The falls that lead to salvations

After the continuous changes, big and small, huge and tiny, it seemed to me I come to a hiatus.

No, I am not forgetting about this little blog :)

I just run through too many things lately, changing of status and living place seemed taken toll on my time and energy. When I finished all my duty, I have lack of energy to simply sit down, think, and write. Write!

Anyway, there's lots of lesson I got lately. One particular I want to share is the one I got when with my (newlywed) husband, we (finally, after scheduling it for sometime) manage to visit a church friend. Her mother was fell just several weeks before our big day and injured badly.

Actually, I had not much expectation, except to encourage and pray when we plan to go there. My husband pointed out that this is the first visit we ever made to a local family so far. It's a beautiful furnished place. Very homey and very comfy, with the bright white colour as the main theme.

Surprise surprise (yes, God still got lots of surprises these days), instead of encouraging, we're encouraged instead, well, at least for me.

At first glance, my friend's mom didn't look different from other moms that I know. However, after chit chat for a while, I learned a wonderful lesson from the LORD.

She had a bad fall previously. The first time she fell, years ago, she lost her eye sight. Her right eyes remained blind due to the broken retina, and her left eyes, after several surgeries, could only see dimly. I tried to imagine how she figured our face when she shared about her eye sight. I didn't think I can, even though I also had astigmatism myself. One thing is really struck me is that she was a nurse. Imagine a nurse which such eye sight kept on working to feed her family. She shared that not long, due to her illness and her family problem, she became depressed. Really depressed. However, she gave thanks, because out of that dark moments, she came to know Jesus as her Lord and Saviour. Call that miracle number one.

Then, a couple of weeks before our wedding, she fell again. This time, she broke her arm and leg, made her confined to bed in hospital (and then, her house) for some time. This time, she shared, God had another plan. As the worst patient in her ward (0f 6 elders), somehow, she is the source of help and encouragement for other patients. Her joyful attitude attracted other patients, which were amazed that despite her worse condition compared to them, she was far more joyful than them. She shared with them that because she had Jesus, even though she had through such pain, she still had the joy in her heart. Due to her living testimony, several came to know the Lord. Later, when she had to go to physiotherapy hospital for regular exercise, she also became a testimony that helped other elders. Well, there goes miracle number two.

One thing that really encourages me is that she is so enthusiastic sharing about her life events, testifying how God has intention, despite her falls. I was reminded with this verse right away:

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.- Romans 8:28 (NKJV)

It is so comforting to know, that the LORD is able to work even through such devastating falls to become a way to salvation for so many people.

Which made me wonder...

When we go through difficulties, either in our body, or in our situation, instead of looking for remedy right away, have we first and foremost, look for God's plan in the first place? God is certainly not planning for our falls or calamities, but He certainly has a good plan even in the midst of such unfortunate events.

Miracle of His faithfulness

Today, I almost shed a tear again...

Of witnessing God's miraculous faithfulness in my life.

It started a week ago, when we attended a spiritual conference, discussing topic of Sermon from Jesus, about generosity and giving. I realized there is a nudge in my heart regarding a particular missionary friend of mine who happened to be in town.

Usually, it is a simple affair, for me just to give, but these days, not so simple anymore...since I am engaged and we are committed to be open to each other about our finances.

So I told my fiance (who happened to sit next to me that night) about the nudge in my heart, and as God works in my heart, God works in his heart too :)) We quickly pray and come with a plan of sum and way to deliver.

Unfortunately, my missionary friend would be in town only for 2 days left, and both of us (me and my fiance) was very busy with our schedule. We have some difficulties regarding how to deliver the money; but thank God, my fiance managed to get up earlier on Friday morning, on his way to deliver our invitation cards, he managed to meet my friend and deliver to her. (I am just way too busy and tired to even meet her).

That was about a week ago, and both of us been grateful for the opportunity to give regardless our situation (we are busy in the midst of moving house and preparing our wedding which now are 2 weeks away by the way).

Then it happened that 2 days ago, my fiance got an extra amount in his salary transfer. Today, he realized the amount as he read the announcement letter from his boss. He shared with me that the amount is EXACTLY the amount we gave to our missionary friend. And all within 1 week. We committed to give on last week Wednesday, we received the extra salary transfer on this Wednesday. My fiance delivered the money on last Friday, he realized on the exact amount given back to us today. (today is Friday, a week later :D)

God is wonderful, for my fiance has just started to work several months in this company. He was never told in advance there is such thing called quarterly performance bonus. I am not even aware there is such thing called quarterly bonus (the usual practice that I know that an employee at least have to work for a full year to be entitled of any bonus payment, and always paid later). But one thing for sure, God is faithful, beyond our ability to comprehend.

Even when we learn to give an amount which is quite essential for us since we are preparing for our wedding day, He showed us that He is still in control, of our living and our beloved friend's living, and of course, His work on this earth. How am I able to convey my gratefulness, not mainly for the blessings He bestowed on us, but especially, for the chance to witness His faithfulness in our lives and the opportunity to part take in His work through our lives?

HALLELUJAH!

About goal

" My goal is God Himself, not joy, nor peace,
Nor even blessing, but Himself, my God:
'Tis His to lead me there, not mine, but His---
"At any cost, dear Lord, by any road."

-- Frances Brook (born 1870), English hymnwriter.