Forgive before it's too late!

 

"We don't have to wait for years to forgive," Dr. Chest Damron appealed to the church congregation. His sermonette to the kids was also about forgiveness. Being the voice behind Your Story Hour, Chest Damron as Uncle Dan told a story about how 2 siblings forgave each other. It was only when a terrible storm that frightened them that they asked forgiveness from each other. He also shared his personal story of how he forgave someone who inflicted him too much pain. Somehow, I admire the courage of that person who asked forgiveness from him even if it took him 38 years before he finally  got the nerve to write that wonderful e-letter, which Dr. Damron tearfully read to us. His friend had written it just a few years before he passed away. Such a touching message that many church members heeded his appeal after his sermon. I've seen members asking forgiveness from each other after some past conflicts. It is good to forgive before it's too late. Many die of accident or by sudden cardiac arrest everyday so it's good to forgive and be forgiven if something goes wrong otherwise we may die with a load of guilt. Dr. Damron also emphasized that  keeping  hatred or bitterness causes much stress so if we want to be happy, free of guilt and anxiety, we have to release such a killer stressor by asking God to give us courage to ask for forgiveness and a humble heart to forgive. How can God forgive our sins if we ourselves are not forgiving of others?  

Dr. Damron, the famous look-alike and impressionist of Abraham Lincoln in the US, ended his talk by singing "God on the Mountain". Yes, when things go wrong, God will make it right! We just ask Him to. I, as everyone else, was completely blessed by Chaplain Chest Damron's message.

God On The Mountain

Life is easy when you're up on the mountain
And you've got peace of mind like you've never known.
But then things change and you're down in the valley.
Don't lose faith for you're never alone.

For the God on the mountain is still God in the valley.
When things go wrong, He'll make it right.
And the God of the good times
is still God in the bad times.
The God of the day is still God in the night.

You talk of faith when you're up on the mountain.
Oh but the talk comes easy when life's at its best.
But it's down in the valley of trials and temptation
That's when faith is really put to the test.

For the God on the mountain is still God in the valley.
When things go wrong, He'll make it right.
And the God of the good times
is still God in the bad times.
The God of the day is still God in the night.

For the God on the mountain is still God in the valley.
When things go wrong, He'll make it right.
And the God of the good times
is still God in the bad times.
The God of the day is still God in the night.
The God of the day is still God in the night.

"God On The Mountain" words and music by Tracy G. Dartt

Back to Reality

Happy New Year everyone! 
After my 3-week vacation with my family, here I am back to reality. With too much traveling from north to south and back to the north with marathon events for my kids over the holidays, the 3 of them got sick. I would say though that too much excitement seeing their cousins and loved ones in the "Land of Promise" after 6 years must have caused them restless and stressed. They would bond until late night including my toddler who is the youngest among the cousins in both sides of our families.
Oh, what fun to be reunited with families! I was overwhelmed by the sight how my kids have grown to get closer to their kins despite the great distance between them! I loved the way they mingled and treated their cousins whom they haven't seen for so long. They updated each other, shared their tell-tales, cracked jokes, sang and danced together with the endless parties everyday. At least, I'm assured that they got the values we want them to learn. But after all such fun and excitement, my school kids are now back to school while still taking their medicines and I am back to work - the normal routine. All of us are not yet up for the study and working mode. We're still on vacation mode:)  Oh, to be back to reality!
Despite my kids' sickness which, of course, but temporary, I wish that the year 2011 will treat us all well by God's wonderful grace. God has been so good to us over the years and He is there for us all the time. I am always grateful to Him and to all loved ones and dear friends who have made life so beautiful through the years. Through ups and downs in the past years, here I am challenged again to face the reality of life not only at work but in all aspects of my struggles for a better me and family.  Welcome 2011 with all the challenges it may bring!