The 11th year

In the Bible, the number 11 is of special significance. It refers to the 11th generation, otherwise known as the "Benjamin Generation" or the "End-time Generation". Benjamin was the last son of Jacob in the Bible and it was only after Benjamin was brought before Joseph that Joseph revealed himself to his brothers. The Benjamin Generation is therefore the last generation before Jesus comes again. Furthermore, the number 5 (which speaks of God's abundant provision through His Grace) is stamped all over the life of Benjamin. The life of Benjamin was one of undeserved favour and blessing. Grace is unmerited, unearned and undeserved favour. The Benjamin Generation therefore enjoys God's Grace and not God's judgment. We are the generation that will experience His undeserved favour and His grace.

Da and I celebrated our 11th ROM anniversary today. "ROM" refers to "Registry of Marriages". We solemnised our registry marriage on 28 March 1998 but had our church wedding and customary wedding dinner on 12 December 1998. I thank the Lord for blessing our union and keeping us united. This is our year! The year of undeserved favour and bountiful blessings, miracles and breakthroughs for us in every area of our lives. I hold onto the Word of God and claim this in the name of Jesus!

As Da had to work today, I met him for lunch at People's Park Centre. We had in mind to have a sumptuous meal for dinner today. As such, we decided to share a plate of organic brown rice with vegetarian ingredients for lunch.

After lunch, we took a leisurely stroll through Chinatown in the direction of Tanjong Pagar. When we reached Da's office and unlocked the doors to our car, Da called Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel and asked for the call to be transferred to Cafe Brio. Not only were they able to accommodate our table reservation on short notice, we were able to obtain a table inside the Cafe. Hallelujah! Usually, if you make a reservation last minute, you can count yourself fortunate if you are able to obtain a table outside the Cafe (which can be quite warm).

Da said that he left something in the office and I waited in the car (in air-conditioning comfort!) while he went to his office. When he returned, I got a surprise. He was holding a beautiful floral arrangement in celebration of our anniversary.

When we arrived at the hotel shortly before 7 pm, we noticed that a few of the tables at Cafe Brio were already occupied. Another pleasant surprise awaited us when we were shown to our table. We were allocated a table in a quiet and cozy corner of the Cafe. The Lord is so good to us! We were able to chat without a "fish market" surrounding us.

Goodness me! The buffet spread was mind-boggling! There was so much variety that we decided to share the food so that we could sample as much of the buffet spread as possible. I think that the other diners must have wondered why every item on our plates was cut into two pieces.

As Da and I were enjoying our dessert, a young couple with a beautiful toddler arrived and were shown to the table next to us. Initially, the little girl (who looked about 3 to 4 months' old) and I were having a fun time making eye contact with each other. Then, she got bolder and started to play with me. She was such a doll and not shy at all! She kept crawling towards me and wanted to play "peek-a-boo" with me.

Children are a gift from the Lord and it upsets me when I see some parents treating their children badly. I sometimes hear parents speaking to their children in a very caustic tone or demeaning manner. When a parent keeps telling his child how stupid and useless the child is, is it any wonder that the child grows up to be stupid and useless? I urge all parents to speak words of life and grace to their children.

Increasingly, we read in the newspapers about newborn babies who are thrown down the rubbish chute or smothered to death and thrown away carelessly. I do not know the reason(s) behind the parents' action. It may have been post-natal depression or it could have been a desperate unwed parent who wanted to hide evidence of the birth of the newborn. Whatever the case may be, it is such a waste of a precious gift, one that could have been used to bless childless couples even if the biological parents did not want the gift.

Da and I are very blessed that Jesus is at the centre of our marriage. When Christ is in the centre of a marriage, all things will be held together. Thank You, Lord for showing us favour.