除夕 (Chinese New Year Eve). also Ash Wednesday.

"Rend your heart and not your garments.
Return to the LORD your God,
for he is gracious and compassionate,
slow to anger and abounding in love,
and he relents from sending calamity."
-Joel 2:13

At KGK yesterday, we talked a lot about the love of God. His compassion. His readiness to forgive us and accept us into His loving embrace as long as we repent and return to Him.

The Message of this verse reads:

"Change your life, not just your clothes.
Come back to GOD, your God.
And here's why: God is kind and merciful.
He takes a deep breath, puts up with a lot,
This most patient God, extravagant in love,
always ready to cancel catastrophe."

extravagant love.

NLT reads:

"Don't tear your clothing in your grief; instead, tear your hearts."
Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and merciful.
He is not easily angered. He is filled with kindness and is eager not to punish you."

often it's easy to feel like there's no turning round and things don't look like they're gonna change for the better. But in all cases, I realised it's my pessimism, my lack of trust and hope, for Him to work the seemingly impossible. I'd rather throw my hands up in frustration and give up, than to sit in agony day by day wondering if things will turn around.

He (Jesus) replied, "... I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." (Matthew 17:20)

after all, the prodigal son did come home. eventually.

Oh heart of mine, why must you stray?
From one so fair you ran away
And one more time you have to pay
The heaviness of needless shame

Oh heart of mine, come back home
You've been too long out on your own
And He's been there all along
Watching for you down the road

So come home running
His arms are open wide
His name is Jesus
He understands

He is the answer
You are looking for
So come home running
Just as you are

Oh child of God so dearly loved
And ransomed by the Savior's blood
And called by name, "daughter" and "son"
Wrapped in the robe of righteousness

"Come Home Running" by Chris Tomlin

除夕 - a time of reunion with family. it's frustrating that a piece of jigsaw that definitely fits in this puzzle is lying around somewhere far far away.

Ash Wednesday - marks the beginning of the Lent season. 40 days (excluding Sundays) before Easter. reflection and journey to the cross. the passion of Christ.

when you're frantically trying to capture your mind and heart to face the immediate things at hand, it's the time you're most prone to think about 101 things that are not related to the immediate things at hand. with my thoughts coming in from all directions, He brought me to the ultimate reunion feast at His table. where every piece of the jigsaw has its place, and fits perfectly to complete the most beautiful puzzle.