Finally, after a long while, we visited a care group near our place.
No expectations, I was told. Just be open to share & to receive.
The thing I realised about care group this time round is, I now see that it's really about the people. There is a need for care group so that there is a space for different shapes, sizes and patterns of believers to be in, a place where there is acceptance of views & differences, and a place to share and support on a personal level.
In between experiencing this care group & recalling my previous care group, I concluded that the leaders' sincerity & genuine care is a key, followed by the members' earnest sharing. At least for me, the worship need not be fantastic.
There were times of awkward silences waiting for volunteers to share. There were times of shyness. But what nailed it for me was at the end, when we all prayed together - every square, triangle and polka dot one of us - I could feel the one spirit & the power of being members of Christ's body speaking in faith as one.
Yes, that is the thing about care group.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Freedom II
As part of the experiment part 2, my parents brought Ian with them to their church this morning. Hubby & I got to sleep in, take our time to wash up, and if not for time, would have caught our regular breakfast at a coffeeshop.
The entire morning I reminisced about our pre-Ian era where we had the freedom to have nothing to do and to drive around looking at houses and the luxury of eating wherever we felt like it.
For the day, I even didn't miss Ian. I felt slightly guilty that despite all the feelings of attachment & joy with him, my old selfishness would prevail....I pushed those thoughts back.
We deliberately ate at a hawker centre. I was even moderately excited.
Then responsibility set in & I just wanted to head home soonest to spend precious weekend time with my beloved son.
I think I might be going into the next phase of mummyhood - after being so closely attached to the point of wanting to be with Ian all the time - I now appreciate more whatever personal or couple time I have and do not mind as much those moments away from Ian.
Perhaps he is becoming more of a handful so it truly becomes tiring. Or perhaps it's just part of the seperation anxiety phase - only the mummy is coming out of it before the sonny. Or, perhaps (most likely rather), God has just been ministering & speaking through to me that it's really alright, Ian will be well taken care of by Abba Himself.
Just as well, because this boy I love so much will come into his own one day. & us, we are just stewards playing a fine balance between our overwhelming love for him & not allowing this love to become over possession.
The entire morning I reminisced about our pre-Ian era where we had the freedom to have nothing to do and to drive around looking at houses and the luxury of eating wherever we felt like it.
For the day, I even didn't miss Ian. I felt slightly guilty that despite all the feelings of attachment & joy with him, my old selfishness would prevail....I pushed those thoughts back.
We deliberately ate at a hawker centre. I was even moderately excited.
Then responsibility set in & I just wanted to head home soonest to spend precious weekend time with my beloved son.
I think I might be going into the next phase of mummyhood - after being so closely attached to the point of wanting to be with Ian all the time - I now appreciate more whatever personal or couple time I have and do not mind as much those moments away from Ian.
Perhaps he is becoming more of a handful so it truly becomes tiring. Or perhaps it's just part of the seperation anxiety phase - only the mummy is coming out of it before the sonny. Or, perhaps (most likely rather), God has just been ministering & speaking through to me that it's really alright, Ian will be well taken care of by Abba Himself.
Just as well, because this boy I love so much will come into his own one day. & us, we are just stewards playing a fine balance between our overwhelming love for him & not allowing this love to become over possession.
Our first date past midnight!
Earlier today, Hubby & I caught the F1 qualifying rounds at the Padang... it was our 2nd year watching it at Padang. I was looking forward not just because I wanted to be part of the action but also because I have an excuse to stay out really late with hubby, to try out if my parents would be able to handle Ian without us around at night.
It didnt matter that this year there wasn't any acts I particularly wanted to catch (like Travis last year, which I couldn't attend). It didn't matter that the Padang grounds were wet and muddy and not like our first year where everyone lounged around on the dry grass. Or that in the end the action was mainly cars zooming past many times making a huge racket and us busy checking our iphones for live updates to read so we would know what's happening.
The date was a good breather as we could take our time to have dinner, walk around slow before and after the event, instead of rushing home as we usually do on our dates. We felt obliged to have supper just to be home as late as we can bear.
The experiment turned out pretty successful! My Dad reported that Ian just woke once at 1am. Although he wailed and looked at our bed (as if looking for us), my Mum only had to feed him 60ml before he went back to sleep. Very coorperative of him. Moves me 1 step closer to deciding to go Taipei without him.
Naturally, we couldn't stop thinking or talking about Ian and even while shopping, wanted to only buy his stuff.
I also saw 2 pregnant ladies hanging out at the party, not caring if they would have to walk alot or if the noise would be too much for their baby inside....I should be more let go for my 2nd baby i guess! In addition we spotted 2 other parents who brought their babies - who were at most 1+ years - to the action. All they had to do was to plonk an oversized set of earcovers and all seem well.
I can't wait to bring Ian to watch F1, or National Day Parade, or golf tournaments and all.
It didnt matter that this year there wasn't any acts I particularly wanted to catch (like Travis last year, which I couldn't attend). It didn't matter that the Padang grounds were wet and muddy and not like our first year where everyone lounged around on the dry grass. Or that in the end the action was mainly cars zooming past many times making a huge racket and us busy checking our iphones for live updates to read so we would know what's happening.
The date was a good breather as we could take our time to have dinner, walk around slow before and after the event, instead of rushing home as we usually do on our dates. We felt obliged to have supper just to be home as late as we can bear.
The experiment turned out pretty successful! My Dad reported that Ian just woke once at 1am. Although he wailed and looked at our bed (as if looking for us), my Mum only had to feed him 60ml before he went back to sleep. Very coorperative of him. Moves me 1 step closer to deciding to go Taipei without him.
Naturally, we couldn't stop thinking or talking about Ian and even while shopping, wanted to only buy his stuff.
I also saw 2 pregnant ladies hanging out at the party, not caring if they would have to walk alot or if the noise would be too much for their baby inside....I should be more let go for my 2nd baby i guess! In addition we spotted 2 other parents who brought their babies - who were at most 1+ years - to the action. All they had to do was to plonk an oversized set of earcovers and all seem well.
I can't wait to bring Ian to watch F1, or National Day Parade, or golf tournaments and all.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Great Manager 101
Jesus was an "on-the-ground" type of leader.
His leadership style is not "top-down", relaying messages through his managers, and He did not hide in his comfortable or private cubicle thinking out macro strategies.
He was always amongst the people who need Him.
He ate at the tax collector's house and interacted with the common people. He stopped for the lowly people like the woman with the issue of blood. He preached to the masses from their midst on the things of heaven, yet was able to identify with their earthly real needs by feeding them with the multiplied 5 loaves and 2 fishes. He gives generously at the joyous wedding with miraculously multiplied wine - and not just any wine but good wine.
When Jesus heals, he does it personally, laying his very own hands on the sick.
When Jesus defends, he does it himself, standing up for the despised prosptitute.
When Jesus corrects his disciples, kindness takes precedence over chiding.
Yet Jesus does not shy away from righting the wrongs of the Pharisees and saves His harsh words for these self-righteous people.
Jesus was a leader of the people and He led by example, taught with kindness and with influence.
When Jesus saves, He saves with His very own life and He overpays.
Shades of a great manager: with the people, and on the ground so opportunities can be seen. Generous with kindness and meeting real needs with actual action, not just with words.
Being there in person.
His leadership style is not "top-down", relaying messages through his managers, and He did not hide in his comfortable or private cubicle thinking out macro strategies.
He was always amongst the people who need Him.
He ate at the tax collector's house and interacted with the common people. He stopped for the lowly people like the woman with the issue of blood. He preached to the masses from their midst on the things of heaven, yet was able to identify with their earthly real needs by feeding them with the multiplied 5 loaves and 2 fishes. He gives generously at the joyous wedding with miraculously multiplied wine - and not just any wine but good wine.
When Jesus heals, he does it personally, laying his very own hands on the sick.
When Jesus defends, he does it himself, standing up for the despised prosptitute.
When Jesus corrects his disciples, kindness takes precedence over chiding.
Yet Jesus does not shy away from righting the wrongs of the Pharisees and saves His harsh words for these self-righteous people.
Jesus was a leader of the people and He led by example, taught with kindness and with influence.
When Jesus saves, He saves with His very own life and He overpays.
Shades of a great manager: with the people, and on the ground so opportunities can be seen. Generous with kindness and meeting real needs with actual action, not just with words.
Being there in person.
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