Interesting Interview

God is everywhere -- and He connects His people through the strangest of methods and the most interesting of ways. Last Friday, I conducted an interview for a magazine profile on a CEO who had started her own company under unusual circumstances.

Through our time together, we had a good chat about her life and what inspires her and makes her tick. But it was only at the end of the interview when her response to my last question really encouraged me.

I had asked her, "So what parting words would you share with our readers?"

To which she replied, without knowing my religious inclinations, "I would tell all women to read Proverbs 31 in the Bible. Whenever I am down, I read that chapter for inspiration and encouragment."

In the capacity of our interaction, which was purely a business interview for a magazine, she did not know I was a Christian too. Yet, she had publicly brought her faith into the limelight. Everytime someone takes a stand for Christ, I am encouraged!

Anyway, to cut the long story short, I got my story for the profile piece, but more than that, I got something only God could have given -- a little bit of encouragement, a little bit of delight, and a little bit more faith in knowing that there is a Kingdom of believers out there. We are not alone, and wherever we go, Christ becomes our common ground, a platform to connect that is unique only to Christians.

PS. Did I mention that now the work part is done, even though she and I had met only for the first time last Friday, we've decided that we might go cycling together? :) Communion of the saints!

God Is With Me - In The Midst

In the last two months, I have experienced countless blessings from God - even if sometimes, I may not have recognised them right away.

Reflecting on the "turmoil" of my life, I realise that in the midst of what seems to be "cloudiness" is really "God at work"! And I think my faith has been increased that much more, as I consider the faithfulness of God in the life of this unfaithful one.

I want to learn to count my blessings more often, and to trust Him daily -- not just in good times, or when things work out, but even IN THE MIDST of pain and problems.

Yesterday, God spoke comfort to me through a divine appointment that helped me to process closure, and yet, not just about ending a chapter, but about starting a new one...

I think this is a season of newness for me. I believe God wants to teach me many things. I believe it is starting here. Dismantling the old to reassemble the new. Throwing out the old wineskin in exchange for a new one.

My future is uncertain, but my calling is certain. I write this to articulate my belief in a God who has always come through for me, even in my doubt and faithlessness. I have seen Him come through for me throughout my life, and particularly in this short period of two months alone, His provision has been so evident! I am awed, overwhelmed and so grateful for a God who cares about me, and I know I can trust God 100% -- even in the midst of the storms and tsunamis of my life.

"Those who were hungry cease to hunger. Even the barren gives birth to seven... He keeps the feet of His godly ones." (1 Samuel 2:5,9)

Catching Up With Friends

This is a season of change -- and part of that is to reconnect with friends again, a much-needed and much-appreciated process! Last month, I spent the better part of my time "transiting" emotionally. But this month, I'm much readier to meet people, and reconnecting with friends again has been exceptionally wonderful for my soul.

I realise that I NEED to interact with people, and I need to feel the sense that our lives are intertwined, that we make a difference in each other's lives. I'm an Extrovert that way. I need external stimulus by way of friends. Introverts probably have no clue what I'm talking about, as they're motivated Internally. But as for me, I need that stimulation Externally.

Anyway, the point is, I'm enjoying my friends tremendously -- and filling my social calendar again has been "feeding and healing" for my soul. Thank You, Lord, for friends and for the people in my life whom I can grow together with.

I also had a great time being on worship team yesterday. I enjoyed the creative expression of music, and discovered that in the process of worship, I discover God -- and myself at the same time! Perhaps the irony is that in discovering God, you discover your true identity... what do you think? In Christ, I am complete, and the path to the soul-search is in the worship of God.

"For a day in Thy courts is better than a thousand outside. I would rather stand at the threshold of the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness." (Psalm 84:10)

Day Of Connecting

Yesterday was an interesting day. I had lunch with two good friends -- and I mean, two separate lunches back to back! And lest you were wondering, no, I did not eat two full lunches! Spaced 'em out, of course, so I could eat right and still meet both my pals :) The latter was planned, but the former was an "accidental" lunch, since I was early and he happened to be free. I thank God for unexpectedly blessings like this!

Later that evening, I attended the Haggai Institute Convocation Dinner, where I met some old friends from my previous church, Mount Carmel, whom I had not seen in ages. Interestingly, in the lift, I met someone who, when I introduced myself, exclaimed, "Oh, you're Annabel!"

My, that surprised me!! I was surprised that she knew about me -- even though I had absolutely no clue who she was! Of course, it was not too much later when I discovered she was actually the wife of a Very Important Person there (much to my embarrassment that I didn't know that!), and the reason why she recognised my name was because one of the pals who started COMPASS magazine with me actually works for her (she's a Big Gun!), and had mentioned me to her regarding my Christian publishing skill and experience.

Ain't life just full of surprises!

Turns out that later that evening, I ended up sitting next to the head of the Girls Brigade in Singapore. I think she was interested in exploring work possibilities with me! (She did take my card...)

So I had a pretty eventful day, to say the least.

And so is this weekend! Tomorrow, for the first time after a hiatus of almost five years, I am going to be singing on the worship team as one of three vocalists again. Woo hoo... (Wonder if my voice still exists)...