Friday night prayer meeting

it was an ordinary prayer meeting last Friday night. the speaker was talking about “being called” and “active choice” – almost in the same line as predestination and free will. nothing too new or strong, but the reminder was there alright. and the Friday evening was almost gonna end in the most ordinary way. almost.

just as the speaker was about to end his sermon with applications, I saw dad taking out a pen from his pocket. folding the bulletin into half, almost set to scribble down something. hopeful xiu was wishing dad was gonna take down notes, skeptical xiu half wondered what dad had been playing with and figured out in his mind during the last 30 min.

“Point 1 – to let God be first. Point 2 – to wait on Him. Point 3 - …” A warm sensation welled up inside of me. daddy was taking notes, he was listening intently to the preacher, he was taking notes. perhaps its just a very ordinary action by an ordinary man, but it was so extra-ordinary to me. it was so special. tears welled up in my eyes as the memories came flooding in.

from the early days when dad would fidget about during the service, fall asleep during the sermon, and the only response he gave when I asked him how the service went was “the pews were so hard, they should make it more comfortable”. to this moment when he is taking down notes of his own accord, it just meant so so much.

from a man who went through so much in life- good times and bad, weathered a storm that could have altered his course forever, a businessman who was self-absorbed and believed he was a master of his faith, a father who has lovingly tried to be the best he can be but still bringing pain unwittingly… to a man seated humbly at the feet of the Most High and taking down what He’s saying to Him.

a man who has seemed to have started life anew by being a child again. a man who seemed to have learnt the meaning of life by being a willing student of His Word. a man who seemed to have finally found wisdom by being found. I am almost sure the angels were joyful that night, and I am almost sure the Father’s heart was warm from hugging the prodigal son in His arms.

I hope and pray that daddy has indeed been found. but even more keenly, I am aware that He has found me that night too. Breaking me by a most ordinary action.

He asked me, “Remember the first experience you were this attentive to me? Remember how you used to love me, keen to find my will and obey? Remember how eager you were to listen?”

let me be just like a child again. to believe that You can change me, to believe that You want to change the world through me, to believe and simply believe in what You say and to just obey. Please Father, please let me be that child again.

and for daddy and mummy whom i witness changing slowly, from the very little things they do... let me be part of the environment that helps them thrive and grow :)