It is more blessed to give than to receive

25 June 2007 – Last week of June 2007

Changing mindset from always wanting to receive to giving

I met Usha from the Private Group Accounts Department in the pantry this morning. She looked very dull and moody. She said she dragged herself to work this morning and really did not have the mood to work. A few of her "click" including one of her superiors all of whom were quite knowledgeable and competent with their works have resigned. Usha said she likes to work with those who can motivate her and always wanted to receive and learn new things from her superiors. The two newly joined colleagues are not as what she expected.

I shared and encouraged her to change her mindset from always wanting to receive to giving. If she is willing to give out her knowledge and experience to help those who needed it, her heart would surely fill with peace like river and joy like fountain because it is more blessed to give than to receive. She said she will try. Hope she will really experience the joy of giving.

If we will to change our mindset to a new way of thinking or to look at things differently from another angle when facing something unhappy and difficulties, lifes would be different. Our lives would be lighted up, from a grievous to a more abundant life.

A good deed under the hot sun

9 June 2007 – Second week of June 2007

I reached home at around 2.30 pm after gym. Peng Yen, my 2nd sister who has just come back from the saloon asked me to send her home. The weather was so hot, the sun was like a burning fire ball and I was so tired, I need to have a nap. So, instead of saying “ok”, I quickly ran into my bedroom.

After laying down for a while, there was no peace in my mind. For me to send her back by car was much more convenient than for her to take a bus home, where, she has to walk for 10 minutes to bus stop to wait for the irregular bus and walk for another 10 minutes under the hot sun after getting down the bus. I jumped down from my bed, I decided to send her home eventhough I was very tired and did not feel like doing it because the traffic was very jam during Saturday afternoon. At night, when I thought over it, I was very happy because I have done good deed under the hot sun.

Unity in the Body

22 May 2007 – 3rd week of May 2007

Exchanged of scheduled duty

Mrs. Tung just came back for a holiday from Hong Kong on Monday. She was too tired to prepare for the song leading session for this Sunday morning worship and wanted to exchange with me. When Jenny called me to ask whether I could exchange with Mrs. Tung, I said "OK" though the time for preparation was so short. Eventhough this was just a small favour, I believe Mrs. Tung would appreciate it. We need to help one another even in this type of tiny little thing.

"We are the body of Christ,
We need to help one another."

A friend in need is a friend indeed

3 May 2007 – First week of May 2007

Relieved Chu KP as main commentator of Public Speaking Class

Chu KP phoned me at 11.00 am saying that he has promised to be the main commentator for tonight's public speaking class. However, he was afraid that he might not be able to make it because it seemed that the scheduled meeting might be prolonged. He asked me to relieve him just incase he really could not make it. I was quite reluctant because I have no time to prepare.

In PSC, we always emphasized on the important of preparation in advance. No matter what job functions or posts we are holding, preparation is always be needed. It ended up that I have no choice but to say "yes”. I did some preparation during lunch time.

The class was started at 7.30 pm. In order to carry out the job more effectively and responsibly, I have to be there before 7.00 pm so that comments could be given on how the “before the class” preparation was being carried out. Chu came in at 7.35 pm but my name was already written on the white board, so I have to carry out the duty. At last, I helped Chu KP to complete the task at 10.30 pm. Chu KP should be grateful to have a helpful friend like me, ha ha!

A friend in need is a friend indeed
A friend is a gift from God

An unforgettable event

26 April 2007 – Last week of April 2007

Fetching Li Wan from USM, Parit Buntar

Li Wan, my niece, just finished her last examination paper yesterday (Wednesday) and has a long semester break of more than two months. No one in the family was freed to accompany her back home. I volunteered and promised her to take leave to take a morning bus to Parit Buntar to help her to carry her stuff and take an evening bus to come back to Kuala Lumpur together her.

I could only help her to carry the heaviest bag with only one hand because my right wrist was sprained. We had our lunch at Pizza Hut and sat there for 21/2 hours to wait for the 6.00 pm bus.

At last the bus came at 6.15 pm. Oh! I nearly fainted, it was an old bus with the number plate started with “ABX”, which meant it was more than 10 years old. How can an old junk be permitted to use as a long distance express coach? When the journey was just started for 5 minutes, the bus driver stopped in the middle of the road to check on the engine and started and re-started it. Finally the bus moved, but it was so slow that sometimes even a lorry could overtake it.

Oh! I forgot to mention, excluding the Indian driver, all together there were only six passengers, an Indian guy, an Indian couple with their toddler son and both of us. We have nothing to fear but the bus might break down half way at the highway in the middle of the night.

Li Wan, who has never experienced this thing before, was so frightened that her hands were as cold as ice. She kept asking me to pray. I held her hands tight and assured her that God would take care of us. Just imagine, it was so dangerous, an express bus driver kept talking by holding his mobile phone. I have counted, there were about 10 incoming calls before we reached Ipoh.

The bus dragged on and detoured to Ipoh bus station to pick up more passengers. At 9.58 pm, the bus still has not continued its journey to KL. The bus driver was laying down resting in the front seat. I got down and asked the person in-charged. He said sorry mam, there was something wrong with the bus engine and the foreman was on his way. I rushed to the Transnational Express counter to ask whether there was still any seat available for the 10 pm bus to KL. “Yes” was the answered. We acted very fast. My niece and I snatched our bags, rushed down the old junk and rushed up the comfortable Transnational Express coach.

My niece reminded me that we have to thank God for answering our prayer and arranged everything for us just on time. At last we have the peace of mind to sleep now. Just a few minutes after 12 am, we safely arrived at Puduraya Bus Station. I was grateful that I took the trouble to go to Parit Buntar to accompany Li Wan to come home. If not, just imagine, how could she handle such a horrible situation alone with three other Indian passengers? However and whatever it was, was a good experience to her and she had learnt some lessons with me beside her. I think she would appreciate it and will remember it forever.

Sending a foreigner to bus station

28 March 2007 - 3rd week of March

Have you ever or dare to send a stranger to bus station?

Just as any other Sunday evening, I was washing my car and Wei Chin washing hers at downstairs at around 6.30pm. Ah Soon, a young guy staying next to our house was chatting with us. A man who looked like from an Arabian Country walking towards us asking how to go the bus station. "Which bus station??" After he mentioned something like "Genting", I knew he wanted to go to the "PasarRakyat" bus terminal.

I told him it took about 10 minutes walk. Wei Chin told him the direction, something like "go straight, turn right at the T junction, walk along the bridge which is still under construction, then left and go straight".

After he left, we were puzzled whether it really took only 10 minutes walk and he really understood the route to go the bus terminal.

At last, I decided to send him there, off coarse not alone but together will Ah soon. It took only 3 minutes drive to reach the bus station. He was very thankful. He told us he was staying in Time Square where "PasarRakyat" is only within walking distance if you know the way.

I was very happy and share the incident with my family members because I have done a good deed to a stranger who needed my help.

Giving away my fovarite bookmark of Psalm 23

22 April, 2007 - 3rd Week of April, 2007

I have a very beautiful bookmark which I kept in my bible. The background of the beautiful bookmark is a shepherd holding a rod, tendering his sheep under a tree in the green pasture with my favorite scripture Psalm 23 written on it.

“The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever."

When Patricia saw that beautiful and meaningful bookmark, she asked whether I could give it to her son Justin, a young guy in his early twenties who seldom attend church service was sitting behind me that Sunday.

“How can I give away such a beautiful bookmark with my favorite Bible verse written on it?” I was really struggling.

After struggled for a while, I gave it to Justin. He received it with a surprised and pleasing look on his face. I reminded him to remember that the Lord is his shepherd and he will not lack.......

Though I have lost a bookmark, I have blessed someone who may need it more than I do.

Justin, as you are going to Alor Star to work next month, may you continue to trust in God and know that the Lord is always your shepherd and you will not lack. Surely goodness and love will follow you all the days of your life.