Hope of a parent

The year 2015 began with much anticipation for me.

As with all parents, we like to see our children grow up well and to do well in their lives’ pursuits. Most important of all, they grow up to be good citizens, obey and honor God. There is a commandment that we as parents like to see our children grow up with:

“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother – this is the first commandment with a promise: ‘so that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.’” (Eph 6:1-3)

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Also, in Singapore, education plays a very important part of the family life. And the ways I see how our children can bring honor to the family are: (1) study hard and do well in their education, and (2) grow up in a strong relationship with God and be of service to others.

Looking back to the last four years, I thank God that they have matured and grow up.

Last year, my youngest daughter completed her Secondary 3 examinations with very good results. She also did her “O” Level Chinese. For all her previous years of schooling, she has never taken her studies seriously. Our main concern for her was her Chinese language, which she failed in Secondary 2. Thankfully, in 2014, she somehow has “awaken” and was much more driven.  She was selected by the school to compete in the National Science Challenge and the school team of 4 participants reached the quarter final stage. This is a very good exposure for her and we are all very pleased with her achievement.

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She received her Edusave scholarship award from our Member of Parliament in January 2015.

Beginning of 2015, we have been praying that she would do well for her “O” Level Chinese result. Within, 1 year and with the help of a tutor, she studied very hard and even wrote 35 compositions on her own initiative.. With such dedication, it’s much easier to pray for her that “God will reward her exceedingly far more than what we ask or imagine (Eph 3:20)”. I remembered once, when we were having dinner and I prayed that God would give her A1 for her “O” Level Chinese, the children started laughing. At that instant, I remembered Genesis 18:9-15, when the LORD told Abraham (a 99 year old man) that his wife will bear a son, Sarah started to laugh. It was at that moment, I felt my spirit quicken and prompted that my prayer request is fulfilled. Amen!

Keziah has completed her “A” Level examinations and we are expecting her results. Doing well in her examinations would be a boost to her esteem, rightfully so as she has worked very hard. My regular prayers for them would be to see God blessing them with good results. In time, I began to pray and “see” with my mind “eyes” that they actually do well. I must thank God that HE has taught me many things about prayer during my personal time with HIM. And it is this confident, that faith turn into reality. With her exceedingly good results, we are now bolder to ask God for more. We prayed that she would try to get a scholarship for her oversea university studies.

Thank God, He granted my birthday wish and a few days after that, Ministry-Of-Health send her the scholarship letter.

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One of the greatest joy as a parent is to see that the children’s faith grow in the LORD.  We are thankful that all the girls are well discipline and growing in the LORD. They are also using their talents to serve in the church. Charlotte is very much involved with the church’s youth and leading the cell. Keziah serves in the music ministry.

Recently, Keziah started doing some part-time job. It was very thoughtful of her to give some of her monthly salary to the parents. My greatest hope is that the girls will grow up to give and serve, just as Jesus Christ came to serve and to give HIS life as a ransom for us all.

I can truly say as the Apostle John: “I was overjoyed to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as we have been commanded by the Father.” (2John 4)

We can’t decide which family we want to be born into, but we can decide to grow together. Thank you, girls for being part of our family.

Agape