15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Colossians 3:15-17
God puts people in our path to guide or awaken us. He does this for our own good. Often it is a warning for us to change something in our lives. We can either be receptive to it or not.
They can be family, friends, colleagues, acquaintances, and even passing strangers. Sometimes our hearts can be tied in knots, and at times we can be downright mad! We can experience hurt. The lost of a friend can be a sad occasion, something gained, or a lesson learnt.
Never feel regret.
I have learnt over time to really appreciate the people who moves in and out, and, around and about my life. I’ve learnt to steer clear of toxic people, just as I hold on to those who are positive. Like my journey with Jesus, there are moments of hot and cold – closeness and distance.
Christian friendships are blessings from God. My earliest memory goes all the way back to the days when I was a wayward teen to a Librarian named Dorothy. As a young intern working, she took her time to teach me my job duties. We became friends. She often invited me to her home for English Tea. She introduced to me classical music. She opened for me the world outside of my Chinese one. She was the epitome of a Christian woman, who shared with me her love of God, and often told me stories of her life as a young girl growing up in London during the war.
The godly give good advice to their friends; the wicked lead them astray.
(Proverbs 12:26, NLT)
When I first started to work as an educator with young children, I meet Grace. She was a colleague. Her positive personality drew me to her. She was a devoted mother who loved to cook and bake, and very often made goodies for all the staff. She was creative with her hands and inspired to me use my own painterly and artistic talents. She was someone I could talk to about God, especially when I didn’t feel His presence. As I reflect on it, God put her in my path to open my heart and mind to Him. She has long since retired as an educator, and will always be remembered for being a Christian role model for me.
I like to imagine God as a weaver – our life thread in His hands moving in and out of the canvas and embellishing it with pearls and gems (pearls and gems – the people who crosses our paths).
As I get older, I kind of like to think I am getting wiser. I have learnt to walk a more focused path and make a conscious effort to walk in the light. With every step I take, I grasp onto Jesus’ hand.
Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
Colossians 3:13 NIV
Enza is a long time colleague and sponsor for my path towards Catholicism. She was also my mentor when I first started teaching. She is the voice of calm to my vociferous hyperactivity. Yes, we are total opposites. I have always admired her kind and loving nature. She often sends me Mother Theresa meme, and for the life of me, I couldn’t understand why. I remember texting her to stop. Yes, I admit I was rude and unappreciative. It was only when I was on my own path towards the Catholic Faith that I understood why she sent those memes to me. She was sending me positive messages. Mother Theresa is also her Patron Saint and someone she admires deeply, so she shared them with me. When I realized my bad deed, I humbly apologized to Enza.
Thank you to all the people in my life!
God Bless!
Be Inspired! 