Build to Last

Today's word was awesome.

You know what, I really love how pastor Tan preaches.
It sometimes gives me motivation to what I set my heart on.
I can see it by how he rises up and leads the church, that he actually does it with passion.
I can see that his preaching is something which he learnt and built up to profession through his years of pastoring.
And through these experiences, he manages to stand confidently on stage and speak to the masses.
Amazing.


I just want to share a story which he told about a couple.
Hope I can interpret it and produce an almost identical story to that of what pastor told.
Wish me luck.

Mark and Susan were married for many years. Because of a sickness in Susan's body, she had to go for a major operation which had little chance of success. Due to complications, the operation failed and Susan fell into a world of darkness. She went blind.
Traumatized and in shock, Susan went into a state of depression, refusing to listen to her husband, resulting in many arguements in the family. To minimise the blow of not being able to see, Mark got Susan a part-time job where she is able to earn a decent income even though she is blind.
With their new change in schedule, Mark had to drive Susan to work in the morning before he heads to his workplace, which is on the other side of town. Additionally, he has to fetch Susan back from work after she is done with her shifts.
As their family is financially unstable, Mark found that driving Susan to work makes his schedule time-constraining. Furthermore, the cost of spending on patrol will result in them losing money. Hence, Mark wanted to ask Susan if she would spare some thought for the family and take a bus to work every morning instead. However, he was perplexed to whether it would be a heavy blow to her, since she is already struggling with her new lifestyle.
After much thought, he finally asked her one day after work and after much quarreling, she finally agreed to give it a try. Mark said that he'll help her every morning to get on the bus and send her to work. In return, he has to sacrifice a portion of his morning shift as he had no choice but to report late to work. "I'll give it two weeks. If I still do not get used to it by then, I won't continue doing it," Susan said.
Monday morning came and Mark accompanied Susan out of the house with her walking stick. Unfamiliar with the surroundings, Susan struggled to make her way to the bus stop and up the bus. With new obstacles coming towards her every second, she depended alot on Mark to guide her way. But eventually, she reached her workplace safe and sound.
Tuesday came.
Then Wednesday.
Thursday.
Friday.
Even the week after.
Each day, Mark would guide her every step she takes to her workplace. He even spoke with the morning-shift bus drivers to look out for Susan and reserve a seat for her when she got on the bus.
By the time the last day of the next week came, Susan was so confident with the route that she has been taking for the past two weeks that she aced it almost without any help from Mark. She was overjoyed with her accomplishment that she agreed to give it a try without Mark by her side from that day on, allowing Mark to return to his normal schedule.

Each morning, before she sets off with her walking stick for work, she will kiss Mark goodbye at their doorstep.
Another week went by.
Monday.
Tuesday zoomed past.
Wednesday was quick to say goodbye.
Thursday came.
And before she knew it, it was Friday.
She was so experienced to the route she took everyday that it became a breeze to report for work.
On that day, the bus driver spoke to her, "You know what, I really envy you."
Not knowing that the driver was talking to her, she continued to her reserved seat like she does every morning and sat down. Besides, who would want to talk to a blind woman like her?
The bus driver repeated himself to Susan. Curious, she asked, "Why would you be jealous of a blind woman like me?"
With a smile, he replied, "Every morning, when you get on the bus, a fine young man in a military uniform never fails to board the bus behind you. He will stand at the corner of the bus making sure that you're safe and sound. And after you alight, he will follow your footsteps and watch you as you cross the traffic light. Finally, he will blow you a kiss and give you a salute before he flags for a taxi, probably heading to work."

Touched, tears rolled down Susan's eyes.


Nice story.
And this was only a small portion of what pastor shared.
I had a tremendously awesome time in church today. =)