I Hope you Dance

I dedicate this post and song to the people who have made choices that made a difference despite what it cost to them.

I Hope you Dance - Lee Ann Womack

I hope you never lose your sense of wonder
You get your fill to eat
But always keep that hunger
May you never take one single breath for granted
God forbid love ever leave you empty handed
I hope you still feel small
When you stand by the ocean
Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens
Promise me you'll give faith a fighting chance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance
I hope you dance

I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance
Never settle for the path of least resistance
Living might mean taking chances
But they're worth taking
Lovin' might be a mistake
But it's worth making
Don't let some hell bent heart
Leave you bitter
When you come close to selling out
Reconsider
Give the heavens above
More than just a passing glance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance
(Time is a real and constant motion always)
I hope you dance
(Rolling us along)
I hope you dance
(Tell me who)
I hope you dance
(Wants to look back on their youth and wonder)
(Where those years have gone)

I hope you still feel small
When you stand by the ocean
Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens
Promise me you'll give faith a fighting chance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
Dance
I hope you dance
I hope you dance
(Time is a real and constant motion always)
I hope you dance
(Rolling us along)
I hope you dance
(Tell me who)
(Wants to look back on their youth and wonder)
I hope you dance
(Where those years have gone)

Only by grace ...

But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
- 1 Corinthians 15:10

I decided to write again, not for the sake of blogging but perhaps more for the aim of having the challenge of sharing something, some insight, some inspiration. It will be a gauge that I've learned, re-learned or appreciated something, someone or sometimes even the unexplainable.

Two weeks ago, I watched a movie, one based on a true story. In it 1 Cor 15:10 was quoted. It has stuck with me ever since. I never knew such a verse existed. The verse reminded me of a few things.


But by the grace of God I am what I am ...
Of late, I seem to be so easily envious of others - of what they possess, opportunities that come their way, their heritage, their background, oh so many things. I suppose along the way I lost myself. In focusing so much on others, I lost myself. This verse made me pause, reminded me that there are many things about myself that I can never change and I ought to learn to more than just accept them, but appreciate them. It made me realize also that sometimes when we covet so much we deny the grace of God that has been and is upon our lives because we are who we are only by the grace of God.

His grace toward me was not in vain ...
It never occurred to me that God had an expectation upon the grace He bestow on our lives. Is God's grace upon my life in vain? I suppose having been in positions of leadership before, I can identify with what it is like to see potential in someone, invest time and pour yourself into someone and at the end of it, to much dismay, have no good turn out of it. I ask myself if God feels the same of me ...... What do I do with the blessings, with the grace that He has bestowed upon in my life? It was indeed a reminder to never disappoint God, to never let His grace toward me be in vain.

... but I labored more abundantly than they all ...
For many seasons of my life, I always felt it was unfair that I had to work harder than others to obtain something equal to others. More input but equal output. It always seemed like an unbalanced equation, one that defies logic. Yet when I read this verse it's as if I can feel the wholesome pride and fulfillment in Paul when he acknowledged that he worked harder than others to succeed. It was not something he was embarrassed of. It was his testimony - his struggle became his testimony.

Yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me ...
We end with the same motivation we started out with. My God is a God of forever. He sustains me. In the beginning was grace and at the end of it all, it's that same grace that sustains me.

Thank you Lord, for being faithful till the end.

Me,
Jo

Awfully long but hopefully worth the read. This is the whole thing. 3 whole pages.

Of Love, Hope & Victory
(MY STORY)
11th September 2006

Ever felt everything is in vain?
Hopelessness in the things you’ve attained
Pointless in making a great name
Waiting for fulfillment that never came?

Ever hoped in a dream?
Watch its flame go dim
See your dreams fade in the wind
Behold the ruins of your dream to win?

Ever felt betrayed?
Something done, something said
Trust that went untreasured
Promises of forever that went shattered?

Pieces of your heart you gave away
Only to discover one day
There is nothing left to say
You are left in hurt and dismay?

“Why?”, you wonder
Could I have done any better?
Did I see this coming?
Should I have continued hoping?

Then you find yourself crying
Drowning in that sinking feeling
Hoping to find some meaning
Thinking you’re wounded beyond healing

You try to be strong
Ignore all that went wrong
Go slow and sing along,
Only that there’s no longer melody in your song

Perhaps some secrets will never unfold
We all have stories untold
People and things we so tightly hold
Disappointments and hurts we’ve never let go.



No matter what your history
No matter what the burdens you carry
Please hear my short story
Of love, hope and victory.

One day I heard of a special someone
Who never leaves anything undone
It was Jesus, He told me “Come”
Child, I will never leave you in want.

Look here, I have bottled your tears
I am more than it appears
I’ve been there through the years
Only you didn’t see Me through your fears.

I’ve always loved You
I am forever faithful
Count on me, I am ever true
My love will see you through

Your wounds I will mend
Just call Me “Friend”
Take my hand
Together we’ll face what’s around the bend

Your shattered heart I will restore
I love you from the very core
So rise up, there is much to live for
Because I am so much more

All you’ve attained and tried
It’ll never shelter you from life’s tide
But don’t fear and hide
Because I will give you peace that will abide

Come if you are empty
Come if you are weary
I will help you rise from this valley
Oh, if you would cry to Me only.

So I wiped my tears dry
Gazing up upon the sky
I told Him to hear my heart’s cry
And asked Him to draw nigh.


Then I arose slowly, but surely
Together we began this new journey
I didn’t always understand fully
Only that I knew I was on my way to victory.

So now my heart can sing
Love everlasting
Grace so amazing
Hope never failing.

Now although I am not complete
I am more than what your eyes meet
He helped me stand on my two feet
And gave me promises to keep.

The best of all His promises I treasure
It’s the one about FOREVER
The world really has nothing to offer
He is indeed the only answer.

Now each time I look at the sky so vast
I am reminded of my humble past
But then also of His love so steadfast
And of a living hope that will last.

This is more than a story
Of how He made a girl happy
This is a living testimony
Of a priceless gift He gave to me.

So hear His plea
Don’t let things be
He says “Come to ME
I will show you My grace and My mercy.”


Psa 56:8 You have kept record of my days of wandering. You have stored my tears in your bottle and counted each of them. (CEV)

Psa 73:26 My flesh and my heart fails, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. (HNV)

I’m blogging. Listening to music and blogging, as usual.

It has been pretty busy lately, somewhat stressful as well. Many things have happened since I last wrote. I don’t have anything in particular to write about. You know how sometimes you feel you’ve got stuff on your mind and things that weigh on your heart but don’t feel like explaining it or have the words to describe it? Yeah … it’s sort of that way now. However, perhaps not related to the things that I’ve been thinking about but there is this song that melts my heart each time I listen to it. And though I’ve listened to it many times, it’s still my number one favorite.

Rush Of Fools - Undo Lyrics

I've been here before, now here I am again
Standing at the door, praying You'll let me back in
To label me a prodigal would be
Only scratching the surface of who I've been known to be

[Chorus]
Turn me around pick me up
Undo what I've become
Bring me back to the place
Of forgiveness and grace
I need You, need Your help
I can't do this myself
You're the only one who can undo
What I've become

I focused on the score, but I could never win
Trying to ignore, a life of hiding my sin
To label me a hypocrite would be
Only scratching the surface of who I've been known to be

Perhaps the title or the lyrics don’t make sense to some. How can one undo something already done? But that’s exactly what I like about the song. And it’s not even about undoing something done or said but undoing a person. “Undo me”. What a unique title and theme this song is based on.

How Could I Ask for More?

How Could I Ask for More?
Cindy Morgan

There's nothing like the warmth of a summer afternoon
Waking to the sunlight, and being cradled by the moon
Catching fireflies at night
Building castles in the sand
Kissing Mama's face goodnight
Holding Daddy's hand
Thank you Lord, how could I ask for more

Running barefoot through the grass
A little hide and go seek
Being so in love, that you can hardly eat
Dancing in the dark, when there's no one else around
Being bundled 'neath the covers, watching snow
Fall to the ground
Thank you Lord, how could I ask for more

So many things I thought would bring me happiness
Some dreams that are realities today
Such an irony the things that mean the most to me
Are the memories that I've made along the way

So if there's anything I've learned
From this journey I am on
Simple truths will keep you going
Simple love will keep you strong
Cause there are questions without answers
Flames that never die
Heartaches we go through are often blessings in disguise
So thank you Lord, oh thank you Lord
How could I ask for more

-----------------------

Yesterday while I was listening to the radio, the lyrics of that song caught my attention.
I find that song very encouraging and true. It’s a good reminder to appreciate the people and things that matter.

Random Thoughts ...

Listening to KLTY, thinking of what next week onwards wld be like. Starting my attachment to Broadband Dept next week onwards. My friends who have started a week earlier than me have been staying up late. 10pm, 130am even. Freaked out. Totally. Don’t want to live like that. Money and status is not worth that much. Not to that extend.

I took leave this Friday. A break before doom day – the start of a long journey. Somehow I already feel somewhat discouraged even before starting work in the new dept. Feeling the expectations and imagining not being what they expect me to be. Sigh …


---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tried writing a letter to Anna twice yesterday. The first time, I only made it to the first sentence. The second, a paragraph. I once again realize how hard it is to share myself to others. Perhaps it is a matter of trust.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Went for Maxis Leadership Camp amongst the management trainees and alumni. It was dreadful, for most part. Did a lot of physical activities including jungle-tracking which I dreaded. Oh, and camping too. Sleeping in tents and all. It was tiring.

However, all in all, I suppose I did learn a thing or two. I had moments of inspiration for youth camp. Wish Pearly and Paul could read my mind and that I didn’t have to email my random thoughts as I have odd random thoughts and many moments of inspiration.

In camp, I must say I was a little reflective. Of course there was the whole inner struggle. Felt a little brainwashed. There was a voice within that questioned surely there must be a balance in life, balance in passion and perfection with beliefs and faith. Surely there is more to life than work and money. Surely that is not the source of fulfillment.

Then of course there was that dreadful news. Got a sms frm Marisol that said her dad passed away. I called her late at night (her time) when I got up. After hanging up, I felt melancholic. Melancholic because in some sense, I wished I was there in UK with her but melancholic again because the news of death came at a time when I am in some company thing as if bad news always reach you when you can’t be there.

Inspired is Inspiring

Lately I’ve been reading. Yup, reading. Something new huh. Have been reading books on leadership. Reading about people whom the world knows at the sound of their name, of people who’s net worth are more then what we can ever dream to own, people who revolutionalized their industry and their company and made them what we say they are worth.

In some sense it has more than inspired me. More then helped me dream and believe in dreams. Yet at the end of the day, I think it boils down to “Inspired is inspiring”. What?!?! What do you mean? Well, what inspires you? What does one say or do that inspires you? When you think of it, the thing that is inspiring is the fact that the person is inspired and that, that is what inspires. An inspired person inspires. Inspired is inspiring.

I’ve been challenged to dream. To risk and believe in dreams. Sometimes reality preaches so loudly that it drowns the hope of a dream. I want to dream – Dream in my career, in the person I can be and dream in God; of the things and person I can be in Him and for Him. Often I don’t feel anything. My heart is numb and while thoughts swiftly go through my mind each second, there is very little which I feel. My prayer is that He would give me faith to believe and courage to risk when I don’t see or feel anything, or especially when I don’t feel anything.

Psa 61:2 From the end of the earth will I call unto Thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

Grant me faith to believe and courage to risk ….
Lead me to the rock higher than I ….