From the mouth of babes

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I overheard a child saying this last Sunday while queueing for the elevator going up to the church service:

“I don’t want to go to Hope Kids Filipino because I’m not Filipino.”

Take note, this was a brown skinned, skinny little boy of around 8 or 9. The parent or guardian that was with him was Filipina. He probably was born and raised in Singapore. Maybe the family had already changed citizenship. Maybe the parents raised him without any Pinoy pride whatsoever. It’s unfortunate, but it’s their choice.

I had so many thoughts. But I want to keep having a good day today, so I won’t recount them here now.

But foremost in my mind (and the most charitable) was this — going to Hope Kids Filipino doesn’t make you a Filipino any more than going into KFC turns you into a chicken.

It doesn’t give you hope, by itself. You’re not automatically a kid either, if you attend the service.

Just like going to church, any church, doesn’t magically turn you into a Christian.

This is not a new insight. But it is a good reminder of the following:

1. Identity has to be personally acknowledged, and wholeheartedly accepted
2. Change is a process, and transformation doesn’t happen in an instant
3. Perception varies from person to person, and every individual is created with their own capacity for choice

Which then extends to the following:

1. Identity in Christ is freely offered, freely given; but we have to receive it for ourselves, and claim it as our own
2. Heart transformation and life changes are a day to day, hour to hour process, and we have to give ourselves over to that process if we want to see improvement in our lives
3. Perception varies, but we have to be careful to see things through the grace of God, through the Holy Spirit, so that the mischievous and deceitful nature of the world doesn’t taint our character

That kid was annoying, but he did spark these thoughts, so at least he proves this point anyway: God is good, and all things work together for his purpose.

The Lord is my light and my salvation— so why should I be afraid? The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble?

Psalms 27:1

1 comment

  1. She used to be really wise too. What the hell happened

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