Wednesday, July 26, 2006

What does it mean to love?

I love because I was first love by you. It's easy to love when you receive something in return - may it be words of gratitude or a mere sparkle in their eye that expresses everything you need to power on.

Unconditional love is another story altogether. Would you still do the things you do if you were spat at instead of receiving the gratitude you deserve? Would you still prepare the meals in the kitchen if your husband and kids showed no signs of gratitude for the extra effort you put in tonight? Would you still continue your work if it went on unnoticed?

Darlene Zschech from Hillsong once said that, 'Its the unseen heroes that she respects most.' She said that it was much easier for her to power on with her worship ministry because of the flows of emails, conversations, tears of joy that i guess, somewhat contributed to the fulfillment of her ministry.

Unconditional love - its irrational. Therefore, incomprehensible by the meek human mind. We were taught through our formal education to grab, to choose only what benefits us, to win the rat race, to be the survivor of the fittest.

2 lessons learn from this :-

1) Since its against our human flesh to love unconditionally, draw our strength from God. Its only through God that we can truly do so. Jesus did it while living on earth. His biggest sacrifice was clearly his sacrifice on the cross for us.

2) Ensure that we display our appreciation. This is simply to make it easier for the other person to love. Why not make life simpler whenever we can?

Wednesday, July 12, 2006

Conversations

I love meeting people from all walks of life. I love hearing about their stories, their adventures, how they were mould to become the person they are today. Each story is different. Each story is unique.

On the way to the Sydney airport, I had a mini conversation with the taxi driver. I found out that he was a Muslim from Pakistan. I told him that i spent my time at a Christian conference in Sydney. After a couple of minutes, I asked him whether he was a Australian citizen. He replied in affirmative. It has always intrigued me as to how many low-skilled workers manage to acquire citizenship in Australia. Mind you, Im not looking down on these people. Its just that he does not quite meet any Permanent Residency requirements. So, he unfolded his story. He revealed that he paid this Australian girl a small sum (I think the sum was $1000) to marry him. This marriage is only for show of course. He already has a wife and kids in Pakistan whom he truly adores. Soon after the marriage papers were signed, he divorced the Australian girl and then brought his real wife and kids over. Apparently this is common practice. A whole new world is opened before my eyes. I didnt think this practice was common. I feel like a tortoise living under a shell.

The day before that, I met this gorgeous sales assistant who worked in one of the retail outlets at Bondi beach. I noticed that her accent wasnt Australian. I thought she was American but she said she was Canadian. She has a very interesting life as well. After completing her high school, she moved over to the Big Apple to pursue theatrical studies. After 3 years in the buzzling city, she decided she had enough. She then took a big leap by following her boyfriend across the globe to Sydney. Now she is settled in the Bondi suburb. She's doing a degree in media and communication while working part-time.

I long to travel after I complete my degree! I want to have interesting stories to share too ! =) But as for now, I know that my place is in Melbourne.

If someone was to ask me, 'where's my home?', I wouldnt be able to give an honest answer. Thats because I dont know myself. I think, for me, the people I love is where my home is.