Zhang Xiaofeng, a renowned prose writer in Taiwan, is a devoted Christian who has been actively involved in the church since her early years. During a recent lecture, she shared her perspective on how she documents acts of grace in her life.
Xiaofeng discussed the scientific fact that human cells are constantly regenerated, with an average lifespan of seven years. This led her to pose a question, "If our cells are constantly replaced, does our core identity remain unchanged?" The answer revealed that while cells may be replaced, the essence of a person remains the same.
Expanding on this, the writer emphasized that individuals maintain their intrinsic identity through their original memories. Once a person's past experiences are forgotten, it becomes challenging for them to retain their authentic selves. She firmly believed that "each person is the cumulative sum of their life experiences, which they can share with others." Hence, it is essential to remember and transmit one's own experiences. But how does she achieve this?
Xiaofeng referenced the biblical figure of Jacob, who dreamed of a heavenly staircase while walking in the desert. God spoke to Jacob, promising him descendants, land, and an everlasting presence. To commemorate this encounter, Jacob erected a stone as a pillar and anointed it with oil.
Drawing inspiration from this story, she proposed that stones could serve as mementos, though they might eventually get lost. Instead, recording experiences "verbally" would allow for oral transmission across generations, whereas written words on paper could endure the test of time.
Clearly, Xiaofeng is someone who habitually employs the written word to record her personal journey. Additionally, she shares her insights through speaking engagements across various cities. Moreover, she possesses an affection for documenting her life through "stones" or various collections.
As an illustrative example, she had commissioned craftsmen to create a miniature "stairway" to hang on the wall of her home, just above the TV. This physical representation served as a reminder for herself and her children to observe God's interactions and promises to humankind, even while engrossed in television programs.
This devoted Christian highlighted that she could never forget the stories of numerous missionaries, such as Hudson Taylor, the leader of the China Inland Mission. To commemorate this admiration, she maintained a collection of photographs depicting missionaries from bygone days.
She used to accompany her mother in the search for genealogy, during which they approached a villager for information. Although they obtained no leads, the kind hostess offered them peanuts before their departure. After consuming the peanuts, she kept some peanut shells and later had them plastic-packed into a small souvenir at a photo studio. She used this item as a reminder of encountering such a compassionate person.
In addition to stones, spoken words, and written text, Xiaofeng also mentioned that the sense of touch holds a significant place in her memory.
When she was very young, she fled with her parents to live in Taiwan. Friends there assisted her parents in finding a place to live, where they accommodated several relatives who had nowhere else to go.
During that period, Xiaofeng, unable to express her love for them adequately and feeling melancholic, attended church with her friends. During the service, a female worshiper held her hand with a pair of big and warm hands, silently listening to the sermon.
At the age of 69, Xiaofeng was diagnosed with colorectal cancer and underwent six months of chemotherapy. Afterward, she returned to the church.
Upon arriving at the church, an elderly female Christian rushed over and seized her hand, exclaiming, "You're well! I'm so happy! Thank God for your recovery." This deeply astonished Xiaofeng, who said, "Suddenly, I remembered this hand! When I was eleven years old, I was held by this same warm hand."
At the age of 82, Xiaofeng is currently documenting her "self" in her own unique ways. We must also remember our own experiences, as it is through God's guiding hand that our lives flourish and grow.
- Translated by Abigail Wu
台湾著名散文作家张晓风是一名基督徒，在她很小的时候她就已经走进教会。近日，她在一个讲座中分享她是如何记录生活中的恩典的。
晓风姐讲到一个科学知识：人体细胞需要不断换新，平均年龄是7岁。因此她产生疑问：细胞都换掉了，我还是原来的我吗？答案当然是：不管细胞怎么换新，人还是旧人。
晓风姐继续说：人还是原来的人，因为有原来的记忆。一个人过去的经历都忘记了，他很难再成为原来的人。
在晓风姐看来，“既然我是我所记得的一切事情的总和，那么我一贯的累积和财富，都是可以跟别人沟通的信息。”所以记忆并且去传递自己的经历是非常重要的，那么怎么才能记住并流传下去呢? (---当summary）
晓风姐提到始祖雅各走在沙漠旷野中，梦见天梯，耶和华对雅各说，应许给他后裔和他土地，并承诺总不离弃他。雅各就把所枕的石头立作柱子，浇上油。纪念上帝和他说话
晓风姐说，石头可以做纪念，但是有一天石头可能会找不到。不如“口头”来记，口口相传，可以传给一代又一代，而能传到更久远的则是文字，即“笔头”。
另外，她还是一个喜欢用“石头”或者各种小收藏来记录自己的人。
比如，晓风姐特意请工人帮她做一个小小的“天梯”挂在家里的墙上，并且挂在电视机的上方，她希望自己和孩子们在看到电视节目之余，还能看到与人对话的上帝，以及上帝的应许。
晓风姐说，她不能忘记的很多宣教士的故事，比如内地会的带领人戴德生。因此，她找到了一些传教士当年的照片收藏。
她曾经陪伴母亲寻找族谱，曾经向一位村民打听家谱的事情。虽然没有获得任何线索，但是临走的时候女主人送家里的花生给她们。她们把花生吃完了，她把花生壳留下几颗，然后去照相馆塑封成一个小纪念品。她以此来提醒自己，曾经遇到过那么温暖的人。
除了石头，口头，笔头，晓风姐还表示触觉也是非常特别的记忆。
在很小的时候，晓风姐随着父母逃难，后到台湾生活。台湾的朋友帮助父母找到了房子居住，父母又额外接待了几家没有地方住的亲戚。
那时因为自己不能很好爱他们，心情不好，晓风姐跟着朋友去了教会。在聚会期间，一个年龄大一点的大姐拉着晓风姐的手，一双很大很温暖的手拉着她的手听道，什么话也不说。
晓风姐69岁的时候得了大肠癌，也接受了化疗。经过半年化疗之后才重新去教会。
到了教会，一位大姐跑过来抓住晓风姐的手，说，“你好了，我很高兴啊！感谢上帝，你已经康复了。”晓风姐非常震惊，她说：“我忽然想起来，我是认识这只手的啊！我在年幼的时候，曾经有这样一只手抓住过我。那双友善的、温暖的手，还是跟我11岁时候握过的手是一样的。”
今年已经82岁的晓风姐一直在用自己的方式记录“自己”。我们也要记得“我”所经历的，因为那是上帝恩典的手所带领的我的生命成长故事。
著名散文作家张晓风：怎样记录自己所得到的恩典？
Zhang Xiaofeng, a renowned prose writer in Taiwan, is a devoted Christian who has been actively involved in the church since her early years. During a recent lecture, she shared her perspective on how she documents acts of grace in her life.
Xiaofeng discussed the scientific fact that human cells are constantly regenerated, with an average lifespan of seven years. This led her to pose a question, "If our cells are constantly replaced, does our core identity remain unchanged?" The answer revealed that while cells may be replaced, the essence of a person remains the same.
Expanding on this, the writer emphasized that individuals maintain their intrinsic identity through their original memories. Once a person's past experiences are forgotten, it becomes challenging for them to retain their authentic selves. She firmly believed that "each person is the cumulative sum of their life experiences, which they can share with others." Hence, it is essential to remember and transmit one's own experiences. But how does she achieve this?
Xiaofeng referenced the biblical figure of Jacob, who dreamed of a heavenly staircase while walking in the desert. God spoke to Jacob, promising him descendants, land, and an everlasting presence. To commemorate this encounter, Jacob erected a stone as a pillar and anointed it with oil.
Drawing inspiration from this story, she proposed that stones could serve as mementos, though they might eventually get lost. Instead, recording experiences "verbally" would allow for oral transmission across generations, whereas written words on paper could endure the test of time.
Clearly, Xiaofeng is someone who habitually employs the written word to record her personal journey. Additionally, she shares her insights through speaking engagements across various cities. Moreover, she possesses an affection for documenting her life through "stones" or various collections.
As an illustrative example, she had commissioned craftsmen to create a miniature "stairway" to hang on the wall of her home, just above the TV. This physical representation served as a reminder for herself and her children to observe God's interactions and promises to humankind, even while engrossed in television programs.
This devoted Christian highlighted that she could never forget the stories of numerous missionaries, such as Hudson Taylor, the leader of the China Inland Mission. To commemorate this admiration, she maintained a collection of photographs depicting missionaries from bygone days.
She used to accompany her mother in the search for genealogy, during which they approached a villager for information. Although they obtained no leads, the kind hostess offered them peanuts before their departure. After consuming the peanuts, she kept some peanut shells and later had them plastic-packed into a small souvenir at a photo studio. She used this item as a reminder of encountering such a compassionate person.
In addition to stones, spoken words, and written text, Xiaofeng also mentioned that the sense of touch holds a significant place in her memory.
When she was very young, she fled with her parents to live in Taiwan. Friends there assisted her parents in finding a place to live, where they accommodated several relatives who had nowhere else to go.
During that period, Xiaofeng, unable to express her love for them adequately and feeling melancholic, attended church with her friends. During the service, a female worshiper held her hand with a pair of big and warm hands, silently listening to the sermon.
At the age of 69, Xiaofeng was diagnosed with colorectal cancer and underwent six months of chemotherapy. Afterward, she returned to the church.
Upon arriving at the church, an elderly female Christian rushed over and seized her hand, exclaiming, "You're well! I'm so happy! Thank God for your recovery." This deeply astonished Xiaofeng, who said, "Suddenly, I remembered this hand! When I was eleven years old, I was held by this same warm hand."
At the age of 82, Xiaofeng is currently documenting her "self" in her own unique ways. We must also remember our own experiences, as it is through God's guiding hand that our lives flourish and grow.
- Translated by Abigail Wu
Christian Writer in Taiwan Records God's Grace in Various Ways
