Faith & Life

Words That Changed the Mood

While busily preparing dinner, the mother accidentally poured vinegar into the stew instead of sesame oil. She was startled, but since the food was already made, she couldn't bring herself to throw it away, so she just put it on the table. The eldest daughter, a high school student, took a spoonful of the stew and frowned deeply. “Mom, why does the stew taste like this?” The second daughter, a middle school student, grumbled as if she had been waiting for a chance. “The taste is strange. I can't eat this.” The mother, feeling sorry, couldn’t say anything. The father, quietly watching the two daughters, spoke. “Shall I have a taste? Hmm. . . it’s a little sour, but still…

If You’re Not Sure What to Do

Before building a house, you first need to picture what the finished home will look like. That way, you can figure out what steps to take, what materials you’ll need, and how to make a solid plan. This idea doesn’t just apply to building houses; it applies to life, too. Stephen Covey, a well-known American business thinker, once gave this advice in his book Begin With the End in Mind. In other words, imagine how you’d like to be remembered at the very end of your life. When you picture that, it becomes clearer how you should live now and what kinds of things you should fill your days with. Of course, none of us knows exactly when that “end”…

Unyielding Will

There once was a marathon runner from Ethiopia named Abebe Bikila. In the 1960 Rome Olympics, though an unknown athlete at the time, he ran the marathon barefoot, and won with a new world record. The world came to know him as the "Barefoot Marathoner." Four years later, at the Tokyo Olympics, he did it again—another world record, another gold medal. He became the first person in Olympic history to win back-to-back marathons. However, fate dealt him a cruel hand. In 1969, a car accident left him with a serious spinal injury, paralyzed from the waist down. Many mourned the thought that they would never again see him run. Yet Abebe was not one to surrender to despair. Just a…

The Incubation Period of Thought

When we face a difficult problem or try to come up with an idea, there are times when we think for a long time but can't find an answer. However, sometimes, while doing another task for a moment or taking a walk to clear our mind, a good idea comes to us. Psychologists call this time and opportunity to step away from the problem and think from another angle an “incubation period.” While being separated from the problem in terms of time and space, we make various thoughts and inferences outside of the original viewpoint and grasp a clue to solving the problem. If there is something you can’t solve no matter how hard you try, try setting it aside…

What Does It Mean to Succeed?

“To laugh often and much. To earn the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children. To earn the praise of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends.
 To appreciate beauty. To find the best in others. To leave the world a bit better whether by raising a healthy child, tending a small garden, or improving society. To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived—this is to have succeeded.” These are the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson, a highly respected American poet and philosopher. This poem gained attention in Korea when a prominent business person quoted it while pledging to donate more than half of their wealth. These days, success is often equated…

The Fig Tree and the Fig Wasp

The name fig in Korean literally means “fruit without a flower.” But in truth, no fruit in the world can grow without a flower. What looks like a small green fruit before a fig ripens is actually a flower in disguise. As the flower base and stalk grow, they form what we recognize as the fruit. So when a fig is ripe, the outer skin is actually the flower’s calyx, and the soft red flesh inside is the part that corresponds to the flower itself. Because fig flowers don’t look like typical flowers, the fig was given a name that suggests it has no flower. Since plants cannot move on their own, they usually rely on the wind or insects…

A Melody of Hope Echoes Through the Slums

In the slums of Venezuela, where children are left unprotected against violence, drugs, and firearms, many end up joining criminal gangs simply to satisfy their hunger. These children live in the dark back alleys of society, without dreams or hope. For their sake, one man rolled up his sleeves and took action. In an empty garage, he placed musical instruments in the hands of these children and began teaching them how to play. Thus in 1975, Dr. José Antonio Abreu, an economist and musician, founded what would become known as El Sistema. Today, El Sistema has grown into a nationwide youth music education program with over 200 centers across Venezuela. Around 90% of the enrolled youth come from low-income families,…

Proof of Love

This is a story from a home in the United States. Whenever her son wanted to talk, the mother always listened seriously. One evening, the mother and her son were sitting together in the kitchen. As the son was talking to his mother about something he wanted to discuss, he said this at the end of their conversation: “Mom, I know that you really love me.” The mother was touched by her son's words. “Of course. I love you so much. Did you ever doubt that?” “No, I'm sure of it.” The son answered right away: “Because whenever I want to talk to you, you always stop whatever you're doing and listen to me until the end.”

The Principle of Presumed Innocence

The principle of “presumed innocence” is a legal concept that means a person is considered innocent until proven guilty by a court of law. This idea took shape during the French Revolution and was later adopted into modern constitutions. Before this principle existed, people accused of crimes had to prove their own innocence. Because guilt was assumed from the start, many innocent people were unfairly punished. To prevent such injustices, the law was established to protect the innocent until guilt is clearly proven. Famous sayings like “It’s better to let ten guilty people go free than to punish one innocent person” and “It’s worse to accuse the innocent than to release the guilty” come from this idea. But this principle…

Why She Learned to Spin a Wheel First

Margaret Bourke-White, an American photojournalist, was known for her fearless work. When World War II broke out, she risked her life to cover the front lines. Even after surviving a torpedo attack that sank the ship she was on, she continued to photograph and report on the harsh realities of war without hesitation. One of her most well-known photographs is of Mahatma Gandhi reading a newspaper while spinning thread on a spinning wheel. Before taking that photo, she took the time to learn how to spin thread herself. Her reason was this: “If you want to photograph someone spinning a wheel, you have to think about why they’re doing it. Understanding is just as important as the act of taking…

Purpose, Goals, and Plans

To achieve a purpose, you need to set goals. A purpose is more abstract—it’s the ideal or direction you’re aiming for. A goal, on the other hand, is something concrete you need to reach in order to fulfill that purpose. And when you break that goal down into smaller steps and specific actions, you’ve made a plan. Let’s say a family wants to grow closer, so they decide to take a trip to an island, go fishing, and enjoy some fresh seafood together. In this case, the purpose is building family harmony, the goal is taking the island trip, and the plan includes fishing and sharing a seafood meal. But do we always have to stick exactly to the plan…

The Grandfather Who Traded a Horse for Apples

A grandfather who lived in the countryside went into town one day to trade his only possession—a horse—for something else. First, he exchanged the horse for a cow. A little later, he traded the cow for a sheep. Then the sheep for a goose, the goose for a hen, and finally, he traded the hen for a sack of spoiled apples. At a tavern, two men overheard the grandfather telling his story and decided to make a bet with him. They wagered a hundred gold coins, convinced that his wife would be furious when she found out how he had traded away their horse. When the grandfather arrived home with the two men, he told his wife everything that had…

Knowledge Beyond Words

There are two types of knowledge: one that can be expressed in words, and another that cannot. The first is called explicit knowledge, while the second is known as tacit knowledge. Tacit knowledge is like the massive part of an iceberg hidden beneath the surface of the water—something you cannot easily describe but deeply understand through experience. For example, to learn how to drive, reading a manual isn't enough; you need to actually get behind the wheel. To cook a meal, it’s not just about reading a recipe; you have to cook it yourself. That unique feel, skill, and know-how you gain through hands-on experience is what we call tacit knowledge. Love, too, might be a form of tacit knowledge.…

The Traveler Who Hitched a Ride on a Wagon

An Israeli traveler, tired from walking, asked a passing wagon driver if he could get a ride. The driver gladly agreed and let him on. The traveler asked, “How long does it take to get to Jerusalem from here?” The driver replied, “About 30 minutes.” Relieved, the traveler closed his eyes to take a nap. After a while, he woke up and asked again, “How much longer until we get to Jerusalem?” The driver answered, “About an hour from here.” The traveler was confused. “You said it would only take 30 minutes—why is it now an hour?” The driver calmly replied, “That’s because we’re going in the opposite direction of Jerusalem.” This story comes from the Talmud. Even though the…

Rejoicing Together

While attending a lecture on language acquisition, I came across an insight that struck a deeper chord. Many people find learning a foreign language burdensome. Difficult pronunciations, complex grammar, and unfamiliar cultural nuances often become stumbling blocks that lead learners to give up. In such moments, the attitude of those around them becomes crucial. Rather than pointing out mistakes or lamenting how hard the process must be, it is far better to refrain from anxious comments. Such words only amplify the learner’s inner doubts and tempt them to quit. What truly helps is reminding them of the joy that awaits beyond the hurdles—offering encouragement and courage, not concern. It reminded me of our journey of faith. The Spirit himself testifies…

Kim Hye-bin From Yongin, Korea

God’s New Year Gift

A few years ago, I had the joy of leading a coworker into the arms of God. While we worked together, he attended worship services. But after he changed jobs and later enlisted in the military, we lost contact. Then, just a few days into the new year, a message from him appeared on my phone. He told me he had completed his military service, and asked what time Sabbath service began. My heart leaped. I replied without hesitation, and that very Sabbath, we worshiped together to welcome the new year. Over lunch after the service, he shared what had moved him to reach out. Life in the military had been difficult, he said, but whenever things grew hard, he…

Lee Yeong-jik From Daegu, Korea

The Power of a Flower Letter

With the arrival of the New Year, I sent Flower Letters to my relatives and friends—those I rarely had the chance to see in person due to work. In each handwritten note, I offered warm greetings and heartfelt wishes that they might be richly blessed by God in the year ahead.
 The first reply came from my cousin and his wife. We had always kept our distance, perhaps due to the age gap or the reserved nature of our relationship, speaking only when necessary. But to my surprise, my cousin called me first. “Thank you for the touching letter,” he said, his voice carrying an unexpected warmth. His wife and my friends also expressed their gratitude, and even set the…

Ahn Hee-yeon From Seoul, Korea

God Who Helps the Weak

“Will I be able to do this?” That question echoed in my heart every time I stood on the threshold of sharing the gospel. I longed to do well, yet even before I began, fear would grip me and I found myself paralyzed by a deep sense of inadequacy. Frustrated and seeking comfort, I reached for the Bible—turning its pages without a plan, only a desperate heart. Then my eyes landed on a passage that stirred my soul: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” “Alas, Sovereign LORD,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am too…

No Hee-jin From Seoul, Korea

The Absence of a Mom

On the eve of the Lunar New Year holiday, I was unexpectedly admitted to the hospital due to a sudden illness. Had it not been for the holiday, I could not have brought myself to leave, knowing my young daughter would have been home alone. But with my husband off work, I felt reassured. He told me not to worry about anything at home, and I convinced myself that this hospital stay might be a kind of heaven-sent vacation.
 That illusion shattered within a day. At night, nurses came and went, checking my blood pressure, pulse, and temperature, and changing my IV drip—waking me again and again. During the day, another patient in the same room kept the television blaring…

Kim Hyeon-im from Suncheon, Korea

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 much are we talking?” He said he’d give me a thousand won (about one U.S. dollar). Not in cash, though—he wanted to transfer it from his allowance account into mine. Seeing an opportunity to teach him how to send money via bank transfer, I gave him my account number. A few minutes later, a notification popped up. As I glanced at the transfer details, my heart swelled, and tears pricked my eyes. The sender’s name read: Mom, I love you.
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Yu Seung-hee From Busan, Korea