Faith & Life

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 expectations, she had to wait a long time before she conceived me. Because of that, many people around her celebrated the news, and when she was heavily pregnant, she proudly stuck out her belly even more, wanting to show it off. However, as the main character of this often-repeated story, I never felt particularly moved by it. After all, it was my mom’s feelings, not mine. Sometimes, I couldn’t understand why she kept telling the same story over and over.…

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 that, yours might actually be higher than mine. To put it nicely, it means I’m pure . . . but to put it bluntly, maybe just a little foolish.”
 Soon after, her reply popped up on my screen: “Then I’ll always put it nicely.” That simple response stayed with me. Through her gentle and optimistic way of seeing things—choosing to focus on the good rather than the flaw—I was reminded of the importance of looking at others beautifully, and the…

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 earnestly seeking God, nor was I particularly drawn to the Bible, so my spiritual understanding was slow to unfold. I often found myself admiring those whose faith seemed steady and deep. Perhaps that’s why, when the truth—that our God the Father and Mother truly exist—finally reached my heart, I was overcome with joy. I didn’t know what to do with the feeling; it was so immense, so pure. In that moment, one verse caught my eye: Dear friend, I pray…

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 for the birth to come quickly. Yet, as if unaware of my urgency, my baby arrived ten days past the due date. The sweetness of meeting my child was soon followed by the intensity of reality. Once I left the postpartum center and began caring for my baby at home, I met motherhood in its rawest form. Comfort became a luxury as I tried to soothe her cries and feed her every few hours. It was a life no longer…

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 though I followed the instructions carefully—watering it at the right times and in the right amounts—the plant soon began to droop. “I can’t do this. I must not have a knack for plants,” I sighed to myself. Some time later, my mom offered me a few plants she had repotted. When I hesitated, she reassured me, saying, “These ones grow well even if you leave them alone. You won’t need to fuss over them.” Trusting her words, I placed the…

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 gratitude journal. As he started writing down the things he was thankful for, he quit drinking. Day by day, he shared his gratitude with his children, and their home became filled with harmony. The biggest change was in his expression—he now smiled brightly and joyfully. People around him praised him, saying, “I want to live a life like yours,” as they watched him find joy in even the smallest things. The man shared the secret to his transformation: “Actually, nothing…

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 and to express herself. In her writing “Three Days to See,” she wrote: “On the first day, I should want to see the people whose kindness and gentleness have made my life worth living. On the second day, I should arise with the dawn and see the thrilling miracle by which night is transformed into day. On the third day, I should spend in the workaday world, amid the haunts of men going about the business of life. If I…

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 you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” 1 Co 15:58 Even the quietest service at church or the unseen sacrifices made for our brothers and sisters are not overlooked by God. There is no need to feel discouraged if others fail to notice, for God sees every detail, even the smallest act of love. Rather than swaying under the weight of others’ approval…

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 to the farm faithfully every weekend even when he is not feeling well. Just seeing the seeds sprout and grow vigorously seems to give him energy, and whenever he steps onto the farm, he lights up like a child. When he brings home the harvest, he even lifts his shoulders with pride. “Look at this. Isn’t it beautiful?” One day, my husband proudly showed me the air yam (aerial yam). While regular yams grow underground, the air yam is a…

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 doubt weighed heavily, making it harder for me to take initiative or embrace new challenges. And then I came across this Bible verse: For God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable. Ro 11:29 God’s choices are irrevocable. Yet my hesitation—my constant worry: Can I really fulfill this gospel mission?—was nothing less than a failure to trust the One who had called me. Now I see more clearly. To doubt myself is one thing, but to doubt the God who equips…

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 who dislikes being treated well. However, there is a principle that must be followed in order to be treated well: If you wish to be respected, loved, praised, understood, comforted, and served by others, you must also respect, love, praise, understand, comfort, and serve them. Conversely, if you do not wish to be criticized or hated by others, you must likewise refrain from criticizing or hating them. In the end, treating others as you would want to be treated is…

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 is a reason I choose the “inconvenience” of handwriting. When I carefully press each word onto paper, I am able to think solely and deeply about the person who will receive it. I believe that handwritten letters are one of the purest ways to express a true heart. One day, as I was writing letters while picturing the faces of the sisters, I suddenly thought of Heavenly Father, who wrote countless love letters to me over the span of decades.…

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. I opened the file where my old letters were saved and began to read. As I scrolled through them, long-forgotten emotions came rushing back. Some letters made me smile; others brought a sting to my eyes. But as I kept reading, something else stood out—many of the letters sounded remarkably similar. Even the confessions I had written years ago were nearly identical to those I had penned recently. It embarrassed me to see how I had been making the same…

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 about how loving deeply can cover a multitude of sins, I was reminded of one of the Teachings of Mother: “As the sea receives all the dirt and purifies it, we should have a broad and beautiful heart to embrace the faults of our brothers and sisters.” Teaching of Mother No. 9 A heart like the sea is one that embraces even the shortcomings of our brothers and sisters. Such a heart brings about perfect love. The real challenge, however,…

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 the night when everyone was fast asleep, and I hadn’t made any noise loud enough to wake anyone. Yet somehow, my mom knew that I had been in the bathroom for a long time. Realizing that even while she was sleeping, her entire attention and concern were focused on me filled my heart with emotion. In the same way, our Heavenly Mother watches over our souls without rest or sleep. Even in the time when everyone else is peacefully asleep,…

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 them. Since it was well past bedtime, I answered a bit curtly and flopped down in the living room. I had expected the beans to all look the same, but to my surprise, each one was different. Mother explained that only firm and beautiful beans could be sold and showed me how to sort them. Rolling up my sleeves, I began to carefully pick through the pile. As it turned out, truly good-looking beans were rare. If one looked fine…

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 my wardrobe looked like a battlefield. “All right. Let’s do this.” I took a deep breath and began pulling out every piece of clothing. I had often complained that I had nothing to wear, yet here was a mountain of clothes spilling out before me. Staring at the pile, jaw slack, I began sorting through the mess of spring, summer, fall, and winter—all jumbled together. “So this is where this ended up.” As I uncovered items I hadn’t worn in…

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 began experiencing abdominal pain. Whenever I focused intensely on something or felt stressed, the pain would inevitably start. Although it was uncomfortable while working, it was bearable, so I didn’t think much of it. One day, however, I was struck by severe abdominal pain. I couldn’t sit, stand, or even lie down. I couldn’t eat, and even the medicine I forced down came right back up. There was nothing I could do but endure the pain. At that moment, a…

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 a man who had never once asked his children for help, but this year, after undergoing back surgery, he called to ask for it. My mother placed the seedlings into the soil, and I followed behind her, watering each one. It sounded like a simple task, but it turned out to be far more grueling than I had expected. Bent over in an awkward position, trying to direct water into the small holes of plastic mulch, I felt my back…

Lee Eun-bi From Yeongju, Korea

What It Likes and What It Dislikes

It is said that COVID-19 has things it likes, so-called, three Cs: closed spaces, crowded places, and close-contact. Being in a closed environment with poor ventilation, making close contact within one meter, or gathering in crowded spaces all help the virus spread. On the other hand, frequently washing hands, wearing a mask, and maintaining social distance make it much harder for the virus to spread. That is why COVID-19 dislikes handwashing, mask-wearing, and distancing. To prevent infection, we must avoid what the virus likes and practice what it dislikes. If we grow complacent, thinking, “It won’t happen to me,” and ignore the warnings from the government and the news, we could easily become the virus’s next target. In our life…

Go Su-jeong From Gunsan, Korea