I quite like pastor ben's entry whereby he ponders over when he became a man. haha. it can be found here if anyone is up for an interesting read. lol. the brothers had their 'band of brothers' seminar yesterday...the whole church's brothers together. what a sight to behold.
the growth into adulthood... is something which is undetermined by just the age or other so called rites of passage. you don't become mature by having a car, by going into army (though i suppose the circumstances do cause the guys to mature in a way, emotionally, psychologically and mentally?), or even in the case of what some people feel - start saying vulgarities and engaging oneself in sexual matters?
maturity in all areas - mentally, emotionally, spiritually, psychologically, physically (sadness for people who don't like to exercise xD) and even socially. what a lot to consider:) i believe maturity comes with the humility to learn in all the situations we go through and integrating what we learnt into our lives. jingting agrees with me on that. some people feel that since they're older, they're more mature, or in their words, 'seen more things'. i beg to differ =) but that doesn't mean also that you won't mature as you grow old.. increased exposure to experiences... the choices we make in these circumstnces... well :)
on another note, let's talk about friends.
i love the friends i've had throughout my life. my primary school friends (eg. lynnette, mabel, xavier, alvin), secondary school friends (spending 4 yrs together has forged a friendship deep that though at this point in time, i don't seem to be communicating much with them, be assured that you all have already occupied a permanent position in my heart. be it maintained by memories of the past, or strengthened by memories we continue to build upon... you're my friends, and you know it), my jc friends (the short 2 yrs. and all those birthday celebrations. and some i still see now. like stephanie. whom i think i'm supposed to bug everyday. oops) and my church friends. my church brothers and sisters. seeing each other in our worst times, the times when we were going through rough patches, angry(?) and sad. depressed even. down 'cos of people who've left us. seeing each other in our most elated times as well. the craziest moments. the vision that propels us and our friendship forward. to correct each other in love. the love of Christ is felt so immensely through you all. though we're all so different, and in usual circumstances, i doubt we'll even talk to each other... but the love of christ binds us together. love for christ, love for each other.
and even the friends i've made online. not much. cindy, liwen, jas, deryuan, enzio. thanks for sharing ur lives with me in a way or another. i dunno if you read this though. hmm. LOL.
i'm not going sentimental and all that, just grateful, i suppose. and glad:) really glad. you know, you can only love to the capacity that you have been loved? i've been loved immensely.