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Pastor's Corner by Larry Tong

November, 2006

Last Sunday, my family and I went to San Rafael after the Discipleship class. While the children were enjoying an late afternoon nap in the car, I enjoyed the time just being together. As we approached the Toll-booth on Richmond Bridge, something unexpected happened that took me a little aback. We were recipients of someone’s act of kindness. As I handed my fee to the toll collector, he said, “It’d been paid for.” I said, “What! Who paid?” “The lady in front of you.” I looked up and saw a red SUV pulling away as we spoke. I asked my family if any one of them recognizes the car. The response was “No!” So I sped up and tried to find out who this lady was, but due to the bridge construction, I wasn’t able to pass her, so I patiently followed her. It was almost to the end of the bridge before I could switch to the adjacent lane and sped up to driving next to her. I looked over and realized she was a total stranger to me. I waived and gave her a “thank-you” gesture, and went on my way. For the next few minutes, we talked about how nice it was for this lady to do something kind to others. It wasn’t the three dollars I saved that thrilled me, but the act of kindness of a person. I remembered there was a movement a few years back that called something like “Do a random act of kindness.” It was a suggestion for people to do something nice to others, preferably strangers, so as to promote kindness in society. I always thought it was a good idea to surprise others with a random act of kindness. Unfortunately, these kinds of acts of kindness are far and few in between. Therefore, it was such a breath of freshness to see someone is actually doing it, and out of all these people, we were the recipients!

It also reminded me of the movie Pay It Forward that was aired few years ago. The movie was about a young student who did a class-project to invest kind deeds to people in hope of making the world better. The idea was if I would do kind deeds to a few, and the few in turn do kind deeds to a few, very soon, the whole society would feel the impact. It was a good movie. This world (at least this society) will be different if more people participate in random acts of kindness to strangers.

Thanksgiving is only a few weeks away. Have we really thought of the meaning of Thanksgiving rather than having family reunion around dinner table covered with ham, turkey, yams, and other delicious food? Thanksgiving is a season to be thankful to God for His provision. In order to really show our appreciation, maybe we should extend our gratefulness to people beyond our families. Maybe we really should extend random acts of kindness to strangers. Think about it!

Before I sign off, I wish everyone a happy Thanksgiving. Enjoy your time with your families. Most importantly, thank God not only for the provisions He has given you so that you can enjoy a good life, but for the most precious gift of all—His Son Jesus Christ. If you’re yet to know Jesus Christ as your Savior, I pray that you will know Him one day for He came to give you Life, and have it to the full.

Pastor Larry


上主日門徒訓練班後我們一家（除了大兒子）去了San Rafael，兒女們在車廂內正睡個香甜之際，我則享受著能與一家共處的時刻。靠近Richmond橋收費站時，發生了一件令我有點驚奇的事。我們受了一個未料的恩惠。當我要付過橋費時，當值員告知我橋費已付，我問是誰付的，他告訴我是在前面的女士為我們付的，此時我們正看到一輛紅色SUV絕塵而去。我問家人有否認出這車的，答案都是「不」。所以我試圖追上及要看看是何許人也，但由於橋面工程關係，無法超車，只好耐心地跟著她。差不多走完橋時才有機會開到她旁邊，看了一眼竟是個陌生人，我揮手向她表示「謝意」後便繼續上路。接著我們的談話都環繞著這位女士為他人所行的善意舉動是何等的美。並不因為我省了三塊錢，而是她的善行令我驚訝。記得數年前曾有一個稱為「除意作一點善行」的運動，倡議社會大眾為別人，尤其陌生人，作一些好行善舉。我想這樣行果真是個叫人驚喜的好主意。不幸的是反應卻是寥寥無幾。因此當看到有人真的這樣做的時候，感覺就如吸了一口新鮮空氣般，而我們又是當中受惠者。

同時記起數年前曾上映的一部電影《讓愛傳出去》，內容描述一個小學生，在做他的課堂計劃的時候，是嘗試用善行待人來令世界變得更好。他的理念是我以善待一小撮人，而這小撮人又繼續的以善去待另一小撮人，很快這個社會都會被感染。這的確是一套好電影。如果多些人參與這行動，這個世界（起碼這個社會）會不再一樣了。

感恩節在即，我們有否實實在在的思想過它的真正意義呢？還是只記掛著家庭相聚，飽吃喝一番呢？感恩節是個感謝神豐富供應的時節，為了真正的表示我們感恩之情，也許我們應當將自己得到的恩澤延伸到家庭以外的其他人身上，也許我們該「除意作一點善行」延伸至陌生人的身上。細想一下吧！

擱筆以先，我願意祝大家有一個快樂的感恩節，享受家庭相聚的歡樂。要緊的是不單只為神的豐富供應讓你享受美好的生命而感恩，更要為那寶貴的禮物──祂的兒子耶穌基督而感恩。假如你仍未認識及接受耶穌基督為你的救主，我祈盼有一天你會認識到祂來是要叫你得生命，並且得的更豐盛。

唐若愚牧師

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