I was reading an old blog of mine and exactly 3 years ago, a friend IM’d me the following:

After a while, you learn the subtle difference between holding a hand and chaining a soul, And you learn that love doesn’t mean leaning and company doesn’t mean security. And you begin to learn that kisses aren’t contracts and presents aren’t promises. And you begin to accept your defeats with your head up and your eyes open, with the grace of an adult, not the grief of a child. And you learn to build all your roads on today because tomorrow’s ground is too uncertain for plans. After a while you learn that even sunshine burns if you get too much. So plant your own garden and decorate your own soul, instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers. And you learn that you really can endure… That you really are strong. And that you really do have worth. ==> People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered; Forgive them anyway. If you are kind, People may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives; Be kind anyway. If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies; Succeed anyway. If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you; Be honest and frank anyway. What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight; Build anyway. If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous; Be happy anyway. The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow; Do good anyway. Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough; Give the world the best you’ve got anyway. You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God; It was never between you and them anyway.

I was able to relate to this back then, but it makes even more sense now… does anyone know who wrote this or where it comes from?

It looks like a faithful wife sitting by her comatose husband’s bedside in a small hospital room despite what doctors say. Their young daughter is tip-toeing next to the bed. She’s too young to know exactly what’s going on. For all she knows, her father has been sleeping for a very long time.

The family and friends that surround them are praying for God’s healing power. There is a peace that falls upon the room and you can feel the love flowing. Despite the circumstances, everyone is hopeful. As individuals pray over the man, you can see him reacting! He WILL wake up. The faith is there.

As they leave to take a dinner break, the wife places a cassette player next to her husband. She turns it on and you can hear the cute little ramblings of their young daughter. The wife tells her husband in Mandarin, “Honey, we’re going out for now, but we’ll be back!” And though, physically, no one is there, this man will never be alone. He’s covered by so much Love.

It looks like someone giving a stranger a hug because that stranger is in desperate need of one.

This is an image that will be engraved in my mind forever. A woman who’s crying out and desperately wanting God to heal her heart. Another woman, a complete stranger, goes up to her and embraces her. I see the first woman’s face drenched with tears of hurt gradually change to one that is calm and peaceful. It’s such a beautiful and touching sight. All around them, there is a sea of strangers hugging strangers and praying for each other… all in the Taipei Arena… all in God’s presence. It’s breathtaking. I wish I had photographed it, but I can still see it so vividly in my memory… and I wish I could truly share this moment with you all…

So yup, I’m going to Taiwan again quite shortly after my last trip (in November). This time I’ll be out there for a month. I’m looking forward to spending time with God, family, and friends over there. I’m also looking forward to stuff like this:

Photo taken from the opening of LUXY as a mega club turned church on 1/4/10 in Taipei. I was told that 500+ people showed up and were encountered by the Holy Spirit! Freakin’ awesome. (Photo courtesy of Peter Wan).

Now that I have a new camera… I’ll be sure to take pics and try to photo blog and maybe vlog while I’m out there!