The 7th Sunday After Pentecost:
Scriptures: Genesis 18:20-32; Luke 11:1-13
Key Verse: “For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.” (Luke 11:10)
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Hello, This is Jade.
Welcome to Yi.kigai
A space for all to explore the intersection between faith and daily life
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When I planned my first trip back to Taiwan after studying in the U.S. for a year, I decided to introduce my husband, who was my boyfriend at the time, to my parents. On our flight back to Taiwan, I told him not to hug my parents or kiss their cheeks as he normally would greet people in his culture. I also warned him not to get too disappointed at my parents’ way of welcoming him since I didn’t know what to expect. If he really wanted to show his affection to my parents, the best thing he could do was shake hands with them. We prayed about it and hoped that my parents would like him. And God answered our prayers.
Interestingly, when I met his parents in Mexico for the first time, neither of us was worried. Since I had been exposed to western culture in the States and had some Hispanic friends, I knew more or less what to expect in terms of cultural awareness. His parents were very friendly and received me as their own child. I felt accepted and loved right away. Even though I wasn’t used to their hugging and kissing on the cheeks, I knew that I would eventually adopt their culture one day just as he would get used to the culture I grew up in. And yes, we did. We were convinced that God brought us together.
After being married for seven years, I felt that I wasn’t meant to be a pastor’s wife and should stop trying to be like one. Watching his long work hours each day, I prayed that I could do more to share the load. I learned to speak Spanish but my Spanish wasn’t good enough to teach. I loved their secular culture but not the stereotype of a pastor’s wife as “Pastora” that Latino faith communities normally had. I began to doubt the purpose of my life. Even having prayed daily, I couldn’t find peace. My husband also seemed to be frustrated about my unhappiness.
One day I said to him, “I prayed but didn’t see things get better. Maybe God has a different plan. Maybe we have misunderstood all along.” He said that he also prayed but didn’t see that we should give up. Both of us had internalized a lot of challenges on our own without naming and reflecting on them together in a vulnerable way. Finally we did.
We shared what each of us had prayed about and realized that we had been praying for different things. He had been doing his best to be a good husband, a great dad, and a faithful servant of God planting a new church without adequate resources. I had been trying to be a good wife and a loving mom but didn’t know how much more effort I needed to make in order to act like a traditional “Pastora.”
What we had missed was praying about things that could bring us joy and hope as a couple and as the people of faith. After that, we began to pray for our new beginning. We prayed for a life filled with joy and hope. We have been married for 27 years. It took me years to see how God has answered our prayers all along. While seeking the path that God is paving for us to walk together, we have been praying ceaselessly. Praying to God is a gift.
What I have learned about prayers is that we don’t pray blindly without listening to our own hearts and to each other. Knowing what’s going on is important but is not enough. Reflecting on how we feel and behave helps us engage in deeper and meaningful dialogue with God through each prayer.
Whatever you are going through now, it could be a path of healing, a path of affirmation, a path of repentance, or a path of forgiveness that you are praying for. May you not give up too soon and too fast. Because we have a God who is faithful and merciful. And remember, God loves you and wants you to live fully and joyfully. Our way of living together as people of God will keep changing as God answers our daily prayers. Praying is a gift from God.
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May your coming week be blessed by God’s grace
As together we explore the intersection between faith and daily life
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