Mum was reading a devotional called “God Will Make A Way” that day, and she said she found an answer to a question that she had been asking a long time, but never was quite satisfied. She used to wonder why it is that many Christians only come to faith in times of difficulty. The writer of this devotional had told a story of a man who never bothered with his neighbours, colleagues and friends. But one day he was found to have cancer, and to his surprise, his neighbours came to him and offered help in many ways, his friends called him up and kept him company, his colleagues were kind and eager to give advice and practical help. He was moved, and finally opened his heart up to them. For Mum, this helped her understand that it is often only in times of crisis that people have their eyes open to the blessings that have been poured out on them. 患难中是有幸福的。 That was enough for Mum. That is what she is experiencing now.
Today, while my sis and i were out, Aunty LE came to visit Mum. She sat with Mum for quite a while and chatted about all sorts of things. She opened her heart up to Mum and shared with her many things that still ring in Mum’s mind. She bought her a lovely cake and explained that it was the best of its kind in Singapore (and it is). She brought her a book about a man who loved God and loved kids and prayed much. She prayed with Mum and in her prayer remembered even the small, practical things that everyone else seemed to have been fretting about. Mum talked about her to us for the rest of the afternoon and night.
i was very touched by Aunty LE’s gesture. It made me realise also that there is plenty of wisdom that goes into good intentions and visiting and ministry. Today was not a one-off event. All through the first surgery and recovery period, she had been texting and checking how Mum was. She was always keenly aware that this is not just about Mum, but all of us. She prayed hard; she showed concern to everyone; she was just as Mum would herself have been in such a situation. When she visited Mum in hospital, she even got some tarts for us kids. She is genuinely keen on being Mum’s friend.
Talking about other things, Mum had commented almost reluctantly that she had been living without love and appreciation for the past few years. Present company notwithstanding, she adds of course. But i wouldn’t be surprised otherwise. The other night she said that she knew my sis and i are very happy that she’s here, because we can chat with her and all. But she wished it weren’t in such circumstances that she came. That reminded me of the time she came to stay for a while, just because, and i would come back after school every day and actually see my family members, and hang out with them a bit. And there were people to eat dinner with, at a round table. The day she went back to JB, i stood at the window and watched her from a distance until she boarded the bus, and it made me tear.
In my younger years i wished very much for my family to be complete. i hated the distance and discord, and it ate me up. i’ve almost forgotten those times and that desire, until just. Now it’s just seeing how each person in my family could come to know the bigger family in my church, and join that even bigger family in Heaven in time to come.
That is enough.
