Nerissa, my sister

I have a sister that is 3 years younger than me and her name is Nerissa. Many people who don't really know us well individually but know us both from since we were little often think I'm smarter and stronger. That's just me coming off as that way - maybe because I'm older and louder? Haha. But my sister is amazing, in more ways than I could ever be (because God made us all different and unique).

Nerissa took architecture when she was in Poly and now she's a designer in a lighting design firm. She doesn't intend to further her studies in architecture (or anything remotely related to it) and doesn't actually like to design, but amidst all this, she's been blessed with excellence in her work. Her supervisor trusts her immensely and the owner of her firm praises her often.

Now for those who don't know, in agencies, when submission time comes round and the deliverables have to be all set and ready to be sent - it gets crazy. Do you know what her schedule was like? She'd report for work in the morning and come home everyday close to midnight. This went on for several weeks. And amidst all this, every night when she comes home at almost midnight, my sister, fresh from overtime work, gets on the phone and the laptop to discuss with her partner leading the pastoral formation (PFO) team for the YFC Singapore national conference about the needed.

You see, while her crazy work schedule was happening, my sister chose to serve God regardless in a big capacity in the biggest event of the year for her youth community. I have no words, really. I am amazed because I know it is the Lord! 

It can only be grace that pushed her to say 'yes' to continuously serve in her situation - not just because of the challenges in managing her time, or the physical demands (no sleep, anyone?); but also the psychological and emotional barriers that came her way - having witnessed the people close to her struggle with oppressions, their fears, insecurities and pride, try as she might to lovingly push them out of it. I know how helpless she felt at times, how discouraged, and desperate, waiting on the Lord - but wait she did, challenges she bore and hope endured. 

She never really deeply entertained the thought of saying 'no' - because what (good enough) reason was there to? But in her case, it was simple - God called and she answered. In my mind, this is humanly impossible. We can all think of a million reasons, if we allow ourselves to, if we want to. How many times have I let my overthinking get the better of me? To the point that I held myself back from receiving the graces that the Lord wanted to shower on me, that I delayed the beautiful plans of the Lord from being fulfilled in my life and the plans He had to use me for joy in the lives of others?

My sister is amazing because Jesus Christ is amazing in her. In her I see all the things that on her own, she probably couldn't even be bothered to achieve, but by God's grace, the blessings were and are continually showered upon her. In her I catch a glimpse of the joy and peace from God that one can feel despite the physical tiredness, and also the emotional, psychological and spiritual crosses if one would choose to give their 'yes' to the Lord.

Thank You, Lord, for inspiring me through Nerissa and reminding me of how huge a privilege it is to be able to have her as my sister and bestfriend, and companion in and for life.

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When we were assigned this project to blog (or for me, to start bloggin again) for the MVTP, the only brief we were given was to go with our 'passion' - and I couldn't figure that out. I wondered what I would write about - and I really praise God for His reminder of the gift of family. I don't think it is by chance that the very first post I was prompted to write about was about my sister. Thank You, Lord!

(originally meant to be posted in July 2017)