Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Falls to the ground and dies

“Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.”
John 12:24

Sunday, January 24, 2016

#NoteToSelf

The greatest surprises often come in the least expected times.

This morning was one.

I got ready for church as usual. Nothing was different about the morning until I stepped out of the house and my elderly but friendly uncle neighbour was leaving the house too. It was not normal for him to ask but he asked where I was heading.

A thousand replies ran through my head and I could have justified myself that the most I could do was to give him a ride to the bus stop along the main road. I refused to be quick to rationalise myself so I offered him a ride anyway, without clarifying where both of us were actually going.

The context of this relationship was that this uncle is already a grandfather himself, has a heart condition and despite his failing body, he faithfully steps out weekly to clear the fallen leaves and rubbish along the common road of our homes. Though they were numerous, he would painstakingly and patiently sweep them in, one at a time.

Surely some see it as a waste of time or even an inefficient model yet there was something beautiful to learn from this.

Anyway back to the ride. I was actually heading South towards Aljunied and he was going to AMK. So I sent him anyway. The gist of my learning this learning was to be humble and patient. I was not really in a rush for anything, just a habit of sticking to the routine. I knew I would be later than usual to reach the carpark but I decided today, it is okay.

I dropped him off nearby the market where he was going to. Had a glean into his past and hearing his sharing of his life, then and now. He had a tough and hard life. He had no qualifications. Yet he came through and now, he is a grandfather.

And this young man had much to learn. For one, I learned through him to recognise the road planning in AMK and to path find my way around AMK. I thought I already knew but no. This morning, I learned much and I'm thankful I did.

So here's to slowing down and be patient. Often, we hurry through life when we are suppose to enjoy life itself.