Ok. I'm going to talk about my brother again.

A few months ago, we went to buy things together, and we saw this packet of sour sweets. The kind that is sweet but is coated with a layer of sour stuff. He told me he wanted to eat those. I was stunned and asked him if he was sure. It took awhile before he convinced me to buy that packet of sweets, saying that he had tried it before, and liked it. He even assured me that the sourness would only last for a short while. Cost was not the issue. It was just that I could not believe he would even eat one of those!

That night, he took one of them, and I decided to try it together with him. Honestly, I was really afraid of putting one of those sweets into my mouth. So I asked him, "How is it?" His reply, "I feel like crying." It was so sour, that his feeling at that point of time was that he felt like crying. I tried it too, and indeed he was right in saying that the sourness was only for a short time. But the sweetness did come, and by then, all the sourness was forgotten.

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"I feel like crying" was what my brother said at a time when he tasted great sourness. These are the words that I have said a few times recently as there have been more and more to do, but with so little time at hand. It is painful, often lonely, and at that time, all I can say is "I feel like crying". With the sweet, the sweetness is sought after, and longed for when the taste of sourness is still strong. Now, as I struggle with my work, I feel the same. It is a great kind of sourness, so painful, and I am longing for the time when I would have these basic principles I'm learning now to become knowledge I own, and know how to apply.

This does not just apply with work. In every area of our lives in fact. The thing is, no matter how painful it is at the point of suffering, don't give up (that is, if what you are doing is worth doing).

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up
(Galatians 6:9)

g r a c e
11:14 AM



Valentine's Day (aka v day) is coming. This is a time where people try to go on dates or get their first kiss, or struggle to get a gift for their beloved. Wow! As the saying goes, love is in the air.. And you can hear the music playing in the background "Can you feel the love tonight.."

Alright, I will stop with the romantic stuff. Not that I am a very romantic person anyway. I can't even appreciate sitting on a swing and singing poems about the beautiful moon together with a tall dark and handsome man. hahahhaa!

As this day approaches, lets be reminded about what love really is.

I recall some months back, there was a Chinese show where many people here were "crazy" about. I shan't mention the show, and you can keep guessing (It's a very easy guess nonetheless) Anyway, here's the part where I'll mention:

Like any typical show that has the love factor in it, there was Mr. A who had two girls who were attracted to him. Many people watched to find out which girl he would pick in the end. And at the last moments of the show, he did pick someone. The ending was a little strange not because of which girl he chose, but the reason he gave to the girl whom he rejected was well.. How shall I put it.. disturbing? He told the girl he rejected that in the past, he was very nice to her and became her boyfriend because he found her weak, and wanted to show her love. Now she was stronger and did not need him, whereas the other girl who liked him was weaker and needed his love more.

Breaking up, and being rejected forms part and parcel of life. But the reason he gave to break up showed how love was defined to him. To him, love is something only shown to people who are weaker. Those who are strong don't need it anymore. My dear friends.. is this how you see the definition of love?

Weak or strong, all of us need love. In all times, in all circumstances, love never fails. But is love just an emotion? When that feeling is gone, what else is there that we can still say we love?

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. " (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)

There is a type of unselfish love that does not expect anything in return no matter how much has been done for others. This in Greek is known as the agape love. And this love was, and is, and is shown by God. For 'greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.' (John 15:13)

Loving others with this type of love is not easy. But if you ask me, I would rather love others than make enemies, or make jokes about everyone and laugh at them..

Have a great time over valentine's day (which is a week from now!).. But if ever you think no one loves, be reminded, there is God who really loves, cares, and will not reject those who cry out to Him.

g r a c e
7:20 PM