The other day I was in the car with Mr. Wu, and we pulled up beside a pick-up truck with a load of what looked like large sheets of plywood stacked in the back of it. There were two men standing up in the open back of the truck, holding on to the wood. I pointed this out to Mr. Wu as an unsafe situation, especially as we were traveling on a busy, six lane road at a fairly high speed. Mr. Wu's comment was, "Maybe people cheap, wood expensive."
I was dumbfounded. I said nothing. Since then I have thought of many things I could have said. For starters, "No, that's not true."
Psalm 139 comes to mind this morning.
For You created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
Showing posts with label God. Show all posts
Showing posts with label God. Show all posts
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Wednesday, October 01, 2008
A Four Year Old's Theology
"God wants us to do good things, not bad things, so you should always take care of your belly."
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
A Vast Expanse
We traveled through the night to get to Kota Kinabalu. It isn't the easiest way to fly, when you have four kids and arrive in another country at 3 a.m. with a very short time to deplane, get your berrings in an unfamiliar airport, go through immigration, gather luggage, check in for the next flight and find the gate before the flight leaves. Fortunately we made it onto the plane in the knick of time and were on our way out of Kuala Lumpur and on through the night to Borneo and the airport in Kota.
The second flight, the one that left Kuala Lumpur at 4 a.m., was blessedly empty. Literally only a tenth of the seats were filled. So after take-off we all spread out to lie down across our own row of seats, which felt like a marverlous luxery. Everyone of us was able to sleep.
Sometime during that two and half hour flight over the South China Sea, I opened my eyes and happened to glance out the window. It was that very dark hour before dawn, and the stars were huge and brilliant. They filled the sky outside my tiny window. I was half asleep and had to shake my head and blink a few times to see if it was a dream or if those many, many bright stars were real or just a dream. They were really there. I couldn't get over how many there were, how thickly spread they were in the sky, how big and bright their light. The contrast to the nearly starless, hazy skies I see out my window above the Huangpu river was amazing.
As I gazed at the stars for a few more minutes before closing my eyes and returning to curl up on my three airplane seats, I thought back to the only other time I may have seen stars like this. It was on the second story deck of my aunt and uncle's home in rural Pennsylvania when I was a little girl. I was amazed at the expanse of them. For a child raised in the suburbs, with street lights on every telephone pole, the night sky in this rural area was breathtaking.
There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard.
Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the earth."
Psalm 19:1-4
I heard their declaration on my aunt and uncle's deck several decades ago. Last week again it was loud and clear!
The second flight, the one that left Kuala Lumpur at 4 a.m., was blessedly empty. Literally only a tenth of the seats were filled. So after take-off we all spread out to lie down across our own row of seats, which felt like a marverlous luxery. Everyone of us was able to sleep.
Sometime during that two and half hour flight over the South China Sea, I opened my eyes and happened to glance out the window. It was that very dark hour before dawn, and the stars were huge and brilliant. They filled the sky outside my tiny window. I was half asleep and had to shake my head and blink a few times to see if it was a dream or if those many, many bright stars were real or just a dream. They were really there. I couldn't get over how many there were, how thickly spread they were in the sky, how big and bright their light. The contrast to the nearly starless, hazy skies I see out my window above the Huangpu river was amazing.
As I gazed at the stars for a few more minutes before closing my eyes and returning to curl up on my three airplane seats, I thought back to the only other time I may have seen stars like this. It was on the second story deck of my aunt and uncle's home in rural Pennsylvania when I was a little girl. I was amazed at the expanse of them. For a child raised in the suburbs, with street lights on every telephone pole, the night sky in this rural area was breathtaking.
"The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.
Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge.There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard.
Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the earth."
Psalm 19:1-4
I heard their declaration on my aunt and uncle's deck several decades ago. Last week again it was loud and clear!
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Thanksgiving Thought
Who could now sustain them but the Spirit of God and His grace?
~William Bradford, of Plymouth Plantation
~William Bradford, of Plymouth Plantation
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Abundance
This afternoon the kids and I went outside to hang out and skate a little in the waning afternoon light. Behind our building there is a big grassy area with brick paths around it that are nice for rollerblading, and round fountain areas with steps leading off the sides that are good for skateboard tricks. The weather has been lovely this past week, with temperatures that are so pleasant and far less humidity than a month ago. It was perfect for lolling about outside.
As the girls and I approached the area where the boys were skating, Madelyn spotted a girl that looked about her size. I encouraged her to to say hi, and I followed after her and helped make introductions. Audrey is her name, and she is almost exactly a year younger than Madelyn. Since we had skates, she decided to go get hers, and returned from her 20th floor apartment quickly with them on. She and Madelyn and Gwen skated around for a little while, looking at bugs on the walk in front of them. While they skated, Audrey explained to me that her family is waiting for a Chinese baby, and that the adoption lady was at her house right now! I wasn't sure who the "adoption lady" was, but Audrey was excited, and she said she had thought she might have her sister by Halloween, but now they were going to have to wait a little longer. Sounded familiar!
We decided to go over towards the lake to see if the fountains were on, so I invited Audrey to come and suggested she go ask her mom first if it was okay. She agreed that was a good idea, and asked Madelyn to go up to the apartment with her. When they came back down a few minutes later, Madelyn was invited in for dinner and to play! I decided to go up and meet Audrey's mom, with this added twist. As it happened, the "adoption lady" was in the lobby as we went in, so I got to meet her. She is in charge of expat adoption in Shanghai (which, by the way, is expedited so that the wait time is reduced by half... anyone want to come live in Shanghai to adopt?)
Audrey's parents, Matt and Molly, were both home. They are warm and lovely people. We talked about adoption and the woes of waiting, while the girls explored Audrey's room. When I peeked in after a few minutes, they were all three engaged in a game with little plastic horses. After chatting for a few minutes, I excused myself to go find Seth and get back to the soup I had unwisely left simmering on the stove at home. Both Gwen and Madelyn stayed for dinner and playtime.
I marveled to Caleb about this new friend for Madelyn as we walked back to our building. If it were just this one friend, it would be wonderful. But it's been more than that. To back up, Madelyn was really struggling a couple of weeks ago. She pretty much shut down for several days, not eating or even getting off the couch all day, sleeping a lot and barely talking. I took her to the doctor, but we were already thinking perhaps she was struggling emotionally, what with the boys newly in school, her friend Alexa having recently moved back to the States, no homeschooling friends, and the China move itself. There were other factors as well, factors that made me question my decisions and abilities as a parent. The doctor confirmed that it was probably a bad case of the blues. We rallied to cheer her, asking for prayers from our families and giving her lots of extra lovin'. The kittens made a difference, and God just poured out some other blessings that have left us with a changed little girl on our hands. In the last ten days we've miraculously connected with home school families in our area, informally to play and also for a gym class. "Girls' School", a wonderful small class for just a few home schooled girls Madelyn's age starts this week. She's started swimming lessons, and children's church began again after a break for the summer. She had a sleep-over with Elise, a friend from church. The results of these blessings and all the prayers for her is that she is more affectionate than she has been in a year, and seems more able to express herself. Her deep giggle can be heard throughout the house again. At bedtime tonight she was just bursting with hugs and kisses for us, and was so full of joy!
And today, a new friend in our complex. A friend who we just happened to find outside. A friend that invites her for dinner and promises to come over tomorrow afternoon to play again. Is that all, God, or is there more? How well you care for Your children. Look how you fill to overflowing. Thank You, thank You!
As the girls and I approached the area where the boys were skating, Madelyn spotted a girl that looked about her size. I encouraged her to to say hi, and I followed after her and helped make introductions. Audrey is her name, and she is almost exactly a year younger than Madelyn. Since we had skates, she decided to go get hers, and returned from her 20th floor apartment quickly with them on. She and Madelyn and Gwen skated around for a little while, looking at bugs on the walk in front of them. While they skated, Audrey explained to me that her family is waiting for a Chinese baby, and that the adoption lady was at her house right now! I wasn't sure who the "adoption lady" was, but Audrey was excited, and she said she had thought she might have her sister by Halloween, but now they were going to have to wait a little longer. Sounded familiar!
We decided to go over towards the lake to see if the fountains were on, so I invited Audrey to come and suggested she go ask her mom first if it was okay. She agreed that was a good idea, and asked Madelyn to go up to the apartment with her. When they came back down a few minutes later, Madelyn was invited in for dinner and to play! I decided to go up and meet Audrey's mom, with this added twist. As it happened, the "adoption lady" was in the lobby as we went in, so I got to meet her. She is in charge of expat adoption in Shanghai (which, by the way, is expedited so that the wait time is reduced by half... anyone want to come live in Shanghai to adopt?)
Audrey's parents, Matt and Molly, were both home. They are warm and lovely people. We talked about adoption and the woes of waiting, while the girls explored Audrey's room. When I peeked in after a few minutes, they were all three engaged in a game with little plastic horses. After chatting for a few minutes, I excused myself to go find Seth and get back to the soup I had unwisely left simmering on the stove at home. Both Gwen and Madelyn stayed for dinner and playtime.
I marveled to Caleb about this new friend for Madelyn as we walked back to our building. If it were just this one friend, it would be wonderful. But it's been more than that. To back up, Madelyn was really struggling a couple of weeks ago. She pretty much shut down for several days, not eating or even getting off the couch all day, sleeping a lot and barely talking. I took her to the doctor, but we were already thinking perhaps she was struggling emotionally, what with the boys newly in school, her friend Alexa having recently moved back to the States, no homeschooling friends, and the China move itself. There were other factors as well, factors that made me question my decisions and abilities as a parent. The doctor confirmed that it was probably a bad case of the blues. We rallied to cheer her, asking for prayers from our families and giving her lots of extra lovin'. The kittens made a difference, and God just poured out some other blessings that have left us with a changed little girl on our hands. In the last ten days we've miraculously connected with home school families in our area, informally to play and also for a gym class. "Girls' School", a wonderful small class for just a few home schooled girls Madelyn's age starts this week. She's started swimming lessons, and children's church began again after a break for the summer. She had a sleep-over with Elise, a friend from church. The results of these blessings and all the prayers for her is that she is more affectionate than she has been in a year, and seems more able to express herself. Her deep giggle can be heard throughout the house again. At bedtime tonight she was just bursting with hugs and kisses for us, and was so full of joy!
And today, a new friend in our complex. A friend who we just happened to find outside. A friend that invites her for dinner and promises to come over tomorrow afternoon to play again. Is that all, God, or is there more? How well you care for Your children. Look how you fill to overflowing. Thank You, thank You!
Monday, August 27, 2007
A Heavy Load
Mr. Wu and I had a conversation last week when I was in the car alone with him. It's not quite a conversation when you have to communicate one word at a time through an electronic translator, but sometimes when it's only one word chosen to express an entire thought, it comes across that much more poigniantly. Mr. Wu actually has quite a few English words, but he resorts to the translator when he gets stumped. I am no help, with my minimal Chinese.
Anyway, he started telling me about what life is like for Shanghainese people, and he was trying to explain (I think) the financial strain that it is. One of the words that came through translator was loan, when he told me about his house. I told him I understood, we have a loan for our house too. But the word that got me was when he said, "In Shanghai, man, work..." and then through the translator came the word, "Burden."
It's a huge responsiblity to provide for one's family, one that I know I don't fully understand. I know Scott does, though. He is glad to do it, he's told me, and is thankful that he can.
Apparently it's a heavy burden for Mr. Wu. When I first looked at that word, burden, I felt for him, but I also thought, if only there was a way for me to communicate to Mr. Wu about the One who said that His yolk is easy and His burden is light.
That's my burden. And I guess also my challenge... can I learn enough Chinese to communicate deep truths like faith? I'm a little doubtful that I can. I've prayed that Mr. Wu and Mrs. Shi and other people we connect with, the people Scott works with, would see Jesus in us. Even if our words can't express Him. But can words ever adequately express Jesus anyway?
In church a couple of weeks ago it was mentioned in the sermon that God did not call people of faith to be "a house set on a hill", but rather "a city set on a hill." In order to be light to others, we must be a united community of believers. We can't go it alone.
Because doing life alone... that would really be a heavy load to carry. Find someone to walk with you. The load will be so much lighter!
Anyway, he started telling me about what life is like for Shanghainese people, and he was trying to explain (I think) the financial strain that it is. One of the words that came through translator was loan, when he told me about his house. I told him I understood, we have a loan for our house too. But the word that got me was when he said, "In Shanghai, man, work..." and then through the translator came the word, "Burden."
It's a huge responsiblity to provide for one's family, one that I know I don't fully understand. I know Scott does, though. He is glad to do it, he's told me, and is thankful that he can.
Apparently it's a heavy burden for Mr. Wu. When I first looked at that word, burden, I felt for him, but I also thought, if only there was a way for me to communicate to Mr. Wu about the One who said that His yolk is easy and His burden is light.
That's my burden. And I guess also my challenge... can I learn enough Chinese to communicate deep truths like faith? I'm a little doubtful that I can. I've prayed that Mr. Wu and Mrs. Shi and other people we connect with, the people Scott works with, would see Jesus in us. Even if our words can't express Him. But can words ever adequately express Jesus anyway?
In church a couple of weeks ago it was mentioned in the sermon that God did not call people of faith to be "a house set on a hill", but rather "a city set on a hill." In order to be light to others, we must be a united community of believers. We can't go it alone.
Because doing life alone... that would really be a heavy load to carry. Find someone to walk with you. The load will be so much lighter!
On the street between the two sections of our complex, a man pulls a load of lumber slowly toward its destination. Note the cloth strap tied to the wagon underneath the bundle that comes up over his shoulders and around his neck. This is a very common sight in Shanghai.
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Caleb's Birthday, Part 2~ The Plans He Has
Six days before Caleb's birthday we met the Allens at church. We had dinner with their family that night, along with the Hillmer family, after church. As you may remember from the blog I wrote a week ago, entitled Sunday, after that dinner all three families went to the Hillmers for dessert. During that visit, I mentioned Caleb's birthday, and Sue Allen suggested that we all do something together to celebrate. Just the fact that Sue had that idea was miracle enough...
But yesterday it all actually happened. Late morning, after our family celebration, Scott suggested that he, Seth, and Caleb go play laser tag in the afternoon. Little did Caleb know that Rich, Lucas, and Lance Allen and Doug, Matt, and Tim Hillmer would be waiting there to play with them when they arrived. Then afterwards we all met at the Allens for dinner, cake, gifts, fun and great conversation!
It was nothing short of amazing to me. When I realized months ago that we would be in Shanghai for Caleb's birthday, I wondered what the day would be like. What would we do to make it special and fun for him, in this new and completely foreign place? I guess I didn't need to worry... the plan was already in the works.
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11
I hope that this birthday will be a reminder to Caleb for all of his life of the way God provides for him.
Did I mention that Lucas and Matt came home with us after the party last night to sleep over? The boys stayed up nearly the whole night, having a great time together. And Madelyn and Seth stayed over at the Allens, with Elise, Lance and Tim.
Time for cake!
Gwen gets a candle to lick.
Friends... what abundant provision... it reminds me of the theme verse of Abundant Grace Church, where we attend here in Shanghai. On the front of the bulletin is the verse, "Far more than we dare ask or imagine..."
But yesterday it all actually happened. Late morning, after our family celebration, Scott suggested that he, Seth, and Caleb go play laser tag in the afternoon. Little did Caleb know that Rich, Lucas, and Lance Allen and Doug, Matt, and Tim Hillmer would be waiting there to play with them when they arrived. Then afterwards we all met at the Allens for dinner, cake, gifts, fun and great conversation!
It was nothing short of amazing to me. When I realized months ago that we would be in Shanghai for Caleb's birthday, I wondered what the day would be like. What would we do to make it special and fun for him, in this new and completely foreign place? I guess I didn't need to worry... the plan was already in the works.
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11
I hope that this birthday will be a reminder to Caleb for all of his life of the way God provides for him.
Did I mention that Lucas and Matt came home with us after the party last night to sleep over? The boys stayed up nearly the whole night, having a great time together. And Madelyn and Seth stayed over at the Allens, with Elise, Lance and Tim.
Time for cake!
Gwen gets a candle to lick.
Friends... what abundant provision... it reminds me of the theme verse of Abundant Grace Church, where we attend here in Shanghai. On the front of the bulletin is the verse, "Far more than we dare ask or imagine..." I couldn't have imagined this for all of us on Caleb's birthday, but there it was. I'm glad God's plans are so much bigger than mine!
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