I hate rules!

It was during the time when I was teaching in one of my Saturday art classes with kids aged 6-7 years old. We are about to do a side view of a zebra using charcoal pencils.

Before we start I always make them recite our class rules. Originally we only have 3 rules, but since these kids are really active I made another rule which is "Don't go before teacher." (It's because when we are doing an artwork, we do it one step at a time) What usually happens when they go before me, their artworks will look different from what I am teaching. So they will air their concern and comment on their works with "Why is my zebra looks different?" or "My zebra looks abnormal!"

So my answer is (of course), "Because you are going before teacher..." or "Because you are not waiting for my instruction..." And this will happen again and again in one session. One time I asked them, "Why you are not following the rules?" And one of my students answered me, "Because we don't want to follow the rules!" And I answered him, "But rules are for your own good that's why you should follow them. They can make your artworks look great."

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

Then I remember a time when I was commuting going home. In a fleeting moment I saw a barber shop by the roadside. And in the barber shop I saw a toddler who is inside a crib, jumping. Good thing the kid is inside the crib or else he could be on the road and get hit by a vehicle!

Image from http://northtexaskids.com

Then I remember God and His rules. There are people who doesn't want to get serious with God because they think that God have "so many rules" that they need to follow. Thinking about the toddler inside the crib, it's like we are the toddler and God's laws are the crib. They keep us safe.

Proverbs 6:20-13 (NIV)
²⁰ My son, keep your father’s command
    and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.
²¹ Bind them always on your heart;
    fasten them around your neck.
²² When you walk, they will guide you;
    when you sleep, they will watch over you;
    when you awake, they will speak to you.
²³ For this command is a lamp,
    this teaching is a light,
and correction and instruction
    are the way to life,

His laws are meant for guidance, instruction and correction. They are not meant to choke us or so we can live boring lives. When we believe and know that God loves us so much, we can be sure that His laws are for our good, following them will not be a burden but a delight and treating them will not be with contempt but with thankfulness.

Fasting Hangover

Last July 2-4, we had our mid-year prayer & fasting in our church. It was really a great time that I'm always looking forward to, even though before I never thought that fasting can be really fun & exciting. :)

During the breaking of fast last Thursday at Ptr. Bong & Ate Jing's house, I've noticed how Justin & Joshua (their two little boys) was so enthusiastic and intensely happy with all the shouting & running around when their daddy arrived home. Justin (the eldest) went to us where we are having our dinner and shouted "Daddy is here!!!" with gusto! Then I saw Joshua running around very happy while holding a bottle of water which is about half empty saying, "Look, daddy gave me this!" Ate Jing told us that he's always happy with whatever his daddy gives to him.

Then it made me think about my relationship with my Father God. Is just His mere presence makes me so enthusiastic & intensely happy? Or in anything that He gives to me, do I receive it with joy & a thankful heart? Even though to other people it might look just like a "half-empty bottled water", but since my Father gave this to me I'm still happy that I received it.

It's something that I pondered about, & I realized that I can be like that when I'm child-like before God & all my delight is in Him. Since I'm already satisfied with His presence, then whatever blessing that He gives me I'll be thankful for it, because it's only just a bonus from being with Him. :)

Yep, I'm having my fasting hangover! :)

Common Denominators

I have my new work now as an art instructor for kids. I'm only a couple of week old in it and still in the adjustment period. Arts and kids = great combination! Part of the adjusting season is missing my former work and the people that I was with there. I used to work in a non-government organization (NGO) for the poor and I had those times when I went in to houses that are built under bridges, near dump sites, on relocation sites and evacuation centers and spent some time with people living there. I also saw many kids in those places and most of the time if they are not in day care centers, they are just playing with their fellow children and living out their childhood days.

Here in my new work, I'm now more exposed to kids. They are just the same with the kids that I've encountered in my past work --  energetic, fun, have great potentials and a future. Only that they have more resources like they have cars and houses and maybe they are studying in exclusive schools.

Now I'm realizing that God put me in a place where I can see kids from both worlds. They might came from "different" spheres (different backgrounds, upbringing, language used in speaking, etc.) but they are all under the same heaven. Other than food, water, air and shelter, they all need from us are

Love

Appreciation

Affirmation

Understanding

Discipline

And yes, some sweets :)

Yesterday was the coronation night for the Bb. Pilipinas beauty pageant. I didn't watch the pageant (since I wasn't really into it hehe) but I watched the Q & A portion of the crowned Bb. Pilipinas-Universe 2013 on YouTube. The question was something like if women have something to teach men, what would it be? The answer of the beauty queen was-- sensitivity, because men tend to be so logical and rational. The morena beauty got a point there!

But you know, if men have something to teach women that would be rationalizing. Because women tend to be so sensitive and emotional! (I should know being a woman myself!)

So therefore the common denominators for that would be-- understanding and adjusting. :)

I thank you! :) (left hand on the waist, stomach in, chest out, flash that big smile and do the "beauty queen" wave on the right hand) :D