A Regret

I just said something hurtful to someone without being aware that it would be hurtful. I recalled an illustration given by one of my classmates during my homiletics class. She illustrated that we needed to be careful with what we said by using a tube of toothpaste. Once we pressed the tube, the toothpaste would come out, and there was no way to put it back inside the tube. My hurtful words had come out from my mouth. And there was no way to put it back inside my mouth. There was only a regret.

“Do you see a man who is hasty in his words?
There is more hope for a fool than for him.”
Proverbs 29:20

It's All about You

13 June 2008, Taize Community, France.

What a terrible morning! I did something which made me realize once more how evil and sinful I was. Why me, Lord? Why do You want to use a wretch like me to do Your works here on earth? It is too often that I say I want to serve You faithfully to the end, but You know that my life does not always reflect that I do mean it.

It was my second last day in the silence week. As usual, after the morning prayer, I had my breakfast in silence then I went to my room to take my little notebook for the morning devotion led by a Taize brother. Waiting for him to come, I decided to sit on a place, which I had never sat on before, outside the house which would be used for the morning devotion. I felt very sad as I recalled my terrible morning. Suddenly I looked at the blue sky on my left side and I saw two jet planes. One was flying horizontally and the other vertically. Unbelievable! They made a cross sign! I heard God saying, “My son, I love you for just as you are. I have called you not because of your merits. It is simply because I love you. The cross is the proof of my love for you. It is not about you. It is about Me.” I wept. Thank you, Lord. Yes, it’s all about You indeed.