Thankful Thoughts

Happy Thanksgiving<3

I like how every last Thursday of November brings out this innate desire in people, Christian or not, to slow down, enjoy company, and give thanks--to acknowledge that wow, we are so blessed. Yes, the looming excitement of black Friday shopping has been increasingly threatening the blessed moments of this holiday season (take for example the tent set up in front of Best Buy this afternoon), but to me, there's still a sacredness to today that no crazed shopper can wholly disregard. You're making a little extra food, inviting the neighbor for dinner, calling a friend you haven't talked to in ages, or simply learning to smile more.



Whether someone attributes this all to Christ or not, there seems to be an undeniable comfort that comes from acknowledging that there's someone out there to thank for all this. Imagine if this were everyday here in the States, in the world...what a changed place we would see.

Lord, thank you for opening our eyes to see the wonders of your grace. May we learn to thank you like this every day. Please use us to reveal yourself to the world so that the source of these blessings will no longer be a mystery to them.

I thanked God a lot today, especially as I realized that this was my family's first Thanksgiving meal together, in one country, in one state, in one city, in what seemed like a really long time. I forgot how I much missed this. Thank you for bringing us safely together in one home again.



On that note, I also thank God for His word.
First His word in flesh, that is Jesus Christ.
And His word that I can read daily whenever I want.
I still have to remind myself that there are people in the world desperately waiting for the next chapter of the Bible to be translated into their language. I still have to remind myself that my Wimbum family still does not have a copy of the Old Testament that I have been enjoying tonight.

So on that last note, I also thank God for prayer.
For constant communication and a relationship with my Father.
The gift also given to little people like me to ask for big things from Him.
I began "The Prayer of Jabez for teens" by Bruce Wilkinson before cooking today and finished it after our delicious dinner tonight. Short read and jam-packed with such insight into a section of the Bible that I had obviously glossed over without much thought. I will comment on this tomorrow, but I highly recommend it. Simply put, I should not limit myself in prayer.

Thank you. 감사합니다. Merci. Beri weh.

It's like...

excitedly waving at someone across the hall from you
and receiving a wave back.
You smile and beam with joy.
Then you realize that person had been waving
to someone behind you.

You have created your own reality, which wasn't one at all.
Your hopes are shattered when you realize
you were alone all along.
That temporary moment of joy
was founded upon a figment of your imagination.

And then.
And then?

You notice someone standing in the corner
who had witnessed the entire scene.
He knows.
You blush with embarrassment.
You want to hide.
He smiles.
He walks over and sweeps you into His arms.
And you realize
Joy was there.
Hope was there.
You just couldn't see.
You were too busy waving at someone else.
You were too busy conjuring up your own happiness
when, the truth is,
reality was so much better.

Romans 5:8
Thank you Daddy.

Psalm 23:1-3

"Da Boss Above, he take care me,
Jalike da sheep farma take care his sheeps.
He goin give me everyting I need.

He let me lie down wea da sweet an soft grass stay.
He lead me by da water wea I can rest.

He give me new kine life.
He lead me in da road dat stay right,
Cuz I his guy."

-Psalm 23:1-3 (Hawaiian Pidgin Bible)

Besides hearing firsthand accounts from Wycliffe missionaries who have served in places I have never heard of and learned languages that I never even knew existed, one of the highlights of my summer was coming across all kinds of Bible translations. This one was one of my favorites.

"Cuz I his guy" hehe :)

Afternoon Musings

Sunlight is filtering through the skylight in the atrium of the campus center as I quietly type away. I hear doors creak open and slam shut, and the constant murmur of the cafeteria ladies chattering down the hallway. This hidden treasure is tucked away behind the marketplace, and I forgot about it until I found my way back here to take passport photos. I found a solitary sunlit corner particularly appealing and settled down, but privacy is hard to find on a campus like this.

In the past hour, the familiar faces behind the sushi stand, salad bar, and cash register have been making an appearance here. I have unknowingly gained access backstage where I see these workers outside of the usual context--some take off their aprons and plop down on a chair while others stop in to make a brief phone call. The nice Asian man is currently dozing on the couch and his gentle rhythmic breathing has inspired me to write today. So this is where they rest...this is where they escape from the constant crowd of college students and catch their breath.

I guess God also wanted me to spend my last week as a twenty-year old resting and musing on life. Thanks to my dear English professor's speaking engagement in Montreal and a French colloquium taking place this weekend, I have been enjoying a rare afternoon without classes, wandering through campus and taking in the sunshine.

The day started early when I ran through DoG street with two friends, completely thrilled by the crisp blue skies and the promise of a beautiful fall day. After attending an informational luncheon on Teach for America, nostalgia hit me as the recruiter recounted her experiences teaching in Philadelphia. Of course I spent the last hour flipping through old pictures from last summer. I miss my students. I spoke to her afterward, presenting my own qualms and hopes. She also had dreams to work in Africa but decided to stay here in the end. Her reasoning?

"If there was a fire in my house and a house a block away from me, I would first put out the one closer to me."

Hm, something to think about.

As I dip my feet into different interests and often walk away even more confused and more torn about what the future will hold, I appreciate how God is showing me the current needs in this world. It's like a game of "hot and cold"...my heart is getting really excited these days, and I know I'm getting warmer...I'm getting closer.

Tiny Times Ten

Did you know that long ago "awful" actually meant "awe-inspiring"?
I've been realizing just how much the Bible speaks for our heart sometimes,
and Psalm 8 was the first thing that came into my mind as I saw this video.

¹ O LORD, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory
above the heavens.

² From the lips of children and infants
you have ordained praise
because of your enemies,
to silence the foe and the avenger.

³ When I consider your heavens,
the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
which you have set in place,

⁴ what is man that you are mindful of him,
the son of man that you care for him?

⁵ You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings
and crowned him with glory and honor.

⁶ You made him ruler over the works of your hands;
you put everything under his feet:

⁷ all flocks and herds,
and the beasts of the field,

⁸ the birds of the air,
and the fish of the sea,
all that swim the paths of the seas.

⁹ O LORD, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!

How awe-ful is He. The God who holds the world is holding us right now!

PS. If you haven't already, I highly recommend reading "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan :]

Not Mine

"The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it,
the world, and all who live in it" -Psalm 24:1

Everything belongs to the Lord.
Everything.
the health of my family.
the pastor moving to Iraq.
the friend.
the application in the mail.
the next few weeks.
my life.

So why are you so unsettled?

Everything belongs to the Lord.
Let go of your worries,
your petty jealousies,
and your futile complaints.

Stop trying to take the pen, Cathy.
He is the sole author of your life.

Work in Progress

"Jesus is preparing a place for us and preparing us for that place."

note to self: Jesus is preparing a place for me and preparing me for that place.

Daddy, please teach me to love the woman you made me to be so I can truly love others. Please forgive me for being so self-absorbed and downcast these days. Clearly when my heart doesn't dwell on You, it dwells on earthly things that bring only feelings of emptiness. Thank you for never giving up on me and for reminding me that You're doing a work in me, even when I am unaware of it. Please teach me to recognize my weaknesses so I can rely on Your strength. Please teach my heart to stop dwelling on my flaws and to look to Jesus who took all my sins upon Himself in order to set me free.

Lord, I long for freedom in You.
Lord, I long for that place.
Lord, I long for You.