Thanksgiving

As we ushered in 2009 during the Watchnight Service this evening, we were encouraged to give thanks to God for the past year. Over the past few weeks, I've browsed through previous entries since January 2008 and picked up some significant relationships and important events to thank God for.

Firstly, I thank God for seeing through my wisdom teeth operation in January. Thank God for his providence through the army, which allowed me to pay only SGD4 for the entire procedure. Thank God especially for the love and support my family and friends showered upon me during that time. Thank God especially for Daddy who took a day leave to accompany me.


Thank God also for my ORD on Chinese New Year Eve, 6 February 2008. Thank God for watching over me during my time in the army. 4sir and Rozaini were the toughest moments in camp. Pray that I'll learn to let them go already.

Thank the LORD for providing me with long term relief teaching assignments through my 4th aunty from 11 February 2008 onwards. The varied assignments exposed me to the demands and delights of teaching at different levels. It was a good experience.


Thank Him for using Dala, my first and probably last pet dog, to teach me that Eve was created for a reason. Justin gave me Dala in February.


Thank God for making it clear that ministry in the BB is what He wants me to do, not what Mr. Chin wants. I struggled with finding meaning in the BB before sending in my officers' application form in May. Talking to Mr. Chin didn't help one bit because he proved to be exceedingly biased and one-sided when it comes to BB matters. Thank God for Big Mdm's encouragement. Thank God for Arthur who listened to me. Thank God especially for the lectionary reading that Sunday. (Jeremiah 20:7-13, Psalms 69:7-10,16-18, Romans 6:1b-11, Matthew 10:24-39)


Thank God for bringing Ming Hoe and Matthew, my first university friends, into my life in May. Ming Hoe is the cheery and easygoing boy, well-liked by all his peers. Thank God for the Genting trip with Ming Hoe. Thank God for the friendship Ming Hoe offered. Matthew's the shining beacon of light for the Lord. Thank God especially for Matthew because he is a living example of a purposeful life.


Thank God for the opportunity to lead the Character Quest sessions in September. Though I must admit that I've lots to improve, in terms of sustaining the Boys' interests, it has helped me to study the Word more deeply.


Thank God for all 4 grannies I have. Thank God for their love and concern showered upon us. Thank God and pray that You'll continue to keep them in good health to enjoy a good quality of life in their golden years and for You-know-what.



Thank God for my cousins Roger, Glenda & all. We've grown up and grown closer over the past year. Thank God for their love and patience demonstrated to us.


Thank God for Arthur. We have spent much time together over the past year, be it shopping, movie-ing, eating, or just merry-making. Thank God for drawing us closer despite the barbs we launch at each other. The LORD joins us and may He ever be our Centre.


Thank God for Mr. Chin who has willingly (or not! haha) endured my ceaseless complaints, worries and joys. Thank God for the friendship and support the BB officers have offered over the past year. They did well to keep me in check.


Finally, thank God for my family. Thank God for providing all our needs and sometimes even our wants. Thank God for keeping us in good health. Thank God for our times of joy and petty bickerings.


For all that I've mentioned above, and all that I've failed to notice, thank You God.

Title: Thanks to God (Tack, O Gud)
Writer: August Ludvig Storm
Translator: Carl Ernest Backstrom
Composer: John Alfred Hultman

Thanks, O God, for boundless mercy
From Thy gracious throne above;
Thanks for every need provided
From the fullness of Thy love!
Thanks for daily toil and labor
And rest when shadows fall;
Thanks for love of friend and neighbor
And Thy goodness unto all!

Thanks for thorns as well as roses,
Thanks for weakness and for health;
Thanks for clouds as well as sunshine,
Thanks for poverty and wealth.
Thanks for pain as well as pleasure,
All Thou sendest day by day;
And Thy Word, our dearest treasure,
Shedding light upon our way.

Thanks, O God, for home and fireside,
Where we share our daily bread;
Thanks for hours of sweet communion,
When by Thee our souls are fed!
Thanks for grace in time of sorrow
And for joy and peace in Thee;
Thanks for hope today, tomorrow,
And for all eternity!