From Me To You

Quite often, many of us raise ourselves up in terms of importance, thinking we're all that. Sometimes we get caught up in the hustle bustle of urban living, in the unnecessary material wants and luxuries. Well, at least I do. And what it took to get me back down to reality was, strangely enough, entry into a whole new different world - an entirely new culture with people who were strangers, speaking in what to me was a foreign language.

Sitting into the Filipino service in church today was certainly a refreshing experience, but more than just that, it offered such warmth, sincerity and hospitality, presenting a beautiful view on what human relationships should be, a far cry from what we usually experience today.

The songs and sermon were in Tagalog, so I didn't understand a bit. Yet it was such an invaluable cross cultural exchange in that one a half hours, that I'll never regret attending the service. When greetings were exchanged, the Filipinos got up from their seats and walked around the room, smiling widely, shaking hands with such genuinity, sometimes hugging each other out of sheer love for a fellow human being. It was so heartening just to see each of them walk up to us visitors, wishing us, "God bless!" in a tone that would've brought cheer even to the most depressed person. Really, that's something I haven't seen in ages, and being steered to the realisation that such sweet human relationships still exist, even in this day and age when all we are concerned with are grades, work, cars, houses, money, was absolutely wonderful.

I guess I really should take a leaf out of whatever book it is these Filipino brothers and sisters in Christ abide by, and learn to be more friendly, to treasure everyone around me more, no matter how well (or otherwise) I may know them. Human relationships were meant to be beautiful, and I intend to try to keep them that way in my life.

Speaking of human relationships brings to mind Prom on Thursday night. The relationships I've built over my four to ten years in SC hit an official climax that evening. Seeing good friends, chatting with pals, and laughing with teachers made me so happy that when the dinner came to an end, I didn't want to leave. The tears couldn't help themselves, especially with the compilation of photographs and videos by the exco - a perfect encapsulation of years and years of beautiful SC memories.

It's hard to see what lies ahead, what will happen, or even what WON'T happen in the years to come. Thank goodness I can be reassured in the knowledge that God has a plan for us all.

Let's strive to keep these amazing relationships we've built in tip top condition, and even as we leave SC and go our separate ways, to make them sweeter and to treasure them more and more with each passing day.

Human relationships. From you to me. From me to you.

Beautiful, is it not? (: