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Brook ElaineEmail: [email protected] ,
[email protected] Hope LoveChapter Six
1
I do not mind being alone, really. I do not feel there is
anything wrong with oneeating unaccompanied, having a drink by
oneself, watching a movie, reading abook, living, or even traveling
solo. One is not always the loneliest number.
I have yet to find anything quite as exhilarating and (in a
sense) death defying as acab ride in New York Citythough I feel
traffic in Paris (and Italy at World Cuptime) is a close second. (I
have gone skydiving but that is a different kind of thrilling and
risky!) Aside from the Singapore subway (SMRT/ MRT) and theAir Con/
No Air Con buses, taxis were abundant (and the most common formof
transportation I used).
I suppose you never know what to expect when you climb into a
taxicab for thefirst time in a new place. (I am certainly not brave
enough to rent a vehicle anddrive myself around!) Though an
adventure in itself, riding in a car-for-hire inSingapore is tame
compared to the swerving, high-energy, heart-stopping, nearmiss,
madness that is New Yorks idea of public transportation. Sometimes,
thedrivers would even practice their English on me.
In the United States I can be found moseying around a bookstore
and caf bymyself but here in Singapore it is the floors and stores
of Takashimaya or alongthe stretch of Orchard Road. I am especially
fond of the small section thatcontains two American fast food
joints. Now, I would not frequent these places in
the States but here is a different story.
I order my value meal then sit outside in the warming sun. All
of a sudden homeseems so much closer. I look around and admire the
beauty that is Singapore.The skyline is breathtaking as the
modernized buildings reach to the heights. Thedelicate, orchid
looking flowers bob their heads in the humidity. Some havecenters
painted by yellow and framed by pure white petals. Others boast of
lavender with a sunshine middle. Their cheerful faces greet all who
walk passed.
December and January are upon me and with them come an
invitation to aChristmas dinner with some members of my work family
and a two week
vacation (though admittedly I am still undecided on where I want
to go). Beforemy relationship with my boyfriend was severed I was
going to visit with him inEngland but now I am thinking somewhere a
little more tropical might be the wayto go. With Stella still fresh
on my mind, how can I resist?
I am finding even though I make plans for myself, it is actually
God who directsmy steps (Proverbs 16:9 & 19:21). And although I
learned of God as I grew up inthe church, I do not truly know Him
or his Son. But, God has started a good work
8/3/2019 Faith Hope Love: Chapter Six
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Brook ElaineEmail: [email protected] ,
[email protected] Hope LoveChapter Six
2
in me. One I know He will continue until completion (Philippians
1:6). One dayHe will give me eyes to see and ears to hear so I may
receive grace from faithalone (Ephesians 2:8). It is a narrow path
and I have a lot to learnfirst of allbeing: God is sovereign. This
concept is foreign to me yet I feel it is truth.
In high school I was a member of my church youth group. Between
the ages of ten and eighteen are the years I believe I matured the
most in my love for God andHis Son Christ Jesus. I used to sit on
top of the trunk of my mothers MercuryMarquis and stare at the
heavens. I watched as the clouds meandered past. Theirwispy, light
bodies sailed gently and slowly through the sky. They
appearedfriendly and inviting not scary and threatening like the
storm clouds that rolled
through at least once a day. I offered up prayers of petitions
and thankfulness toGod while light outlined the clouds and
illuminated their edges. They pressedtogether and squeezed the
sunlight into streams that broke through and cascadedto the earth.
It is at these times I think God is looking down on someone.
Shineyour light on me, Lord, I would say. Please let me be favored
in your sight.
My peers and chaperones at youth group created a perfect storm,
if you will. Itwas such a mix of personalities and individuals that
complemented each member.We laughed together, cried collectively
(Romans 12:15), were challenged,stretched, and developed as one
bodya young body of Christ with many parts(1 Corinthians 12:12-31).
Some of my strongest memories of and ties to other
people are from that crowd and it will always hold a special
place in my heart.
So how is it I stumbled and fell so far away from God during my
very shortattempt at a University before traveling? I had the head
knowledge. I strived sohard as a teenager to apply the bible to my
life. But it would not be until gracethat the scriptures would
become my life. This heart of mine was still made of stone (Ezekiel
36:26).
