Enlightenment

How I Saved My Younger Brother

I was born as the seventh child in a family with seven daughters and one son. I had nothing special and drew no attention of people. Not only the villagers but also my relatives would even ask my name whenever…

Im Ji-yeon from Seongnam, South Korea

A Life of Steady Change

I once read that it is harder to maintain a changed self than to change from one’s current state to a better one. Looking back on my life, I have found that to be true. I could make plans and…

Yoo Bo-mi from Soon cheon, Korea

The Meaning of the Morning Glory

The symbolic meanings given to flowers according to their characteristics are called the “language of flowers.” For example, the green rose symbolizes “noble love that exists only in heaven.” I learned this from a new sister I met at a…

Jo Min-ah from Seongnam, Korea

The Sound That Eases My Longing

“Turn left.” “Continue straight.” Even when I know the way to my destination perfectly well, I still find myself entering the address into the navigation system—just to hear its voice. I think it started after I installed a navigation system…

Kwon Soon-young from Fresno, CA, U.S.

Air

I work in a job that requires a lot of physical movement. These days, because of COVID-19 prevention measures, I wear a mask while working, and even the slightest movement makes me feel suffocated and irritable. But when I move…

Kim Min-seong from Suwon, Korea

Foreigners and Strangers on Earth

It has been several years since I came to the Philippines. By God’s grace and through the love of my Zion family, I’ve adapted so well that I sometimes forget I am a foreigner, and for that, I am truly…

Jeong Eun-seo from Las Pinas City, Philippines

For the Everlasting Crown

When we are in God, we are happy and joyful with the grace of salvation and the promise of the kingdom of heaven. However, there are many things we need to be patient with and endure as God’s children. Before…

Kang Gyeong-mi from Changwon, Korea

Mom’s Baby Book

In the days of my puberty, a war of nerves with Mom was my daily routine. As usual, I was scolded by Mom and banged the door, entering the room. I murmured that I would never talk with her anymore…

Kim Hyeon-ji from Uijeongbu, South Korea

Eye

Starting a few years ago, my left eye looked blurry as if there was a fog. The same symptom started on my right eye also. I wore glasses, thinking it might be presbyopia, but I still felt frustrated. I went…

Choi Yong-gyu from Seoul, South Korea

Parental Love

I always thought my son was a little kid, but he is already a lot taller than I am now. It’s still vivid when he was a lovely little kid whom I could embrace, but now I can be embraced…

Jo Eun-jin from Changwon, South Korea

God Daily Bears Our Burdens

Whenever I faced difficult moments though rarely, I fell into a sense of shame and felt burdened—‘Why am I the only one tired and suffering?’ But there was the One more burdened than I was. “Praise be to the Lord,…

Daejeon, South Korea, Kim Mi-jeong

Mother’s Love Only for Her Children

One day, I was having lunch with my grandfather, and we were discussing the most important thing in relationships. I mentioned communication as something I thought was important, and then he told me an old story: Before my dad was…

Philadelphia, PA, U.S., Maxwell Rothstein

Take Off Your Old Self and Put On the New Self

When I look back at the life I lived, I cannot help but cringe. Everyone knew my personality: loud, arrogant, and spoiled. I was set on my plans of world victory and I was going to show it off to…

Riverside, CA, U.S., Vivian Paire Dewong

When Every Part Isn’t United

“It’s an intruder! Attack!” “No, wait! I’m not an intruder. We’re a family!” “Liar! Attack! Attack!” This is what goes on inside the body of someone with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is an autoimmune disease; a disorder in which the…

Manhattan, NY, U.S., Viana Lynnette Vazquez

God Leads My Way

I was troubled many times with lots of concerns when I was about to carry out a plan. Nevertheless, I prayed to God only when I was desperate. I got sobered, however, when I realized that it was not my…

Hyderabad, India, Ryu Gi-bok

Removing Stains

I’d like to share what I’ve realized while painting the Libreville Church in Gabon. We paint our Zion building every dry season. Since we cannot do it in the rainy season even though we want to, we have to paint…

Libreville, Gabon, Lee Jeong-ho

Making Pittu

When there is a gathering for the male adult group in Zion, I prepare meals, selecting a dish among the menu they like. Although they are exhausted after working all day, they come to church right after work to study…

Colombo, Sri Lanka, Baek So-hyeon

Unfailing Love

As we walk the path of faith, there are times when we don’t understand why certain things happen, only to realize later that those very moments were filled with God’s hidden blessings. Whenever I’m tempted to rely on my own…

Shin Jun-hee from Suwon, Korea

One Meal vs. Twenty Thousand Meals

It was a day I cooked for my father. Though I was tired, it was nothing compared with my father, who had come home late and hadn’t even had lunch. So I quickly washed the rice and set it to…

Ju Yeong-ho from Seoul, Korea

Class President Campaign Promises

At the beginning of the semester, my second child—now in third grade—decided to run for class president. Here is the campaign pledge he wrote: If I become class president, I promise to be like a school supply for all of…

Kim Deok-sun from Busan, Korea