恩典之路 — a love letter.
Dearest family and friends,
「在不同中, 同步同路, 走在恩典之路」
「In difference, together step by step, walking the path of grace.」
Every couple has their own story. For any couple to come together as one, the journey for two stories to merge into one comes with its fair share of ups and downs, joy and heartbreak, drinks and hangovers, but most importantly love and grace.
As we unfold a new chapter this week, we are most thankful to all our family and friends around us who have showered us deeply with God’s love and grace for us.
“Above all, love each other deeply. 最要緊的是彼此切實相愛。”
All marriages are a celebration of love yet to be able to love is not just all warm and fuzzy but learning how to do so even when it’s hard. In the weeks leading up to this, one of the fun activities was picking items that represent our lives and “chili’’ was chosen as one item- to remind us that life will always have its fair share of spice. Everyone comes with their own personalities, values, family and past experiences that have shaped who we are today and our strengths. Whether it’s her decisiveness, fastness and ability to plan ahead, or his deliberation, slowness and flexibility and adaptiveness, our strengths are also where we clash most. And in those instances, there’s much for us to learn on how to love- for love covers a multitude of sins. 最要緊的是彼此切實相愛，因為愛能遮掩許多的罪。- 彼得前書 4:8
人生的際遇千百種 但有知心長相重
One of the lyrics to the Singapore folk song 細水長流 goes “人生的際遇千百種 但有知心長相重” translating roughly as “life has its ups and downs, but everything will be okay”. We never know what tomorrow might hold but we are comforted and thankful to have our family with us each step, and that no matter how tough things are, we can walk together. There would always be illness, misfortunes, tough and challenging weekday patches, disagreements in any relationship, but for each of those there’s also the celebrations, pockets of blessings that we often take for granted and just happy memories together. Thank you for our family for always being there for us- we love you.
朋友 一生一起走。 讓我們讓愛流動。
Something we heard recently was about how we should learn to 讓愛流動 more (let love flow more). One of our modern day challenges is everyone wants to be polite and not want to trouble others. Yet when we do that, we stop love from flowing. As we go forth together as a couple, may we have the wisdom to know how to give and receive and to continue to walk with our friends from all walks together. 「我們要互相款待… 各人要照所得的恩賜彼此服事。」
Putting love in action
And so thank you again to our parents, family and friends for teaching us what love is by showering us with love in so many ways and for putting love in action.
Thank you for loving us.
Q&A.
17 Dec 2022.
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彼得前書 4:8-10
最要緊的是彼此切實相愛，因為愛能遮掩許多的罪。 你們要互相款待，不發怨言。 各人要照所得的恩賜彼此服事，作神百般恩賜的好管家。
1 Peter 4:8–10
8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.
羅馬書 12:9–18 — 聖徒的品行
9 愛人不可虛假；惡要厭惡，善要親近。 10 愛弟兄，要彼此親熱；恭敬人，要彼此推讓。 11 殷勤不可懶惰；要心裡火熱，常常服侍主。 12 在指望中要喜樂，在患難中要忍耐，禱告要恆切。 13 聖徒缺乏要幫補，客要一味地款待。 14 逼迫你們的，要給他們祝福；只要祝福，不可咒詛。 15 與喜樂的人要同樂，與哀哭的人要同哭。 16 要彼此同心；不要志氣高大，倒要俯就卑微的人；不要自以為聰明。
17 不要以惡報惡。眾人以為美的事，要留心去做。 18 若是能行，總要盡力與眾人和睦。
Romans 12:9–18 — Love in Action
9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
