KayyChow

“If I could rewind my life and go back twenty years, I would dream small and relish the joys of an unaccomplished life. ‘Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life,’ Paul urges (1 Thess. 4:11 NIV). This is arguably one of the most un-American verses in the Bible. Those words have become almost a mantra for me. I must say them over and over to silence the lifelong indoctrination I have received from a culture that idolizes those who do big things and urges us all to do likewise. "Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life." In other words, make it your ambition not to let ‘awesome’ define your life, dictate your relationships, weigh the importance of who you are, or guide you in discerning how and where God is found. To lead a quiet life doesn't mean that you lower your expectations as much as you lower your gaze. Instead of looking up to the next accomplishment, the next rung on the ladder, you look down at the daily life you live, the children God has given you, the spouse by your side, your aging parents, your dear friends, the poor and needy—all those ‘little things’ you miss when you're always looking up to the ‘next big thing’ in your life.”

“Cry out to God. He will never fail to listen and he always answers with what is best.”

“Go often to the Bible to hear the great God Himself speaking to you.”

“Know that you can start late, look different, be uncertain and still succeed.”

“All of those who say that they are Christ’s, and then go and live ungodly lives, stain the name of Christ.”

“Once you have started seeing the beauty of life, ugliness starts disappearing. If you start looking at life with joy, sadness starts disappearing. You cannot have heaven and hell together, you can have only one. It is your choice.”

“I know it can be hard, but you must stay patient. Your time will come. Until then, enjoy this wonderful life and all of the beauty within it.”

“That’s it. Turn the page. You’re not there anymore. Turn it right over and begin your new chapter. So much of your life still awaits.”