Mr R

this teacher was also rude, coarse, rough and disgusting.

yet, this teacher cared.

but he seemed to care very selectively. And I, for one, was never in his selection. And i wondered why.

I was not cool enough. that i understood.

But i was "Christian" enough wasn't I? Now, let me explain.

This rude and coarse teacher, was also very on fire for God. everyone knew it. He didn't preach. He didn't act high and mighty. But we all knew he loved God. Coz when he does mention God, it's always with conviction and wisdom. And of coz, we all knew he loved us as a cca group and the students he was close to.

I was him tonight again. at a gathering. the first thing he asked me was whether i was still going to church. The instinctive Christian pretence of yesteryears came up and infected my true-hearted fervency -

"of course! it's important, you know?" i retorted.

such a proud little christian girl, indignant, not unlike the disciples in their worse of times.

he talked nonsense most of the way again, not paying particular attention to me.

and den, before i left, he grabbed my hand in a handshake, placed his other hand over mine and said: "Remember this, you are a blessing to those around you. keep it up."

wow. that really strikes me in retrospect. at that moment, i was awkward at his sudden seriousness and genuineness and could only verbalize as such - "errrr suddenly so serious."

but thinking about it now, i feel like something moved in me when he said that which such firmness. he meant it. and he said it with conviction.

yet another encouragement from the Lord.

yet another angel from the Lord.