A Few Things from 2019 Spring Festival
Spending Time with Parents
Since I started boarding school in the second year of middle school, I’ve barely lived with my parents for over twenty years. Especially after starting work, the most time spent together in a year hasn’t exceeded two weeks.
Maybe I’m too independent. Deep down, there’s some rebellion and disagreement with the older generation. My relationship with my parents doesn’t feel that close. Now that I have kids myself and think about it from a parent’s perspective, it would be quite sad if my son treated me the same way. This has made me reflect.
My parents are really getting old. How much time is there left to live together? Especially with only ten days or less each year to spend together. I think if I don’t make enough time in the next decade or so to live with, talk to, and care for my parents, I’ll surely regret it.
Sitting by the fire sometimes, I really wanted to move back to Changsha just for them. Even though these brief impulses were overwhelmed by more complex considerations in the end, it’s evident that spending time with my parents will take up more and more space in my life.
Sharing the Gospel with Family & Relatives
Originally, I hoped to share the gospel with a few family members, but in reality, I didn’t take concrete actions. At most, I mentioned terms like “church,” “Christian faith,” and “Jesus” in front of a few relatives. Judging by the outcomes, the attempt to share the gospel was a failure. But compared to last year, there was some progress. The change lies in my perspective and attitude towards these relatives.
Relatives, even though they are relatives, when sitting together, the interactions are very superficial: playful banter, jokes, and small talk. No one shares personal joys for fear of envy or gossip, nor do they discuss life’s troubles because nobody wants to air their dirty laundry, and listeners don’t want to involve themselves.
This year, when I approached my relatives with the intent of sharing the gospel with a heart of love, my feelings changed significantly. The aging of the elders, their emptiness, their love for their children (with deep concerns for some), the pressures my peers face, their lack of methods in child-rearing, and so on.
I hope to have more meaningful conversations with my relatives, to understand each other’s lives and build relationships. (If I have some free time this year, I want to invite some elders to visit Shanghai.)
Reading - ‘The Biography of James Fraser’
During the Spring Festival, I squeezed in time to finish this book (even took it along when visiting relatives). James Fraser was a missionary who came to China in the early 20th century, dedicating himself to the gospel mission among the Lisu people of Yunnan. Brother Fraser’s faith journey deeply touched and inspired me.
I plan to write a review later. For now, here are a few quick takeaways:
- Any excuse for “not sharing the gospel” is a searing guilt and utterly shameful;
- The power of prayer and intercession; (I used to overlook this, but I need to exercise prayer and put everything in it)
- Patience and waiting like a farmer: cultivating, sowing, waiting; (I often can’t help but peek under the soil to see if the seeds have sprouted)
- Faith and the gospel require costs; (My faith life is too easy)
Honestly, I’m not much of a reader. But being able to calm down and read is immensely enjoyable. A very complete, continuous, immersive experience. In contrast, scrolling through social media and browsing WeChat articles feels too fragmented.
Long-Distance Driving
The trip was 1100 km one way. We stopped halfway through for the night to rest, and did a bit of sightseeing. On the way to Changsha, we stopped in Jingdezhen for a tour and some rest; on the way back to Shanghai, we stopped in Quzhou. This was my first time driving such a long distance; it was quite an experience.