Showers of Manna - it's Blessings!

A blessed new year from Yan and her family members, mum in law,
hubby, Rachel and Christopher

I shall be taking a blogging break and should be back before the celebrations end. You know Chinese New Year celebrations end on the 15th day!

While Rachel is looking forward (or is she?) to packing up her belongings and explore, I was not exactly dreading it. But I am definitely circumspect! What is a glorious beginning for Rachel means leaving me lost!

Mothering is such mysterious task. First you developed an intimate attachment with your child, then you spend the rest of your life learning to let go!

What's if she gets sick, who will bring her to see doctor? What's if she feels lonely, who will talk to her? It seems there are so many of "what if".

Probably, I am just being uneasy about what changes this would bring for me.

Yes, there will no disappearance of my more youngish looking shirts and dresses. There will not be occasions when my dressing tables become bare because she borrows the bare minimum that I have. There will not be times when I am amazed how quickly that "kotex" run out and I have to rush to the store on unexpected days.

Yet, in fact, I cherish having her around. She is added sparkle to my busyness! What greater blessings a mother could ask for?

At the beginning of a new year, we always take stock of the blessings in our life. I read a very nice article on "blessings" recently. Author is unknown. I am extracting part of the articles to share with you -

To wish another person prosperity or success is one of the most unselfish things you can do. If tomorrow morning you could go outside and find any heavenly blessing of your choice poured out of the skies, what would you ask for? Or would you prefer your blessings more localized and controlled rather than streaming down like manna on everyone? "Depends on what the blessings are," you might say.

God's blessings never run out, they overlap one another. He keeps generating new ones. Like any loving parent, it is his delight to pour out blessings upon you. And like any child, sometimes you ignore them or take them for granted. God's blessings are pleasures or advantages for the purpose of bringing goodness into your life. They have another purpose too: to nudge you to the place he wants you to be, in attitude or action. However, their full value may or may not be apparent at the moment you receive them. A conflict arises when you decide what the blessing should be and when and how it should come. The apostle Paul asked three times for his "thorn in the side" to be removed. God told him the thorn was a blessing in disguise, to keep him from becoming conceited.

Your choices can determine the kinds of blessings you receive. Some blessings come as a direct result of obedience to God, and some blessings happen when you share the gospel with someone. Anyone who fears God and tries to please him will enjoy automatic blessings. You are to give out your own blessings whenever you can, especially to those who ill-treat you, out of the store of blessings God gives you. In fact, God's abundant provisions can overwhelm you at times. God's blessings pour from his grace, that love he shows to you that is often so undeserved.

Jesus taught about the blessings of God. His blessings include knowing him, being his child, receiving mercy, becoming righteous, finding comfort, going to heaven. You can impart blessings to the people around you - by providing food, help in times of trouble, and various kinds of encouragement. And you can bring blessings to God. He delights in those who obey him. He finds pleasure in earnest attempts to seek him and his ways. He enjoys the activities you ask him to join in. He is pleased when you humble yourself.

Right now, list your blessings. Cross out the ones that could be stolen or destroyed, such as anything material, temporal. Circle those that are eternal, that could never be taken from you, such as your salvation, the love you've received or given. Just thinking about God's presence, your friends and family, your permanent blessings, can bring a quiet joy, a feeling of happiness, no matter what else clouds the horizon.

Leaving you all with this quote as you usher in the year of the Ox!

The best things are nearest:
breath in your nostrils,
light in your eyes,
flowers at your feet,
duties at your hand,
the path of God just before you.
Robert Louis Stevenson

And the newest one from President Barack Obama asking the nation to -

Choose Hope over Fear,
Unity or Purpose over conflict and discord
to overcome the economic crisis.

Now, a short note about the family photos. We have been talking about taking family photos and I kept on putting that move on shelf. One day, Chris said, "Mummy, we have been talking about taking family photo for a year, and still there is no light from the camera." That created a stir in the heart, still not quite able to "move" me. Then, I read from JoMel's blog the nice family photos taken in Bali. That moved me a lot and I started to think seriously about it - it must be one of these days!

Just as I was thinking who would take up a session of simple not so sophisticated family photos, Roger Tiong TL, a colleague, a journalist and a photographer with many of those titles, popped in and threw these words, "Daughter is about to leave home, I better take the family photo for you!"

That's it! He must be God-sent, I told myself.

Thanks to JoMel who made the mountain move. Thanks to my dear colleague for making that happen!

Presenting to you - my family with my big smile as background - my true colours! You can click to enlarge for a close-up look!