The Magic of Not Knowing

I love serendipity.

I love the magic that happens when you let go and just trust in the right people and opportunities to flow to you.

On Wed, I was due to meet with the rep of a local newspaper to discuss a possible spot in a feature they are doing. Had no idea what it was about or even how he found me but said yes anyway.

So I rock up to Werribee Baptist before 2 pm and no one's there. I chat with the admin lady, who like me works p/t for the church, and start forming a lovely rapport with a lovely individual. Our conversation ends with her inviting me over for a cuppa the next time I'm at work.

I wait another 15 mins, and conclude that said person must be stuck in traffic or lost his way in the rain or maybe in an accident (oh dear!). When I get home, I call and leave a voice message for the person asking if he's okay.

I also decide that I'm going to let go of the outcome of this and not try to chase up on the matter.

Today, I get a call from said rep to find out what happened on Wed. Turns out he went to the Anglican Church on Synnot St and wondered why it was closed! We had a good laugh and right there on the line I felt a warm fuzzy feeling and the beginnings of rapport forming.

We've now made an appointment to meet up next Wed. Same time, same place, and this time he promises to look up the address and have my mobile number with him.

I finally got to ask him The Question: how'd you get my number?

"Oh, from the Council database."

"The Business Directory?"

"Yep, that's the one."

There's a good reason why the Business Development Officer at the Council kept encouraging me to get on the database, and I've emailed to let her know she was right!

Received some positive feedback from my boss and our Church Council chairman over the weekend.

It's a great feeling and makes me want to keep doing better in my new job.

My boss is going to be overseas the next couple of weeks, which I means I'm in charge of publishing the newsletter and running the office.

I've started compiling manuals and procedures to help me keep track of where everything important is, so everything continues to run smoothly in his absence.

Lots of gray areas and new questions keep popping up. Steep learning curve. But with God's help and the help of my church family, I know I can nail this. I'm gonna focus on the opportunities in the challenge and on making a difference in the wellbeing of our leaders and the running of our church.

How good is this?

Just received an email from LearnOutLoud.com offering a podcast by Joyce Meyer.

Can't remember why or how, but I was listening to some Paraliminal CDs by Paul Scheele in preparation for tonight's coaching session, and thinking how about feeding myself spiritually by listening to audio recordings of God's Word.

I know Koorong has recordings of the Bible in mp3 downloads and CD format, but they are usually read by guys, and I specifically wanted a female voice.

More specifically: a mellow, listenable female voice.

And the first female Christian that came to mind was...Joyce Meyer.

I've never heard her speak. I only know of her through friends who are fans of her books.

Now I'm going to listen to her podcast and find out if she's the one.

A New Song

It's been 24 years since I last wrote a song.

I was very active in songwriting between Sec 2 and Sec 4 at RGS. Took part in the National Songwriting Competition for Schools and RGS Night, had my own singing group (The Amateurs!) and even won a couple of awards. Writing songs was fun, and a great way to channel some of that adolescent angst.

Then...it stopped in JC. No songs came. The inspiration just dried up. I told myself that God giveth, and God had taken away ('blessed be the Lord' was a bit harder to admit though).

Over the years, I've kept up with the piano at a recreational level, playing for church and for pleasure. I enjoy some Kevin Kern-esque moments and what some friends call tinkling (the ivories).

Then yesterday, it happened.

Just like that, the flow started.

I was reflecting on Philippians 4: 4-9 (because it was the study verse for our group bible study) and wondering if there was a way to put some of the words to music.

And this is what He gave me.

Praise be to God the creator and author of all things good!

DO NOT BE ANXIOUS

Lyrics: Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)

Music: Serena Low (as given by The Songwriter on 11 Oct 2010)

Verse

Do not be anxious about anything
Do not be anxious but in everything
By prayer and petition
With thanksgiving
Present your requests to God

Chorus

And the peace of God
And the peace of God
That surpasses all understanding
Will keep your hearts
Will keep your minds
In Jesus, in Jesus

Verse

Do not be anxious about anything
Do not be anxious but in everything
By prayer and petition
With thanksgiving
Present your requests to God

Chorus

And the peace of God
And the peace of God
That surpasses all understanding
Will keep your hearts
Will keep your minds
In Jesus, in Jesus

Repeat chorus

Amen

Amen

Amen

Amen

About the song

The song starts on a minor key (to reflect the listener's current discouraged state), builds up energy at the bridge (when the writer suggests how we can handle our anxieties), then rings out triumphantly in a major key at the chorus, loops back to the verse and chorus, repeats the chorus and ends in a four-fold Amen inspired by the ending of Benediction (The Lord Whom We Love) as sung by Budak Pantai (my fave SG acapella group) on their Budakumentary album.

Here's the short version, which was the fruit of the first day's work...



And here's the full version, which was created today!

The Problem with Tithing

⁸ "Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me.
"But you ask, 'How do we rob you?'
"In tithes and offerings.
⁹ You are under a curse—the whole nation of you—because you are robbing me.
¹⁰ Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.
¹¹ I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not cast their fruit," says the LORD Almighty.
¹² "Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land," says the LORD Almighty.

Malachi 3:8-12

This is a subject that makes me squirm - and rightly so.

The Bible makes it clear that God will provide all our needs. We are not to worry about tomorrow, what we shall eat or what we shall wear. We are instead to seek first the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added unto us. In other words, if we honor God and stay busy about His business, He will surely provide for our physical and material needs as well.

I have no excuse for why I often pass on the invitation to give an offering. Either I am not present (at Sunday School next door), or I fail to get my money out in time to put in the offering bag.

Last Sunday's message from Pastor Paul was very direct on this subject. We are to give as cheerful givers from what little or much we have. Ref: the widow's mite.

So starting from this month, CA and I have set up a direct debit with the church so that $x goes straight to the church every fortnight on payday. And as our ability grows, we hope our giving will likewise do.

Help Thou mine unbelief Lord. Help me to truly, wholly and completely trust You for all things, the seen and unseen, the material and spiritual, things I need and things I desire. Keep covetousness and discontent from me, and let me give thanks for all things each day. Amen.

Wedding Anniversary (12 July 1997)

13 years ago today, I said "I do" to CA.

Has it been that long? Sure doesn't feel that way.

To God who gave us the faith, courage and strength to take that huge step and who has sustained in us an attitude of love, mutual encouragement and gratitude, all thanks and praise.

I couldn't have done it without You.

Enlarging My Territory

The Lord has been challenging me into new areas of ministry. I am reminded of the prayer of Jabez, even though I have not specifically asked for my territory to be enlarged:

And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, "Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain." So God granted him what he requested.

I Chronicles 4:10 NKJV

Our regular Sunday School coordinator has stepped down to focus on other ministries that she feels God is calling her into. This opened the way for a new coordinator to step in (my husband!) and an opportunity to brainstorm new ideas and new ways of running SS. I have volunteered to run SS in Term 2, and last Sunday, the coordinator announced this fact to the congregation, and asked for volunteer helpers to assist me. Two persons have stepped forward.

What's particularly exciting is that one of them is gifted in dance and movement. I have been wanting to include an element of music and movement in SS and her offer of help is perfectly timely. She's the wife of our worship leader, and has been a professional dancer for years. As she's in her early 20s and very "with it", the kids will love her style. And I won't have to worry about being made to lead something that I'm lousy at!

The other lady is passionate about healthy living and wants to impart her knowledge to the children. This ties in perfectly with my health business and writing and gives me a new angle from which to teach the children the importance of taking care of their bodies and being good stewards of what God has given (life and health).

The SS coordinator also spoke with me recently about being included on a roster of volunteers to support a member of our church family who has a debilitating disease that affects her mobility. The volunteers will take turns to ring this member, check on her, visit her and take her on trips to the shops if necessary.

It is sobering to be confronted with the ravages of time and to acknowledge that more and more members of our family are aging and will need help to live in a dignified way as the years go by.

At the car boot sale on Sat, I had a long conversation with our resident artist. The result was an invitation to lunch at her place this Wed to have a look at some material she has written. I know she has developed an affection for our family and longs to have a more substantive role to play e.g. de facto granny to my girls. It is something to think about in the longer term. For now, I know God has led me into friendship with this lady for a purpose.

Another lady, the one who wants to help our SS kids learn healthy living, has also recently expressed an interest in my family and a desire to get to know me better. She is recently widowed but you wouldn't know it when you meet her. She is constantly joyful, praising God, reading her Bible, and busying herself with good works: hosting the main course for our church's progressive dinner last year, doing the flower arrangements for church, attending talks and learning something new, coming up with ideas to stimulate us spiritually. We plan to get together after her daughter's wedding in late April.

I just want to give God thanks that there are people out there who are thinking of our family's emotional and physical needs and offering to meet some of those needs.

Like our pastor's wife, who just last Sat offered to babysit our girls so that Calvin and I can have a night out by ourselves. (Although when we discussed it, we couldn't figure out where we would want to go or what we would do without the girls. How sad is that??)

It takes great effort and commitment to put up your hand and say you'll do this and that extra thing for someone just because you noticed that they have a need. I have often noticed that it is usually the individuals who already lead seemingly busy lives, who from the outside appear to have too much to do, who are the first to step forward.

What a humbling lesson for me, who often get sucked into my own busyness and forget to lift up my head and expand my view.

But that's not all.

At Sunday service yesterday, I was delighted and astonished to see a familiar elderly Chinese lady and her granddaughter. Her granddaughter Catherine and Beth used to be in the same swimming class at Wyndham Leisure Centre, and her daughter was then expecting her third child. The 3 generations would go swimming every Wed. While Catherine and Beth had their lesson, Grandma, Daughter and 2nd granddaughter Gabrielle would enjoy paddling in the shallow end.

The granny's name is Yang Bin and she comes from Xinjiang near Mongolia and Russia. She doesn't speak any English. She introduced me to her hubby, who had just set foot in Melbourne for the first time in his life. I did my best at speaking to them in Mandarin, and was pleased that Catherine felt able to share some of what's been happening at home.

Afterwards, I felt very disturbed to learn that they had walked all the way from Werribee (a 30-minute walk) to attend our church service, particularly when we drove past the Plaza and saw the three of them sitting on a grass patch - in the heat of the noonday sun. CA and I debated whether we should turn around and offer them a ride, but the thing is, they were killing time before attending the Chinese 2.30 pm service, and besides, we had a prior appointment with our friends.

What Would Jesus Do?

Making Friends Later In Life

It's true that the friends of our youth are the ones that stick the longest, but this week, I have experienced the joy and wonder of new friendships with unexpected individuals.

I am just so grateful that it is still possible to share deeply of one's life with a near-stranger without the benefit of age or phase-in-life similarities, and I plan to savour this connection for as long as both of us want it.

Outcome of The Audition

Got The Call today while in the midst of enjoying the company of my friends at home.

It began with "Unfortunately..."

I tried to find a thread of disappointment or rejection somewhere within - but couldn't find any.

Honestly, I was just relieved.

I've been having second and third thoughts the further I got along in the recruitment process, and wondering what would happen if I really had to make my way to and from classes in winter when I can't see well enough to drive.

I am glad I tried, and that I got as far as I did. Now I can go all out with my ONE Group business and make 2010 my year of success. Yeah! :-)

I Feel Strong When...

I have been devouring Marcus Buckingham's strengths-based books and raving about them to readers of my careers website.

One of the activities he recommends in Go Put Your Strengths to Work: 6 Powerful Steps to Achieve Outstanding Performance is called a Strength Statement Card.

It's a great way to capture, clarify and confirm your strengths.

For instance, one of his strength statements says: "I feel strong when...I present, but only to a large group of people, on a subject I know a lot about, when I'm completely prepared, and when I know my presentation will further a mission."

The statement may mean nothing to anyone who reads it, but it means a lot to the creator, because it tells him exactly what makes him excel at his work.

Just yesterday, I had an extraordinary moment of strength while chatting with a friend's cousin. The cousin is here on holiday from Sg, and I soon discovered we had plenty in common. That made it easy to strike up a conversation.

Legal background.
Gave up full-time work to focus on her child's education and wellbeing.
Accustomed to Sg lifestyle of ready support from extended family and domestic help.
Struggling with the Big Decision:
Should she or should she not give up her comfortable Sg lifestyle to migrate to Aus?
What if things don't work out?
What if she can't get a job in Aus?

I sensed an immediate connection and a strong sense that she was bursting to tell someone all those things. And I happened to be there at the right place and the right time.

Synchronicity.

We chatted a bit and I shared my two cents' worth. What I particularly remember is a moment when I said (and I don't even know why I said it, and it certainly wasn't a sentiment I had ever expressed before) - "Singaporeans will thrive anywhere in the world. We've got a lot of positive traits and a good work ethic" etc etc.

My conversation partner said she was glad to hear me say all that.

Today, I heard from my friend that after talking to me, her cousin (who has held Aus PR for the past 15 years but has continually put off uprooting) is now a little more receptive to the idea of migrating to Aus.

How does that make me feel?

I guess you could say it makes me smile. :-)

Not because the outcome of her cousin's decision making makes a difference to me. It is after all a huge decision that she must arrive at and persuade herself of when she has made it. But simply because it confirmed what I'd already sensed while talking with her: there is a power that shines forth when I speak my truth from my heart.

So if I can distill down that act and the feeling into a strength statement, it would look like this (in very rough form):

I feel strong when...
I talk with someone who is contemplating or seeking change in her way of living, and I offer a thought, a personal truth or my perspective in a way that powerfully moves her to make a decision and to move forward and begin to live according to her new choices.

Overwhelmed By Gratitude

I went to the ATM this morning to get some money for the gardener for tomorrow.

As I studied the tiny balance displayed on the screen, the feeling that came to me was one of...GRATITUDE.

Strange, isn't it? Here I am feeling blessedly provided for and taken care of even though my bank balance is missing a few zeroes at the end.

Yet why should I not feel thankful?

I have a home that is perfect for us and for our guests.

My husband has just had his contract renewed.

There are redraw funds available for school fees.

The children are healthy.

My creative right brain continues to suggest random ideas and to hear where Brass or Fantasia might fit in during band practice.

My passion for words, careers, wellbeing and growth is alive and well (sometimes a trickle, sometimes a torrent).

And I still (foolishly, perhaps) believe that each of us can make a difference in the world.

Yes, God is good - even in the midst of bushfires, floods, unsolved murders and the seeming senselessness of life.

Thoughts on Ageing

Lately, I have been thinking about ageing.

It started with the shocking discovery of 5 or 6 white hairs on the top of my head. I haven't had my hair coloured since I was pregnant with my younger daughter, who just turned 2. I've no plans to dye my hair for the sake of covering up the evidence of ageing. I may change my mind though.

Today, I was thinking about something that I find profoundly difficult: my mother. What will I do as she gets older? Will I have to move back to Sg? If I don't move in with her, what kind of example will I be setting for my children? And if I do move in with her, how will I cope with all the emotional baggage from our dysfunctional relationship that I've suppressed for the past 20 years?

I read stories of people who have done well and wonder: what will it be like when my husband and I are in our 50's? Will we have the means and the options, or will our options be constrained by our means? Will we do a sea change - retirement village - aged care home, and all the way the gradual but certain descent into physical immobility?

Two things remind me of how transient and irrelevant all these anxieties are. At the same time, the words of One who was both human and divine come back to me. Life is meant to be abundant and joyful, regardless of one's personal circumstances and bank balance.

"I am come that they may have life, and have it more abundantly."

The first is The Shack, one of the most uplifting and transforming books I've read.

In the novel, Jesus tells me what I need to know but have forgotten.

• Life is about relationships, not rules.
• God is about love (a verb), not religious institutions.
• God doesn't want to make people into Christians; He wants to invite them into a relationship with Him.
• We have inherited a broken world because Adam sinned. If he had resisted the temptation to be independent, we would still be living in Eden and not arguing about climate change. Evil comes from wanting to be independent of God.
• God does not cause tragedy; tragedy is the consequence of a sinful and imperfect world that has chosen to live apart from God. But God can use tragedy to bring about a greater good.

The second reality check came from reading about the work of FoodWaterShelter, an Australian non-profit organization dedicated to buiilding villages for orphans in East Africa. The FWS team is made up completely of volunteers. One of the founding members talked of how she felt frustrated by the inability of many of her countrymen to appreciate how far they had come and how blessed they are.

This extract from the FWS website neatly sums up why they operate the way they do:

By using our creativity and forethought from the outset, we plan to impart knowledge and skills in a way that ensures we are needed less as each project develops. This not only allows us to concentrate our services where they are most required, when they are most required, but also ensures we leave the locals a legacy – and that’s what we’re all about.

In the end, life is about living well and dying well. Raging against the dying of the light is not part of the Grand Design. Life was not meant to be held on to tightly, but is just a doorway to something better and more beautiful and more lasting than our limited minds can imagine. In the meantime, there is much abundant living for me to do, and that includes thinking more about how I can make a difference in the world and less of how I can get those things I think I need to live well (like financial freedom: what does that mean anyway?).

When God Provides

Today, I had to drive somewhere I'd never driven by myself.

If it wasn't to fulfil a commitment I'd made, I'm sure I would've found lots of excuses not to go.

So I did what I could: I checked Melway, looked up the Street Directory website to make sure I had the most current map, and prayed a simple prayer as I got behind the wheel.

Whenever I drive someplace new, I always feel like I'm holding my breath the whole way through. That's how anxious I get. I'm also beset by a variety of obstacles: inexperience, poor hand-eye-foot coordination, slow reflexes, slow brain. None are helpful when you need to drive and navigate.

Near Thames Boulevard on Heaths Road, I looked into the rearview mirror and found a white car tailgating me.

There's nothing that makes me more nervous than a car following too closely.

The driver in question was unfortunate to be behind me on a single-lane road. I couldn't pull over to let him overtake, the road was that narrow.

It took me a while to shake off the sense that I was holding him up. I tried accelerating, but ended up going over the 70 kmh mark, so I had to slow down again. I wonder what he must have been thinking while stuck behind me.

As I stressed about road signs and whether I was headed in the right direction, a funny thought came to me. It might have been a way to combat all that stress, but I wondered: what if the driver was a guardian angel sent by God to ensure I got to Manor Lakes?

And you know what was even stranger?

Just as I went through the last section of Ballan Road and approached the entrance to Manor Lakes, I glanced into my rearview mirror and the white car that had tailed me all the way along Heaths Road...was gone.

Something similar happened on the way home.

I'd read the map, knew what landmarks to look out for, but was still nervous about getting home safely.

As I got on to Ballan Road, a blue 4WD tailed me. This time, I wasn't as stressed. I just thought: thanks God, another guardian angel! The blue 4WD followed me all the way along Ballan Road and half of Heaths Road. By this time I'd gotten my bearings and knew I was close to home. I signalled to switch to the left lane, expecting the 4WD to overtake now I was out of his way. The driver chose not to, and maintained his speed so that I was able to see him way behind in the right lane as I prepared to turn into Barber Drive and home.

God had heard and God had answered - in His own special way. Thank you Lord.

Hitting The Books Again

The lifelong learner is at it again. :-)

I have just enrolled in a Diploma of Professional Book Editing, Proofreading and Publishing with the Australian College of Queensland.

It's a home study course, which means I can achieve my objectives without having to attend classes outside the home.

To enable me to really study and get the most out of this opportunity, we plan to put J in childcare twice a week.

This is subject to us qualifying for Family Tax Benefits in the new FY, because childcare is costly here (at least $1k pm!) and we couldn't afford it on one income.

I've had people ask why I'm doing this course when I'm already a working editor/proofreader. My point is that what I've learnt from doing is probably just the tip of the iceberg.

To be able to pitch for bigger projects, I must position myself with confidence, and I can only be confident about what I know well. I can't be hazarding guesses or I won't inspire confidence in future clients.

So it's about skills upgrading, which is something I passionately believe in anyway.

The bonus in all this is that the VIC government and the school I'm enrolled in are actually sponsoring my course (otherwise I couldn't afford the commitment at this time of my life). I'm doing the course with a government grant called the Parents Return To Work initiative, and an additional subsidy from school.

I don't have to put in a cent of my own, just the hard yards.

And that's not a hard thing to do when you're doing something you love. :-)

I had a quick look at my course materials and was really excited to see they've included a copy of the Macquarie Pocket Dictionary of Australian English.

My course tutor is a lady who runs her own editing and proofreading business from her farm in country NSW, in between watching the lambs, calves and grass grow.

How inspiring's that?

Busting 2 Barriers In A Day

Have you ever felt afraid to try something new and just kept finding excellent excuses to put it off?

Two of my biggest challenges as a fairly new P-plater are: one, driving on the freeway by myself; two, tanking up at the petrol station by myself.

This past Monday, I accomplished both.

My friend Annie likes to remind me that I need to be pushed into a corner before I'll respond positively to a new challenge.

She's right.

The only reason I busted out of my two Fear Zones was because of a serendipitous conversation.

Chatting with a fellow mum at school, I casually said perhaps we could arrange a play date over the coming hols.

She said sure, why not, and then remembered that she was hosting a tea party for another little girl who is her daughter's best friend and also a classmate of Beth.

She said would Beth like to come to the tea party? It would be after school on Monday.

I thought, why not, and said "Sure!".

Then I found out this lady lives in Point Cook, 10 km and several suburbs away.

I've never driven out of the Werribee/Hoppers area on my own, and I tell you I was terrified.

Not only that, it being Monday (day before fill-up-the-petrol-tank-cheaply day), the needle on our fuel tank was running dangerously close to 'E'...

That meant I'd have to take the car to the petrol station by myself.

I seriously contemplated backing out of the party, but then thought, that would make me such a loser. I mean, who pulls out of a party just because they don't know how to fill up the car?

So I summoned up my courage and drove to the Safeway petrol station after playgroup and queued up behind another car.

I tried to recall all the steps CA normally takes (which just float over me when I'm the passenger) and - surprise! - no one stared or honked or did anything to make me feel conspicuous. I managed to put in $20 worth of petrol, which CA assured me was plenty for the journey to Point Cook.

At school, I bumped into the mum of the little girl who was to be the main star of the tea party. At the risk of sounding like an idiot, I confessed that I wasn't sure I could find my way to Point Cook on my own, or find my way back if the party ended late (cos I have poor night vision).

She kindly offered to direct the way by driving ahead of me slowly.

Which she did, so getting to Point Cook was a breeze.

We all had a lovely time at the party.

There were pink helium balloons, pink Cinderella plates and napkins, and HEAPS of food.

I later found out it was a surprise birthday tea party for Maddison, whose birthday was two days after!

Anywayz, as the evening got on and it started getting dark, hubby called and asked, "Where are you?"

He knew I was going to be in Point Cook and was worried I wouldn't be able to see my way home in time. (It's winter so it gets dark around 5 pm.)

I promised to go home right away, and hung up.

Maddie's mum noticed my increasing anxiety, and suggested kindly that perhaps we should get going.

How grateful I felt!

Driving home was again as easy as keeping an eye on the car in front, because again Maddie's mum was there to lead the way.

I was so pleased to find myself in familiar territory sooner than I expected.

Now I know Point Cook is really only just beyond the Old Geelong Rd/C701, which makes it fairly straightforward getting from here to there.

The next time I have to drive into Point Cook, I won't be as nervous.

Thanks Margaret!! You're an angel!

And thank you Lord, for once again stretching me and making me grow.

Which is better, to give or to receive?

The Scriptures say, "It is more blessed to give than to receive."

And indeed, giving is the more comfortable thing for most of us to do. It is consistent with our family upbringing and with cultural norms. We feel good when we are the givers. Perhaps we even secretly congratulate ourselves on how noble and altruistic we are.

In this week's message, Pastor Paul Blacker points out that there is another side to the question of giving and receiving.

How do you respond, he asks, when someone - for whatever reason - wants to bless you or help you in some way in a spirit of generosity?

Are you embarrassed?

Do you make a polite protest that you should not receive the gift (as those of us who are Asians are wont to do!)?

Do you try to give it back, or refuse to accept a shout (i.e. a treat) when out for a meal?

This is a very real issue, and one we ourselves faced this week. A dear friend went home after a month's stay with our family, and surprised us with an amazing love gift.

Pastor Paul explains that just as we are sometimes challenged to give for the sake of others, so too, we may be challenged to receive a blessing from another.

There is a profound lesson to be learnt here.

It's about the circle of life, about how so much of life functions in pairs of opposites.

Yin and Yang. Black and white. The tide ebbs and flows. The moon waxes and wanes. The sun rises and sets. Death and life. Good and evil.

So too with giving and receiving.

The LORD may inspire you to bless this person at this time through an act of giving.

At another time, the LORD may inspire someone else to be the channel through which His grace and generosity can touch you.

So is it better to give or to receive?

Does it even matter?

I remember some years ago our home church PLCMC had this motto: Blessed To Be A Blessing.

It is God who blesses, in order that we might be a blessing to others.

If today we are called to receive, let us do so with glad and thankful hearts, recognizing the true Source of the blessing, and rejoicing with the giver in this opportunity to partake of His grace.
If we are called to give, let us do so with glad and thankful hearts, knowing that it is God from whom all blessings flow.

Am I Ambitious?

Dictionary.com defines an ambitious person as "a person who wishes to rise above his or her present position or condition. The ambitious person wishes to attain worldly success, and puts forth effort toward this end".

Recently, I was reading an article about ambitious parents who overstimulate their kids with all sorts of extracurricular activities. One parent bought her son a PDA to help him keep track of his schedule. He's involved in baseball, football, basketball, swimming, etc. He is 10 years old.

Beth leaned over, saw the headline and asked, "Are you an ambitious parent?"

I paused.

How do I answer?

If I say yes, should I feel bad about it? Does being an ambitious parent make me one of those scary Asian parents who push their children academically and send them to private schools and drive up house prices in the school zone?
If I say no, does it mean I'm lazy and lackadaisical and setting up my children for underachievement?

At this point, Beth goes to jazz and tap class, Chinese class and Yamaha keyboard class. Her Saturdays are mad. We have to schedule our activities around her class times. But last I checked, she loves her ECAs. Okay, maybe not the Chinese class. Yet. We read the 南瓜青年 story (a weird tale, that one) the other day and she made me tell it in English!

She's been begging us to send her to swimming classes. We keep putting her off, telling her she's got quite enough to do now that she gets extra homework from her teacher.

Sometimes, Beth frets that she doesn't know what she wants to be when she grows up.

I tell her there's plenty of time and plenty of options. Besides, Mummy's nearly 38 and still isn't quite sure she's in her dream career. Not a particularly inspiring role model, huh?

So am I ambitious as a parent?

I suppose it must be yes. I have dreams and expectations. I also have a good idea of my children's abilities. I want them to have every opportunity to explore those abilities and see where they lead. It's all about possibilities and potential and finding out how far one can go. I don't think I'd be the sort of parent who takes a "bo chap/anything also can" attitude to my children's development. I would want to have a say in how they're getting on, to help if I can, and to find help if I must.

Just because a person is inclined towards one field doesn't mean she has to become a professional in that field. There are so many ways to use a God-given gift.

What I do stress to Beth is that God gives gifts for a purpose, not just for our pleasure but also to serve others. If she's a gifted reader, there must be something God wants her to do with her gift. Perhaps she could encourage her friends to read good books, or she could read to the littlies (like J)?

So yes, I am an ambitious parent.

I hope to raise ambitious children. As opposed to children who can't be bothered to learn and to make the most of their blessings.

I am still learning all the nuances of what ambition means. As the girls go through the school years, I am certain there will be ample opportunity for our family to find out together.

What Is The Ruling Force Of Your Life?

The devotional for 2 Timothy in my Couples' Devotional Bible starts with this statement:

"God's truth - not our emotions - should be the ruling force in our lives."

What rules our lives?
What makes our unmakes our mood for the day?
Do we live our lives determined to get our way, happy only if things fall in place exactly as we intended?

Or do we leave room for God to move, to surprise us, to change us?

I am reminded of an analogy a friend shared many years ago.

She said that when we clench our fists tightly because we want to hold on to what we have, we are really preventing Him from pouring more wonderful gifts and treasures into our hands.

There just isn't enough room.

"Happiness... is usually rooted in circumstances that bring positive feelings. However, rejoicing is in the Lord, the One who is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow...

Negative feelings will not be absent from our lives, but in spite of them, Christ will become the integrating force, enabling us to walk among negative feelings in a way that honors him."

May we be models of a deeper, stronger and higher truth even when life is against us.

The Next Phase: Becoming A Church Elder

At last Sun's congregational meeting, CA and another member were elected elders of Hoppers Crossing Uniting Church.

When I think about how new we are in Aus and how much we have to learn about so many things here, I am like "Wow! Really?"

I remember looking up 1 Timothy in the Bible to see what the apostle Paul had to say about church leaders.

It's quite a sobering list.

A church deacon/overseer must be:

• Husband of only one wife
• Temperate
• Self-controlled
• Respectable/Worthy of respect
• Hospitable
• Able to teach
• Not given to drunkenness
• Not violent but gentle
• Not quarrelsome
• Not a lover of money/Not pursuing dishonest gain
• Must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect
• Must not be a recent convert
• Must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience
• Must first be tested, and appointed only if there is nothing against them
• Must have a good reputation with outsiders

I reckon the bit about managing the family well is our Challenge of the Moment.

Beth has been acting up since she started school.

She actually defies us when we tell her to Go To The Corner, and says NO and has to be physically escorted there.

I can't believe how out of hand things get at home sometimes, and how inept I feel as a parent when the girls test our authority.

It makes me wonder: are we as a family up to handling CA's new position of responsibility?

Surely we ought to be role models like the ones described in Steve Green's Household of Faith song first?

On the other hand, this is our chance to serve in Hoppers Crossing, this community where we live, worship and go to school.

To - as a friend back home puts it - bloom where we are planted.

I need to trust that God knows what He's doing (even when I don't), that He has a plan for us, and that His plan is to prosper us and not to harm us, to give us hope and a future here, right here in the suburb of Hoppers Crossing in the City of Wyndham in Melbourne, Australia.

And not only to trust, but also to obey.

As the hymn goes: "Trust and obey/For there's no other way/To be happy in Jesus/But to trust and obey".

Goals Are Gained Through Small Steps

I love this article from Beth's school newsletter.

GOALS ARE GAINED THROUGH SMALL STEPS!

Do you feel like there's a huge gap between your present position and your ultimate destination?

You say, "Yes, I'd like to be a lawyer, but that means I'd have to go to Uni and do a degree. That would take years!"

"I have so many other things I'd like to do."

"I don't think I could take the risk. It will create financial hardship."

"I don't know how to get started."

The excuses pile up like dirty dishes in a sink; it feels like it would take too long, cost too much, require too much energy, require too many sacrifices to get from point A to point B.

Whether it's making an effort at school, or starting your own business or applying the discipline required to make it happen, the temptation is to always put it off until another time.

How do you overcome the fear of starting? The simple answer is that you reach big goals by taking small steps! While it's tempting to think that the amount of time required is too long, those days and years will pass quickly - whether you're pursuing your goal or not! You need to make an early start and for students it is right now - at the beginning of the year!

You need to show up for duty and leave the provisions - to Him. The Psalmist writes: "No good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly."
(Psalm 84:11)

Trust God and take the first small step, but do something! Don't just sit around hoping it will all just fall into place. If you do nothing, we will be here same time next year, asking the same questions.

Principal
Reynald Tibbens
Heathdale Christian College

Reflection:
When you consider that this article was written for the students of Heathdale, it's just amazing.
Can you imagine the ripple effect it can have on its readers - parents, siblings, friends - and its power to change the lives of those who are ready and open?
I felt so awed and inspired when I read it, and almost wished I'd written it myself.
Its simple and succinct content is at once a reminder, a clarion call to action, a nudge in the direction of self-discipline, and something I can paste on the fridge and refer to every day.
With a Christ-focused principal like RT, I know my daughter is in good hands.