34 weeks

The scripture reader at our matrimony, Aunty G, was called Home to the Lord on Sunday.

We were at her Wake last night... a solemn and tearful (even while joyful) affair for many of us, who knew her and her battle against the savage jaws of cancer in the recent few years. Her passion for life and fervent pursuit of God's Kingdom will be fondly remembered. Till we meet again, Aunty G... please do remember us.

From womb to tomb, how few our years... how fragile the vapours of our existence are.

The litmus test of a life well lived is not all the prestige, riches and recognition that the impressive oyster of our world offers. Rather, it is whether or not one lives up to the main purpose of his/her existence, i.e. knowing God.

Knowing God is the essence of our salvation in Christ (Jn 17:3).  

Bringing a child into the world is often accompanied by parental dreams and ambitions of all sizes and shapes. Perhaps, we even hope that our children might fulfill the dreams that we ourselves never managed to reach or live. While some parents take it to the extreme, such hopes are not necessarily wrong. For example (and maybe this isn't the best of examples), if my grandparents did not aspire to send my dad to the UK so that he could have good tertiary education (rather than follow in his parents' footsteps) and maximise the potential of his intellectual gifts, he would have been severely limited in his contribution to the society in the contemporary.

I dream that my daughter would grow up into a confident woman with healthy self-esteem (unlike my erratic one - a thorn in the flesh). I dream that she would never have issues with depression or eating disorders, nasty things. 

I think dreaming is fine... as long as we surrender our dreams to God, knowing that His dreams for us, our children and His Kingdom surpass anything we could dream up... and as long as we are prepared to let go of our dreams if and whenever God gives us the indication to let go - and trust Him.  

My ultimate dream for S is that she would be one who knows and loves Him with all her heart, mind, soul and strength.

Dearest S, in knowing Him... may every part of your life fall into its rightful place.

May every one of your dreams be beautiful, pure, sound and wise (like your name). However, I also pray that your heart would be filled with hope, excitement, joy and contentment at all times, even when any of such dreams have to be given up for the sake of obeying and desiring God - the Giver of Life.

Loving you,
Mummy