8/3/2019 Faith. Hope. Love: Chapter Four
1/2
2011 Brook ElaineEmail: [email protected],
[email protected]
Faith. Hope. Love.
1
Have you ever sat on a balcony, at night, in Hawaii? When the
wind is calm and the air
is warm like a soothing bath? If you hold your breath, there is
no sound except forperhaps the ocean waves crashing to the shore
(if you are close enough to the beach).
Everything is tranquil and comforting. That was my experience in
the temples inSingapore. Silence, warmth, stillness.
Some of these holy places were in busy areas. Other, smaller
ones, were in secluded
spots. One in particular was on a hiking trail surrounded by
lush, green plants and trees.Everything seemed motionless. As I
approached, candles burned like tiny, dancing
lights. But there was not a person in sight. Sometimes there was
a stone Buddhastanding by, watching over the moderately sized
places of worship. A pleasant
expression, unyielding, upon his face. Though not familiar with
his teachings I believe
them to be about harmony, maybe enlightenment, and to respect
all forms of life big andsmall. Possibly reincarnation is mixed in
there too. (In 2009, my younger children and Ibriefly studied the
history of Buddhismalong with Islam and Hinduism.)
I stepped closer to the establishment although not wishing to
stay long just incase I was
not properly dressedI did not want to offend anyone. I picked up
what looked to be astick or piece of incense. I held it to a flame
until it caught fire, smoldered, and offered
up thin plums of scented smoke. I did not meditate while there.
My God is not Buddha.He is Jehovah and He has a Son, Jesus (John
3:16). When I wish to commune with Him,
I simply go before His throne of grace.
Growing up in the church I learned about all the most popular
events in the bible. Youknow, the ones that have been turned into
childrens stories. I sat in the pew every week
we attended, half listening and partly daydreaming, following
along in the hymnal as wesang---(which I have to say I much prefer
hymns to the contemporary songs that are used
in services now days).
The best part is, Gods word never returns void (Isaiah 55:11).
So though I was notpaying attention 100% of the time I was still
receiving the message which was going
straight to my heart.
Because of the nature of my job in Singapore and the popularity
of the company for
which I worked, it was not unusual for me (and my associates) to
get stopped while inpublic for pictures and the occasional
autographthough I could not really understandwhy. Would they not
look back on the photo years from when it was taken and ask,
Who is that and why did I want a picture with her? I am just mea
young adultexploring the intoxicating city-state of Singaporeno
different from an individual who
backpacks through various countries and stays at hostels.
