Back to normal?
Yesterday was a day of fun, recollection and reflection. But today as my mom always says "Back to normal." Back to the routine of things. Seeing a broker for disability insurance and preparation for an orthodontic examination were sure signs that I had to go back to reality, my reality that is...
After lunch, I met up with Lyds and Ed on the corner of Beverly and Dundas. On the crowded corner, Lyds gave me a glimpse of what she learnt at mission fest but also gave me my birthday present... a book, the same one that Yu Ling had gotten for me, God in the Alley- Being and Seeing Jesus in a Broken World. The book describes the lives of people of inner city Toronto whom the author all call tragic heroes - individuals who can offer a testament to God's love and mercy. I slipped it into my bag and thought little of it as my mom drove another auntie home. The auntie shared what she had heard in Mandarin service, a speaker from Operation Dawn, an organization to help drug addicts recover, shared his story of how knowing God's love changed his life.
I was just wondering last week, would our church welcome drug addicts and prostitutes? Last week I was helping to teach a youth sunday school class. We started talking about the WWJD (What would Jesus Do?) bracelets that many of them had around their wrists. From what I know, it started from a book called In Him Steps. When a pastor felt convicted to challenge the congregation to ask What would Jesus do in their situation. The describes as the corner of Chicago was changed as people went back to their jobs, their homes and lives differently. I was describing as one of the characters ministered to alcoholics and prostitutes in the area. One of the girls asked me in much amazement... Prostitutes going to church? And as we turned the bible, discovered together that rather than reaching the middle class, Jesus was all about reaching the poor, the weak, the broken... indeed an innocent child's questions are often reflection of the values of the parents at home. But more importantly would I welcome those that different from meinto church, into my home, into my life?
The little book, God in the Alley, by Greg Paul, though I am only on the second chapter tears have welled up my eyes, but also convicted my heart of any righteousness I had felt as I place money in a beggars cup.
An image that is very vivid is as the author describes a february night walk along Yonge St with his family. They passed by a man whom they had known had come out of drug rehab and was drunk sitting at the window of the Thai fast food joint. And the son, went went up to them man, wrapped his arms around him and told him he loved him. And the authors goes on to say,
"And you can imagine what the people watching inside from the inside the restaurant must have been thinking as they stood at the counter munching their spring rolls." I think i actually go to the restaurant regularly... and the only difference is that I get pad thai instead of spring rolls, and there usually isn't someone giving the person at the window a hug.
I cannot do the stories justice to even describe exerpts... its a short book.. and I have an extra copy =) If you are interested just ask!
Its easy for me to look at my life and remember what I am thankful for. Another book I am reading, Future Grace by John Piper reminded me that our faith is not just about thankfulness and gratitude, there is to be a next step... My prayer is that though I am thankful, that my I never cease to have things to pray for, for I know that at least I am to pray for my little heart.
Yesterday was a day of fun, recollection and reflection. But today as my mom always says "Back to normal." Back to the routine of things. Seeing a broker for disability insurance and preparation for an orthodontic examination were sure signs that I had to go back to reality, my reality that is...
After lunch, I met up with Lyds and Ed on the corner of Beverly and Dundas. On the crowded corner, Lyds gave me a glimpse of what she learnt at mission fest but also gave me my birthday present... a book, the same one that Yu Ling had gotten for me, God in the Alley- Being and Seeing Jesus in a Broken World. The book describes the lives of people of inner city Toronto whom the author all call tragic heroes - individuals who can offer a testament to God's love and mercy. I slipped it into my bag and thought little of it as my mom drove another auntie home. The auntie shared what she had heard in Mandarin service, a speaker from Operation Dawn, an organization to help drug addicts recover, shared his story of how knowing God's love changed his life.
I was just wondering last week, would our church welcome drug addicts and prostitutes? Last week I was helping to teach a youth sunday school class. We started talking about the WWJD (What would Jesus Do?) bracelets that many of them had around their wrists. From what I know, it started from a book called In Him Steps. When a pastor felt convicted to challenge the congregation to ask What would Jesus do in their situation. The describes as the corner of Chicago was changed as people went back to their jobs, their homes and lives differently. I was describing as one of the characters ministered to alcoholics and prostitutes in the area. One of the girls asked me in much amazement... Prostitutes going to church? And as we turned the bible, discovered together that rather than reaching the middle class, Jesus was all about reaching the poor, the weak, the broken... indeed an innocent child's questions are often reflection of the values of the parents at home. But more importantly would I welcome those that different from meinto church, into my home, into my life?
The little book, God in the Alley, by Greg Paul, though I am only on the second chapter tears have welled up my eyes, but also convicted my heart of any righteousness I had felt as I place money in a beggars cup.
An image that is very vivid is as the author describes a february night walk along Yonge St with his family. They passed by a man whom they had known had come out of drug rehab and was drunk sitting at the window of the Thai fast food joint. And the son, went went up to them man, wrapped his arms around him and told him he loved him. And the authors goes on to say,
"And you can imagine what the people watching inside from the inside the restaurant must have been thinking as they stood at the counter munching their spring rolls." I think i actually go to the restaurant regularly... and the only difference is that I get pad thai instead of spring rolls, and there usually isn't someone giving the person at the window a hug.
I cannot do the stories justice to even describe exerpts... its a short book.. and I have an extra copy =) If you are interested just ask!
Its easy for me to look at my life and remember what I am thankful for. Another book I am reading, Future Grace by John Piper reminded me that our faith is not just about thankfulness and gratitude, there is to be a next step... My prayer is that though I am thankful, that my I never cease to have things to pray for, for I know that at least I am to pray for my little heart.
