I like to watch reality TV. Not the Fear Factor stuff but documentary / docu-drama
Recently I watched a few shows about criminals on death row. These serial killers, or compulsive multiple killers had been caught, convicted and sentenced to die.
A few of them turned to 'religion'
They realised that they needed God!
Wow! That's an under-statement of the year!
It seemed that the conversion is real and legitimate
One sought to be baptised and wrote to a local pastor wandering if his sins were too much for him to be considered baptism.
The pastor baptised him a short time before he was executed
Another, finally wrote a letter of apology to God for all the sins she'd committed and asked if she was fit for Heaven...
This brings back the story in the gospel when one of the robbers hung on the cross Next to our Lord Jesus Asked to be remembered by Jesus Jesus then replied "Today you will be with me in paradise"
Then it dawned on me The power of Forgiveness
When we get to heaven We may be in for a rude awakening.... As we come face to face with murderers, robbers, serial rapists, even war criminals who sought the Lord's forgiveness and became born again Christian.
They will be standing side by side with all who had put their faith in Jesus singing praises and hallelujahs
I don't mean to offend anyone who may have lost their loved ones through some fiendish horrific crimes
My heart cries with them wanting justice to be exacted when the culprit, caught, convicted and paid the price of their deeds
but if God could forgive them and allow them a place in Heaven
Who are we to deny them entrance to eternal life?
For that matter anyone with whom we might have had grievances would be in Heaven if they made peace with God
My question is Have I made my peace with Him?
His love is so amazing His Mercy really knows no end.
"Pak-to" is made up of 2 Chinese characters: 'Pak' as in clap, (clapping hands) or to flatter / to fawn on; or ,as in docking a ship, parking a car, parking something close to another... different Chinese character, but I reckon the word might have evolved to the character used for clapping.
'To' on the other hand, pronounced as "tall" with a silent "ll", Means to drag, or hold hands Don't you find that people who hold hands to walk tend to be slower in their pace? Like dragging the time their hands are held together?
In Mandarin, it would have to be pronounced as "pai-tuo".
Pak-to-logy, then, is the study (observation) of dating.
The phrase was first coined by a lay preacher, now pastor, where I was worshipping in London, way back when... He used to expound on the characteristics of couples who were dating, thus the 'study' of dating. Now, where is all that leading to?
Oh yeah... haha, as mentioned in my earlier post, I went a Pak-To.... with my daughter. We do this quite regularly, by the way, as often as time allows. Sometimes, we block out our free time. Normally, we just let it happen. Like she'll join me in my shopping, while waiting for the younger one to come join us for dinner / lunch / movies, whatever.
With the younger one, we date in other ways... We'd window shop, or sit and read together, or eat out, or catch a movie, just the 2 of us.
With the older one, we would end up sharing, talking about her aspirations and dreams, opinions, and venting on whatever problems she was having.
The younger one doesn't share as much as she probably shares with her sister, but she does rant about school stuff, or opine about a book, its story line, character and so on, and you know what? That's ok with me.
I have always been told that my girls and I are very close, and I did not think it was anything out of the ordinary.
Don't get me wrong. I am not saying other families are not close. I am saying that I realised our relationship has as much friendship in it as it has of family ties.
The older one invited me to do a test recently, just to see how much I really do know her. I scored the second highest! Her ex-boyfriend, who is still quite close to her, scored the highest, which is understandable, as I am sure he would know more about her when they were "pak-to-ing".
Actually I was pretty chuffed that I do know her, her desires, her dreams her aspirations. I know her friends too, and not in a superficial way. My younger one? Well, I am working on it, since she is the quieter kind. Still, there is time for me to know her.
Perhaps the generational gap would be narrowed if we made an effort to get close to our children, take an interest in what they do, the friends they hang out with, the 'philosophy' they take....
But this has to start early, as they grow up so fast... It seemed only yesterday when I had to carry her as she got tired going out with me....
The story came to a part where the father swam down to the machine room, to switch the rotary motor so to rotate in the opposite direction, eventually, to get out of the sinking ship. Something to that effect anyway... (shows I know so much about ships huh?)
The point is, Daddy Kurt Russell had a heart attack while trying to press the button, and just before he died, Managed to accomplish his mission.
I'd watched the film before, but for some reason, I found myself weeping.
He knew he might not survive, but he did it anyway.
My thoughts catapulted to those brave passengers on the fateful flight on September 11, 2001. When they realised that they'd probably not be getting out of the hijacked plane alive. They stormed the plane, forcing it to crash just short of its intended target, Saving probably hundreds of people, if not thousands.
They knew they might not survive, but they did it anyway.
Their heroic acts Illuminated one truth that separates us, the human race, from the animals, evil fiends aside.
That when the rubber hits the road, We do rise to the occasion and yes, Some would sacrifice for the greater good of those around them.
These heros went ahead to do what is 'right'.
They knew their price is their lives, but they did it anyway.
Then I got thinking about the Korean volunteers who were kidnapped. Did they know they were going to die when they volunteered in war-torn Afganistan? Would they have gone anyway? Knowing how volatile the country is?
I guess I had to find out when I meet them in heaven. But one thing I know, is that, This trait Of self sacrifice Is from God If you accept that We ARE made in the image of God.
I do, and I also know that Long long time ago A man sacrificed His life On the cross, so that I could be Reconciled with God
Yup, the 2 of us, hand in hand, walking around aimlessly before settling in this 'quaint' tea-house cum shop "Eclectic Attic" is the name.
It sells antique furnitures, trinkets and rare objects, as well as tea-cakes and scones and fresh-brewed tea.
It sold more than a typical English cream tea for me.. It sold memories of a past life Of drives in the countryside Deliberately using the roads less travelled To look out for Quaint tea houses in Quaint little villages
Of the better days When life was not Contaminated Scarred When the hurts could be healed Quickly & forgiven in a heart beat.
I shared this, Reminising, Letting out little secrets so long forgotten; in settings as such it's easy to recollect without any bitter taste.
My date too, shared the memories, the joy the hurts that Punctuated the life thus far..
We got to know each other anew afresh again...
It's strange really, considering we are old friends
It's good that we 'renewed' our acquaintances catching up right where we left off.
It's good, No It's vital
Because there is no other way In this action-packed world, to get to know the ones you love once again
It was really strange last Sunday, as I rushed down to Suntec with my baby, bought a 'flower', all to support her friends for the Teenage Icon finals.
Looking back I wondered why I did, as baby was not in the finals. She was such a sport though, routing for all the friends she'd made during this icon search.
It was important for her to be there, to support her friends, and that, is a good enough reason for me, to support her to support her friends.
I have always made a point to know the girls' friends. Not just know of them, but actually know them. Like, being able to even hold a conversation with them without them thinking I am grilling them, or that they are making small talks with a mom, out of courtesy.
I get along ok with the friends, and yeah, some of them deemed me as their mad mama, and I had garnered a few god-children.... Hey! It's an honour!!
There was once I had to see the form teacher to collect report book. My daughter could not take me to the room, so one of her friend did. We started chatting and stuff as she waited with me, until it was my turn to see the teacher. The teacher thought I was the mother of the girl, and was on the verge of giving me her report book, instead of my daughter's.
When the misunderstanding was clarified, she mused about the fact that I was 'close' to the friends. I didn't see it strange, but I guess it is odd.
However, if you really want to know your child, you need to know the people he or she hangs out with. Really get to know them, not as another kid, but as a young person, growing up to be a adult, just like we are now.
I accept my girls' friends for who they are, hear their concerns, wipe their tears, let them vent their frustrations, listen to their dreams and aspirations.
Name: charisMA Home: Singapore About Me: Mom of 2 amazing n different girls. Love to sing, act n help people, even if it's just with a smile. See my complete profile Earworm:
