It’s been an overwhelming week. Camera shots, video shoots, interviews, an avalanche of emailstextmessagesfacebookposts, well-wishes, hugs, revelations from God, people offering to buy me dinners and then, senior pastor announcing the news to the entire congregation.
I was afraid. Pride, is insidious.
But when I think about what God has brought me through, from the depths of the valleys out onto the open plains and now, onto the mountain-top, I realise just how grateful I really am, and how impossible it is to claim credit.
This time, things are different. I am thankful that not everyone knows about the news. I am thankful that many of my close friends neither read the papers that day nor watched the videos. Some of them have no idea. I am, in some way, thankful that days after the event, life goes on.
I am grateful, that God had waited for this time, so I would not feel like He was commending me simply for my “productivity”. I am grateful, that God had waited for this time, just before the publication of A Taste of Rainbow, that I may be affirmed regarding my broken past. I am grateful, that even in the midst of fanfare, He reminded me, of the importance of humility, because He, though being highest of all beings, was humblest, smallest, and meekest.
I still remember that night, when everyone was about to head home from the empty ballroom, the organiser came up specially to my dad to say, “You must be very proud of your daughter.”
Everyone there waited for a moment for his reply before he smiled and said, “OKAY LAAA.”
Everyone burst out with laughter. That is why I love my dad. He keeps me humble. Okay laaa. That says: I’m still human. Still his little girl who exasperates him, haa. Don’t fuss.
I learnt, that humility isn’t about putting oneself down. Pushing other people’s heartfelt well-wishes away smacks of false humility, and does nothing to love God either. True humility is, on the other hand, remaining true to oneself, holding an accurate gauge of one’s abilities, and sincerely acknowledging God’s blessings in our lives.
It was funny. That night, my prayer book read:
So I thank you God, for the people who don’t know, who treat me the same as they always did, who love me just the same, who say haa, it’s no big deal, because God, you’re the one who’s amazing. You’re the one who saved me.
Okay laaa. Life goes on. Without fanfare, life goes on.
” For whoever exalts himself will be humbled,
-Matthew 23:12
” And being found in appearance as a man,
-Phil 2:8
Wai Jia,
You won what now?
haha…it is true. Most of my friends don't care about my tri stuff. I think that's a good thing too. It does keep one humble and grounded.
I will be leaving for Cambodia this weekend and Manila on 29th Jan.
This time is a bit difference. I am staying with the people in the garbage dump. I want to know their night activities. I want to know how life is without electricity, water and hygiene. I want to know how the family structures like when everything comes to a still.
Pray for me 🙂
Mio