humbled

yesterday morning when i took mochi (my sister's dog) out for his walk, i saw this man digging through trash looking for cans and bottles. as we passed by him, i said "good morning" and looked into his eyes. i think i was trying to "see" the man and related to him as a fellow human being beyond what he was doing.

ever since i moved back, i've seen homeless people on the streets of our neighborhood and always wondered "what can i do to help?" after talking to some ladies at church, there were cautions that sometimes it can be dangerous for women to talk to these people, but ultimately, just pray and see how God wants me to do.

last night when i was driving home from the office, i saw a small group of people standing on the street corner with the signs "vote yes for proposition 8" (voting yes for this proposition would revoke the legalization of gay marriages in the state of CA.). they were making noises and it was dark already. even with my loud music playing, i could hear the sounds they were making. but i just thought... people are so willing to stand on the street corner to express their views on some law, but what are we as Christians doing to express publicly the kind of self-less, unconditional love of Jesus Christ, which he expressed to those "sinners" around him when he was here on earth?

so back to the man i saw yesterday digging through trash. i saw him again this morning digging through more trash dumps looking for bottles and cans. somehow a thought moved me to gather some of the cans and bottles in our house and give them to him. i hesitated a few times by walking outside of our garage to see if he's still around... finally, i just picked up the bag of cans and bottles and walked to the man.

"excuse me, sir. would you like to have these bottles and cans?"
he looked at me with grateful eyes and took the bag.
he said... "have a nice day" and smiled.

as i was walking back to our garage and got ready to drive out to work, all these emotions rushed through me. somehow, i felt pain and wish i can do more. i felt joy thinking that i've done something finally to help a fellow human being who is struggling in life. as i thought more, i became very humbled by this whole event that had taken place because i know there is nothing i can brag about. what i've done probably can never solve this man's problems. but i can only be grateful that somehow God has provided an amazing life (both materially and spiritually) that some others just don't seem to have. who am i that HE cares for me in such ways?

i am humbled...

i love this country :D

went to vote this morning without much wait. somehow last night my heart felt very heavy and there were a lot of anxieties within me because we are not only voting for the next president of the United States but living in california, there are also many propositions and other things to vote for. it was as if all that commercial about "your 1 vote counts" is adding pressure for me... my one vote (literally) is going to change the world. i guess it does make a difference but at the same time, the majority voice will prevail at the end of this voting process. i was going to wait till the last minute to cast my vote today, but since there wasn't a very long line (the polling place is right next to our home), all three of us went and got it done within 30 min.

this is the very first time that my parents and i are voting. i think there are also many "new" things in the voting process that amused us. well... for one, we were pretty surprised that they didn't check our IDs to make sure we are those people registered. the american system is still based on trust. my mom said if it's in taiwan, there would be no such thing. everyone's ID must be checked and confirmed before they can get a ballet to vote.

besides this whole honor system observation, all the volunteers at the poll were enthusiastic and helpful. i am especially touched by how helpful this elderly gentleman was. he even gave me 2 "i voted" stickers because i told him i was going home and change after i voted.

well... i guess we'll wait for the results to come out tonight and many things will be different. but to be involved in this election this year, i am suddenly very proud that i am a citizen of this country and can be a part of this society that upholds freedom and respect for human beings.

God bless America!