Second posting for today cos I've got some reflections that I want to pen down...

Over the past two days and several in the last two weeks, I've been involved in conducting some interviews with young inmates to find out more about their offending patterns and motivations to do crime. Though I'm amazed by what I hear regarding the backgrounds they come from and their complicated life experiences (which by the way seem to be more interesting than mine even though most of them have had shorted lifespans than myself), what I'm most encouraged by is the insight that they've shown and the tenacity they've displayed in the face of what most of us would define as adverse life circumstances. What can I complain when everyday I come home to a nice apartment, with good home-cooked food served on the table, and parents who not only pay for my education and other living expenses, while other people face the harsh reality of broken or dysfunctional families, being driven to desperation to do things just to make ends meet or survive, and be victimised by circumstances which are not within their control or not what they had a hand in creating.

Some families were complicated with several divorces and remarriages, and the absence of parenting or good role models to look up to. That worries me because the sphere of parental upbringing (very related to other factors like poverty and social influence) is so important, and recently reports in the papers have mentioned about the rising rates of divorce and people seeing marriage as a social consitution that can be broken easily if both parties are not able to make it work. Though on the plus side the stigma of divorce and remarrying has reduced, linked issues like step-parenthood (which could be good in some cases cos' a new parent may come along to fill the gap) can be a cause for concern. Therefore remarriage must be thought through very thoroughly by consenting parties--what they are putting themselves up against, the challenges and potential problems that may arise. Taking marriage lightly could mean rushing into it without full consideration of the future, which in turn could lead to poor upbringing of children.

Parenting and educating our kids is important business in society. Teens are vulnerable to influences. If they can't find the love and acceptance at home, they may end up seeking it in the wrong places. One generation can affect the next creating a domino effect and the vicious cycle can be perpetuated if nothing is done to rectify negative situations. For one, I feel that marriage must be taken seriously, and parenting needs to be given priority in our paper chase society today. Social problems stem from such root causes. Schools need to support this process of bringing up our children with proper guidance and sensitivity to the needs of youngsters today--how they think and feel. The government needs to be more in touch with the ground not only to know how to craft policies at the top level but also to renew their passion for what they are fighting for--the good of our people and nation.

We can't prevent many things. Growing up is a tough process. Not everyone will have smooth-sailing lives like I have, but it's how we brace ourselves and bounce back after being hit. Resilience is so important in a world where speed is gaining on us and things are becoming more and more complicated. I realise how much the salvation message of Jesus is so essential today. People need to know that there is a God that loves them. And God's "rules" are there for a purpose. He for one does not endorse divorce and I believe one reason why is because it doesn't lead to positive outcomes but many related social problems. Finally, many people are looking for opportunities to serve God, to go on missions, but right here at home in Singapore, there are so many needs waiting for us to go lend a hand in meeting them. The youths in the boys' and girls' hostels and homes, kids whose parents are in prison, ex-inmates released who need a second chance...all these people should be reached and they deserve to know about God. I really hope youths in good families and schools will appreciate their circumstances.

Blessing in Disguise

Sometimes things happen for a reason. Though we may not initially see why some things befall us, the outcome at the end of the day may well justify it all. Last Sunday I was very vexed over my project. I have problems finding people to fill in my questionnaires. I felt so stressed and burdened by it throughout that day. Although it's not solved yet, but I had little help from my Heavenly Father up there. There were church members nice and obliging enough to take time to answer my questionnaires. On Monday, a colleague of mine offered to help me get some of his fellow youth workers to fill in some for me (another colleague offered her help last week). I believe these are all little favours I'm receiving from God.

But one big "arrow" which struck me last week came as a huge aid from Heaven. The organisation I'm working for was to be assessed by external assessors for a prestigious local award that would determine whether more than 10,000 officers forcewide would get their welfare needs met for the next few years. I was roped in to be one of the staff being interviewed by these assessors. That meant a lot of reading up on the organisation profile to make sure I was familiar with our core values, mission, vision, etc. And of course the potential cost of being "blacklisted" if the award were to slip out of our reach. Staff being interviewed had to study, attend briefings, and of course be put through "mock exams" and the gruelling test itself--which didn't turn out too bad. God made it easy for me I guess. Somehow I found enjoyment reading the material. But the blessings that came out of it were the opportunity to hand out some of the survey forms to my fellow "sheep that were rounded up to be slaughtered" while they were awaiting their "doom"; got to know other officers from other departments and find out more about their work; and perhaps to up my profile in the organisation. I think I've learnt to appreciate the organisation and management more, and develop a greater sense of attachment to the organisation. Thank God for these blessings! He works in ways we may not understand but it's always to our advantage as long as we trust and obey.

Dear God, even though my sin keeps me from seeing the fullness of Your glory, I still know You are awesome! Only You are holy, and there is none like You. You are perfectly powerful, loving and pure. Since the things You created on earth, up in the sky and down in the seas even praise Your name, I am inspired to do it more! Only You could be merciful and mighty at the same time. Thank You for making these precious moments with You heaven on earth. Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty (Revelation 4:8). Amen.

~ Kristina Bubar

It's been a while since my last entry. Been a little lazy, I must admit. But the greater reason being that I haven't really been inspired to write blog on any particular issue. Nonetheless, I still wanna keep my blog going...

Took the day off today! Will be going to run some errands then make a trip down to Vivo City (for the first time) to do some shopping and get some lunch with my mum. Really looking forward to that. Later on in the evening I'll be sending my parents to the airport--they'll be flying to Shenzhen.

Just want to share a bit of what I've learnt from my QT today. Am reading deuteronomy now, and am touching on the parts on the laws--basically on punishment and restitution. Y'know, there's this perception that religion's very restrictive and "un-fun" because there are so many dos and don'ts. There are many rules that are spelt out very clearly and precisely in the bible esp in old testament. But I learnt today that many of these rules were placed or imposed by God with very good loving intentions:

1. Spelling out things precisely makes rules or guidelines very practical for our everyday living (so we don't have to deal with the ambiguity or find ourselves trying to bend around rules).

2. Rules help us to put our focus on God; they help us to stay on track and better worship Him in our everyday lives (e.g. first fruits given immediately to help us remember that God is the priority in our life and that if we give to Him first, He'll provide). They deepen our faith.

3. Rules demonstrate God's compassion because some rules or guidelines are crafted to protect the needy or those lower in society (e.g. those with regards to servants and women).

I hope that everyone will gain a new persepctive to rules. Always look for the good in things. When we break rules or disobey God's commandments and we get that tingling guilt feeling that makes us uncomfortable, let's always try to remember the long term gains in abiding in His ways. When we deliberate in our minds and battle against trying to do what's right according to God versus what benefits us humanly, let's remember that God will always provide somehow in the future and we don't have to worry about losing out. We're always winners in God!