When we start forgiving, we choose mercy over justice. We trust God that He is sovereign.  We trust Him to fight our battles.  And when we choose to forgive, we break the chain of ungrace, releasing us from bitterness, hatred and anger.

If you cannot be honest with verifiable facts, what else can you be honest about? How unprofessional can a professional be?

I am getting ready, I am getting excited.
There should be no room for fear and doubt.
It may not be exactly what I expected it to be
But I know I am getting there.
It's a new season!

I just watch in dismay as the filing of candidacy becomes more of a circus rather than a formal declaration of intention to serve the nation.

Forgiveness is achingly difficult, and long after you've forgiven, the wound lives on in memory.  Forgiveness is an unnatural act.  I never find forgiveness easy.  Nagging injustices remain, and the wounds still cause pain.  I have to approach God again and again, yielding to him the residue of what I thought I have committed to him long ago...God forgives my debts as I forgive my debtor...only by living in the stream of God's grace will I find the strength to respond with grace towards others. (Philip Yancey, What's so Amazing About Grace)

You are not defined by your past; you are prepared by your past. You may have encountered some great obstacles...it's because God has a great future in front of you.

I love surprises!

My teenager asked, "Mama, did Papa ever surprise you?"

I paused. I could have blurted out, YES! But I didn't, because I have to look back at the many instances my husband did. 

Before we got married, he surprised me with his presence on my birthday. That was totally unexpected because he has given up spending Christmas with his family and chose to spend it with me. 

The little surprises he gave - flowers under his sleeve or on top of our closet, chocolates waiting for me elsewhere in the house, a letter (which he seldom gives). It's the little things really that I enjoy the most. 

And of course, the Valentine's date we've had before he left to work abroad. 

I guess, my children took after him. My boys are the sweetest. They too are full of surprises. It is always a delight coming home to them. Sometimes, I get a candlelight dinner prepared by my teen, my clothes prepared by my toddler. A letter tucked in my bag. Sometimes toys secretly placed inside my bag which eventually gives me a smile when I discover them later on.

It's the little things that makes a memory. And it's the little surprises that creates so much memories. 

Guilty mother syndrome

My 6-year old this morning was insisting for me to be on time to get him at exactly 3:00pm. I told him I am sorry I can't make it on time, because of a meeting.  He then blurted out - "When my papa calls, can I tell him to let you stop working already?"

What drives me?

I am fueled by my passion to reach out to the next generation. To be an example, and to influence them to honor Christ, and walk in obedience to His will. To pursue excellence and not mediocrity.

I get excited with the fact that they will be the new breed of leaders.  They will not only be sitting in the sidelines, and watch with apathy.  My prayer is that they will pursue excellence and actively take part and fulfill their roles in society, for them to do what they are called to do.

Yes, I have a choice not to exert extra effort and just quietly relax in the sidelines. But that is not what I am called to do. When God widened my sphere of influence, I know that there is more to do rather than just deliver my lectures day after day.

I may not be able to reach out to everyone, but one youth at a time, can make a lot of difference.