Faith & Life

The One Who Knows Me Best

People with a green thumb—hands skilled at growing plants—can quickly tell what a plant needs simply by touching its leaves or the soil. They move it from place to place according to the sunlight, spray water to increase the humidity, and carefully check whether water is draining well from the pot. Through their natural sense and careful observation, even a plant that was nearly dying regains vitality and becomes green and healthy again. God, the Gardener of my soul, never takes His eyes off me for even a moment. He watches over me so that I do not wither from changing temperatures, dry out in parching winds, or quickly shrivel under the hot sun. He nurtures my weak and delicate…

Starlight on the Rooftop

One particularly sweltering summer night, my husband, apparently dissatisfied with the breeze from the electric fan, suggested that we go up to the rooftop and lie down for a while. I was just drifting off to sleep and felt too drowsy to move, so I stayed where I was and tried to fall asleep. Then it occurred to me that perhaps my husband had something he wanted to say. I got up and gathered a pillow and a light blanket. My husband, who had already gone upstairs, sent me a text urging me to hurry. When I reached the rooftop, he was spreading a mat on the ground. As I lay there, a cool breeze washed over me, soothing me…

Gu Yeon-hee from Suncheon, Korea

To Empathize

Wanting to empathize with someone, I said: “Why don’t you try thinking a little more positively?” “I don’t think those thoughts are good for you, either.” “You should try harder.” “You should endure it. There’s nothing more that can be done anyway.” Empathy begins when we pay attention to the other person’s heart, instead of offering advice or counsel as if we already know everything, making hasty judgments and evaluations based only on the situation, or giving quick solutions out of impatience because we want to solve the problem right away. Empathy begins with words like these: “If you felt that way, there must have been a reason.” “You must have felt very frustrated. How are you feeling right now?”…

Putting a Plan Into Practice

In the 1981 Boston Marathon, Japanese long-distance runner Toshihiko Seko won first place after defeating many competitors. His training plan for the marathon consisted of just one thing: “Run 10 kilometers in the morning and 20 kilometers in the afternoon.” When a reporter asked whether his training plan was too simple, he replied: “The plan may be simple, but what matters is that I put it into practice every single day of the year, without missing even one day.” Anyone can make a plan, but putting it into practice is difficult. Only those who faithfully carry out their plans day after day can achieve what they set out to do.

A Valuable Choice and the Reward of Life

A man arrived at the airport for an overseas business trip. He usually raced against time to catch his flight, but this time he arrived early and had an hour before boarding. As he wondered how to spend the time, he remembered that his favorite talk show was about to begin and considered watching it in the departure lounge. Then he noticed a cozy café nearby and thought about enjoying a cup of coffee and relaxing there instead. While he was deciding between the two, an elderly man approached him. “Excuse me. I’m trying to go to America to see my son, but I have no idea where my boarding gate is.” The elderly man handed him the ticket he…

Come Soon

With deep empathy and a heart of respect, they cared for their brothers; even on days worn out by the burdens of life, they welcomed their sisters with radiant smiles. Before judging anyone, they first examined their own faith; they did not expose another’s faults, but quietly covered them. Without being shaken by emotions or passing feelings, they remained calm like a tranquil lake; their words were always beautiful and gracious, bringing grace wherever they were spoken. Content with the portion given to them and always giving thanks, they never sought their own advantage, but remained humble at all times. Day after day, they never neglected prayer or meditation on God’s word. Seeking their lost brothers and sisters, they walked the narrow path and sang…

Walking the Path of God’s Will

Around the time I was preparing to enter college, a desire arose in my heart to live a life devoted to following God. However, I did not know what I should do or where to begin. Wanting to understand God’s will, I opened the Bible, and Jesus’ teaching to be “the salt and light of the world” caught my attention. From then on, I tried in my own way to put those words into practice. When those around me saw the positive changes in me, they encouraged me to continue reading the Bible. It was only after coming to the Church of God, however, that I realized that entering the path of salvation required more than simply reading the Bible…

Jose Ferreira from New Windsor, NY, U.S.

The Reason to Forgive

“Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” Lk 6:37 “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.” Mt 18:21–22 “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Eph 4:32 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. The Teaching of Mother Darkness can be driven away only by light. Hatred can be overcome only by love. If we want to become light, not darkness, and love, not hatred, let us forgive— according to the teaching of Father, who set the example through practice, and with the heart of Mother, as broad and…

Courage

Offering warm words that give strength Apologizing when I have done wrong Laying down the desire to be exalted Letting go of old wounds Embracing others even when they are hard to love Being patient even when anger rises Standing up even when I want to collapse Understanding opinions different from my own Knowing how to take responsibility for my actions Not shrinking back when I face obstacles Trying again even after making mistakes Believing that I can do it Before it is too late, this is the courage I must summon with all my strength.

Even Without Words

The One who knows my heart even when I do not speak. The One who gently covers my mistakes. The One who rejoices more than I do when something good happens to me. The One who stays by my side the longest when I am weary. It is you, my Mother. “I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” Ge 28:15

The Diderot Effect

In the 18th century, the French philosopher Denis Diderot once received a gift from a friend: a soft, red robe. After replacing his old robe with the new one, Diderot suddenly felt that the desk in his study did not match the robe. So he bought a new desk that suited the elegant robe. However, after replacing the desk, the chair began to look out of place. He then replaced the chair as well to match the new desk. After changing the chair, the clock no longer seemed fitting, so he replaced the clock too. In this way, as he continued adding new items one by one, he eventually ended up replacing all the furniture in his study. This psychological…

Strengthening the Soil

When we think of autumn, the idea of harvest naturally comes to mind. That is why gathering crops such as rice or barley is called harvesting. However, farmers do not only harvest in autumn. They also prepare in advance for the next year’s farming by plowing the fields. This is called autumn plowing, or fall tillage. Autumn plowing kills harmful bacteria and pests in the soil, removes weeds, and helps organic matter decompose. As a result, the soil becomes more fertile, allowing the following year’s crops to produce a richer harvest. For this reason, diligent farmers always carry out autumn plowing. A hardworking farmer does not merely rejoice in the joy of harvest but also prepares for the next farming…

Asking after My Mother

“I’m going to live with Mom and Dad forever!” Despite this bold declaration, I left my parents behind and moved overseas as soon as I graduated from university, settling in a country a twelve-hour flight from Korea. My parents anxiously awaited every call. Whenever they heard my voice, Mom would immediately ask whether I was feeling unwell, whether life was difficult, or whether I had enough money to live on. “I’m fine. I’ll call you again. Bye.” In truth, adjusting to a culture entirely different from Korea’s was not easy. Living mainly on bread and noodles made me long for my mom’s home cooking. Still, I wanted my parents to see only that I was doing well. At times, I…

Lee Woo-rim from Guayaquil, Ecuador

A Father’s Heart

The older child was speaking to the younger one, who had done something wrong. “You need to do what is right. Otherwise, Dad won’t love you.” Hearing this, the father called both children to him, gently stroked their heads, and said: “My child, that’s not quite true.” “But if we do bad things, you won’t love us anymore, will you?” the child asked, looking puzzled. “No. Whether you do what is right or wrong, I will always love you. But there is a difference. If you do what is right, I will love you with a joyful heart. If you do what is wrong, I will still love you, but my heart will ache.”

Going to Korea to Meet My First Love in Heaven

“When will I be able to meet Heavenly Mother?” Ever since I was baptized, I longed to go to Korea to meet Heavenly Mother. After eleven years, the wish I had quietly cherished in my heart was finally fulfilled. While I was a student, I traveled to my native country, New Zealand, and first heard the truth of the new covenant through a relative. I was amazed to learn that the Bible was true and that Christmas was not Jesus’ birthday, but what overwhelmed my soul above all was the existence of Heavenly Mother. After studying the sanctuary and the ark of the covenant and learning about God the Mother, I felt as though the Bible existed to testify about…

Selina Skinner from the 2nd Melbourne, Australia

Conviction and Reality

In 1973, Princeton University professors John Darley and Daniel Batson conducted an experiment with seminary students. The students were divided into two groups. One group was asked to prepare a sermon on the Good Samaritan, while the other group prepared a sermon on an unrelated topic. When they finished preparing, the students were instructed to walk individually to the building where the chapel was located. Each student was given a different amount of time before the presentation, and along the route, the researchers placed a person who pretended to be in distress, coughing and appearing to need help. The researchers expected that the students preparing a sermon on the Good Samaritan would be more willing to help the person in…

When We Love

Waiting becomes a joy. We recognize the person instantly, even from a distance. Everything about them seems beautiful. Joyful moments become even more joyful. Sorrow is transformed into patience. When we love. We do not insist on our own way. Stubbornness and selfish desire subside. We do not become angry but remain patient. Our words become gentler. Our gaze becomes kinder. Love changes me. Little by little, my tiny self comes to resemble the love of God, which embraces the whole universe.

A Fruit Taught Me Patience

I went out to preach the gospel at Osasco Center and met a lady near the subway station. She lived in Itapevi, about an hour and a half away by car from Osasco. She had visited many churches, but she had not attended any of them because no one taught her the Bible correctly. When she heard the truth about God the Mother, she was very interested and said, “It is testified in the Bible so clearly, but how come no one taught me this until now?” She wanted to know more about the Bible and to meet again on Sunday. A few days later, I headed for Itapevi to meet her as we had agreed. I took the train…

Jeon Myeong-hui from Sao Paulo, Brazil

I Will Remember Their Sins No More

“No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest,” declares the Lord. “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.” Jer 31:34 It is not easy to forgive someone who has done wrong to you or hurt you. Even if you manage to forgive him, you will be distressed whenever the painful memories pop up. You can forgive him maybe with your mind, but it seems difficult to completely remove the scars in your heart. What if God has forgiven us but remembers our sins? When I think about the weight of our…

Choe Hyeong-hwan from Panaji, India

Chosen by Grace

I thought I became a child of God because I was good and righteous until I saw the following words: So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace. And if by grace, then it is no longer by works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace. Ro 11:5–6 I could become a child of God not because of my actions, but because of God’s grace. We are walking the path to the kingdom of heaven thanks to Heavenly Father and Mother’s grace and love. I will always follow Heavenly Father and Mother with humility, giving thanks for choosing me as Their child though I’m lacking in many ways.

Park Ji-won from Toronto, Canada