THE BEST PLAN

How do you feel if you never get things that you really want? It’s a bit annoying, actually, but that’s how I feel about this life. Sometimes I thought that I was a kind of person who knew exactly what I really wanted, such as to which school I wanted to study, but I was wrong.

I used to think that my choice is the best choice in life. And because of this “wrong independent thought”, I had to make many times of adjustments. What kind of adjustment? Well, when I entered my senior high school, I remembered that I came there with low low motivation. Why? Because It was not the one I wanted. I had to arrange my feeling every time I went to school, and it took about 6 months for me to realized that I was there not by coincidence, but by a plan that only God who knew.

It happened again when I wanted to go to university. I was planning to enter one of the universities in my city right after graduating from senior high school. But God set another plan. My parents had no money to bring me in, that’s why I had to find it by my own (it means that I have to work first to get some money for college) and it took three years for me to have them. In the fourth year I knew that I could not enter public university since I’d missed the proper years to join the submission test. Finally, I went to a private college not for from my house.

The college where I studied used to be a quite popular college (with its major faculty), but a year before I entered, there was a problem inside the foundation and a huge demonstration could not be avoided. Because of this problem, there were only two classes in the first year, in my year.

What could I say then? I felt like I was in the wrong place and at the wrong time. I said that because I still did not know what His plan for me, and I started to realize it when I was in the second semester.

Because there were not many students, the lecturers were more focused on us and I had less difficulty in earning good score in almost every class. It also influenced the dean’s consideration in giving scholarship. In short, I could get finance aid until I graduated and had more chance to deepen my knowledge through several competitions. And the best thing of all, I could also know good new friends in God. In conclusion, I finally knew what’s God plan for me.

We might think that we know everything, that we know what’s the best for us, but trust me, God’s plans is far more better compared to our plans. What we have to do is being patient until He reveals those plans. You may not trust me, but you absolutely can trust Him.

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DREAM HOUSE

There was a little girl who lived in a small house. From their very simple house, the girl often looked across the valley, where a big house with its golden windows glistening under the sun stood. The little girls thought that she would be very happy to live in the big golden window house. Although she lived happily with her loving caring parents, but deep down her heart, she could never wipe her dream to live in the big golden window house. She just kept her dream in her mind until she grew up.

Could not resist her obsession about the big golden window house, the young girl asked permission to her mother to see it. Trying convincing her mother, she was allowed to go and return before lunch time.

Riding her bike, the girl went to the other side of the valley. When she finally arrived at her dream house, she was very happy. But in the next moment she felt disappointed since the house was not as perfect as she ever dreamt of. The golden window in fact wasn’t made of gold. It was just an ordinary golden paint glowing under the sun. The house wasn’t also as beautiful as she imagined. It was a dirty and abandoned house; no one lived in it, no one took care of it.

When she turned her body to the valley, she saw her small house. From the place where she stood, the house seemed beautiful. She saw a place where she was born and raised with love, and suddenly the house seemed very interesting to her. Even though it wasn’t a big golden window house, she finally realized that it was her real dream house, a place where she could find the warmth of a family.

Note:

Sometimes we focus on something that doesn’t belong to us. We want it badly because we think it is much better than what we have now. We don’t realize that all this time we already have what we want, that everything we have is more than enough for us.

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SCULPTOR OF MIRACLE

In Greek mythology, there was a sculptor  known as Pygmalion. Among hundreds of statues he ever made, there was one statue that he liked the most, it was a statue of a beautiful young lady.

Everyday he gazed at the statue without feeling bored, and even asked it to talk as if it were alive. He also read love poems for it. In short, Pygmalion fell in love with it, with his own statue.

After paying attention to the unique sculptor for quite a long time, Zeus finally granted his wish. He turned the statue into a real beautiful young lady, who could talk and live as a real person. In the end, the sculptor lived with the lady happily.

Perhaps, based on the tale, we know an education term called “Pygmalion Effect”, where all educators are supposed to treat their proteges just like the way they dream it. Students are not allowed to be considered stupid for things they don’t understand; they just need more time to comprehend things compared to others; or they just haven’t understand yet.

Scientific research also proves that students who receive more appreciation and feeling of being welcomed, who are treated nicely and always greeted positively by their teachers, will show better development, performance, and achievement than those who don’t receive the same treatment. That’s why a warning is given to parents and educators, do not speak negative things upon our children and students. Serving as prayer, our words will take their form, and of course, we never want bad things take the form of our sayings.

Father in heaven, thank you for the great calling You’ve given to me. Teach me to have positive and the best thoughts for every person around me, especially for those who have been trusted to me. Help me to be the sculptor of miracle for them. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things.

Phil. 4:8

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WHEN SILENCE SPEAKS

Pantomime is a play which is played without words; the message is delivered through body movement or body language. Within an interview, a pantomime actor was asked about the difference between the common play and pantomime, and the actor gave an interesting answer. He said, “In a play, when an actor acts terribly, the show can still be covered by dialogue between actors. While in pantomime, when the actor acts terribly, the play is over.”

Without dialogue, a pantomime actor has to present a clear story through attractive movement; not only attractive, but also meaningful. In silence, he has to work hard to give entertaining performance, while at the same time, he has to convey the message of his action successfully so that every playgoer understands.

Can you see? The same thing is also valid in christianity. When we are losing words for people who haven’t known God, and our sayings are rejected by those who don’t want to know about our God, let our life become the one who speaks.

We have to show them that our life is a renewed life, and that their life can be change, too. We must live before them with love, and show them that they can receive the same love, too. We can show them that our God is the living God, and interest them to know Him, too. In silence, we can still testify through our deeds.

Father in heaven, help me to become Your actor in this life. I’m not a good speaker, but You can make me a good Word doer. Help me to show to people that You live in me. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

In the same way, let your light shine before men,

that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

Mat. 5:16

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I'M GLAD THAT I MET YOU

When I was sad and hurt

I didn’t know what to do

I cried a lot and yelled out

but nobody wanted to hear me too

I was thinking about my parents

but somehow no words came out of this heart

I was remembering my friends’ names

but suddenly I lost my trust

I was in search of water

I was in search of light

I was losing hope in my way of finding it

I was losing strength in my way of seeking it

But I’m glad to know You

in the end of my mourning

I’m happy to have You

in the beginning of my journey

You are the guiding star

You are the morning sun

You are the reflecting moon

shining on my way back home

I’m glad that I met You

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DO NOT LOVE THE WORLD

Have you ever lost something that is very important to you? Or maybe you have it broken by someone else? I have, and it feels hurt.

One of my favorite things in the house might be my notebook. Why is it precious to me? Maybe because it is the most expensive thing I have ever bought, with great effort, in the house. Or maybe because the notebook is the most important thing taking apart in my daily job.

But, one day, when I had to go to work, I brought the notebook with, and stopped by at a printing company to submit a new order. Since I was alone at that time (the only customer), and since my bag was quite heavy, I decided to put the bag (with the notebook in it) on a chair when the employee called my to show the design.

I’ve just stood up when another customer came in, sat next to my chair, and (I believed that he) unintentionally grazed my bag and dropped it. I turned back spontaneously to see what’s happening – was little bit shocked – I took my bag and sat back. Without knowing that there was the most important electronic stuff in my bag, the man just stood up and went off. “Oh God ... ... thank you,” I said in my heart.

I tried to be calm down, took some deep breath, and prayed, “God, please let the notebook safe. I’m not ready if I have to lose it now. I really need it for my work. Please, God, please. I hope there’s nothing broken.”

Once I could control myself, I could remember what God had said through His word, “Do not love the world or anything in the world.” I realized that I was afraid, disappointed, and angry because I have put my heart and put too much hope on worldly things. I also remembered that God is the One who owns everything.

So, I said in my heart, “God, I’m sorry for what’s happening. I know that this notebook is only something that You’ve entrusted to me, lent out to me. That’s why I surrender all to You, God.”

After that moment, I try to accept things happened in life. And, thanks to God, my notebook is fine. Glory to God who’s the Owner of everything.

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