August 17, 2024

“You should put these in your car, otherwise raccoons will come out and eat them.” Paula advised as we were cleaning up after supper on the campground. With only little experience of camping, I really didn’t think that these creatures would come out to eat these fully wrapped ramen noodles, but I listened to her and put the box in my trunk.

Night fell and all the families went to their tents for a good night’s rest. It was a long day of enjoying nature and a wonderful hike on the bluffs of the state park, and so we all fell asleep right away. In the middle of the night, I woke up at the sound of footsteps. I thought to myself, “Who would walk around our site at this time of the night?” Then I heard bags of chips opening and they were eating them! I managed to put away the box of ramens but I had left a box of chips that I bought from Costco for all the kids to eat on the picnic table. That’s when I remembered the raccoons!

I didn’t know what to do. I don’t like animals that much, and I was scared at the thought of leaving. But I had to find out. So I grabbed a flashlight, zipped up the tent and flashed the light toward the picnic table. There were 4 raccoons feasting around the table and bags of chips were all over the place. I was scared to go out. I didn’t know anything about raccoons and I was scared that they would attack me. After a few minutes, I gathered the courage to step out. As soon as I stepped out of my tent, the raccoons disappeared instantly. I stood out there for a couple of minutes but they didn’t come back out. I took the moment to put the box of chips into my car. In the morning, I picked up 15 bags of chips around the picnic. I am sure the raccoons had a great time.

Food was there, and the raccoons came out to eat them. It’s as simple as that. It’s like setting the wolf to guard the sheep. That’s no different for us spiritually. If we are exposed to temptation, we will be tempted to fall into sin. In the face of temptation, the only thing you should do is to get out, so that you will not indulge in sin. Even better, God tells us that He will help us. “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13. I pray that we will learn to enjoy walking with God in this world full of sin, as He will guide and help us to stay away from it and our faith in God will grow more than ever.

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August 3, 2024

I didn’t have enough sleep over the night and I was tired in the morning. I woke up at the alarm, and after a time of morning devotional time, I headed out for a run. It would have been ideal to run for at least 60 minutes, but with how much I was tired, I felt like 20 minutes was the best I can do. The legs are heavy and I dreaded every step. One foot in front of the other just didn’t seem to work this moment. 

I knew I should not turn around already, so I kept going. I passed mile one, even more tired. But then right after, the beautiful farm scenery of Wisconsin came into my view. The morning sun was vibrantly beaming upon the wide field. It was as if God was making a statement that He was there. And that gave me the energy and strength I needed to enjoy the run and enjoy His presence. I knew I could run longer now and enjoy more of God’s nature. I ran double the distance of what I had expected. “The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork.” Psalm 19:1

There’s something powerful about God’s creation. He created this beautiful world, because He loves each one of us. And I pray that’s good enough to strengthen you today. Go out, and enjoy nature, and be in God’s presence. 

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July 27, 2024

I have a few scars and stitch marks on my body. I had stitches on my forehead from when I was around seven years old. I was playing on a truck and fell off of it on my head. In second grade, I was playing with rocks with friends during recess time, and a friend accidentally threw on my left ring finger, and I had to get stitches. In fourth grade, I was playing ball with friends and in body contact with an opponent, his back head crushed my eyeglasses through my skin under my right eye. I have stitch marks there. In high school, I was trying to open a can with a knife and I stabbed my left thumb joint and I got stitches there. Most recently, I had a skiing accident, from which I have a massive scar on my right shoulder. Perhaps these scars aren’t as big compared to some of you that went through major accidents and injuries in life. Whether small or big, these scars last forever. Each scar has a story and it reminds you of what took place whenever you see it.

“When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.” John 20:20 Jesus also has a scar. He has nail marks on His wrists and feet. He also has spear marks on his sides. These scars of Jesus remind us of what He went through. He died for us on the cross. In the book of Revelation, Jesus is mentioned as “the Lamb that was slain.” (Revelation 5:6, 12; 13:8) And when we see Jesus again in Heaven, we will get to witness these marks that tell us the story what He went through and feel how much Jesus loves us, that He volunteered to die on our behalf.

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