My Role Model (1)

As some of my readers find my articles somewhat too long, I have decided to break them into parts for easier and more rapid reading. Today, I want my readers to know the character of my role model.

Eldest sister, Lee Lee, has always been a responsible sister and filial daughter. She was always concerned about the health of my parents, especially the over weight of papa. Now she is concerned about my weight and teaches me how to go for healthier options where food is concerned.

I remember when she was dating my brother-in-law, she had on a few occasions taken the family out for a nice meal and to sight see Penang Hill and Batu Feringghi Beach as well. While second sister Ean Ean preferred complete privacy, eldst sister was always willing to share her time and money.

Sister shared how when she was in Primary School, she was flippant and nonchalant about her school work. Everyday, she would just dump her schooolbag in the house after school, and go out to play till sun set! Yet, when she became a Christian in Secondary One, everything changed for her. She became studious and realised that books were actually very interesting to read. Soon she topped the class. Not wanting to be a burden to papa, Sister enrolled at the Teacher's Training College. She was an excellent teacher in the primary schools she had taught in Penang and Sarawak.

I remember I wept when Sister had to move to Sarawak. She kept asking me to take good care of our parents. She was a good wife and mother, ensuring that all her children receive the tertiary education that she never had. Today, all my nephews and niece are doing very well.

Eldest sister is an excellent manager of her time. She is always active and no matter how busy, she will always find time to go that extra mile for others. I remember how she took the time to knit a lovely sweater and scarf for me when I was preparing for my trip to Canada for my studies. It is amazing how she can pack so much in a day. People say that ladies are multi taskers and sister is an excellent example.

I thank God that He has shown me His love by giving me a wonderful sister. When you have wonderful and caring older siblings, you will be glad you that you have taken your own sweet time to come out of your mother's womb. I know I am. :-)

Tock! Tock! Tock!

Sometimes, there are certain experiences that stay very long in our memory! I would like to narrate a little experience I had one early Sunday morning. Perhaps some would regard the experience as really insignificant but this insignificant experience has loomed largely in my life!

I was extremely tired for the week had been one of hectic schedules. The lack of sleep for almost six consecutive days drained me of my energy, so that I decided I would sleep in the following day, being a Sunday.

By now readers would know I am one person who sleeps like a log of wood. I could wake up without knowing that it had rained heavily with lots of thunder bolts during the night!

Strangely, this time, I heard "Tock, tock, tock" on the window panes of my bedroom.
The sound became a crescendo. I opened my eyes but there was nothing by the window panes. I went back to sleep. "Tock, tock, tock" I heard the crescendo again. I opened my sleepy eyes but could see nothing by the window. Thinking that I was dreaming, I went back to sleep. For the third time again, I heard the incessant knocking on the window pane. This time, I saw a bird pecking on the window pane. In exasperation I woke up and said, "Alright! I'm going to church!"

Despite my tiredness, I was quite attentive in church, for the pastor delivered a very interesting and mind-boggling sermon! I left the church, spiritually and physically refreshed! Since then, I have always attended church on Sunday mornings, even if I am tired and feel like sleeping in.!

Whenever I feel sad, frightened or disheartened, I will think of this incident. For us Christians, we do not believe in luck - that things happen by chance. Everything happens for a purpose. If God cares enough to send a little winged creature to tap on my window panes....He cares about even more important issues... my health, career, safety, etc. It is this knowledge and assurance that give me the confidence to know that I can enjoy His peace and serenity in an otherwise turbulent world of strife, wickedness, and danger!

Gan Chau