Cheu Bpoo_ah, Ot Cheu Bpoo

It's a long time since I have blogged. Not that I have nothing but rather firstly, I am lazy to blog and secondly, there are too many thoughts to process and by the time I process, another thought surfaced.



Well! Finally, I decided I should make an attempt to revive this blog. Just tot of sharing some tots or experiences! : )

I am back in Singapore for a month. I am doing a course on Mission Studies in TTC for 2 weeks. Really an eye-opener. Totally transformed what I know and what I do not know about Mission. Honestly, I think all short-term or long-term mission troopers should attend the course. For this posting, I am not going to talk specifically about the course.

I am going to talk about one particular experience when I was back. My cell had a cell dinner on one of the Friday night. So after dinner, some of us took cab back. So one of the guys was telling the cab driver that we were going 3 destinations - Simei Rise and 2 venues in Tampines. The uncle seemed to be struggling with remembering the places. So that guy friend told him again that it was near Simei MRT. Seeing that he was still in a daze, I told the uncle to go Simei first. So he drove off. Along the expressway, he made a premature exit and all of us were wondering why. At first, I thought he was trying to exit out of the congested expressway and making a detour. After a much long 'detour', he asked if the destination was Sim Lim Rise. All of us got a big shock and the uncle got an even big shock when we told him it was Simei Rise. So not much of choice, he got back to the expressway. Finally, we reached Simei Rise. Next destination was near Tampines JC. So I told the uncle near Tampines JC. And his response was, "Oh! Tampines Ave 10, near the Polytechnic is it?" My remaining friend was petrified at that response and responded back, "Uncle, listen carefully. It is TAMPINES JUNIOR COLLEGE!". I was quite sure the uncle popped out of his seat. So eventually the uncle successfully alighted us at the correct venue. And he waivered off $4 - only..... Hmmmm...

Initially, I was pretty upset. What was the uncle doing? He was so erh....... and my friend suggested to complain about him. Honestly, I really wanted to make a big fuss over it with him. But then as I cleared my 'clouds' in my head, I realise how often I marginalised people so quickly. The cab uncles was obviously in his late 40s or early 50s. He was doing night shift (and for how many straight nights I do not know). He must be tired. He could be the bread-winner. He could be my father. A complaint to the company would have easily ruin his riceb0wl. A direct complaint to him would have make him a hopeless and useless man. Who am I to tell him that he was not good enough? Is it really such a big issue to make a big deal out of it? Have I not make similar mistakes before and yet enjoy the grace of others? I cannot bring myself to complain about him. I could only pray for him, pray that God will help him to be more careful. I left the cab not feeling cheated or frustrated but one who was starting to understand the mystery of God's love.

Interestingly, the next day, I met with another cab driver. My mum and I were around Kallang area and we wanted to go to Bedok North for supper (first time in my life i bring my mum for supper, feel so proud; but this is not the main story) The uncle was trying to get onto PIE but as he was not familiar with the road, he missed the PIE and turned in the geylang road which was packed with cars. My mum was feeling uneasy over this hiccups and I had to pacify her to tell her to enjoy the scenary and that it was ok to travel by this road. Haha.... The uncle was quite apologetic but I was not disturbed by the longer ride.

In our fast pace of life, everything is about efficiency and effective. It is about my right and what I am entitled to. Yes, there are times we need to be careful and firm so that we do not get cheated. But how many times have we been unempathetic towards others and how often do we marginalise people just because people do not conform to our ways. I am asking this question to myself. I am not perfect. The more so because I am not perfect, I need to remind myself of my attitudes towards others.

2Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Romans 12:2 (New International Version)