Visits.

So today my friend came over to chill for a few minutes unsuspectingly.

He asked me if i was home and the next thing you know, he's sitting on my bed.

Today was such a tiring day that i needed a nap in order to get my work done. Did i get this nap? Nope! I'd have to say that seeing my friend's face totally made my day. This one simple person can do so much. Also, i have to say that I think i've been taking this friend for granted. I went to him whenever i needed help and that was the only time when i would initiate a conversation. Last night, i talked to him bout stuff and it made me realize that he's leaving to go to university so soon so i must take the opportunity to spend more time with him. I learned that we should never take friends for granted. (this post is similar to the one that i did before but in a more positive way)

One simple visit from a friend can make someone's day.

Friends For Granted.

It's easy to say that you'll be best friends for life but is it easy to keep your word for it?

I have a friend who i thought our friendship would actually last till we died but did it? Nope. Not at all. It was hard to accept the fact that our friendship was over. I didn't realize how special he was until he left. The times we had together i feel like i could have treasured but i didn't. I just took this friend for granted.

We may often think okay i'll see you tomorrow. Just another day has gone by with the same people, same plans. Have you ever stopped and thought of what would happen if all your friends disappear? Will you regret anything?

Spending each and every moment with your friends is very important. I really do regret taking my friend for granted. I didn't understand what was going on in my head when i look back now.

Choice?

Yesterday, something hit me. A simple statement, a simple question. I needed to go out early, so i was lazy and asked my mom to buy take out for dinner. And she asked me, "what do you want to eat?"

"What do you want to eat?"

Simple statement eh? We probably get that asked all the time. But for some reason, last night when i was asked that, mind. blown.

This question has greater meaning/underlying message in it. The fact that we can be asked this shows that we have choice. The fact that when that question is asked, i can say almost everything. From sushi, to curry, from the typical chinese food, to Italian, choice is a blessing. It really shows how amazingly and overly blessed we are.

Thinking about it, i feel like these first world countries are completely spoiled. The fact we can get food from all over the world in one building, or have parts of the world shipping onto one plate in one sitting. Its a blessing.

We take these things granted daily. Its something we should constantly be thinking about and be thankful for. I think being thankful really develops humilty as well. When you're thankful you know that God gave you these things, that it wasnt you who brought the food to the table, it was God, and that nothing belongs to you, you learn to be humble in that way.

How blessed are you?

Im sure if you tried to make a list of your blessings, it wouldnt end.

Numbers 6:24-26

²⁴

The Lord bless you and keep you;
²⁵ the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;
²⁶ the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, POOF!

Its almost everyday, im upstairs and i hear my parents call "sik fann!" (let's eat!) and i think i've always been taking it for granted. That the food just magically appears on the table each time. Until today. They called it and i was thinking, about all the hard work and effort to get the food onto the plate and in my mouth. From bringing in the money to buy the food, driving to get it, picking it out, paying for it, storing it, seasoning it, washing it, cooking it, plating it and then finally eating it.

And this isnt a once in a month thing. Its not a once a week thing either. Its a 3 times a day thing. And i think its always been in the back of my mind, but i dont think i've fully realized how blessed we are. That we have family and parents that are willing to put their time, money and effort into getting the food on the table.

We have to continuously learn to be thankful. Of our family, or friends, but most important, of our Saviour. We definitely take things on this world for granted way too much. I also think being thankful keeps us grounded. It reminds us that someone greater has provided for us, and has loved us. That we, i guess you can say, are incapable, and that we're thankful to have someone be there for us. It reminds us that we cant do it alone.

Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner dont just magically appear on the table.

Be Thankful.

Rejoice.

²⁴ The LORD has done it this very day; let us rejoice today and be glad.

Rejoice. Its important that we rejoice, firstly, happiness is always better than sadness, its just a better feeling. It promotes optimism and joy in one's life.

I remember reading a verse that states "to rejoice in all circumstances". Whether it may be sad, something horrid, anything that happens try to learn to rejoice because our God is good.

Rejoice can also mean thanksgiving. Look around you and realize how blessed we are. Yesterday someone came in and talked about clean water, how much we use it and it really opened my eyes and reminded me how blessed i truly am. Its so unfair to others and we're just absorbing all these resources, the gap between the rich and the poor is so wide. Be thankful and count your blessings.

Reflect on how powerful God is. He has the power to destroy you in an instant, you may not wake up tomorrow. Who knows. Im not trying to scare you, but really live each moment and make it count. Sometimes i wake up and i think God for just giving me another day to live. We complain about school, about work, but think about the people that dont even have the chance to know how it feels to learn. We're SO blessed and we all take it for granted.

I remember thinking back to my kids, overnight camp, day camp, and just seeing the joy in them, and how carefree they are and how happy they are, its... so freeing i guess you can say. At an age like mine, we stress over school, over friends, but these guys, they're just... free as birds, enjoying life and enjoying what they have. I think we need a bit of that in our lives regularly. To just rejoice, and enjoy what we've been given.

Rejoice. Rejoice. Rejoice.

Jason