Reflection

Today, as the sun approaches the end of this day, I can't help but to sit back and reflect on my year. As I descended deeper into my thoughts, I can't help but smile about all blessings that I have received during this year. At times of despair, I got hope. When murky fog clouds my head, Wisdom came. When the little devil on my shoulder taunts me into doing bad things, a sweep across the shoulder is all he got.

I have accomplished many things (far more than I would ever expect to) this year. Completing a two-years-long flagpole project and reaching the pinnacle of my Scouting career by becoming into a Eagle Scout. Graduating from my educational institution after seventeen years with glowing faces of my family and teachers. Spoke to my entire class and the local deaf community at my graduation. Starting another journey into my life by challenging myself at a college. Being bold and took a step forward into the hearing world, something that shook the deaf community.

Those things might seem miniscule to you, but to me, it was labeled with bold black words, MISSION IMPOSSIBLE. As I looked over the things that I have succeeded into doing, a quiet voice nudged me and said, "Remember the King of kings." Upon realizing what it was suggesting, all of my current worries disspated like fine grain of dust blown away into oblivion by strong gust of wind. As I emptied myself, I became full again. Full with His grace and love. I have never felt any more fuller. Before I knew Him personally, I tried to replace worldly things to make myself feel content with life. Nothing worked. Money did not... neither power, authority of the world, fame nor agape love from my family. Nothing can consummate my soul's utmost desire of being satisfied with my life... except for His boundless and endless love.

All of my achievements I had done this past year... became nothing. They became non-existent. They passed from my mind and I realized that one of the greatest gifts that I have received in my life (during this year and the years to come)... His salvation.

Just when I thought I was full, I was empty.
Just when I thought I was found, I was lost.
Just when I thought I could see, I was blind.
Just when I thought I had everything in my life and could not ask for more,
I was utterly deceived.

O Cursed lion! Just when I try to cast you out of my body,
You gleefully fasten your claws with malice in your eyes,
The flames, O! how bright and how fierce they are!
Like a hapless prey I freeze in horror while
This king of beasts lowers himself to trounce upon me.

O Cursed lion! Just when I try to kill you,
You revealed your teeths.
All the weapons of the world became like toothpicks.
How sharp and horny they are!
If the lethality of those horrible fangs are not enough,
They are stained with the last drops from my exilir,
Doomed to drip down into the expanse of infinity.

O Cursed lion! Just when I try to flee,
You easily counter my actions by blocking my way.
You do this so effortlessly that I finally figured that you will tire me out before
Exinguishing my candle.

Just when I thought I was defeated,
A fanatic yelp was heard and the lion was nowhere to be seen.
Filled with confusion, I hastily got up to my feet only to be forced back down.
Fear overcame me as I turned around to see what held me down.
It was the Lion.

His mane, how wide and shiny!
His sinews, how stately and shapely!
His jaws, how so white and wide!
His feet, how powerful and honed with steel claws!
His music, how lovely!

As he roared, fear did not overcome me.
The iron strings of my heart moved,
Its music far more beautiful than anything else in the world.
Its deep note engulfed the whole region while,
On his back, a creature gazed in amazement.

This Lion is like no other lions!
Crown of refined gold and chociest of all jewels adorns his head,
Royal tunic of purple silk flows from his neck and covers his body!

In the full splendor of his power,
Something happened.
Instead of commanding me to serve him as a laborer,
The Crown was taken off, laid on the ground.
Instead of taking me away into the unknown,
The Tunic was unbuttoned and wrapped around me.
The massive paw laid on my shoulder,
His eyes pierced my eyes.
A nod of my head was the only thing needed.
I finally understood.