Enlightenment

My Son’s Way of Saying, “I Love You”

One day, out of the blue, my son announced that he wanted to give me an allowance. “Really? It’s not even my birthday.” I couldn’t help but laugh—what money does an elementary schooler have to offer as a gift? “How…

Yu Seung-hee From Busan, Korea

Why Mother Is Waiting

“Mommy waited a while until you were born.” This is something I have often heard from my mom since I was young. She said that after getting married, she had hoped to have a child quickly, but contrary to her…

Jo Seong-ye From Cuiabá, Brazil

Then I’ll Just Always Put It Nicely

A young sister had just joined the student group—a first-year middle schooler full of bright, radiant energy. As usual, we were casually exchanging messages when I sent a playful remark: “My mental age is pretty low. If we’re going by…

Bae Su-jin From Cheongju, Korea

To Prosper in All Things and Be in Good Health

I didn’t understand much about the Bible at first, but one thing I was sure of: I needed to keep the Passover. With that conviction alone, I received the blessing of a new life immediately. At the time, I wasn’t…

Kim Eun-yeong From Incheon, Korea

I Didn’t Know Before I Had a Child of My Own

It was only after giving birth that I truly understood what people meant when they said, “The baby is easiest when still in the womb.” In the final days of pregnancy, even sleeping or stepping outside felt burdensome. I longed…

Kim Eun-jin From Ansan, Korea

Why the Plant Came Back to Life

A member of Zion once gave me a small potted plant as a gift. To be honest, I had never been successful at keeping plants alive. Every time I tried, they wilted too quickly, leaving me disheartened. Sure enough, even…

Han Hee-ok From Suwon, Korea

The Power of Gratitude

I once watched a documentary called The Power of Gratitude. The man featured in the documentary, a father of two, was constantly depressed and heavily reliant on alcohol. The turning point in his life came when he began keeping a…

Park Yun-ju from Melbourne, Australia

Three Days to See

Helen Keller was a person who could neither hear, see, nor speak. However, with the help of her teacher, Anne Sullivan, who cared for her with love and devotion, Helen displayed extraordinary determination, eventually learning to read books in braille…

Kim Jin From Bucheon, Korea

Labor That Is Not in Vain

It feels truly good when someone recognizes my efforts. Perhaps that’s why I find great comfort in the words that say no labor in God is ever in vain. “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move…

Park Se-yeong From Busan, Korea

The Heart of a Farmer

I used to think that farming would be too demanding for my husband, considering his physical condition. But recently, after we started a weekend farm, I discovered a new side of him. Having found joy in farming, he now goes…

Jeong Yeon-nam From Namyangju, Korea

God’s Call Are Irrevocable

In the midst of this rapidly unfolding gospel work, I often found myself overwhelmed with guilt, feeling as though I had contributed nothing. A quiet fear crept in: What if God regretted calling me to this path of salvation? That…

Lee U-rim From Guayaquil, Ecuador

The Golden Rule of Human Relationships

I reflected on Jesus’ teachings from the Sermon on the Mount: “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” Mt 7:12 There is no one…

Jo Mun-gyeong From Seoul, Korea

A Letter From Father

I enjoy writing letters by hand. I often write and give letters to Zion family members as well. In this digital age, where a short birthday greeting can be sent with just a few taps on a mobile keyboard, there…

Seo Yeong-im From Busan, Korea

Repentance

At the close of each day, I often write a letter to God—a quiet prayer wrapped in words. One evening, as I sat down to write as usual, I suddenly grew curious about what I had written in the past.…

Lee Jae-uk From Pyeongtaek, Korea

Like Mother

The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 1 Pe 4:7–8 While reading the verse…

Yu Ji-ho From Gwangju, Gyeonggi, Korea

Even While Sleeping

Early in the morning, I woke up with a stomachache and went to the bathroom. As I sat there for a long time, I suddenly heard my mom’s voice, “Are you okay?” I was startled. It was the middle of…

Jahng Dong-geon From the 2nd Puebla, Mexico

Sorting Beans

Late at night, my mother quietly asked if I could help her sort beans. She explained that my grandmother’s bean harvest had been so successful that they were planning to sell the beans at the market—all two large sacks of…

Yang Seung-hun From Chuncheon, Korea

Cleaning the Wardrobe

“Whew! This wardrobe really needs sorting.” I had opened the wardrobe to pick out clothes for the next day, only to find everything tangled in a chaotic heap. With moving day fast approaching, I had put off organizing, and now…

Seo Jin-hee From Busan, Korea

Until I Experienced Pain Myself

I grew up healthy from a young age. Perhaps because of that, whenever I heard that someone was absent from school or missed work because they were sick, I simply thought they were making excuses. But one day, I suddenly…

Han So-hee From Moscow, Russia

The Weight of the Name Dad

We went to my maternal grandfather’s farm to help with the sweet potato planting. Every year, he planted a small field of sweet potatoes, saying he wanted to share the fruits of his own hands with his children. He was…

Lee Eun-bi From Yeongju, Korea