Diabetes

At the age of 63, two years after Dad passed away, Mum contracted diabetes. Once again, the Lord showed His grace and mercy by sending her very good doctors and even preserved her sight through a doctor who detected the problem with her retina early. The strength that Mum had to go through the storms of life came from the Lord, even without her knowledge. When she realised she had cancer, she could not believe it. She held to the view that because of the good works she had done all her life, she would naturally be spared the agony of going through this terrible disease. Like us, she was very shocked when she learnt the news of the illness and we believe that she might have questioned many of her own beliefs. In fact, that was what we prayed for – that she would be troubled and would eventually find the way, the truth and the life in Christ alone.

Cancer

Mum’s fight with cancer was the most difficult time of our lives. Her cancer, being at the terminal stage, was inoperable. It was painful to watch her suffer, to see this once vivacious and hearty lady fade away as the illness progressed. Our family made arrangements to ensure that she was always being watched over by one of us around the clock. Judy and I faced much opposition concerning sharing the gospel with her. We took every opportunity that God gave us to remind her of the saving grace of our Lord Jesus and to tell her that the only way in which our entire family could be reunited in Heaven after we leave this life is for all of us to believe in Jesus alone. We reminded her that when she feels convicted, to call out to the Lord Jesus by saying just these five words – “Lord Jesus Christ, save me.” She would listen quietly but had never wanted to acknowledge Him. But God was good; truly He was in control of all things. In Isaiah 55:11, “So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” His Holy Spirit did the perfect work of conviction in Mum’s heart. We specifically prayed that the Lord would grant us opportunity to witness to Mum during the night shifts when we could be alone with her. The Lord answered our prayer in the most unexpected ways.

Miracle

On the night of 22^nd May, the Lord providentially arranged for the both of us to be there to watch over Mum during the night shift. Mum took the usual combination of medication that helped her to rest better at night. At about 11.45 pm while Mum slept, we prayed to the Lord and implored with Him to save our dear Mum that very night, if He is willing. He heard our prayers and answered so speedily; He troubled her soul, took her sleep away but gave deep sleep to the rest of the family except the two of us. Mum woke up at about 12.15 am of 23^rd May, felt agitated and wanted to get out of bed. She said she needed to save someone. When we asked who, she replied that she wanted to save our family. The Lord threw open the doors of her heart. Revelation 3:8 says, “…. Behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut ….” We reminded her of her inability to save anyone since she herself was lost and that only Jesus can and will save if we cry out to Him. We gave her the gospel once again. She asked if it is true that Jesus can save her and the family. We said yes, because Jesus said so. To our greatest delight, she called out to Him “Lord Jesus Christ, save me!” a few times. She even asked her gods not to be angry with her for calling out to Jesus. We praise our Heavenly Father for His wonderful words of life, His inerrant, infallible, forever preserved words, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved and thy house” (Acts 16:31), which Mum believed with all her heart. Mum then clasped her hands in prayer and fell asleep. The two of us stared at each other with tears of joy and gratefulness in our hearts; we shall never forget that moment when we witnessed Mum calling out for our Lord. We could not sleep after that because our hearts were so filled with joy; we prayed in thanksgiving to the Lord for His promise in Acts 16:31. This verse was like a confession of faith for Mum who loves us so. We thank the Lord for His inspired and forever preserved words, upon which we could rest our faith during the most tumultuous time of our life when our faith was tested and we had to learn to accept His sovereign grace without question.

God’s Perfect Plan

It was 11 months from the time Mum was diagnosed with cancer till the time she went home to be with the Lord on 16^th June. Many people had asked why she hung on for so long; almost twice the time estimated by the doctors. Some people thought it was because she could not let go of us. Some thought it was because we could not let go of her. Some thought it was because she had a very strong heart. But we know and believe it was the Lord who was sustaining her so that she might come to salvation. Many well-meaning friends and relatives told her to leave as she was suffering so badly. She had never said anything in reply. But it was only after Mum called upon the Lord, that she expressed her readiness to leave.

The Lord has also preserved her so that I could go for church camp and gave me the greatest privilege to read from John 3 and John 14 a few hours before she went home to be with the Lord.

The Lord had so planned Mum’s life, weaving the different threads running through her life into a beautiful tapestry that she might look back at it and marvel at how He had preserved her life and blessed her, despite her unbelief. Truly, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us, ordered our steps and preserved our lives unto salvation. We praise and thank the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY, for His matchless love, bounteous mercy and grace towards us and our loved ones. We thank the Lord for all our brothers and sisters-in-Christ who have kept us in their prayers and for the kindness they have shown us which have helped us through the most trying times.

PRAISE THE LORD!