:37-39

"More than enough" - JPCC Worship 🎧

Delicious Fruit Cake

The one cake that is special and greatly related to Christmas is the fruit cake. Somehow I really do not understand, why we make fruit cake during Christmas season? 😅.

It maybe because the cake is colourful and pretty, just like the ornaments on a Christmas tree?.. But, some people think that it must be due to winter where only dried fruits are available and thus, fruit cakes are baked for the occasion. And, it's more like a Western thingy rather than something with religious meaning.

".., the Lord appeared to him from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you." - Jeremiah 31:3

Anyway, I'm going to have a simple and sweet Christmas this year. And I think, to make a fruit cake as the Christmas special treat for everyone will be great! 😋.. Hence, it's going to be a "how to bake a cake" video actually, shared by someone who loves and enjoys baking, and it's greatly appreciated! 🙏.. So, let's bake one, shall we?

Christmas Fruit Cake

I used to love my mom's homemade fruit cake at Christmas. It's so delicious!.. I remember mom's favourite Christmas fruit cake is tasty and everyone loves it! Eventually, it really reminds me about home... And, it has truly brings back sweet Christmas memories at home whenever there's a pretty and sweet fruit cake is around! 😍.. As for me, it's about something that we make to celebrate our God's gift of love at Christmas!

Well, only God's love does not change.. And, only God's love does not stop.. And, only God's love does not hurt.. Hence, God's love is eternal.

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. - 1 Corinthians 13:7

Anyway, there're also other special and pretty cakes that you would like to make during the festive season! And, they're all look beautiful for we know that we bake good cakes for us to enjoy and to remember our God's true love at Christmas time!

Yule Log Christmas Cake

Actually, I'm amazed that everything needs to be precise from creating to decorating.. It's really inspiring and truly a work of art!

Christmas Gingerbread Cake

It's truly a lovely cake! It looks so attractive!.. The idea of attaching gingerbread cookies at the side really give the Christmas vibes!

Christmas Cupcakes

The little Santa Claus on top is so pretty and cute!.. It's actually gives a cheerful and joyous moment at Christmas!

We love because he first loved us. - 1 John 4:19

So, let us love because He first loved us! 💗.. Thus, I wish you a happy Merry Christmas and a happy New Year!..

The Colour Pencils

When you tend to be more creative and subsequently attached in drawings and colouring, after some time, this is what the colour pencils will look like 😂.

It seems like there are certain colours that are more favourable than the others 😅... And, the blue colour pencil appears to be the most preferred and loved!

Anyway, the colour pencils are belong to my nieces! 😆. And yes, they love drawing and colouring so much!.. When I first see their colouring pencils, I laugh... And I think, they love the blue colour even more..😁. Well, maybe because everything is blue? 😮... When you know that the sky above is massive blue?.. And, the sea below is a huge blue ocean? 😬...

Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; - Romans 12:6

But, we know that drawing and colouring are the usual skills that the children will do at school or at home. It's something that the kids will learn to do first before they will be able to write. It's a process from scribble, to draw and to colour, and until eventually they can write..

Since we all do drawings and colouring at school when we were kids, I begin to add some words or phrases into drawings.. It doesn't have to be complicated but I love simple words that can give you meaningful phrases or sayings as to encourage and inspire in whatever things that we do.

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: - 1 Peter 4:10

So, as I am still continue to enjoy these pretty and cute, simple and nice drawings with words, again I would simply like to just share a few... :)

Even the smallest gestures can lift the heaviest hearts

What makes you happy doesn't have to make sense to others. Find your joy and hold on to it.

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough.

Move at whatever pace you can today... Remember, even small moves can have huge gains!

* * * * *

So, they are all lovely and adorable cartoon characters indeed!.. Although it's meant for the children but I like it! 😍..

And with that, I would like to end with something that my nieces obsess about whenever they are playing with words or phrases... And, it sounds something like this 😅...

Roses are red,

Violets are blue,

be my one and only?

I love you! 😘.

...Huh! 😂😂...

Draw A Story

I used to like drawings and colouring! It's something that I really enjoy doing in the nursery school or kindergarten when I was a kid.

I remember that the children usually draw things like in the above picture... The kids know that they must draw a house, the people as the father and the mother together with young children as the boy and the girl!.. And, if the children are smart enough to create more things, they probably will draw a sun and clouds in the sky, a big tree and flowers!.. Hence, if you notice about all the things that the kids have created, it's like, they draw things to tell a story... It's obviously about a family! 😊. And, if they even know how to draw people with smiling faces, the children are telling us that they have a happy family who lives in a nice house with a big tree outside of their home surrounded by pretty flowers...😃. So, that is their stories in one simple drawing is all about!

Then, I know that my nieces love to draw too... :) The funny thing is, I still remember that they once had draw the "baby shark"! 😳. Well actually, my nieces enjoy the "baby shark" cartoon character very much... So, it happens that when they draw their "baby shark", they think that the "baby shark" shouldn't be alone... And then later, they draw the "father shark", and then the "mother shark" as well! 😂. But then, when they get so excited, they say.., there must be the "grandfather shark" together with the "grandmother shark" too! 😜.

Well yes, it's funny!... But, it seems that the children know what a family is all about. It looks like they know "better" than adults! 😬. And I think, it tells us that being in a family is the most one thing that a child would know and understand as if they have been naturally created for a family or were born within a family.

But now, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand. - Isaiah 64:8

Anyway, I do think that it would be nice if we have drawings of cartoon characters together with words. And I think, it's one easy way to educate the kids with some simple meaningful phrases or words when they are old enough to be able to learn and read while they enjoy drawing and colouring!

Actually, I do really enjoy drawings with words. The cartoon characters are cute and the simple relevant phrases are just great. Thus, I would like to share some of the drawings with words, with the intention to inspire while drawing and reading!

Kindness makes life a little warmer.

Not all progress is seen or noticed by others. You can still allow yourself to be proud.

Gratitude helps you fall in love with the life you already have.

We may not change the world in one day but we still can change some things today in our small way.

* * * * *

Well yes, they're just simple drawings with words especially for kids.. But, it's nice if you can draw and colour simple things, and be creative with words in order to encourage and inspire each other.

It's like children's story books with cartoons and colourful pages... :) Therefore, thank you so much for reading!

For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, - 2 Timothy 1:6

Ocean Sky On Fire

It seems that the sunsets are God's most underrated miracles because in our busy lives, we see sunsets as another of nature's routines that nobody really pays attention to 😅..

Every sunset is not the same. It's dissimilar each time... And, it comes with different patterns, colours and lights... And yes, it's unique!.. Furthermore, it comes every day at sundown when the sun sets and, it gives you the sights from the simply pretty to gorgeous stunning views in the sky... Hence, we do look up.., sometimes.., but forget to enjoy the view! 😬.

I think, it's a blessing when we know how to enjoy and appreciate the things that God wants to offer us at sunset. Interestingly enough, it's truly a beautiful God's work of art and, it's all free!.. It's all about nothing more than a way of God, our Creator, willing to paint a pretty sky at sunset one at a time for us to admire and enjoy! Thus, it's true enough that sunset is one of God's most beautiful miracles. It is His way of showing us that even endings can be beautiful.. And again, it's such a blessing to know and to appreciate, as well as to admire it in all its wondrous glory 😊. Sunsets are special, even in the bible. The bible tells us that sunsets have been related to everything, from fasting, healing, resting to light and darkness.

Anyway, my last encounter of a real sunset view was many years ago when I stumbled upon this "my own self-photo" taken at the beach during sunset by chance. And, I'm surprise that it was an old photo of me which I managed to keep until now... And, it was a very long time ago when I was still in my hometown 😳.

So, the things I remember... I was at the beach at sunset. It was windy and cloudy. The sea was rough and wavy. It happened to be during the monsoon season with plenty of heavy rains... So, I could barely see the sunset view as it was too cloudy, that has made its view being hidden between the grey and dark clouds..😧. But, still the sky was pretty with yellow to orange and purple to blue colour for us to see. And, still it gave the feeling of chill and relax, and also healing!.. And, the "sounds" thing... The strong wind and waves sounds really gave me a unique and rare feeling!

And he came to a certain place and stayed there that night, because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones of the place, he put it under his head and lay down in that place to sleep. - Genesis 28:11

That evening at sundown they brought to him all who were sick or oppressed by demons. - Mark 1:32

But then until recently, not so long ago, I came to experience this... Well yes again, it was at the beach but this time was together with my lovely nieces! 😍.

Well yes, my nieces loved to play with water 😆. But this time, their dad has suggested to enjoy the sunset view only and no swimming! 😂. And, to my surprise, they all agreed not to swim today but were allowed to just at least dipped their foot in the water and, they walked or ran along the beach where they could just let the tiny little waves came and hit their tiny little feet!

When the sun sets slowly, the surroundings change to give a spectacular natural phenomena that usually occurs at dusk. But, the best time comes at dusk.. God's most beautiful miracles in all its wondrous glory happens once again.. Eventually, this happened! 😮..

The sky was on fire.. And, the sun was like a huge fireball burning and shining out of darkness, slowly set down towards the sea and burned the entire ocean... It was gorgeous and stunning! 😍.

I was willing to just stared and admired the whole thing for hours until it got dark. I did not need to elaborate more on this one... Its beauty was beyond words! 💗. I would just let its view spoke for itself!..

.., so that those who dwell at the ends of the earth are in awe at your signs. You make the going out of the morning and the evening to shout for joy. - Psalm 65:8

* * * * *

"When you see that sunset or that panoramic view of God's finest expressed in nature, and the beauty just takes your breath away, remember it is just a glimpse of the real thing that awaits you in heaven." - Greg Laurie

The Dining Table

So, there is one precious space in a house for the family... Well, we all know that a house will have the living room or rest room, few bedrooms, bathrooms and the kitchen but, I think, the most "alive" spot for a family in the house is the dining room!

But, "why" dining room?.. I'm thinking that when we normally buy a house, we usually don't really pay much attention to the dining room as compare to the other places around the house, because well, literally it (the dining room) doesn't give you many things...😅. I will just say that it gives you only a table in the middle with a set of 4 chairs or, may be 6 chairs or, even up to 8 chairs placed around the dining table.., and that's it! 😆. And, it feels so plain and simple type of space in the house! Well yes, it may be just a table and chairs but the dining table brings togetherness among the family, don't you think?

Anyway, let me tell you about my dining table's story that has been with our family for almost 40 years now. It was a rectangle shape table made of wood with set of 6 chairs altogether, and yes, it still serves the entire family greatly until today!.. And, my mom would only change the cover or wrapper on top of the dining table once in a few years time to keep the table's surface away from any scratches, marks, or scars, as well as to keep its surface clean.

We all know about the dining table is the ideal spot where we can have our meals together with the family, as well as enjoy eating good foods with friends and relatives, and even neighbours.. And, also a special place to feel thankful for the food that has been prepared for everyone 🙏.. And then, we start to tell stories... Different stories each time... Stories that make us laugh or cry. Stories that make us feel emotional as to trigger happy or sad feelings. And, stories that can bring us many memories... Hence, if you can ask the "dining table" and, as if it can talk to you, I agree that it can tell you about all the stories that it heard or has listened to in the past nearly 40 years!

Well yes, we enjoy delicious food and telling stories in between... And, I'm not surprise that my mom likes to prepare food and to make sure that our dining table must always have plenty of food 😅. Especially, she loves to make her special dinuh for tea time! 😜. It doesn't have to be something heavy but simple and light meals to chill and relax. And also, to communicate among the family at the same time.

So, about the dinuh thing...😂. First, I apologize for I do not know how to tell you about my mom's favourite dinuh, actually 😆.. It's obviously, no English word to describe for it, because that dinuh word is actually a local dialect used in our own language.. :) Anyway, I can just tell you that this dinuh thing is one of the old-time traditional cakes that mom likes to make and enjoy eating at tea time.

The dinuh is originally made from glutinous rice that has been pounded into flour and then mixed with coconut milk, a little bit of sugar and salt to taste. And just mixed all the ingredients until soft white dough is formed. Then, take some small amount from dough and form them into any shapes with your hands, and then just fry them in the cooking oil until they turned brown. When they're done, just lift them up from the hot oil and let dry. And finally, they're ready to serve!.. It's the most delicious when you eat while it's still hot 😋. Thus, having those mom's dinuh served together with corns, watermelons and other foods during tea time on the dining table is a bliss!

I think, our dining table not only meant for eating meals because sometimes we do our schoolwork or homework on the dining table too! So, you will see there are lots of messy things around on table. We put our books, papers, cards, pencils, coloured pencils, crayons and also our toys 😁.., little toys, legos, word scramble games and even little dried flowers for the school project things 😅.. Anyway, I choose to do all of those things on the dining table as it's wide enough for me to put all things as there are more toys than books actually 😂.., and also there is plenty of food to eat! 😋.

Thus, from eating foods to telling stories, to playing toys and, doing schoolwork or homework.., throughout all those years.., our old dining table sees everything... And, it knows how time has passed and things have changed. Eventually, it brings lots of old time memories within the family.

So, each time I am at home and sit at our family dining table once again, I come to remember about all kinds of our family stories that the dining table would tell me... And, it really does amaze me as it knows every little secrets in the family!

They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord's Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity. - Acts 2:46

  

Read Remarkable Poems

Okay, let's continue 😂... Well yes, I'm talking about poems again! 😅. And, it's just that I'm literally absorbed with poems lately...

Generally, I'm amazed at those people who can write poetry. So, they are poets, the writers of good poetry. They can use language creatively to create a remarkable way to capture a feeling or an experience in very few words that can cover a wide variety of emotions. Hence, a poet is a person who has the gift of poetic thought, imagination and creation, together with eloquence of expression. In short, a person with great imagination and creativity.

Again I think, these are some of the poems that are worthy of your attention to perhaps create your own imagination...

For Every Blessing

For every tender kindness

And blessing from above

For every gift of goodness

That shows Your perfect love

For every timely answer

That shows You hear my prayer

For every special blessing

That helps me see You're there

For every wise direction

That keeps me far from sin

For guiding by Your Spirit

Who rules my heart within

For giving me the Bible

To teach what's true and right

For every word of promise

That gives me strength and light

For sending Christ my Savior

To face the cross for me

For giving me salvation

Eternal, full, and free

For loved ones and for friendships

For church and all we share

For teaching me the gospel

To scatter everywhere

For beauty in creation

That shows Your strength and skill

For keeping and sustaining

According to Your will

For telling me of heaven

And endless life above

For all that You're preparing

To show Your perfect love

For all of these, dear Father,

And so much more I raise

A heart of love and worship

That brings this thankful praise

Christina Joy Hommes

💗 💗 💗 💗 💗

God Didn't Say We'd Understand

God didn't say we'd understand

Each thing that He allows,

Or that we'd always see His hand

And know the why's and how's.

But He has said He's always near

And that He'll bring us through,

That He will catch each falling tear

And strengthen and renew.

And He has said He'll turn to good

The things His children face;

Since Jesus in temptation stood

He gives sufficient grace.

So when we cannot understand

The troubles of today,

We simply need to trust His hand

And He will make a way.

Christina Joy Hommes

💗 💗 💗 💗 💗

Life's Little Signposts

The Lord can use so many things

As signposts on our way

To guide and make us more like Christ

Or catch us when we stray

We catch a glimpse of something good

From some unlikely source

Then take that vision through our lives

To guide our winding course

We overhear some chance remark

And by it see the light

In which we walk along life's path

To make obscure things bright

We feel or see some love or care

That strangely warms the soul

Which goes with us to hold and share

And makes our life more whole

We sense a warning in the air

That stops us in our tracks

And keeps us from some foolish choice

Before it takes its tax

They seem so random, all these things

Our Father kindly sends,

But each is chosen to display

The love He freely spends

So when He sends these little helps

In any form or place

Let's quickly let them shape our course

And thank Him for His grace

Christina Joy Hommes

💗 💗 💗 💗 💗

So again, thank you so much for reading.. And again, all credit goes to Christina Joy Hommes.

And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete. - 1 John 1:4

I Rarely Read Poems

Actually, I seldom read poems but I'm so amazed to suddenly stumbled upon this blog while I was navigating between websites... And in the end, it's just so simple yet brilliant! 😅

Knowing myself as a person who not really comprehend and also not a very savvy about poetry, I came to know and learn that a poetry is a form of artistic communication. Poems can use simple and straightforward language to convey clear ideas. Or, poems can also use complex and opaque language to communicate vague or uncertain concepts. Thus, poetry is a deeply valuable tool for communication and artistic expression. And, I find that it's really interesting!

Anyway, there're many types of poems. So I think, the ones that I actually really cherish and adore is poems pertaining to our spiritual beliefs, to help us to understand and appreciate the world around us and teach us how to live, and can offer us a way to empathize with one another and to understand one another, leading us away from hate to love, from violence to mercy and pity.

Thus I think, it's sensible and meaningful to just sharing nice sayings, and some of the poems too..😊.

God's Gifts of Grace and Love

Dear Father, for Your many gifts

That show Your grace and love

I want to thank You, for I know

You send them from above.

For food and clothes, for where I live,

For sunshine and for rain,

For music, beauty, knowledge, words,

For happiness and pain,

For friends and loved ones, home and church,

For friendship, love, and care,

For bonds in Christ, for fellowship,

For memories we share,

For Jesus Christ who died for me,

For pardon through His Name,

For peace, salvation, life that lasts,

For grace that I can claim,

For these and more I bring to You

A heart that's full of praise.

I see through each Your grace and love

That brighten all my days.

Christina Joy Hommes

💗 💗 💗 💗 💗

Are You Afraid to Ask?

Soul, why are you afraid to ask

The King of earth and sky

For something that you now desire,

And why would you be shy?

For He Himself has bid you come

And ask for all you need.

He's promised He will hear your prayer -

Your wishes He'll exceed.

Yes, if you ask for selfish gain

Or try to change His will,

He will not grant you such requests

Because He loves you still.

But if you ask in faith He says

He'll grant the thing you've asked

For glory and for mercy's sake

Because His love is vast.

Will you refuse to make requests

Because He might say "Wait"?

Or are you so afraid of "No"

Your wants you won't relate?

If you don't ask, you won't receive -

Oh, what a tragic end

When God Himself desires to be

Your kind and faithful Friend!

So bring your wants and needs in prayer

Before His mighty throne,

And see what He will do for you

Who loves to bless His own.

Christina Joy Hommes

💗 💗 💗 💗 💗

Looking for Stars

Some people fear the darkness

And tremble through the night,

Some love the stars that sparkle

A million points of light.

Some people feel what's lacking

And live in gloomy fear,

Some look at life's small blessings

And sense the Lord is near.

For if there was no darkness,

The stars would never shine;

And lack reveals the value

Of what is really mine.

Lord, help me see the blessings

In everything, I pray,

That I might always thank you

Whatever comes today.

Christina Joy Hommes

💗 💗 💗 💗 💗

And with that, thank you so much for your time.. And, all credit goes to Christina Joy Hommes.

May my teaching drop as the rain, my speech distill as the dew, like gentle rain upon the tender grass, and like showers upon the herb. - Deuteronomy 32:2

A Letter To Someone

Well, it's crazy...😆. And, I do not know you... But then, I have this thought in mind that I want to share with "someone" in a letter...

Dear "Someone",

I thought, it was all started when the pink tree was blooming beautifully in the park. And, not long after that, the Cherry blossom trees at the front of your house were blooming prettily too! 😅.

Then, I realised that we mentioned about the same thing but I still wasn't sure. Anyway, that was the time when the world just been hit by the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequently things had changed.

Although we all lived in isolation, we still wanted to communicate to each other and to encouraged one another from afar. And, we started to appreciate those people around us, as well as the people we loved. So instead of giving them gifts, the people who matters to us actually, were the "gifts" given to us instead. We started to feel grateful even to as simple as to just had coffee for two. It didn't matter if we had coffee or the Americano, coffee with milk, or tea in a cafe or at home, as long as we still had each other, and shared childhood memories.

We took care of our personal health and overall well-being. Thus, we started to learn how to make healthy food at home. We made nice green salads. We made nutritious smoothies. We made delicious chicken soups. And, we ate fresh fruits... Watermelons, oranges, mangoes, bananas and durian fruits?..😂. We started to enjoy the simple things. We spent more time for ourselves, such as... We took a walk, we ate ice cream, we took pictures of pretty flowers, we planted mini cactuses, we read books, we listened to songs and music... And sometime, there was a day that we went to the beach under the hot sun, we watched sunsets, we listened to the falling rain, we looked up for the moon at night... And well yes, billion other simple little things in life!

As time passed, however, we started to adapt to the "new normal" environment. It was truly a new way of life after COVID. And, even though we were seeing things better than before, it wouldn't always guarantee for us to lived the best life because, we were living in the bad days 😬. The more bad days in the broken world. And I thought, one thing that I had learned about COVID in the midst of our pain and hurt was love.

.., making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. - Ephesians 5:16

The Lord has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble. - Proverbs 16:4

But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. - 2 Timothy 3:1

Especially in days like these, let's us learned to love each other in difficult times although there were things that had happened beyond our control. I thought, all of these things taught us to had faith in God and trusted Him with all your heart. Well yes, it was hard.. It was not always easy.. But, no matter how small faith you had, even if as small as a seed, it could still grow, much better than no faith at all!

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. - Proverbs 3:5-6

I had thought that COVID and bad days led us to our God's unconditional love for us. Because, for those who believed in God, love took on a whole new meaning. No matter what circumstances or life situations we had, He was always there and you were never alone. God's immense and unwavering love wasn't always easy to see or understand. Sometimes it showed itself in small ways and, it showed itself in big ways, too.

Thus I thought, those COVID times taught me a lot about the love from high above. And, my first thought was, there might be possibility that those hard times had led me to admired more of documentary films or programmes rather than to watched dramas or movies?.. Because, when it happened to show love, sometimes it was just that I didn't really into that kind of "love" that they portrayed in most dramas or movies...😅. Well yes, they were indeed fun and kept us entertained but, love hurt... Wasn't it?.. It was tired, exhausted and painful... And, annoyed? 😢. Because, dramas or movies perceived love as "to fall in love" which mostly happened in our culture and society rather than to conveyed love as "to walk in love" was to know God, and to walked in God, for God himself was love.

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, - Ephesians 2:8

But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, - Titus 3:4-5

The funny thing was, love was a funny thing 😁.. And, did you ever think that you might hurt God's feeling if you had rejected His love? Well, I probably would say "yes"... Because love did hurt. And even Jesus wept.. Because He was full of love 💗.

Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. - Romans 12:9

Hence, let's us embraced God's love in our lives although sometimes there were things that didn't go to what we expected them to be. Instead, trusted Him to led your path and had courage to obey Him along the way. There were times, we wouldn't understand about certain things but remembered that our God was full of wisdom.

By the way, it was nice to had encouraging one another, to speaking about things in mind and to shared what we liked in good and bad times. And yes, we surely had flaws, or scars, or weaknesses but we kept on experiencing, discovering, learning and accepting.

So, we were literally "talking", weren't we?...😳.

Sincerely,

Rubbie

Sarawak,

Borneo Island.

rosean10@gmail.com