Lillian's Site

    Each year on the first day of Chinese New Year, my in-laws' church has a thanksgiving service, and members of the congregation can just feel free to go up front to share about how God has blessed them in the last year.
    As i thought about this past year, and wondered what I could give thanks for, I thought about the 'tragedies' that my immediate family has gone through in the recent few months..
    In Nov last year, my dad passed away suddenly. Less than a month later, my brother had a fall which resulted in a concussion, and bleeding in the brain. And just 2 weeks ago, my mum's flat was gutted by fire.. she lost everything.
    To any normal human being, these would be considered tragedies, esp when they're experienced almost back to back in a space of less than three months. But as i think about what to give thanks for, these 'tragedies' were the most significant that came to mind..

    I thank God that my dad went peacefully, without suffering. I thank God that I had dinner with him just hours before he died.. I never thot he would leave so soon. I thank God most of all that he's with the Lord now.. that he came to know Jesus in his dying moments.
    I thank God that my brother's injury did not cause any permanent brain damage, and that the bleeding stopped... and that he's well now. I thank God that He protected my sis-in-law in the midst of my brother's hospitalization and all, and that she gave birth to a healthy baby boy.
    I thank God that my mum was outside her flat (in fact on the corridor) when the fire started, and that she wasn't trapped in the house or the fire.. that God protected her.

    Last night, we had reunion dinner at my place, and the whole family was gathered. After dinner, as we discussed about what to do about redoing mum's flat, mum's accommodation arrangements, etc.. my mum left and went to the room and wept. My brother said, "We need to try and understand what mum is going through... a lot of emotions.. she's gone through a lot."
    I think that truly is an understatement... she's lost her life partner, and now her house and everything she owned... all in a matter of weeks..

    In a few minutes, it would be Chinese New Year. We always say "Happy New Year!" How can it be happy.. after you've experienced so much so recently?

    As I thought about all this, the words of this song called 'Jesus Knows' came to me.. Ruth, hope you don't mind me putting the lyrics of the chorus on here..

    "Do you know, do you know He loves you?
Do you know He's been waiting for you?
    Every tear that has been shed
       Every heart that needs to mend   
    Jesus knows, yes He knows"

    Tomorrow and the days after, I can say "Happy New Year!"... because I know.. I know that He loves me.

    Happy New Year to you.