Nothing out of the Ordinary

Earlier this week Pastor Ellen, Frank, Doris and I attended the council meeting at United Congregational Christian Church where we were introduced to Pastor Jack and we were given the opportunity to share about planting "God's Church." This introduction was in preparation for our being allowed access to UCCC's facilities so that God's Church Sunday Services could be held there.

Pastor Ellen spoke briefly about her background and what God's Church has been doing thus far. At some point she shared that "Suzie's grandfather planted a church in Sacramento years ago" and also stated "Suzie also has her own faith story to tell" and my eyes opened a bit wider (not because of the ADHD wide-angled vision) and I think I even held my breath for a moment. Fortunately I was not asked what my faith story was!!

As soon as we got in the car after the meeting, I told Pastor Ellen in my panicky but humorous tone of voice "don't put me on the spot like that!!" I told her when she said that Suzie has her own faith story to tell, the panicked thought going through my ADHD brain was "I do??"

In having ADHD, nobody can see the invisible processes of what's going on with the thoughts inside my ADHD brain. The scattered thoughts jump around in my brain like the ball in a pinball machine at rapid-fire speed. There has been MUCH anxiety all my life, with feeling pressured to say something in a sensible manner and not make a fool of myself. (After being diagnosed with ADHD four years ago, the anxiety has decreased significantly, due to the fact that I understand why those anxious feelings came about in the first place. I am able to cut myself some slack now.)

Pastor Ellen said that people will ask me what my faith story is and that I should have that ready to share. In my panicked humorous way, I said "I don't know what my faith story is!" and I jokingly asked "are you sure I even read that book??"

I repeatedly told Pastor Ellen "but don't put me on the spot like that!!" and I shared how it takes time for me to think, and then put the scattered thoughts into somewhat of a sensible sentence, far from coming up with a complete story! In my ADHD manner I am able to impulsively blurt out a quick-witted (sometimes annoying) response to things, but making a decision or having to explain something can be next to impossible for me to do at a moment's notice! It takes time to slow down the thoughts in this ADHD brain and connect those scattered thoughts before speaking them.

So during the last two days, I have thought hard about who I am in being a planter of God's Church with little Biblical knowledge and being at the beginning of my faith journey.

This is the result of "being still" and putting the scattered thoughts together after searching my Bible for the message God wanted me "to get." ..........


As Asian members of God's Church, our outward appearances might be obviously different to some people. For those who have never been in personal relationship with an Asian person, one might think we ARE different and yes we are, but so is everyone whether Asian or not. God made each and every one of us and we are all different from one another in our own unique and wonderful ways, but we are ALL God's children.

In getting to know us in closer relationship as friends you will find that our Asian hearts and our love for the Lord are the same as any other Christ loving person. At God's Church we enjoy ministering to children and their families. We come together on Sundays in our own unique ways which are probably not so traditional in comparison to most typical worship services.

Our basic beliefs and what we know to be true for our children and for generations to come, is best explained as we.....

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. - Psalm 100:1-5

Yes, being Asian makes us look different in our appearances but our hearts show just who we are and how we are just the same in being God's children.

A wonderful song from my childhood reminds me that........Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world. Red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in his sight. Jesus loves the little children of the world!!

.....ALL Children!! Praise be to God!!