Grateful...

Just two weeks before the semester break, such an exciting moments: to finish the works to be able to enjoy a little bit time outside routines. I am really happy when looking back passing such toiling time but only Lord's faithfulness stands fast and in Him everything is joyful.

It is so humbling for me to see again in every moment of my days how the Lord reveals His great Love so deliberately and 'as much as we could bear'. While confessing my narrow and clouded mind, how easy I got upset when things did not go as I wish, I bear in mind that He is ever Loving God. I cannot help but thanking Him for every moment He permits to come to my life. For the angels of peace, fellow travellers, guides, rebukes and every signs He puts along the way....

Today as I open again the book of Mother Gavrilia, I am paused in awe with such genuine beauty and truth!

"...It is something like a gift from God... This is how I understand it. Do you know why? Because I never linger on any problem, not even my own... When the person leaves, I have no thought. I rejoice with flower; I look at the sky; or something like that. And it is again, God and I on earth... Do you understand? When God created us, He said: 《Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul and with all thy mind" (that is, with all the strength of your being) 《and thy neighbour as thyself》..."

How I need to hear this. Thank you Mother Lila, please pray to the Lord our God for us :).

Adjustments ;)

Sitting for awhile to look up my blog, I mean specifically this blog; I was intrigued to remember the tones of my writing in my early time of blogging (i.e. 2008-2009). It thrilled me to feel again the enthusiasm, straightforwardness and that sanity which is apparent from those writing. It raises a little bit strike to my consciousness as to how I have been moving to coldness and even gloom as far as writing a post is concerned. Well, first of all I think of the transition that I have as a post-college student experience.

And yes, I am getting older now, so the world for me seems to be not just for fun :D. Well, every process that needs to be taken and even is still allowed by ever loving Lord is worth it to be grateful of. The more I am reflecting on this, the more I am amazed toward His mercy and the wonder of humanity. Being a human is such a joy and at the same time such a challenge. But with the Lord in our side, each day is a blessing and a journey which we must take by ever clinging to him even more.

Difficulty has made a great way to shape and sharpen hearts and minds. By the little seeds of sorrow, God continually cultivates greater joy and hope for eternity in us. It works amazingly for our salvation. Sometimes, very tempting it is for me to just skip the difficult part of the day thus, I thought to have plenty and spacious me-time. It sounds like, why not having the students’ smiles all the time and goes out from the class happy and illumined? Or why not having students behave angelically and ever ready when they are given instruction? Well, that is our vision as teachers; yet reality has not been always so. But one thing that I know is that the Lord alone knows and changes the heart.

Working as teacher, as far as I realize is never an easy calling. Majority of time, as the interactions move on, lots of decisions need to be made; and yes the brave ones. Realizing my own weaknesses and clouded mind, I constantly ask for God’s mercy to brighten my spirit and grant me wisdom so that it is not my temporary emotions, but the will of God be done in each instance. God is good, and with that in mind constantly, God has made me the spectator of His wonders working in these young souls. 

It’s December (already)! Although here in Indonesia the weather most likely and is staying the same, but still the expectation of some kind of restful and festive weeks of Christmas is there. And how I am waiting for great moments to be with my beloved family in USA just in a few weeks. God has been faithfully guiding me through these times of toiling and sometimes crazy time to catch up with due dates. And all that I can say is, Thank you Lord!

In the presence of Beauty

Stand still here
I ponder in serenity
All is mantled with joy and unspeakable peace
Just like flowers in the eyes of spring
Set free and releasing scents
Thus soul tastes the sweetness
Of her beloved Groom

In silence and purity
Shall we be visited such awe
Once that awe is kindled
Keep it burning
Guide it with all might
That it may spread light and warmth

Since like the seeds of thyme
So slight
Thus this warmth sprouts love
And that love is why we are here

Loneliness

This loneliness shall I bear
With smile
It takes a few moment for me
To realize that so far I have been a difficult person

Chasing wind and vanity
My soul grew dimmed
My eyes soaked with heaviness
Could it be overwhelmed
My bones dried up and shattered
A sense of nothingness overcome

Shall I shout
But my mouth shut
Still this loneliness shall I bear
With smile and a wave
Let me take a rest, dream

I am exhausted
Wanting to prove something of worth
Yet why is it?
This coldness
This pressure
Who can stand

In this cave I am waiting
None comes
The music which I play
Seems nobody hears
Toiling and sweating
But that's just nothing

This pain inside
So long has to hide
I am confused and clumsy
Yet again why is it?

This loneliness shall I bear
With smile

Chispa, that bright spark

Keep the log near the fire
That it might burn and glow
Radiates warmth and chispa to admire
Yes that bright spark which set the song flow
The calming air around the place I know
Would send the sadness low
Keep prayers and charity in row
Even it is as simple as handing potato
Since love matters and it makes you grow
By sincere acceptance of the Will and worries to throw

Be the presence
Even when the person kept in prison
Be it in their own ego or persistence
Keep giving away and spread patience
Thus care and attention we share without pretense

Since only love remains

Faith, Faith, Faith

"We have need of three things: First, Faith. Second, Faith. Third, Faith." Mother Gavriella (from The ascetic of love, p. 347)

Reading the life and works of Mother Gavriella always lifts up my spirit. Her pure and incredible trust to Christ the Lord moved my heart, even lots of time brings me to tears. How I realized the fragility and shaky my trust has been and how ungrateful I am to the beautiful and holy Will of The Lover of mankind.
Very easy it is for me either by my weak will and pursue of comfort or by difficult occasion, to fall into sweet melancholicity or any negative thoughts.

So often, sincere answer of any complex whining and whimpering question which I posed is... "Have faith". God is love and in Christ we experience what it means. How He really does love us. He commands and bless us when He said not to worry about anything but trust God who cares. Have faith!

That certainly does not mean that everything will be so smooth and easy like prosperity thingy tells. Rather peace then instilled in our heart whatever befalls. We no longer see the storm too big as to sink but we see The Lord is greater than this; so we fix our gaze to Him. We can put on such sincere smile in knowing that the Lord is watching over us and that He loves us.

'Tis no pain free

A glimpse of reminder passes my mind
The days filled with so much potential
Yes, but they bring a lot of risks as well

Smile
Whatever it is, things will pass eventually
Take courage
Even so many times harms come unexpectedly
Since it is not a pain free world
Why should resent pain
Be it a purification

Silently I wonder...
How from every corner, wounds threat sons of man
In each of my step, lots of hurt and suffering seize and grind me
My soul choked with tears
But again why should I resent pain?
Too often this is but my narrow and blurred vision of reality

He is the Deliverance
Since He too, passes
and bends down to the lowest reality of mankind
and He is not indifferent
He is the truest Comforter of souls

I understand not
I comprehend not
It is mystery and for pure heart to see
As for me now
Together with sons of Adam weep
And between sore wounds dance
Simply live it and bear in heart
That anything occurs for good reason

There are days to weep
and sometimes to smile
That is all I know
Yet life is not merely about what I know
It's for greater mystery
My brain is simply too small to measure it

Till that day

O how I have fallen thousands times
In the day light or in the darkest night
At the blinking speed of eyes
I found my soul loses its might
Thus I laid weeping
Who could deliver thee my soul from sinking

Yet I remember
He who knows it all
In His mercy shall I find refuge
From fierce battle of dust and mud
There shall I flee and beseech strength
To fight and not dispair
However shameful have I been
And damp and bleeding

O Good Samaritan
Behold how my robbers left me half dead
I know no other help
But in your compassionate hands
Help me, My Neighbor
Since I don't know how long will be left
For me to live

Kyrie eleison
Save Thy servant, Master who lovest mandkind.

Sober and sane

One morning the soft wind whispered
A tender and luminous ray fell
On fresh grass whose gaze unscattered
Thus a calm and touching warmth dwell
Early it is but the breeze brings forth serenity

Awake!
Suddenly the voice from the east break
Be sober and sane thus you may see beauty
This beauty in time shall turn to glory
Keep captivated by that beauty
Since that beauty alone could restore you

Be silent!
That you may grow and be patient
For in patience you shall listen
This silence will let you open
Just like blossoming petals to the warm ray of the sun
Give your ears more time and more chance
To the language of silence
That it may be purified and healed
From the numbness of polluted wind

Be ever ready!
Grab your sandals and jar
Filled with sweat and tears
Walk in the rugged road of the hills
To witness lilies grow
And how they smile and so radiant

Thus the soft wind spoke
And disperse as fragrant smoke

How to do...

Experience has taught me this very poignant thing, especially on how our life works. I learn this thing these two days and I am so humbled that this lesson has been granted in the joyous feast of the nativity of Most Holy Theotokos, Mary the Mother of Lord Jesus Christ. It is trully meet to honor her and set her life as the prototype of how we should live.
She lived her life in such blessed disposition, humility and obedience.
As I wrote above, experiences taught me that there's no other way to living life so peacefully and purely but in living out of obedience, instead of living out of self-will and egoism. When I began to do whatever I want--and which is pleasing my senses, quite soon I will ram into void and the abyss of wants. Desires beget desires but obedience begets love and holiness. 

As young person she was, when the angel of Most High came to announce such important tiding, she accepted it with all her heart and her being. Trully, O blessed Theotokos Thee do we magnify!
The Lord Himself said, "He who loves me does my commandments". That is, the path of obedience. To freely give up our distracted will to be transformed into conformity of The Lord's will is our errands from time to time. The path of repentance is the eradication of selfish way of life into life which is enlightened in Him.
How is that in practice? It is to put our egocentric will utterly subdued. That automatically means to put it under authority. First and foremost under the Holy Commendments of Christ in Holy Gospel, under our spiritual father and under whom God has given authority over us.

Just as Holy Theotokos put herself under the will of God and freely gave her being in utter obedience to the Most High, so that Christ Himself might dwell within her womb, let us in everything not do anything for the satisfaction of senses but for the sake of our Love in obedience to Him. Because worldly desires always leave us wanting and miserable, but obedience to Him gives us peace and joy unspeakable.
Most Holy Theotokos, save us!

Moving forward

Sometime after somebody thought and even said things poorly of me, my initial reaction was that kind of uneasy feeling and signs of defence. I am still learning to appreciate poor opinion and not to be affected by these kinds of things. May the grace of the Lord brings me into what He desires! I am reminded of the sayings of our Holy Fathers to accept gratefully any degrading comments and even insults and not to hold back. Because these things too had to be done that way for our salvation.
When I came to my sense, I regret why was I so ungrateful for such occassion. He is so merciful and is providing me with such things to live His commandments by following Him in the way that he was also treated even worse.
It is such a remedy for pride and self-righteousness. Help me O Lord not to be saddened by those who treated us poorly but rather rejoice in You who has given us opportunity to be sanctified. Guide Your poor servant and bring the person into sense.

Footprints of love

Last time when sudden and anonymous sense of frustration visited me, deep inside my heart implored for remedy. It was quite striking that angel of peace brought me to these astounding words from blessed mother Gavrillia which goes:
"We are useful only when we do not exist for ourselves. And vice versa."(The ascetic of love, p. 346).
These simple words of the beloved child of God silently soothed me and gave me a sense of serenity. Such a miracle.
Honestly as an introvert kind of person, it is easy for me to be trapped with myself and to find myself in the circle of me and that makes me so vulnerable and got frustrated easily. These words spoke very poignantly but somehow brings me sense of joy and peace. Knowing that it is a good thing to lay aside the thought of what's mine and start to open up our self to embrace others in love is so much liberating. I got a little bit insight of what St. Paul was feeling when he said, "It is no longer I but Christ who lives in me." Such a blessed disposition.
It starts with praying genuinely for the goodness of others, as persons and then staying silent. Yes, because in the stillness of the heart we become more awake and sober, to be attentively present for others before God. Glory to Thee O God! Glory to Thee.

Dynamics of the challenge

Watch out. Challenge can be found everywhere. The same also applies with temptations. Especially as a teacher, I found that challenge is a thing which I have to keep alert anytime. Start from how to design a class which can maximize the students' learning experience, how to handle the class when they need extra, yes literally extra attention and so on. Anytime I reflect on this, I come to realize that I am in constant need of the Lord's guidance, strength and wisdom.
Facing and encountering other humans sometimes can be so smooth and easy but at other times can make our head spinning. But that is our reality and let us face it in such open hands because we never know what this beautiful life brings when we patiently endure and keep our mind to the Giver of Life instead of being continually affected by little incidents. which we could have let it go.
It is somehow easy for me to focus on measuring on how "heavy" it is and alas that is the first sign of self-pity. But wait a minute. Doesn't that affect you emotionaly. Yes, it does. Because that is part of our nature and emotion works for that. However it is what's next is what matters more. Will it lead us to anxiety or excessive frustation. There is one keyword here: modesty, that is to keep trying with hope and not loosing heart. Prayer and constant remembrance of the Lord will calm our being and keep us from harmful reactions that may appear.

Challenge will always be there. It is good for us to grow. It enriches us with new strength and moment of faith. Let us be glad and joyful with wathever the Good Lord has allowed to happen in our life. Glory to God.

Still in the midst of raging storm

I woke up with a little bit dizzy head and stuffed nose this morning. That made me alert that my voice could be lost anytime due to the sore and flu, yet I realize that still my students are there to wait the lesson and craving for the new things they need to learn. Somehow I got a sense that today will be rather a tough day.
And yes, you know sometimes these cute students could turn into unruly mob. That happened in one of the classes today. "This is the time", I said in my heart while the deeper part of me imploring help from the Lord, asking for such an urgent wisdom to decide what to do to set a really firm boundary they should not have crossed.
For a moment the class was very quiet. In the past, I found that this was the most complicated thing of being a teacher: to redirect the students when they try to cross into the zone which is just not right. How great is the feeling of serenity while I was telling them even in such firm pose the truth that they have to know and learn. Even my heart starts to thanking the Lord for such courage to bring the students back on track for the rest of the session, even so smoothly and peacefully. It is His power and mercy which guard and guide me in every minute and moment of my life. Lord, bless my beloved the students. Guide them O Lord into the knowledge and love of Your kingdom. Help them to grow such desire to please You and into all goodness that You prepare for them. Amen.

Everyone's story

How good is today and worth to be grateful for. To be able to meet good friends and to spend a little bit of our time to laugh and to be heard is such beautiful blessing. After having some encounters with handful of people today, a reminder just visited my mind, i.e. sometimes it is very helpful to listen to others' stories as mundane and ordinary as they are. I am so much lifted up to realize that actually majority of my concerns and even struggles are likely everyone's story. Such as getting quite hard time at work, trying my best to keep up with economy, meeting with people which are generous and sometimes others which loves to criticize to the max and so on. Rather intriguing for me is the fact that however smooth their life could be, everyone to some extent is sharing this common story: they are struggling even though not always, but somehow people around us are also facing some kind of difficulties.
We believe however that in the Hands of good Lord, all are by His dispensation works for good. They all help to shape us into the person that He wants us to be. He is everywhere present and He is with us. When we know that it is not about us but rather about His Love and our life in Him, we will welcome whatever comes with faith and love and freely abandon our life to Him.

From one step to another

Many times life is full of unseen war. I am not talking about political or ideological war among nations which is beyond my capacity to digest. But let my humble mind reflect on the war within human heart. Our beloved Lord once said that where our treasure lies, there also our heart. Pondering on this truthful words, I start to realize that the fierce war that we as humankind have to face is the war of attention. Shall we focus on Christ and his life giving commandments then our life will emanate joy and love. His grace and presence in our heart sanctifies us and makes us whole. Yet, if our attention is enslaved by earthly cares and we serve what doesn't really matter then we will be trapped with anxiety and all kind of sickness of the soul.
It is with such love and humility that our Lord Jesus Christ came to us, opening wide His arms to embrace us and to bring us back into His kingdom. And this moves me realize how life works: in Him, through Him and for Him. Since we are His! Outside of Him we can do nothing.
O dearest Lord who love mankind, teach my heart and my whole being to be watchful and ever expecting You! For You know that out of my brokenness it is very easy for Your servant to be effected and distracted with all things which are passing and vain; by the lust and pride, by desires and anger, by jealousy and despair. Forgive us O dearest Lord and bring us back under Your guide. Deliver us from temptation and grant us merciful and humble heart. Amen.

Move within

How beautiful and serene, to have a heart which is always happy, always satisfied and accepting. I really love to read the lives of the saints, among them who did not bother themselves with complains about anything, in regard  of their circumstances. St. John (Ivan) the Russian who was sold as a slave in far away country Turkey, yet he did his best in life, loving his Heavenly Master and his fellow mankind with such purity and humility. Blessed mother Gavrillia, who was so meek as lamb accepting God's calling and in keeping say yes to the Lord of Beauty.

These stories have always touched my heart and soul, and they moved me so much.
How many times have I not been grateful;  forgetting the most essential thing to pursue: to attain the love toward God and toward others. So many times have I been so occupied with pursue of my own fulfillment, enjoyment and indulgence in my day time? Nothing so wrong about enjoying life, though, because our Lord is Lord of joy, but it is in the excessive and seeking first the quick gratifications from time to time instead of the kingdom could put us in really great danger.
How lovely then it is to reflect back to what our beloved Lord and Master taught us, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and its righteousness." This is not merely a command as I ponder on this manner, it is also such a blessing and encouragement to us to go to the very original nature of us. We are created for Him and for the kingdom of God. It is the answer of answers about meaning of life and this should be in our deepest mind in anything that we do in and out.
He has pointed us to the deepest wisdom which human being could think of: to come back to the Loving Creator and to serve Him with all his heart, might and soul through his love toward his neighbors.
Could this be possible? With God everything is possible! But only with Him. Without Him, we can do nothing. So, it starts with the grace of Holy Spirit in us, and by then through this grace which we keep through constant repentance, our strength is sustained and strengthened. Thus, abiding in Him we are filled with awe of his love and faithfulness. This awe produces humility and trust in God no matter what. Refined soul is made radiant with such joy in knowing that God is working goodness for the ones who loves Him. And this beauty moves within the heart of His people to bear everything, to trust, to love all. And that is what we see in the life of His saints St. John the Russian, Mother Gavrillia and others through the ages.

Through the prayers of St. John the Russian, Blessed Mother Gavrillia, and all the saints, Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and save us!

Acts of mercy

This reflection made my heart leaps in joy! How beautiful and sweet is the truth that we are created in Christ and for Christ. Nothing can come between His love and us. He has pour out his love and it's not hidden before our eyes, when he faithfully and out of his good will, ascended to the Cross in the flesh to trample down sin and death, and bestow us victory and life.
From the very beginning of our life, it is about Christ and his faithfulness which sustains us day by day. And truly  it is a great and awesome mystery, what is son of man that Lord is mindful of him? Yet, the Lord's generous care is indescribable.
Yes, on this earth we still see so many sorrows and suffering due to ignorance, violence, worries and sickness, and that will always be with us, as a witness of how the world starving for the Original love which she had been designed for. The way suffering and sorrows can be transformed into joy in the Lord is not through despair and indolence or murmuring in the mouth, rather in the spirit of love, compassion and good will toward all. Even slightest kindness and acts of mercy does make difference. Yet, discernment is needed here as not to give materialistic hope.
The way of the kingdom sometimes turned out to be somehow different from what the world would suppose.  They think that by freeing people from poverty above all, somehow they will deliver people from torments of this world. They come and fix the infrastructure, teaching them how to live in better prosperity and education.   However the essence of the suffering stay the same and might even be untouched. It cannot be healed through making of better settlement or better civilization which supposedly deliver people from the sorrows.
"Go and sell all your belongings and give it to the poor." That could be in some sense work in quite contrary way. Act of emptying ourselves for the sake of the kingdom so that all that we are filled with God alone and His love is the core and heart of all reaching out. But the unfortunate thing would be if we exchange this with the desire to wipe out poverty and suffering at first hand. History witnesses how even God worked through times of trouble and harvest his saints all over places.
Thus, how? When all reach out is about love of God and His presence, then, that's it. The acts of mercy, kindness and generosity follows and falls into its right places. These acts won't overshadow the main purpose  nor be the substitute of the goal, that is to challenge people to come back to the Lord to be cured, healed and freed. It is like what Mother Gabriella used to tell, "Education is to teach children to love God."
Love Christ zealously, joyfully and whole-heartedly, then through this love, silence and prayers visit and love our neighbors. These two can never be divorced. Glory to God.

 

Speak into their language

When I went to Thailand and stayed sometime there, actually there was something which made me so glad and feel awesome. That something was to be able to speak and got connected with Thai friends. Even though I just know a little --pood nitnoy phasaa Thai, but simply to speak in their language was such a great joy! When I spoke like them, I feel very connected with them. I have not been in many countries yet, but I am totally in love with Thailand.
It's simply amazing to try to dive into the soul of people which are culturally different from mine. Their hospitality, respect and acceptance made me feel somehow related historically. And I think we did -- Javanese and Thai people shared some kind of relationship which made my heart so warm.
Yes, sometimes I really want to connect and build meaningful communication with neighbors. However, lots of times I forgot to speak and simplify my message into their language. It can be a challenge for an effective encounter when two charges involved insisted on the view of each other. When we are willing to give up our prejudice, bias and perception to be calm and clear as still water, then we can reflect the peace inside and be  a blessing even by our very presence.
This is a part of caring. Even the Lord God in His mercy spoke in human language so that his message could be understood. When understanding is present, then care and love is cultivated and nurtured. How I miss the time to hear the joyful moment of Pascha when Holy Gospel is read in different languages, proclaiming salvation of all. Glory to God!

Occasion of Prayer

I got this beautiful quote from the Church Father facebook group page. This piece is from St. Nikolai and I really want to share with you.

Sleep makes me weary, but You give me rest. There is no rest for one who is weary unless he looks at You, nor is there any sweetness for one embittered unless he converses with You, nor is there any health for one who is sick unless he touches Your hand, nor is there any purification for one who is impure unless he bathes in Your light.
St Nikolai

This quote reminds me of the joy of being Christians! The Lord is always there to love us with boundless love. And we, as His children it is for us to cling joyfully in Him and love Him with all we are. How His love has conquered all, even death.

Thus no reason for despair and coldness. Every moment, every occasion in life could be transformed into the occasion of prayer and into our persistence to endure all things so that His love might be revealed even more clearly and to love Him even more.

In happiness: offer radiant praise to the Merciful Lord
In distress: remember His faithfulness and seek His Guidance
In struggle: invoke His holy name fervently
At hard work: plea unto Him to sanctify us through it

In the moment of falling: ask His mercy and strength
In the company of joyous people: be joyful and sing the sweetest praise
In the company of difficult person: be silent and pray for him or her
At the shadow of sadness: seek His words and be comforted

In the moment of forgetfulness: knock with shameless persistence to implore His help
In the cruel weather: see His mighty clouds and be silent
In the charge of tending His children: trust His holy Name to lead and to transform
At the hour of temptation: flee unto Him and abide in His holy presence

In all occasion, stay in His presence and enjoy His countenance which is beyond description! O so sweet is the fragrance of the Lord's hands!

with eyes open

I am so intrigued to learn how ancient cultures got some new inventions, let's say for example the herbal medicine, paper, silk, etc. Those precious inventions were mostly came to be through the process which I prefer to say, "partly conscious." The story often included a little 'incident' which results in a vastly impacting result from generation to generation. Many people would easily ignore those little incidents or simply leave them unnoticed.

However, as the history witnessed, in the right people's eyes, those small events can be transformed into such creativity. It is the capturing and reflecting upon these insignificant happening with attention and understanding which make difference. An observant mind, a mind which is not lazy and doesn't let things goes by into nothing. It is creative mind which gains strengths through silence and deep thoughts.

What about today? Almost everything seemed to be just so-so. Then, may be listening more attentively and open the eyes more widely could help. But yes, again and again it is not the self-directed approach which will work. We always need guidance to make things sense. Through that filter and framework, we won't only see things properly but  also they will be transformed by our very presence in the Lord.

That's why the remembrance of the Lord is very essential, as when the mind and heart is occupied by the reverence of the Lord, she will absorb the sweetness and fragrance inside out. Only by then, those small and may be insignificant plots of the day can be transformed into the encounters which are filled with love, filled with creativity as the result of discernment and peace at heart.

With eyes open through your light
The vision becomes so bright
set all things into its right
and attracting the mercy might

Silently, quietly without sound
Let Him whisper in the chamber of heart
When life unto him is bound
then there it comes to the highest art

Good Will towards all

Whether it rains or pours, whether it's sunshine or drought, the Lord's faithfulness and wisdom made manifest. Bearing a little bit curiosity in my mind about what actually going on this week there in the sky above, I simply could only be quiet and felt the heat of the sunlight in Palembang (the name of city in South Sumatra which I live). It's just above the normal for me, reaching up to 35 Celsius. Eventually, yesterday it rained with hail and storm. The weather has been rather extreme!

Thank God for the protection and grace that He sustains us! How beautiful it is to know that the Lord has always good will and love toward us his creation. What else can be so consoling and giving peace but the remembrance of the love and mercy of the Lord at all times. It is our part to be receptive of his calling, of his ceaseless care and good will toward all.

Not only receptive, but being reflective of his love like a mirror, like a painting, as the image of Him in having good will, caring and loving toward even the least of His brothers and sisters. Yes, it can be so though struggle when it comes to the old-self tendency. This old self will prefer to dwell even in the slightest thought about other's weaknesses, very especially when those things had wounded us in someway.

Even the small negative thought of others can be harmful to the soul. Turning these thoughts into humble and sincere prayer is marvelous way to take refuge in the Lord. Well, this is not the matter of being nice and polite (which is so dominant in my culture), it's beyond that, simply because what is in the heart radiates through our words and actions. There will be significant difference when something is done in hatred and resentment or when something is done out of care, attention and good will. The Lord sees all! Isn't it He who told us to love each other, even to love our enemies. With the pure intention to glorify God and to be blessed by Him, we will radiate the love of Christ!

Glory to God!