Grass

"God wants us to live like the grass. Even if it's stepped on, crushed, burned & cut; it always persists & grows back even greener & stronger!"  - Franky Aw

Saw this quote post by my brother. It gets around my mind, then I thought I should do a blog on this.

It's kinda funny how in my previous post, I said that we must be like Palm Tree and Cedar of Lebanon. And now, GRASS!

But grass, do have its own uniqueness. It lies in its ability to keep on growing, persistence I must say. As well as its ability to adapts to different places. Wherever we saw grass, we can be sure that there will be sources of water, be it in desert, forest, mountain or even in the river / sea.

Grasses do have a lot of use, but sometimes it can be annoying because of the speed it grows. people tend to cut & burned it. And because it grows under our feet, it get trampled often. Nonetheless, it still grows back.

Let us learn to be like grass; even when we are hurt, let down, ignored, or even trampled

~ Let us get back on our feet, stronger than before ~

Two Wolves

Recently, I heard this short story again. Heard it before, but this time it gets me to think more.

An old Cherokee chief is teaching his grandson about life:

"A fight is going on inside me," he said to the boy. "It is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves.

One is evil - he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, self-doubt, and ego.

The other is good - he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith.

This same fight is going on inside you - and inside every other person, too."

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, "Which wolf will win?"

The old chief simply replied, "The one you feed."

The story uses illustration of wolves, and it says the one that we feed will prevail. So, stop feeding our heart with negative thinking. Put more positive attitudes in.

"Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life." - Proverbs 4 : 23

Surely, we all want our lives to be successful. Let me assure you this:

~ Every successful person always keep a positive mind! ~

In Need of Favor

Yes! A lot of us are constantly looking for approval, for favor. Be it our bosses, colleagues, friends and families or even God Himself. But how do we do it anyway?

Take a look at Proverbs 3 : 3 - 4
"Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! Tie them around your neck as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart. Then you will find favor with both God and people, and you will earn a good reputation."

Very simple isn't it? We just need to have loyalty and kindness, or as other translation would say love and faithfulness.
There is an old saying that goes like this: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."

Let us learn to treat others with love and kindness.
1. If someone asks for our help, do it with a willing heart
2. Be kind to give a hand when someone need it
3. Show love in our action

Be loyal and faithful:
1. In every task given to us
2. In everything entrusted to us
3. In our relationship (any kind)

As simple as that, and *puff* people will begin to show you favor, which automatically generate a good reputation.

As to God, be faithful in our prayer, giving, ministry and our own life. Love Him with all our heart, soul and strength (As Quoted from Deuteronomy 6 : 5).

~ Show love & kindness, be loyal & faithful ~

Palm Tree & Cedar of Lebanon

"But the godly will flourish like palm trees and grow strong like the cedars of Lebanon. For they are transplanted to the Lord’s own house. They flourish in the courts of our God. Even in old age they will still produce fruit; they will remain vital and green. They will declare, “The Lord is just! He is my rock! There is no evil in him!”" - Psalm 92 : 12 - 15

After I read these verse, I realize there must be some features from palm trees and cedars of Lebanon that we can learn.

 Let's look at PALM TREE:
1. Flourish at desert
A palm tree can survive in a desert, because its root goes deep into the ground searching for water.
As a Christian, we should also be rooted deep in the Word of God, also in our relationship with God. So that when we are in a "desert-like" / harsh environment, we will still be able to survive. But not just surviving, we must flourish. It means we shine in the darkness.
2. Withstood the storm
In a desert, sandstorms will be inevitable. A palm tree will be bend down, but every time the storm is over, it gets back up again.
A Christian should be strong to withstood any problems. And stand back up every time. Be encouraged!
3. Fruits' sweeter over age
As a palm tree gets older, the fruits its produced gets sweeter and sweeter.
As our walk with God gets longer, we should produce a sweeter fruit. So that through us, people will be rejoiced and recharged.

Let's look at CEDAR OF LEBANON:
1. Tall and Magnificent
Cedar of Lebanon can grows up to 40 Meters, and it grows wider as well.
A Christians should grow, upwards in our spiritual life and sidewards in our mentality. So that we would not fall down when a problem strikes.
2. Long living
A cedar of Lebanon could live up to a 1,000 years.
Of course I'm going to tell you to live up to 1,000 years. But let our legacy be remembered for a thousand years. Let us contribute to the society, and shows that we really care.
3. Useful
A cedar of Lebanon can used differently, in a building, in a furniture.
A Christian should also be multipurposed. Let us do our work with great attitude, and give our best shot everyday of our life.

Both these trees are actually evergreen. Which means their leaves will always be green. We must not lose the fire burning in us, because the Passion that keeps us going never died.