muses

Reading: Isa 9:1-7

It seems strange to me that some of the tenses used in describing the promised One were in present participle (v6 “a child is born“, “a son is given“), though the Israelites at that time did not witness the coming of the King. I’m glad that I’m on this side of the Cross, that the Gift is not just for the Israelites but also for Gentiles, such as I.

These past few days have been sobering, with the news of sudden passing of churchmates’ dad. It has jolted me to resume praying for my family, all whom have yet to know Jesus. May they know the light that has dawned (v1).

Truth is, I seldom feel lonely. Even when I’m alone. I guess I’ve grown to amuse myself with all that’s around me that I don’t feel lonely. In fact, the times that I felt acutely lonely was when I was with crowds of people. And they were people who I know.

And it’s strange that in the Nov/Dec 07 issue of Discipleship Journal on loneliness, there are a few narrations of people who experience loneliness. There’s the wife, preacher, single lady and guy, widow… some whom you would never connect loneliness with. I suppose it’s the same loneliness that drives individuals from vastly different backgrounds to seek solace in one another’s companionship. That’s something that I had concluded as I see many foreign-workers couples together in Singapore, especially during their weekend breaks. The lady is usually a domestic helper from neighbouring shores, and the guy, a labourer from the region of Indian sub-continent. Somehow English becomes their lingua franca, and they would tease one another with their limited vocabulary, aided by their body language and wide gesticulation. Of course, there are people who say that love transcends language barriers, but I can’t help but wonder if it’s love, or sadly, loneliness, that brings them together. Or perhaps worse - lust.

Shakespeare said that misery acquaints a man with strange bedfellows. I think loneliness is another culprit.

… the break, I mean. Yeah, was hoping to catch up on my sleep debt, but I had made the commitment to join my ‘Crispy’ mates for breakfast and the youths for the EYF launch from 10am to 4pm, so I couldn’t laze in bed as long as I had hoped. Never mind. The launch was great! I actually felt youthful. LOL. Ah… the perils of self-deception… thereafter I’ve actually gotten a tan to show off for my day out.

Then there was Samuel & Mingyu’s wedding rehearsal at night. It was a delight to see friends whose friendship and courtship you had witnessed (preparing) getting hitched. Also thank God for meeting friends whom I haven’t seen for some time, for people that I have been thinking of…

Thank you, God, for life’s little blessings.