in the quiet place

i just looked at this picture again, and i thought to myself - it's sucha quiet picture, yet you seem to hear her saying singing words very very softly only for the sharpest of ears, the most attentive of listeners.

i just came back from liwei's 21st birthday celebration. he turned 21 on the 17th of last month but only held the celebration today because the past month was a way too busy one.

i can't say i know liwei well. we see each other every friday in ocf, and sunday at hobsons bay church, but other than the quick "hello how are you"s, we have never had a proper conversation before. but tonight i learnt a lot, not just about him, but FROM him. i can't exactly put a finger on what exactly i learnt. i suppose i'm not thinking a lot now, more of feeling.

liwei is busy preparing everything in the function room. he is talking to the people who have arrived, trying to get things started, making sure everything's ok. his mum and dad and little sister arrive. he pulls himself away, walks towards his mum and kisses her on the cheek before bringing the family in.

liwei had this list of things he wanted to go through, a list of songs, and a list of people who have things to saya about/to him. top of the list was no ALL-YOU-PEOPLE-LISTEN-TO-THIS-HAPPENING-SONG song. it was a humble hymn. he shared briefly from the bible. and you're there thinking "this is gonna be interesting.. doesn't feel like a party at all".

don't get me wrong, i wasn't the elast bit disappointed. in fact, i think it was really great, that everyone who went up would mention something about liwei's passion for God and his love towards the people around him. what can i say, this 21 year old is one impressive kid who still has yet to do his NS next year. no, correction. this 21 year old is a testimony of God's goodness.

it'd be great if i got the chance to know liwei better, to learn more from him. but hey, he's going to the army and im sure, and i pray, that he'd shine the Lord's light to more people back home in singapore.

and while i was lyrical about this guy, i suppose it all comes back to me and how i should respond, or YOU, how you would respond after reading this. am i challenged to grow in my walk as liwei has grown? will i go back to the quiet place everyday and whisper or sing in the softest voice to the sharpest of ears and most attentive of listeners..