Christmas this year began early at 7.30am as i prepared to meet Joyce, Siming, Johan and Swee Sing for breakfast at centrepoint Mac. then we proceeded to Newton's Life Church for service before returning to our church for service. Then it was lunch with Joyce and Su Teck at TBP food court. And Joyce bumped into her SA friends and so the 3 of us went for her friend's birthday bbq. Then we left early to PS to meet Michelle and Jess for dinner at CArtel. wow...what a filled day. I had literally seen Joyce the whole day and had all 3 meals with her!!!! haha..not that i'm complaining...cos we seldom spend so much time together. so it was good.
and this Christmas day, i realised that for the past 3 yrs, i have been spending it with the same few people and has been going to the same few churches each year. Not that i am complaining, but i really hope for a breakthrough in the Christmas celebration. Actually i still think going to church on Christmas is a must. In addition, if i could have it my way, i would like to celebrate this special day with lots of friends and most importantly , with my family. It has been a long time since my whole family sat down for a decent meal. and now it has become a dream of mine to be able to have such a feast with my family on this day. Thou it seems quite impossible now, i am still hoping that one day, it will be fulfilled. and with God in our midst and our loved ones, there's nothing more i'd ask for, for Christmas.
Actually i am fortunate already...who knows how many goes hungry this Christmas. and how many did not live to see Christmas. we are indeed a fortunate lot. and let's be thankful for all that we have ya?
and i wanna add that i also saw my own BIG flaws this Christmas day. I find that i am very selfish when it comes to food, i dont like to share and i wanna make sure i have enough to eat first before sharing. It is always me before others. and how i dont like to share? always so afriad that if i share i will be shortchanged and not have enough? hmmm.. Serene Tan...u gotta wake up. You gotta change. I think so too. i dont like this aspect of me..so self centered and selfish. Always want to fulfil my own needs before others. Yes, u can say Man is elfish and that is human nature...but i believe we have the capacity to be selfless and compasionate? Afterall, we are made in God's image and likeness. So if God is selfless and compassionate, i believe it is within us to do the same too. Dear Lord, i pray u teach me to be like u O Lord. To give out of love and not fear. To give unconditionally. and not to be afraid of any lack, for in you i have everything i'll need. and that ur grace is sufficient for me. Teach me that O Lord. Thank You Lord. In Jesus's precious's name i pray, Amen!
and i've realised u know u are a true pal if u feel the pain when ur friends cry and u share in the joy when your friend succeed. It is not about comparing ur life with ur friend and start looking at what she has that u don't have. But to rejoice with her when she;s happy and cry with her if she's sad! It's all about caring, not comparing. It's all about encouraging, not chiding. It's all about sacrificing, not taking. It's all about sincere and genuine concern, not some pat on the back. and i am so thankful for Joyce.....she's been all that and more to me. I rem she will share all that she has with me, even up to all and the little she has. and she is always so encouraging even while listening to my complaints. and she would share with me the good things she has.. and she would even when she cant help me, would offer to help in other practical ways. She is also a good reflector of who i really am, with objectivity and wisdom. I know she will always stand by me, no matter what. and i have nothing more to ask for. This is specially dedicated to u my friend! Thank you for the years walked, the journey travelled. U have truly been more than a blessing in my life. =)
Michelle and Jess, u guys too. Without u guys, i guess my darkest days will have been much darker. we have been thru so much together, and much more wiser and mature. but there's always something in life worth looking forward to ya? let us not always be so jaded and pessimistic ok! There's hope! bcos there's a God that cares! I really pray that each of u will find true happiness and joy in ur lives. U gals have been thru so much, i really pray u will truly be happy in ur lives. and live purposeful lives, lead fulfilling lives and a life full of God's love, peace, hope and joy! I pray that God will bless ur families and other halves too, with love and peace. Pray that God will bless u guys with what u truly need...that u shall not lack anything. Pray that u'll know God one day, ur creator and saviour.
Su Yin, u too. thou we seldom spend time together now, i know u treasure our friendship a lot. and i really appreciate ur encouragement now and then. always asking abt my wellbeing. dear friend, really glad u came to accept and love the Lord, truly, it has been a blessing and encouragement seeing u being blessed and finding joy in the Lord. May God cont to be so real in ur life. May ur family come to know God's great lve too. Press on. I'm sure God will give u the wisdom to know what to do. Trust Him alone. =)
Dear Lord, friends are precious gifts from u to us. I pray that u help me to be a better friend. Bless all my friends too Lord. Bless them abundantly and exceedingly, so that they truly know what a loving God u are. help them to be a blessings to others too. Thank You Lord. In Jesus's precious name i pray all these, Amen.
Dear friends, may we always walk together, in the good and the bad. I pray that God will continue to bless our friendship. and i thank God for all of u.
