Calm amidst the storm

Was I kidding when I said in a previous post that my daughter's room is looking like a tornado had swept through it?

Can you even spot my Silky Terrier - the calm amidst the storm of school notes? She's a funny dog. Hardly ever hear her barking. The only time she barks is when a stranger is at the door (or when she meets a dog she dislikes!). Actually, quite a good guard dog come to think of it. She won't even bark when she desperately wants to go for her pee or poo walk. At most, she'll give me a nudge or paw at me. Anyway, not talking about my dog here. Hehe. But so cute, just had to post this.

Sparkles loves Tessa the most. In case you don't already know, my daughter isn't called Sparkles and my dog isn't called Tessa. Haha. Here she is in the room of her favourite human, not the least bothered by the mess created by Tess!

Do I care about the mess? Nah. It's 2 weeks from the start of her GCE 'A' Levels (yes, by she, I mean the human). Orderliness is the last thing on our minds. I don't care how you do it, as long as you are doing it (studying that is). Also, although the ultimate aim of anyone taking their 'A' Levels is to make it into a University, both hubby and I aren't losing sleep over it. The Lord takes care of us as long as we trust in Him so we're just lifting this up to Him. If she makes it, she makes it. If she doesn't, it won't be the end of the world and life will still go on. I know most parents are so hung up on how their kids fare in school. To each his own. I think Mike and I have quite a 'relaxed' view of this and so far, our kids have not let us down. Of course I want them to pass their exams but I'm no dragon parent and I'm not going to turn into one. Of course I pray she'll get into Uni but I KNOW for a fact that my daughter's been trying to cope with life in Junior College and I observe that she's often very exhausted. She's put in a whole lot more effort than I ever did in JC I should add so I think, University or not, she'll turn out OK. We just want our kids to put in their best effort, the rest, we leave it up to the Lord. We'll cross the bridge when we come to it, anyway. Meanwhile, we just soak in the mess as a family and enjoy each other's presence!

Positive Praying

 Hehehe...if you've been reading my blog the past few week, you would have wondered why I've been changing my blog background. I've changed it again today. It's just that I haven't found one to my liking. Too colourful, too loud, too plain, too dull, too boring....heehee

My life can be like my blog background. I keep changing aspects of it to try to attain the happiness level that would satisfy me most. However, I have come to realise that I only need to do ONE thing and that is to work on my relationship with God. With the joy and peace attained whilst walking with the Father, the son Jesus and the Holy Spirit, everything else will follow.



 Photo credit belongs to original photographer. I only added in the Bible Verse.

Feel free to use this pic but please link back to www.cartoonlagoon.com.sg

"But seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness;
And all these things shall be added unto you." ~ Matthew 6:33

It's like my prayer life. I used to pray for this, for that. To be this, to be that. To have this, to have that. To not be like this, to not be like that. To be here, to be there.

Now, when I pray, I just tell God that I do not know how to handle the situation and to please take over.
Common on my lips now are the phrases, "Lord, I don't know what to do so I lift this up to you. You know my desires. Please take over and I trust that you will do what's best for me."

For an urgent and short prayer, I will say, "Holy Spirit, please come and just overwhelm the situation".

It's been the hardest thing for me to grasp and yet, it is now, the easiest thing for me to do. I have become somewhat lazy because I no longer need to crack my head on how to solve the 'issue' in a humanly manner, with human limitations. There are no limits to how God can solve the 'issue' for me. I just need to focus and carry on walking with Him and wait in patience upon the Lord. In His time, in His own way, He will give me the perfect solution. Not necessarily what I may think is perfect but definitely what He thinks is best for me. Meanwhile, just walking with Him lifts me up like no other.

I leave you with this which I think describes prayer aptly:

"Positive praying is much more powerful than positive thinking. People may resist our help, spurn our appeals and reject our suggestions but they are powerless against prayers." ~ Rick Warren

Raising hands during praise and worship

At my first ever session of the Life in the Spirit Seminar in mid 2009, I'd felt extremely uncomfortable that the people there were raising their hands while they sang during Praise and Worship. I'd also sort of squirmed whenever they broke out in tongues. My arms were crossed firmly across my chest and I thought it was unnecessary whatsoever to speak or pray in tongues or whatever it was that 'those people' were doing.

Fast forward to 2012. It's been what? Barely 3 and a half years. Today, my husband says he can tell that I am so moved by the Spirit sometimes during Praise and Worship. Yes, it's true. During Praise and Worship sessions, when I am moved by the Spirit, my only focus is to glorify God. If you don't want to raise your arms, then don't but most of the time, I will. Are you staring at me, wondering if I'm really immersed in worshipping God or if I am showing off? Do I look like I am making a fool of myself? For God, I think making a fool of myself would be worth it. Whatever you wish to think of me, then. I am not concerned. I used to wonder those questions myself too, so you are not alone. I am only concerned that my God knows me and my heart. Sometimes, it's because when I raise my hands, I am opening myself more and more to a connection with God. Other times, it's to show Him how much I respect and love Him.

Let me say here and now that I don't do this during Mass itself. There must still be reverance to how Mass is carried out. No compromise.

Though Mike and I went through the same LISS in 2009, he and I are two very different people who have responded in different ways. We have both been touched by the Holy Spirit. Yes but differently. As a wife, I wish we could be on the same wavelength but I've come to accept that it's alright really, we're two separate individuals who have become one in marriage but we will still react in different ways even in the same situation.

Mike is more reserved when it comes to expressing himself during Praise and Worship. He does raise his hands or arms albeit rarely. However, you really should hear him sing hymns or recite prayers during Sunday Mass! His voice thunders above all the other pews around us! He is not shy, that I can tell you. However, this bravado dissipates as soon as he leaves church and he turns into a reserved mouse again. Hee hee. Only God will know his heart. Am sure there are people sitting around us who wonder why this guy dares to sing or pray so loud. He is willing to make a fool of himself for God and that is great!

No one should judge AT ALL another person's way of journeying with God and if all of the above mentioned is not your cup of tea (and I must admit, it will never be to everyone's liking) and you still have a good personal relationship with God, by all means, carry on doing it your way. But my advice to you is, to find a way to be touched by the Holy Spirit because when you do and you finally feel you're not afraid to show those around you that you love God, you will finally feel free. I cannot explain to you what or how that feels. If and when you feel it one day, you will understand what I mean.

Gifts of Rosary and Pouch

I just had to show you this:

Matching Rosary and Pouch

Little things I feel the Lord blesses me with. Someone had given me a small pouch last Christmas and when she had given it to me, she'd said she thought it would be ideal for me to keep my rosary in. I kept the pouch in storage for months. Then last week, someone else gifted me with a handmade rosary. When I saw the flowers on it, I just had to dig out the pouch. Don't they match? Wonderful!

The very next day, I had it blessed by Fr. William Goh at the Catholic Spirituality Centre when Mike and I went there for his talk on Resting in the Spirit.

Date with hubby

Have sort of a date with hubby tonight! After work, we're grabbing a quick bite then hopping over to Catholic Spirituality Centre for the first part of a series of talks on Resting in the Spirit. A bit of a rush but I think it'll be worth it. We've always wanted to attend the talks but could never find the time to. This time, we're attempting to make the time.

Photo credit to original photographer.  I only included the Catholic Bible quote.

Feel free to use this pic but kindly include a link to www.cartoonlagoon.com.sg

I thought it'd be great to attend this particular talk since Mike and I have differing views on this subject. So looking forward to spending fruitful time with hubby. We agreed that date nights could be more meaningfully spent so we're trying this out. Praying that nothing will suddenly pop up that will deter us from going.


Too bad the kids won't be joining us. One is busy studying for her upcoming 'A' Level exams (her room looks like a tornado has hit it with all her notes strewn all over) and the other is down with a bad bout of flu (thank goodness his exams are just over). Oh well, if they did come along, then it wouldn't really be a date, would it?

Turning my back

I do joyously declare, I am turning my back on many things which I used to cling to......

I've been trying to be conscious of my spending habits. Less is more nowadays. I stop or restrain myself from buying things I don't need. I look around my house and I KNOW that since I've started working, I've spent a small fortune accumulating and owning some stuff I don't need or stuff I've not used. If I'd really just bought the barest of necessities, I might even have become a millionaire by now. Of course, I wouldn't have enjoyed the momentary happiness those stuff brought, lah. Hmmmph. This realisation comes a tad too late (after having wasted all that moolah). Nowadays, I chase 'the joy of the Lord' and not 'the happiness of earthly things'.

Not to say I will never buy any of the following stuff. Just saying I'm more restrained now.

Makeup. I've stopped buying make up which I don't need. I remind myself that I've got a whole bag full of unused or barely touched makeup and it would be such a waste to have to junk them because of expiring shelf lives. So I'm only buying what I need now; like replacing a finished lipstick. Truth is for everyday use, I actually use very little makeup; only 2 items; foundation and lipstick. If I use mascara, I worry about them streaking (even waterproof ones). With the exception of lipstick, I don't  like to have to touch up my makeup. If I use rouge, I worry about looking very 'wayang' (Chinese Opera) like. I have unused fake eyelashes but really, I prefer to be taken seriously at work and I don't want to come across as being so vain (or misconstrued as being bimbotic) so no fake eyelashes or coloured contact lenses on workdays and on the weekends, I don't really find anywhere to go that call for their use.

I find that with age, the more makeup the more make up she one uses, the worse she'll look. Nowadays, I survive on my foundation and lipstick only. I don't even use powder anymore. My dry skin can't tolerate it. Some days, I even forego my foundation and I feel so freeee.....but I still use it to look presentable on blotchy skin days. I don't have freckles but I do have uneven skin tone and of course, the lovely remnant pock marks of teenage pimple and chicken pox days to cover. I'm slowly aiming to just use moisturiser and lipstick. I'm a person who dislikes 'taking care' of my face so I have always disliked using moisturiser. I have bottles and tubs of unused ones. However, time stands still for no one and my collagen is depleting. Dry skin calls for moisturiser. Yucks but I really have no choice. I wish to have good, natural sunkissed skin. A nice tan with glowing skin SANS makeup. Haha. One is allowed to dream!

Clothes. I've not bought any new outfits because each time I want to, I remind myself of my wardrobe looking on the verge of exploding and the very many unused outfits which are squashed within. Besides, I'm a T-shirt and jeans person when I'm out of office workwear. When I'm at work, I'm conservative in my no-brainer black skirts (I'd rather err on the side of caution then to be overdressed). All I have to do is throw on a blouse. Everything matches black, right? If many working men can survive solely on black pants, why can't I survive on black skirts? LOL.

Grocery shopping! I love grocery shopping. I used to love buying a variety of spices and sauces. Looks interesting, buy, buy, buy. Now, I just look, think, look and think. I'll stand and think really hard if I still have any of the same sauce at home or if I'll be using it often enough to warrant buying it. But I'd rather spend on groceries than wasteful things for myself. Besides, my kitchen cabinets are bursting with bottles of sauces and condiments already.

Shoes -- sigh. Well, the good thing is I can always design and paint my own canvas shoes. As for heels, I've got tonnes of unworn shoes. Not a good thing as shoes fall apart when you keep them in storage and don't use them often enough. As I may have mentioned it, I am recovering from fractured toes and I had to wear japanese-like open toe slippers the past few months. I've just started being able to wear proper shoes and heels without feeling so much pain. But when I pulled out my 'new' unused heels from the shoe cabinet, 2 pairs fell apart as soon as I stepped out the door. Sigh. Enough of shoes for me until I wear the current ones out.

Books. What can I say? I've still got shelves of unread books. Need I say more?

Bags. Ditto. Plenty to last a lifetime. I'm trying to get rid of some good brand bags. Thinking about posting pics of them to sell. But thinking hard if this is the way to go.

Stationery. Aiyoh. I love pretty and cute stationery. My kids know that I keep cupboards filled with stationery in the masterbedroom. Yes, the masterbedroom which is supposed to be calm, peaceful and romantic is the go-to place for the kids when they need paints, brushes, canvases, paper, cardboard, staplers, staples, sticky tape....OK OK, stock is depleting now that my kids who are 18 and 15, don't really have formal art classes in school anymore. I can't resist cute paper and stickers. Aaarrrgh!!! Keep them away from me!!! I try but I don't think stationery is something I can give up. If I do, it'd mean my painting stuff as well. Well, I'm not perfect, what!

Household appliances. No longer purchase unless something breaksdown.

Household decorative stuff. The odd thing here and there but Mike and I are very restrained nowadays. in fact, we're trying to get rid of existing purchases. He's been giving to thrift stores the past few weeks and yet we've still got so many things in the flat.

Well, less is definitely more nowadays. We remind ourselves that we CANNOT BRING ALL THIS ALONG WHEN WE DIE. This is actually the main trend of thought Mike and I have now. Why keep buying stuff when it's just ashes-to-ashes for all of us? What can we bring along except our salvation? Thus, I'm turning my back on many a thing!

Cartoon Lagoon Hand Painted Shoes

On 7 March 2012, I'd stated on my blog that I'd stop taking orders for our hand painted shoes. Since then, I've had quite a few of our customers emailing to ask if I'd still take their shoe orders. In the past month alone, I've had a few of them tell me good things about the pairs of hand painted shoes they'd bought from Cartoon Lagoon previously. I can't tell you how happy that has made me. Where I could, I have accomodated and where I still can, I will accomodate. I can't promise you a quick delivery, nor can I promise you that I will still do that particular design but you can email me and we'll see how it goes from there : )

One of the reasons I stopped painting our shoes was because I wanted the Lord to show me if I was to carry on doing this (even if it has always just been a sideline). I want His blessings on the things I do from here on and it's just this whole journey of change I'm on right now. Trying my best to pluck out the weeds and trying to bear fruit instead. I'm 100% confident that the Lord has plans for me and He knows best. Therefore, I will wait upon the Lord. Actually, Mike and myself. We are waiting upon the Lord. I should be saying 'we' lah. But I'm the only one writing this blog. He doesn't, so it's out of habit that I say 'I' when I really mean 'we' when I talk about the hand painted shoes. He's actually a much neater and meticulous painter than I am. Ssshhhh!

Lately, sometimes during or after prayer & meditation, I see art compositions in my mind. They are so clear in my head. I see them with my eyes closed. I'm not sure if I'm capable of translating what I see in my head onto a canvas. I don't think I'm talented enough! I really wish to. Well, I guess I'll pray for the Lord to help me. This is something I want to make time for. Something else to explore.

Meanwhile, my 'project' has not had any progress because I was first distracted catering to the needs of my elderly parent and then we concentrated on attending the 9 day Novena at our church. It's difficult when you work full-time and have to find time for housework as well. I've really only got the weekends for any 'hobbies' and if I have to attend a function on a Saturday or Sunday then my weekend gets 'burnt' as well. Week by week just flies by and before you know it, it'll be the end of the year and I still haven't made much progress on my project. MUST FOCUS AND CONCENTRATE!!! I will be turning down invitations more and more now. I need time for this. I really do. That's not going to go down well with people. But you've gotta do what you've gotta do....especially if God has given you an indication to do it : )

Can I hear God just like that?

Can I hear God just like that? No.

I don't know if others can but I cannot. I can talk to Him anytime but I don't hear Him just like that. It's not a given. I can't just demand He talk to me. I'm not talking about when God suddenly prompts you or nudges you with a warning etc. He can do that anytime He wants to, that's for sure. But I mean I cannot have a two-way conversation with Him just like that. I have come to the realisation that I need to reach a certain level of prayer or be in deeper connection with Him before I start to receive His flowing promptings. Sometimes, it only takes saying a simple prayer, a phrase or two or a praise song or praying in Tongues. Sometimes, it takes much more before I hear anything. But, the conditions have to be right. I cannot be distracted with things not of Him. If I am too busy or frivolous, I get nothing. If I'm too concerned about the ways of the world, if I'm rushing about or not in a right state of mind, I cannot hear Him, no matter how hard I try. However, I must add that I may be in a 'weak' state of mind, like being worried or troubled but if I centre my attention on Him, I may still hear Him.

Yesterday was perhaps a busy day for me (thank you, Lord for keeping me healthy enough to have still busy days). Busy, busy at work (with issues, issues and more issues) and when I returned home, busy with an elderly parent who was well how do you say this politely? Uncooperative and not on very good behaviour? (I might talk about that another time. Let's see how that goes). We were having a nice conversation over dinner with our kids when we were....rudely disrupted by an 'incident'.

A flurry of commotion followed. A slight chaos. I wanted to pass a multitude of comments. I wanted to admonish. Instead, I bit my tongue. My head was pounding and I was feeling confusion. I could feel my blood pressure rising. After I tried to calm myself down, I sat down on the couch (quite helplessly because there was nothing else I could do) and closed my eyes. Ordinarily, I might even ask God, WHY ME? But I just asked God to please forgive me for my sins and asked Him instead what He would have me do. 'Lord, what would you have me do? Holy Spirit, please come and just overwhelm this situation. Find me a way when I do not know the way, Lord'. Earlier, when I had been moving about, I couldn't hear any promptings from God. But now that I was seated quietly, very quickly, I heard Jesus say to me, "Peace be with you, my child, peace be with you". 

Honestly, I've heard Him say this through other people's messages but I don't recall ever hearing Him say that to me directly. He kept repeating that phrase to me. I asked Him why even though I knew why. He then encouraged me to 'wait upon the Lord for just a little longer'. He reminded me to have the 'peace of the love of Christ'. I sat there in amazement. Jesus KNEW I was so troubled. He knew I was so angry. So upset. So disappointed. So troubled. So everything unkind. Yet Jesus KNEW and loved me enough not to leave me alone. He had sent me those words to comfort me and encourage me. I also saw it as a kind warning to me that I had to try to see the love of Jesus in everyone's face. Even if it pains me so. Only Jesus knew what to say to me at that moment. He did not leave me alone. Jesus was with me. Jesus IS with me. He is fully aware of the cross I bear and He shares in my suffering. That is so wonderful and so beautiful. I told hubby later that I was becoming a cry baby because of Jesus. I feel touched when I receive communion and sometimes I choke up with tears. I want to cry when I think of the love Jesus has for me. It's just so beautiful, this love God has for us. So wonderful.

End of 9 day Novena - Blessed Virgin Mary and God's provision

I wrote in my previous post that if I come into abundant money, I'm meant to give it away. Well, I came into a pleasant surprise, a small sum of money which came in the form of a reimbursement and the very next day, I was required to pay that sum unexpectedly to someone else. Exact amount. Not a cent less, not a cent more. It is very scary when I think about it. Does God read my blog? He really hears and sees everything. Nothing escapes His eyes. Not even when you tear off those tiny carpark coupon stubs and 'accidentally' drop the stubs to the road after getting out of your car (oops). Nope. Nothing escapes Him, not even that faint swearing under your breath or in your head. Scary, right?

Well, actually, I think it's also wonderful that we have such a mighty God to watch over us. He hears my thoughts, He listens to my heart, He knows my feelings. I am in awe of His goodness and I hope I will continue to be in awe of Him for the rest of my life.

We've finished our 9 days of nightly mass (our yearly Novena) to celebrate the Feast of St Vincent de Paul. We ended the Feast Day with mass and a dinner on the 10th day at the Orchid Country Club. I've come away from this Novena with a different view of Mary and St Vincent de Paul. Let me say honestly, that I tend to give petitions to St Anthony, rather than St Vincent de Paul. Although he is the patron saint of our church, I've never felt a 'connection' to seeking his intercession. I don't know why. It was only at this Novena when the different priests mentioned that St Vincent de Paul was always rooting for the poor and needy that it hit home that I AM in the right parish! This would be a saint who understands my needs totally. That he can relate to people in need. That there are those of us poor in spirit or poor by earth's standards. I felt really 'paiseh' (bad) that I had always 'neglected' him and taken him for granted. Ok, I'm starting to sound loony, speaking about a dead person like he were alive. But go figure, I don't blame you if you're not into asking saints for intercessions. I for one, have had St Jude and St Anthony help me pray for intentions with great outcome (INCLUDING A BABY!!!) so there! I also believe in the intercessory power of our late Blessed Pope John Paul II. I do BELIEVE that God hears his intercessions and the intercessions of our saints for our prayers intentions!

See, for you people out there who wonder, why would you ask these Saints to pray for you when you can pray to God directly? Well, why ever would you ask you friend to pray for you when you can pray to God yourself? Why have prayer warriors? Why have prayer ministries? Why have cell group member prayer buddies? Because there is power in numbers, lah! Catholics do not ask these saints to work the miracles. Catholics ask these saints to intercede on their behalf to put in a good word with God to work the miracles! And why not? Yes, I can pray myself. In fact, I hear God's promptings myself. But is there any harm in asking these saints to pray for me too? I'd think if God favoured them, there might be a higher chance of God answering the prayers! 

Blessed Virgin Mary. I've come to love her much. Actually, I started out adoring her first. In 1988 or 89 (cannot quite recall), I went on a pilgrimage to Medjugorje in the then Yugoslavia. Actually, I don't know if there was already a name change back then. I think it was Bosnia. Anyhow, I adored her and felt really touched that the people there attended mass THRICE daily. Let me repeat, THRICE DAILY!!! Sometimes, to attend mass once a week is already too much for some of us to bear. But three times a day? Then as life went along, I learnt that the prayers of the Rosary were a very powerful defence against falling into doing bad things. I believe the evil one is terrified of our Blessed Virgin Mary. However, I have not been very faithful to saying the rosary regularly. By the way, might I just say, please read up on the prayers which make up the rosary before you jump to any conclusion. The rosary is a compilation of prayers to mark the different Stations of the Cross (the journey of the Life of Christ). So if you don't realise this, let me implore you to not criticise the rosary without first trying to understanding what it is.

Once about a year and half ago, I was given a prompting that there was an urgency for me to pray the rosary. The message was one of utmost urgency. I did initially but did not continue regularly. God forgive me (and Mary too) but the monotony of repetitious prayer is not very for me and I have a tendency to fall asleep when I say the rosary. Also, with all sorts of excuse like not having enough time etc, I stopped saying it. I much prefer to have open dialogue with Jesus, Father God or Mary. So I did not listen and later, I realised why I had received that warning. However, I think I was blessed because I had continued to have my two-way conversations with God and that helped me through a period tremendously. Anyway, I've come out of that dark tunnel a lot stronger and with a renewed relationship with God.

Back to the Novena. The theme for this year's Novena is Mother Mary. I had always had the impression that Mother Mary had been a really meek, young, gentle, obedient girl who wouldn't have dreamt of disobeying God. That God had chosen her because she was not a naughty girl. That she'd most likely listen to him because she wasn't the rebellious type (like me). That she was MEEK. Nothing like me. But at through this Novena, I realised what a strong personality Mother Mary must have had to go through the whole scandal of being a single pregnant girl, then later to put up with poverty and moving here and there and then the icing on the cake, to have a son who seemed to be causing nothing but trouble. If I looked at it that way, I realised WOW! Mother Mary was really something in her time! She is my ultimate idol! Here's this young girl, sounding loony by telling people she was pregnant and bearing who's kid? God's son! The amount of ridicule she must have faced. Hats off to her, I say. I stand corrected; our Blessed Virgin Mother Mary was definitely NOT MEEK. Not even close. So now we know why God chose her. She was unwavering and stood her ground because SHE KNEW that God was her provider and she would be obedient to His will. She trusted in God and she trusted in the work of Jesus. She suffered the agony of losing her son so that we might all enjoy the fruit of this sacrifice. What a woman she was. I have walked away from the Novena with a deep sense of respect for her.

Who practically insisted Jesus perform his very first miracle at the wedding of Cana of Galilee? Turning water into wine (John 2:2-11) Why Mother Mary of course. It's like any mother telling the child to do something because the mother knows better! If an angel had appeared to me and given me the same message and I had to suffer utter scandal, I think I'd not be so humble or gracious and I'd be wondering if the angel had just been a figment of my imagination. I'd be wondering why God would let me give birth to His son, God's son (!!!) in a stable with the animals and in poverty? I'd be wondering why I had to be up and running away with a baby and not just any baby but God's baby. How could this be? But no, not Mother Mary. Not only did she trust God completely for His provision, she trusted enough to know that her son was unique and would be doing special things. Then she had to watch her baby suffer a horrible death. Wow, wow and wow. I RESPECT.
Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you!

You know, I must add, before each mass during the Novena, we have some praise and worship singing and of course the Charismatics will be drawn to raise their hands or arms in worship of our Lord Jesus. Well, majority of the congregation (who aren't Charismatic) do not unless the worship leader practically asks them to. I for one do not worry what people must think of me. My husband says he can see that I am often very touched by the Holy Spirit. I tell him simply that I do not worry about what others think of me. Many of them are shy and some may wonder what the heck I am doing raising my arms but you know what? It's God I glorify. It's Jesus I love. I don't worry about them. I am moved by the Holy Spirit and I wish upon them that they too can experience what I experience. Also, if Mary can be so strong and not worry what others think of her, then should I worry about what others think about me because I love Jesus? Go ahead and think what you like of me. I am more worried about what God thinks of me.