Blessing of the day

A pleasant bus ride to my clinical practicum, because the friendly bus driver took it upon himself to say take care, or have a nice day to every person who got off the bus.  Someone takes the back door? He’ll yell it.

Makes me smile from the inside out when people do small things they don’t have to simply because they care.

Some thoughts;

Purpose? I thought I had an idea, but I’m not sure I really worked on it. Are intentions ever enough?

Without a doubt though, the greatest thing there that I know is family.  To care and be cared for even with an absence of twelve or more years.  Somehow this love is genuine, it can’t really be explained.  Long story short, I have heard and witnessed, and stand amazed at what family can pull you through.  And getting to know and understand my mom and dad’s side of the family – their quirks, their mannerisms, and their upbringing – It’s strange, I’m starting to understand them much more than I ever have these past twenty years.  And honestly, I feel an incredible liberty, being free of any negative attitudes and criticisms I had before.

Spending time with friends and getting to know them even more outside of a busy schedule has been uninhibited and awesome too. 

The society:  God really works in different ways in different places.  Perhaps it is family and food here, since Chinese people are so big on family gatherings during meals.  I don’t know.  Food is oh-so-cheap compared to North America here though.  The spending and the amount of material things you can buy here though, is ridiculous! Consume, consume! Although yes, population is so much denser, I think there are more high-end stores here in this tiny little place than in North America.  In a place where they’re only thinking of implementing minimum wage of HKD$33 ($4-5 Cdn), the rich must be extremely rich, and the poor.. well, they’re sitting by the sides of the streets without even a glance from the people with Chanel, LV, Gucci and the like hurrying past in the ever-crowded city.  

Something to remember and remind myself with:  For every person I care about and care about me, God loves infinitely more.  For every seemingly inconsiderate and rude person I bump into on the street (or anybody for that matter) and get irritated at, God does NOT love any less.  What gives me the right to?

The strongest conviction:

One day at Macau witnessing so much desire for material wealth, and then the next day just stripping it all down – hearing a message that really spoke to me, enjoying the beach with friends, watching the sun reflectonto the water along with a rainbow.  There is simply absolutely nothing in the world that is more beautiful than creation.  I heard 3 words with such clarity right then and there: God is better. And there’s nothing more true.  No matter what it is, God is better. Always!

The greatest feeling must be truly giving it all up to God.  No, I’m not even close to surrendering everything, but a baby step closer felt so darn good.

Days like this, you look up at the sky above you.
Days like this, yeah, you think about the ones that love you.
And all I wanna do is live my life honestly.
I just wanna wake up and see your face next to me.
Every regret I have will go set free. It will be good for me.
Days like this, yeah you think about the ones that went before you.
Days like this, have you ever seen the sky such a clear blue?

- Kim Taylor