So there I was, stunned and shocked. Not knowing what to do or how to break the news to my parents. I remember my friend quoting his parents (who liked me), "Amen my head ah.. Christians I thought should be good one. Now they are holding their bible on one hand and holding a knife on the other. They don't have a heart of compassion at all. No chances?!" I felt so much comfort in that comment, knowing that his parents feel for me. His ideas also sunk into my head bit by bit as I grew away from the Christian faith, trusting Christians less and less. Actually my anger was more to the school than to Jesus/God.

So I broke the news to my parents, my dad came and appealed to the new principal. He was on the verge of tears, can't remember whether did he actually cry. Yet, the principal's reply was a firm no. So off we went to find new schools.

Stop 1: We went to the school just next to my house (Bukit Batok Sec Sch). Saw the discipline first and he asked where I was from. I replied SJI and he exclaimed that he was from SJI too. *Hope*! But in the end, he subtlely said that the school was too good for me and told me to leave down my name that they will contact me if they have a vacancy. So we waited for about a week. No calls, no nothing... And our search continues..

Stop2: Swiss Cottage Secondary. It is a good school, we must be crazy to think that they'll accept me. Talk talk talk.. Same procedures as stop 1, "leave down your contacts, if there's a vacancy we'll call you." So we were cleverer this time, didn't go home and wait for letter but went to another nearby school: Dunearn Sec.

Stop3: Every stop's an adrenaline rush session. This one's x2 the action. The principal Ms Dorothy Tay (if I remember correctly) spoke to both me and my father and then asked me if I went to Swiss Cottage and WHY there 1st. .................................... Jialat. So I went blabbering away: "Erm... Cos it was more on the way cos it is easier for the taxi to make a right turn etc etc" All bullshit. Well, game over. Same procedure again and we went home.

We stopped for a while to try to assess our options and consulted some of out family members. So happened that one of my cousin from my father's side, Yonglin, had a primary school friend who studied in Dunearn and was the Top student for Science (physics or whatever) for the O levels for the school and he said maybe we can try the school again with his help.

Stop3A: So there we went again. This time round with our reinforcements. My cousin's a good-looking nice chap too. Guess I needed them to cover me up. The principal was overjoyed to see my cousin's friend and kept chatting with him etc. Then he appealed my case for me. (What a distance relationship. Imagine him replying to the principal's question: "So how are you related to him?" -> Ans: "He's my friend's cousin" ..................

So Ms Tay called me in again and signed me in. With the exact subject combination I had at SJI. She then asked to help her take a photo with my cousin's friend which I agreed with gratitude overflowing in me. I was grateful to her then but now I am grateful to Jesus! I dunno if she, my cousin's friend or my cousin were Christians at that time, but looking back, it was certainly a gift from God. A redemptive gift. Why? -> "Spectacular coincidences" and God's perfect timing. The way things happened were as such: we revisited the school on the last day of the principal! She was going to be transferred to the primary school (Hong Kah) next to the school as the principal and that day was her last day at Dunearn. On her last day, seeing her favourite student coming back to visit her, why shouldn't she do a good deed? I'm that opportunity! I couldn't imagine where I'd be now had we been late for a day. Thank you Lord Jesus for your perfect timings!

Devotion: Think back on your life, and the little people God has provided in your life and blessed you. Have you given them a second "thank you" after their help? Do you only thank the person and not thank God? Remember that God is certainly with us everyday of lives. "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. "(Romans 8:28 NIV). So Have faith in God. He knows what best for us. So much more than our limited mortal minds can think!


Song: "Trust His heart"

Verse: (can't remember all, sorry)

Our Father knows what's best for us, His ways are not our own.
So when your pathway goes dim, and you just can't seem him, remember He's still on the throne..

Chorus:

God is too wise to be mistaken
God is too good to be unkind
So when you don't understand
when you can't see His plans,
when you can't trace His hand,
trust His heart...

_____

How meaningful...

ps: I should call my cousin now and meet up with his God-given friend which helped salvaged and change my life!