What a special way to begin the year with a focus on the implications of being in Christ at the SSBCC conference. The truth that because we really are in Christ, we get to put on the clothes of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience - they really are yours; they really belong to you! Because our lives are already hidden in Christ, we can confidently put to death our old self, not so that we can be closer to God, but because we are already close to Him; not because we haven't died, but because we have died. What a marvelous truth that we get to sing daily! I realized how reluctant I am to put on these 'clothes,' but the more I considered the gravity of my sin problem, and the more I observe the work of Christ, the more I boast in the riches of being 'in Christ' and the glorious implications that come with it.
Praise God for His steadfast lovingkindness for using His very Word to convict hearts. My youngest sister became my constant buddy throughout the night talks at SSBC, and I thank God for the opportunities to hang out with her and treat her to dinner (had a funny thought that I shared with my sisters recently: I would be really sad when the day comes where I no longer have to treat you guys anymore because you'll soon grow to become financially independent as well). I praise the Lord for the conversations I had with my youngest sister and her growing desire to walk towards being in Christ. I am also extremely thankful that my other sister had the chance to experience the full SSBC camp, a part of my university experience that I hold on dearly to. We got to chat more about what we've been learning about Jesus, and I found an opportunity to gently ask again (it's been a while) if she'd like to consider reading with me. Since then, we've been reading 1 Peter together, and it's been such a precious journey, not just for her but for me as well. Oh, how I give thanks, for I have nothing to boast in. Nothing I do or say could have convinced her to read with me except for the life-changing and giving Words of Christ.
Another huge prayer - opportunities for my parents to be in the Word, and to see just how rich His Living Word is- was answered in the form of my dad and mom eagerly saying yes to joining me at ETCA for the course, certificate of expository gospel ministry. I do thank our gracious Father for His faithful, enduring work in us all, and for the ways all three of us have already been positively impacted by sitting under faithful teaching. I've been growing to see the importance of having a Bible-based, Gospel-centred ministry in church as I slowly grasped a deeper reality of how God builds the church in Ephesians 4:7-16. It's pretty neat how it all stems from God being a God that loves to give us gifts- grace. And it's only possible for Christ to give us this gift of grace because he descended (became one of us and literally went to the lower parts of the earth, aka death), and wasn't just raised, but also ascended into the control room with the Father!
Changing gears a little, a precious new girl joined our school and was placed under my wings. It's been so sweet watching my other students love her. I've also been marvelling at the growth of one of my boys, who literally went from babbling and pointing to being able to communicate at a phrasal/sentence level now! He literally transformed from a grumpy, stubborn boy to a cheery, gay boy, gladly taking initiatives to help me and his peers, as well as to participate in conversations and activities! There were countless times when I jumpscared my teacher friends to share with them my joys! To share a glimpse of my joys with you, please allow me to share snippets of my conversation with this sweet boy (all in SgSL) I treasure so deeply:
- I was teaching adjectives and on the word, 'Sweet,' he saw the picture of chocolates and signed that he likes chocolate and how his mama is going to give him chocolates at 1pm later when he gets home!
- He understood the usage of the question word, 'Why!' He asked why his classmate was sitting on a different side instead of his usual seat during recess.
- I asked if he wanted to race with me during recess, and he signed to me, "NO THANK YOU, MS POLLYANNA GO SIT DOWN PLEASE:)"
- He signed that he really liked the fish cake in his noodles. I showed him a picture of fish cakes, as well as taught him how to fingerspell the word, and then he literally made my day by applying what he learnt in class (we've been learning about community recently) and signed that he likes fish cakes and wants to go buy them at the shop since they sell them!
On that note, I've grown to treasure the significance of giving deaf children a language, especially as I grew to grasp the repercussions of language deprivation, something I've witnessed in some of the older deaf children due to nuances in communication and delivery of lessons. Something as small as simultaneous communication (SimCom) can have detrimental effects on their language growth, precisely because English and Sign Language are two completely different languages. To be honest, I nearly got into a heated conversation with our school's audiologist, but I also saw where she was coming from, especially with the majority having the notion that English is superior over sign language. Yet, I've already witnessed wonders in the growth of my students with this minor change- it is absolutely beautiful. Apologies for going down a rabbit trail- I never thought I'd see this day come!
Thankful that I had the chance to reiterate the gospel to my P5 VI students (yes, it's a real blessing getting to teach them English again this year!) This gospel opportunity came about because they created a cross with two wooden poles and went, "Isn't this the cross that Jesus died on?" And I went, "Yes!" This led to a conversation on me trying my best to explain the incarnation of Christ and how crucial that aspect is to grasping the centrality of the Gospel. Truly grateful for the continued opportunities to show them Jesus as I journey with them through this new year! They are such a joy, despite being hyperactive :)
We've been doing a church-wide 21-day fast and it's honestly been humbling as I recognize more of my sin problem in the way I relate to others in a state of hunger. I caught myself offguard a few times getting unnecessarily frustrated at my sweet students, and I felt so aweful! One of my little boys even apologized when he noticed my frustration (deaf children are extremely akin to our emotions). These three weeks reminded me of my finiteness as a human and my need to utterly depend on Christ for literally everything. Thank God for the strength and sensitivity to recognize my sins, and I ended up sighing to each of them before dismissal, "I was very frustrated today. I'm so sorry," along with a huge bear hug.
Something I've Been Thinking About In Scripture
Zephaniah chapter 3 has been particularly sobering yet rejuvenating as I considered the weight of the meaning of sin being rebellion against God and rejection of Him- they heeded no voice, accepted no instruction, did not trust in the Lord, nor did they draw near to God (v2). Yet, God graciously purifies their lips that they may call on the name of the Lord to serve Him shoulder to shoulder (v9). As I consider the weight of their (and my) sins, and contrast that to the wondrous mystery of the sheer mercy and grace of our Father, it hit me a lot harder just why it led to the people shouting for joy, rejoicing and exulting with all their heart (v14). Oh may Christ continue to help us to be a people that praise His great name because our God is really in our midst. Because He will exult over us with joy, He will be quiet in His love, and because He will rejoice over us with shouts of joy (v17). What a beautiful picture- the majestic, great Creator Himself will rejoice over you and me with shouts of joy! How that should bring us down on our knees with humility and awe.
Simple Joys
What a sweet memory I'll hold onto forever - getting to spend the very start of a new year with my sisters doing a once in a year late night supper together! (penning this down so that my short-term memory brain can remember to keep it a yearly tradition from now on:)
The only representation of SSBC I have, and I'm going to place it here as a keepsake because it truly warmed my heart seeing a few of my younger siblings tasting the joy of sitting under faithful preaching and being surrounded by fellow brothers and sisters who yearn to make Christ magnified- a huge treasure that both my oldest brother and I got to experience during our university years.
This sweet sister has taught me true vulnerability that flows from a vertical relationship rooted and secured in Christ. Have been looking up to her in so many ways, but to hear her real and raw struggles, yet wrestle with the goodness and steadfastness of the Lord, has been such an anchor to my soul in many ways, especially as I share in similar struggles I didn't even know I did until she shared. I thank God for the blessing she is to me and for the intentional ways she encourages me to quietly wait on the Lord.
Partner Me In Prayer
- Had an unexpected promotion by my principal at the beginning of this year. It's humbling witnessing how the Lord really knows what we need when we remain faithful. I was also invited to be an assistant department lead. With more responsibilities this year, would you pray that Christ will continue to keep me faithful- that my toil will ultimately be for the sake of magnifying His great name at my workplace?
- Pray that both my sister and I would grow in our knowledge of the character of Christ and His wondrous grace as we persevere to read 1 Peter together. It's been such a sweet time together, and I really do treasure my sister, but I also recognize temptations to spend my time recharging on my own after a long day at work.