You too. God bless.

It was a long day of fun-filled adventures today! Little India food tripping, board games  shopping, board games playing (duh?!) and bridge, and visiting the magical world of Incanto! 🙂

However, at the end of the day, I was super exhausted that I was just begging for a chance to sit on my way home. Unfortunately,  as everyone rushes home, the train was super crowded so I had to stand. Hence, I stood in the middle of the carriage, between the rows of seats, in anticipation of someone alighting soon.

Fortunately, a few stops later, a couple in front of me alighted. However, instead of sitting down, I offered it to a 55-year old lady who was carrying a couple of bags. She sheepishly sat and continued to offer me the other seat. I said, “It’s okay. Seems like other people are more tired than me anyway.” Within a split second, other people simply took the seat.

The lady, then told me and my friend, “Next time you want to buy health supplements, come to my shop at Novena Gardens.” She fumbled around for some brochures and continued to explain to us what she sells. In the middle of a crowded train on long tiring weekday, I bet people were judging us and wondering why two young people are talking so loudly with an auntie. Nonetheless, I continued talking to her, engaging her in the conversation. I asked for her name (Ruth) and she asked me mine. I even asked whether she’s in the shop everyday so that I can bring my mom to “see-see.” It was heart-warming to see her excitedly talking about the products she sells as though it was the beginning of her day and I was her first customer. (Remember, we are still in the middle of the train at 1030pm).

Eventually, she told me, “I don’t offer this to everyone but since you have such a good heart and you let me sit, when you come and visit, I give you 15% discount, ok? Actually now got discount but if next time you come, I give you my member discount and points.” In addition, she shared to me how she like selling the health products (because she used it previously too) . She said, “now, that I’m 55 (that’s how I got her age), I want to help young people especially good-hearted ones like you to take care before it’s too late. Before your body pain here there, must take care, ok?”

Isn’t that just so touching?  It didn’t take too much effort for me to offer a seat, neither did it take her too much effort to offer a discount. Yet, the act of charity was exhibited there and then, between two strangers, in the fullest sense of the word.

Then, when we finally reached my destination, I told her, “I have to go now but see you okay? You take care. (big smile)” And, she said, “You too. God bless! (even bigger smile)” <—goosebumps moment right there!!!

Then, as I walk out the train doors, a huge wave of relief and happiness filled me.

Learning from the prayer of Jabez (1 Chronicles 4:10), I have been asking Him to “expand my territory.” In other words, I was asking him to send me someone who needs my help every now and then so that I can spread His love and glorify His name.

And, as I walk away, I knew that was my prayer being granted. That was Him blessing me with a “territory.” And, looking back, He has been giving me someone to help (or touch their lives) in the simplest smallest ways, every single day this week.

Today, as that woman told me “God bless,” I knew that it was God himself  blessing me at that point in time. Amen. (:

Photo Credits: cleanheartsyou

Showing your faith through charity

“As it is, these remain: faith, hope and charity, the three of them; and the greatest of them is charity.” – 1 Corinthians 13

Subsequently, “believing in charity calls forth charity.” If one really believes in God, it should manifest in their actions. Their actions should show love and grace just as how He loves us. “We have come to know and to believe in the love God has for us” (1 Jn 4:16), I observed that “being Christian is not the result of an ethical choice or a lofty idea, but the encounter with an event, a person, which gives life a new horizon and a decisive direction … Since God has first loved us (cf. 1 Jn 4:10), love is now no longer a mere ‘command’; it is the response to the gift of love with which God draws near to us” (Deus Caritas Est, 1).

And, if we are able to give charity to everyone and anyone around us, that is the greatest work of evangelization. No words and preaching can be much stronger than actually extending out charity to spread His love and glorify His name. We need to continuously reach out to those who continue to grow in faith, to those who yet to accept the faith, and to those who are distanced from the faith and the church. Set your life as an example. Open up to those who feel left out. Understand those who need support. Listen to those crying on their own. And with every act of charity we commit, we improve upon the faith of the church but within us and beyond us. Isn’t that just wonderful?

To spread charity, we need to things: to stay connected to the church and to be courageous and bold.

If you think you are not ready yet, perhaps, it is time to strengthen your relationship with God. Because if you truly open up to Him and establish a close relationship with Him, I’m certain that you will be so touched that you would want to share the good news with others. You would want others to experience what you have. You would want others to feel His mercy, love and grace too.

Now, it will be scary so you have to be bold. People will question you. You will be like sheep being sent to the wolves. But, spread the good news of the Lord either way. As written in Sirach 34:16, “Those who fear the Lord will not be timid.”

Photo Credit: Prowriting Aid