Mae

未食五月粽, 寒衣不可送

"Do not send away your winter wear until you've eaten the dumpling of Lunar 5th month" is a common Cantonese saying in Hong Kong.

A couple of weeks ago on a Sunny Sunday, I was happily sending my well worn (& smelly!) wool coats for dry cleaning, exchanging my down blanket for the lighter silk ones. The weather was beautiful then - a nice cool 20 with bright sun during the day. I thought winter is over! But, alas! Hong Kong Weather - what a temperamental lady! The cold weather of 10 degree is back!

3 winters in Hong Kong and I still find myself adapting. There were times when I turned up in coluorful summer skirt when it was 15 degrees and big woollen blouse when it was 20!

This Sunny Girl has a lot to learn!

Forgiveness 21 February 2006

What is forgiveness? Why forgive? How to forgive? These are questions which I’ve struggled with for many years.

In past few weeks, for some particular reasons, I found myself very judgmental, impatient, inconsiderate and was feeling very unhappy with myself and others around me. I feel frustrated, I have no peace in my mind, in my heart.

To forgive (including important but mostly neglected ‘self forgive’) is to LET IT GO. Let the misdeeds, faults, failings etc GO.

The person who is forgiven is now FREE to move forward again.
The person who is forgiven is NO LONGER TRAPPED in his/her past.

Forgiveness is a GIFT given by the person who has been offended.
It’s also a CHOICE of that person.

The person who CHOOSES to forgive, not only sets the offender free, he/she also chooses to FREE himself/herself and he/she is NO LONGER TRAPPED.

Jesus asks Peter “Do you love me?” He didn’t ask “How useful are you to me?” Love myself, Love others. Forgive myself, forgive others – let it go. Set others free, set ourselves free!

Reset to ZERO EVERYTIME. Do not count those misdeeds, faults, failings etc.
PRAY FOR THE PERSON who has offended you.

God not only forgives our sins, HE helps us to learn from them.
Let’s constantly pray for God’s forgiveness of our sins and at the same time, ask God to help us forgive those who sin against us.