Forgiveness & A ...

It was a very meaningful cell night. Something went wrong with either my brains or my eyes yesterday for I printed out the wrong sermon message of the week to discuss in cell. The topic was Forgiveness, when it was supposed to be something else (didn't go to church because of that Bukit Tinggi cell retreat, so had no idea what that week's sermon was all about!).

"Wow, very uncanny. Was just mulling about this the whole week!" this blissfully ignoramus person thought to herself.

Another thought came to mind. Remember that friend who wanted to ignore someone who offended him? Well, both of them were in my cell. Last I heard from him (let's call him J) was that he (J) was adamant not to speak to her (H) again.

The topic of Forgiveness had to be really the most timely of messages. Or the one that is most awkward and uncomfortable. Moreover, one of the application questions was:

Is there anyone you have yet to forgive? Try your best to seek out the person now and patch things up.

Mama mia.

"Lord, You have to lead me and us through this. No matter what, this is a very timely topic and I'm not going to shy away from it out of fear and choose some other safer topic. Give me Your wisdom and sensitivity as I lead the Word session," I prayed and put the matter onto the Lord's feet.

So cell started. We had a blast through Welcome, Worship and Works. Although J and H were studiously ignoring each other and trying hard to have a fun time as well. It was true what 1 Corinthians 1:26 said:

When one member suffers, all the members suffer with it. Or when one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.

Like it or not, all of us in the cell were affected by this cold war between J and H. And finally, came Word. Somehow, it was like the hand of God moving the whole flow of the discussion. At every juncture, I asked Him, "What next, Lord?" And someone would say something that triggered someone else's forgotten memory of an incident that has yet to be dealt with. All along, the healing work in J had already begun. Unseen.

And after we closed in prayer, J immediately went to H and they proceeded to have a talk at a corner of the room. We, the other cell members, nudged and looked at each other gleefully (kinda like those Korean serials keipohs*). It's like witnessing a miracle happening right in front of our eyes. Man, can anything beat that?

After they came back to the group, we happily teased them and I told J how proud I was of him, that he had the guts to do what is right. I was deeply encouraged to witness how teachable his heart is. Times like this, you realise that yes, this is what cell groups are all about. To be able to grow and mature together in a safe and loving environment.

I confessed to them what a total ignoramus I have been to print out the wrong sermon message. We all had a good laugh and J assured me that the message was really what he needed to hear. Wow, praise God indeed!

But the fun had not ended. Far from it. We had another fun nite out with the cell members. Chicken wings. Again. . Will couldn't join us for mamak as he had a prior appointment.

And when I came back to my car, I saw a white piece of paper neatly stucked to the windshield. I felt kinda quesy looking at it. Aiyo, had we offended someone in the neighbourhood by parking on their spot? My brother picked the note up and all of us read it and promptly burst out into laughter.

Thank you for parking at Will's lot. Please pay cash only of RM50.00 to Will the next time you meet him.
~ The Management

Yep, turns out that I did park right on Will's parking spot. What a fitting end to a very memorable and touching nite!

How do I like your car park, William?
Let me count the ways
The soft green grass
The ample space
All speaks of wonderful taste

Whenever I park my car there
I jump, I float, I sigh
It makes me wanna let down my hair
For reasons I dare not explore why

So here I sit and there you stand
Waiting to bill me and thru my suffering gain
Here's my appeal as I look at the bill on your hand
Please, may I park my car there again?

* keipohs - busybodies