I carried them everywhere when my kids were young, like 3 and 1. I would strap the baby on my chest and carry my three-year-old in one arm. I remember a few times, people in the mall would applaud me and call me “super dad.” Being a stay-at-home dad (SAHD), one would think that encouraged me. It had the opposite effect. I never see myself as a super dad or someone extraordinary. As a...
Our Fear of Being Ordinary
The struggle in doing chores
I have been a stay-at-home dad since mid-2009, and there is still one thing that I still struggle with. And that is doing chores. A good example is what happened last night. Because I took the car for maintenance during the day, I didn’t have time to buy groceries. Usually, I shop during the day. So instead of putting the kids to sleep and rest at night, I’ve decided to go for a...
A change in direction
I can’t believe I have kept this blog for more than 10 years now. But I started blogging much earlier. My first blog was about my triathlon journey and Ironman training in 2005. Blogging was a way for me to connect with other triathletes and endurance maniacs 😀 Slowly, I started to switch to writing and reflect more about Christianity. And I ended up with this blog. As you can see, I...
Is ordinary good enough?
With both kids attending kindergarten, it is time for me to find some part-time work. As I update my resume, I have this constant voice telling me, “you are not good enough. Your achievement is so little. How are you going to stand out?” In life, we are often told or have an inner voice to tell us we need to be special. Even in marketing, you need to be different than anyone else. If...
Basing our identity on our works
If God can use David, a shepherd boy, He can use you. Anyone can be used by God You are special, and God has a plan for you. I noticed many encouraging sermons or talks wrapped around these messages lately. That you are special and don’t give up because God can still use you. The truth is that I also based my self-worth on what I am doing and accomplishing. So for the past few years as a...
Chasing the Unknown
Hi Wai Jia, I am going to climb the Bluff Knoll today. If you don’t hear me by the end of the day, please call for help. A few weeks ago, Bluff Knoll came up when I was checking out hiking trails in Perth. It is the highest peak in Western Australia, with an elevation up to 1,065 meters above sea level. I have no idea what to expect. So, I did the best I could to prepare. The week...
Do not worry about your life
If there are verses in the Bible that dominate my life, they will be found in Matthew 5 and 6. The verses in chapter 6 about do not worry are of particular importance. I believe this is the key way how to live as we follow Jesus. I am referring to verses 25 to 34. If we understand these texts well and apply them in our lives, we will never be a nominal Christian. 25 “Therefore I say to you, do...
42 and easter reflections
Today is Easter Sunday and also my bday. Woohoo, I turn 42! It is more special to reflect on the cross. Since the beginning of this year, I’ve been asking myself, how has the cross changed my life?There is one thing that is grappling with my heart. It asks me how the cross changed the way I live my life? When I look at Paul, the cross changed the way he lived. Theological-wise, I know that...
Welcome back Wai Jia
It has been about two weeks since Wai Jia came back from Eswatini. Since she came back, we tried out a new routine in Team Tam. Even though she was gone for only 7 weeks (feels like 7 years!), a lot of things have changed. For one, our older child started going to school during the day. So, we slowly try out a new routine. I started to homeschool our little one. As she just turned three over the...
Contentment
Two weeks ago, I discovered that we have COVID. So all of us (me, my kiddies, and my mom) are isolated at home for seven days. It was crazy. I feel like God is stretching me. First, be a stay-at-home dad with Wai Jia. Then, Wai Jia is off to Africa while I look after them full-time. Now, is staying home with them. What do you do with two toddlers that need your attention all the time 24/7? Before...