Cup of Grace

It's been a while since the last time I wrote blog article in English,  but here I am!

I did a life update post a few months ago on facebook, so some of you guys might already know how I have been lately after graduating university. But just in case, here's the quick review for you.

・Moved back to my hometown in Fukuko prefecture on April
・now living with my mom, grandma and my little brother
・My older brother and brother both live in the same city as well

・I chose not to work after graduating university for a while to support my family.

    (This one is a little too personal so I am not talking about this right now. maybe later)

・My health condition is getting better.

・Got connected to a church in my hometown quickly after moving in.

Why am I writing blog in English today?

It is because I want to show how thankful I am to those who care about me.

Moving back to my hometown from Tokyo, the city of "dream", was a tough decision for me. Honestly, I was disappointed because my life in Fukuoka seemed like it's hopeless and boring in the beginning. I felt like my life was falling apart suddenly. I spent almost 2 months crying and being upset with it . 

The gap between the old "me" in Tokyo and the new "me" was getting bigger than I expected. I mean... I was sad that my life looked much less exciting and joyful than before. Therefore I didn't feel like giving people an update about my new life in here.

"Growing up really sucks." I said and cried so many times. 

But time went by and my life started getting the shine back little by little. And I finally felt ok with sharing my current life story with people. So I did, on facebook. 

All those things I wrote were real.  I didn't not make myself look better in that post.I was a bit nervous about people judging me or think I am a loser.

However, I was quite amazed that so many people gave me encouraging comment and sent prayers. Even the friends that I had not talked to for like years! I got so much love from all over the world.

Some of them even said, "Thank you for the update." 

They were happy that I shared about my life which is not so social media worthy???? I didn't expect that at all.

Then I realized, it's actually good to share the story of ups and downs in life. If I sometimes share about life, they can pray for me. Or, some of them might get encouraged by seeing God working on my life. i don't know, but I was glad that I shared about my life with them.

Your testimony does not have to be "cool" or sounds like you are perfect. 

There is a Japanese worship song, " A jar made of clay". 

土の器欠けだらけの私 (A jar of clay, I am cracked.)
その欠けからあなたの光がこぼれ輝く( From the crack, your light shines)
土の器ヒビだらけの私 ( A jar of clay, I am cracked.)

そのヒビからあなたの愛があふれ流れる( But from that crack, you love overflows)

こんな私でさえも主はそのままで愛してくださる ( You love me for who I am, broken and unworthy)

だから今主の愛に応えたい私の全てで (So now, I want to respond with to the love of Lord )

用いてください主よ( Please use me)

私にしかできないことが必ずあるから( I believe that there are something that I can only do)

Probably,  It is referring the bible verse from the 2nd book of Corinthians.

2 Corinthians 4:6-7 (NIV)

6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,”[a] made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.
7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.

We are broken. We are weak, self-centered, and sinner. We make mistake and we stumble sometimes.But God even uses that weakness and broken part to show his glory to the world. 

As a christian, I believe that God, our heavenly father, will always challenge me to share my testimony to the non-believers. That's the great commandment, right? 

We have to go share the gospel to all around the world.Sharing what God has done to your life with your neighbor is a good way. 

For those who care about me, I would like to respond to your love by sharing what God is doing not only in my life but also in Japan.

Thank you for reading! love

P.S.

I am a tea person. I always have a cup of tea next to me when I blog or read bible. Even when I am busy, I try to talk to God while I sit down and sip a cup of tea. That's my way of having quiet time and feel His grace.

I renamed this blog "Cup of Grace" because I want to share the grace with people. 

I hope you enjoy it.