Today's church sermon was... I could relate to it, at least. Pastor Yuji talked aobut life, the kind that only God can give, and he also shared his experience of cancer treatment, and how the concept of death was constantly running in his mind. He reminded us that death does not discriminate against age, nor the way anyone lives. He also said that the concept of death can make people grow up, as he recognizes he did. And he also told us that as of that moment, he was ready to die.
The whole time he was explaining this to us, I couldn't help but want to shout out that I've felt the same way before. I remember those journal entries, expressing how grieved I would be to leave this world, but at the same time, I'd feel that I've done what God wants me to do in this world - live a life that glorifies Him. And I must say, I still feel this way, and try my best to live a life that is pleasing to Him. Pastor Yuji also said that it's a comfort to know that we're not suffering alone - that there are other people who have been through our life issues. And it's true - it really is a comfort to have someone to share things with and have them understand.
Which brings me to the point again that people do need one another, for the worst of times, or even just for the "boringest" of times.
I remember last year, coming back from Taiwan, some drunk guy came up to talk to my two girl friends and me. Yes, he looked and smelled a bit repelling, but I Remember trying my best to be friendly to him, while my two friends just tried shunning him away by ignoring him. Why one of them decided to disregard this person I get, but why my other friend decided to do so, I do not understand. She's usually an outgoing, friendly person - even towards strangest of people. Yet when this drunk guy just needed someone to talk to, she just ignored him. It kind of disappointes me, and I kind of feel like I want to talk to her about it someday. Maybe I will before we all head off to college.
Pastor Yuji also talked about crossing cultural barriers today (something I'm very strong in not doing at the moment...). One cultural aspect that he gave an example of was being offered things. He told us that he grew up having to say yes to whatever was offered to him, or else he'd feel like he'd be insulting the giver. This goe me thinking that in Chinese culture, we are very strong in objecting to recieving anything. We'll make this cultural act go very far, even sometimes to the point of dispute - and it is then that someone will finally be willing to be offered something.
For me, growing up in an Asian community in America has been kind of difficult. Because of my extremely polite culture, I view a lot of things that white-washed people do rather rude. But the thing is, we've come here to soak up their culture - not the other way around. And besides, they don't know better anyways.... so it's my job to recognize what kind of cultural atmosphere I am in and act accordingly. But dang - who ever knew that culture can make up so much of a person? That's a good thing sometimes, but at times it's ridiculous. And I don't feel like further elaborating on that.
But yeah I have my surgery tomorrow morning, and I guess I'm thankful that God kind of gave me this slap in the face to grow up and mature. And I know it's a "slap in the face" because I found out that this thing I have is genetic, and my grandma has never had it taken out and she's nearing her mid-80's. So yeah. I'm thankful that I can live a fulfilling life that is pleasing to God.
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