Every Life Counts

Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart;

Jeremiah 1:5, NIV

The door of the clinic opened again. The young woman with her entire family – I assumed the young man is the husband, the older woman her mum and another woman with a child is her sister as they happily exchanged conversation with excitement. She was 5 weeks’ pregnant. I sat quietly and shared her joy as I was reminded of my own experiences.

Another young lady who was chattering loudly the entire waiting time with her friend was called in. She was very pretty and doubled with her loud voice inevitably caught my attention. As soon as she had gone in, the nurse called me to get ready as my turn was next. I moved to the seat right by the entrance to the room – the seat for the upcoming patient. Every time I sat in this clinic, my heart would be filled with such gratitude for four child births that God had seen me through. Today I sat here, waiting for my annual health check (I am not pregnant, in case you are wondering :). Every child’s birth had been significant milestone in our family and spiritual journey. Each has brought such unspeakable joy into our lives.

As my eyes scanned through the waiting room and caught sight of different expressions, I saw in this crowd of people - we were all so similar yet so different. We are women. Some young while others’ wrinkles had carved their character. Some seemed serene while others seemed anxious.

The door opened again. I overheard the doctor announced, “You are pregnant.” The door closed again. Shortly, it opened again and I overheard the patient’s indication of not wanting the child. My heart sank. The door closed again for a long while. I prayed silently.

The young pretty lady walked out. This time her face downcast. She was totally different from when she was waiting. Her jovial self was gone. Her face cringed. I looked at her with deep pain. Obviously, I do not know her nor her actual situation. Otherwise, I would throw my arms around her. I shot another quick prayer for her and went in. The rest of the day and week, I asked God to protect her and guide her to do the right thing. Every mistake must be redeemed. It must not be followed by another mistake. She may have her struggles but that little innocent life in her womb has a destiny, for God knows and set apart every child before conception and birth.

I know of someone who braved through her situation when the man she loved left her when she was pregnant. She delivered a sweet little girl and didn’t want to make another mistake. She repented and redeemed her joy in the Lover of her soul. No birth is an accident. You and I were carefully planned and purposed for his glory. You may not be in that lady's position. Or, you may be the subject of the rejection. Know that God knows you right from the beginning and his eyes have never left you. Experience his love as he sets apart - you, his child for a great purpose.

Join me in prayer to save an unborn child and pray for that young lady that she may meet Jesus if she hasn’t known him yet.

Father, it is so good to know you set me apart and has a plan for me. I pray also for this lady I chanced upon and asked that you will hear her cry. Deliver her from darkness and lead her to your Light and cause her to make the right decision. Protect the unborn child. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

I Can’t Trust God…!

say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, do not fear;

(Isaiah 35:4, NIV)


The morning buzzed off with excitement as the family headed for a trip to a nature spot in the little quiet town of Taiping. Anything to do with water is always a fabulous idea for the children. Our company trekked through the woods. We hiked up and down the rocky path while brushing off the tree branches from our way. The adventure thrill increased when someone spotted leeches. Everyone was alerted to beware of that little bloodsucker. I was praying that my little ones would be spared.Soon our feet touched the cool clear waters. The sound of music from the gushing waters was melodious and sweet. It never fails to capture our attention and captivate our senses. There were still some tricky paths before we got to the spot we could call upon for the day’s fun. While Ed and some friends continued to explore further up stream, the rest of us gathered at this really cool point where there was a huge flat rocky spot to sit right in the middle of the stream while water gushed through a slope forming a natural water slide; and a mini pool just in front of the sitting point. It was simply ideal for all – those who just wanted to sit around and watch, for those who couldn’t wait to jump into the inviting waters, some who were so ready to entertain us by their silliness and humor.

While all the excitement was going on, my little girl hung on to me which was not a norm. She was too fearful to do anything in case she meets that little bloodsucker everyone was alerting earlier. My means of reassuring her couldn’t convince her that she would be safe. She crouched by me with her arms tightly locked with mine. Everyone attempted to lure her out her “safe” spot. After all, she is always the one who was looking out for fun and full of faith. What fun was it to sit by mummy and sulk over nothing! So I prayed with her that God would take care of everything. No encounter with leeches. Finally, she overcame her fear and was about to arise to join the fun, I spotted a black thing crept on her inner thigh. “Wait, let me see…” I pulled on her and stretched her limb to investigate. Our worst fear of the day became a reality. Leech! Yes, that little most dreadful creature gripped tight on her little thigh while she panicked. I was dumbfounded for a moment as I was confident God heard this mummy’s prayer just a moment ago. How could he allow this??

That shocked girl was all whines and fuss after the leech finally dropped off. “I can’t trust God with leeches!” she protested loudly. I tried to maintain my spirituality and explained to my best that it was all over. Nothing I said was worth anything then. After all, God didn’t answer our prayer. I fumbled through my words and said, “But you always trust God…” Still upset, she replied, “I can trust him with other things but not leeches!” There were no right words to neither console her nor defend God (if God needed any sort of defending). It took a long while before she struggled through her emotion and joined the rest. The whole day I was left with my own struggles with God as my mind had been going through various issues of trusting God.

At bedtime, we raised the question of trusting God again. Her older sister calmly said, “Perhaps God wanted you to overcome the fear of leeches.” She was silent. It was a sign of acceptance. Otherwise the debate would proceed. Yes, many times we expect God to deliver just the way we expected. For this case, it did seem he didn’t care nor heard our prayers. The truth is I believe it has caused the little girl to know that she is still safe and being guarded. It is no big deal. A bit of blood wasted. There was no pain.

The incidence has left a mark on me. God’s answer may not be to my specific expectation but he surely watches over us while training us to be more courageous. I spoke to my own fearful heart to be strong and do not fear.

Are you struggling with some sort of fear(s)?
Take heart. The Lord is near and will deliver you out of your fear but most often than not, he will allow us to confront it and then conquer it.

Heavenly Father, watch over me and strengthen me as I face my fear(s). Let God arise in my heart for I am more than a conquerer in Christ. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Leave a comment if this post speaks to you. I would like to pray for you.

In His Time

Ignoring what they said, Jesus told the synagogue ruler, "Don't be afraid; just believe."

(Mark 5:36, NIV)

He pushed through the massive crowd. In his desperation, this father made his way right in front and threw himself down at the feet of Jesus. This is the man he needed to see. He heard of his incredible reputation of healing the sick. His only hope. This anxious dad pleaded Jesus to go to his house and heal his ill child. Although Jesus agreed to his plea, they were drowned in the sea of people pushing to get a touch of Jesus. The anxiety of this dad increased with Jesus’ relaxed composure. Jesus did not seem in any hurry at all. He even stopped to attend to other people along the way.

Soon, the worried dad received news from home that his precious daughter died. His only hope – Jesus, was not a hope at all?! Now all he could see and hear was a numb silence in his own spirit. Is there really hope? As he struggled to think rationally, he could hear the commotion around him. “It’s too late.” “Don’t bother Jesus.” “Your girl is dead.”

The message rang in my head and heart throughout this week since I read this familiar story of Jairus running after Jesus to heal his sick daughter to my toddler. Although the words are simpler in his small illustrated children’s bible, the Spirit spoke to my heart with clarity and hope.

How many times we look at our hopeless situation and are left numb?
How many times we see our vision die?

Jairus was standing with his living hope. He was face to face with Jesus. He pleaded. Jesus heard him. But his girl still died!

Have we thought we found hope but to see it slip through our fingers?
Have we screamed at God for deliverance and waited with anticipation, but He seemed to be silent? We thought it’s urgent but He seemed relaxed.

Jesus ignored the commotion and spoke with authority. He said, "Don't be afraid; just believe."

It calls for courage to keep believing which seems hopeless. When we encounter God and hears him, he empowers us to be brave and to continue to trust him even when we are face with impossibilities. As long as we are with Jesus, we are safe. Just believe…

As soon as Jesus reached Jairus’ home, he turned the overwhelming sadness into unspeakable joy. Jesus ordered the girl to get up and walk. Indeed she did!

…when we continue to believe and trust God, he makes all things beautiful in his time. When we wait and trust with believing heart, he turns a bad situation in which we mourn into a ball whereby we can dance. He turns our begging into banquet. He resurrects dead dreams and recover vanished visions.

So, don’t be afraid, just keep believing! A room for miracle to make God famous.

“Heavenly Father, give me strength and grace in the waiting. I know there’s nothing impossible when we are together. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

Stop and Bless

The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,

(Isaiah 61:1, NIV)

We grabbed our groceries and rushed to the cashier with the shortest queue. It’s the usual peak hours at the store with consumers coming in after work to do their shopping. We just needed a few items to fix a quick dinner before the man of the house shoot off for an evening meeting in church.

At the payment counter while I was watching closely the cashier keying in the prices and shuffling my stuff away for packing, Chrisa tucked on me and whispered, “Mum, can we do the 2010 Blessing with her?” There was an old lady right after me at the line. We had exchanged smiles earlier. She was very old and I found out later she was 85. A strong and steady 85. A sweet lady with a neat presentation. I thought I would really like to be like her when I grow old.

In my hurried mode, I gave Chrisa a quick reply, “We’ll see…” but the little girl was persistent. She pestered me again. I threw the question back to her, “Would you want to do it?” She gave a quick nod and said, “Yes.” Her respond was quite a surprise to me. Our church had launched the 2010 Blessing during Easter. It is a 3 month community project to bless 2010 people from all walks of life with prayer. Being a young and small church of about 20 odd people, we prayed for this radical move to reach the city with God’s blessings and then watch God unfold his wondrous acts. No doubt just touching a small drop in the ocean yet we felt this intentional effort will compel us to reach out with God’s compassion and propel us into action…to move and bless friends and new contacts.

My gung-ho lass targeted her first receiver with such compassion and urgency. I couldn’t say “no” no matter how hurried I was. So I paid and waited for the old lady to finish with hers. We exchanged smiles again. Then I strike a brief conversation with her and gave Chrisa the opportunity to ask her for a chance to bless her with prayer. The old lady was delighted and agreed immediately. I stood beside my little girl as she prayed for the old lady right there along the corridor of the store.

She taught me to stop in the midst of inconvenience to say a prayer for someone. She doesn’t know the person waiting in line behind us, but she was filled with compassion which propelled her into a simple act of love. She was urgent about her mission.

Is there anyone in need of God’s touch today?
Are we too busy to notice anyone in need?
Or is it our fears which cripple us to move into action?
Pause…in the midst of our busyness and reach out with compassion.
Don’t wait for a convenient time. It may not come by.

Heavenly Father, as You bless me so abundantly, I seek to bless others too. Open my heart to contain Your love. Open my eyes to see beyond every pair of eyes I meet everyday. Let me see what you see. Let me love as you love. Let me move as you lead me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

He is Just a Call Away

Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.

Jeremiah 29:12 (NIV)

The declaration of the Lord in Jeremiah 29:11 in our previous post, "God of Prosperity" is followed by subsequent verses which are as important and hold the key to the fulfillment of that promise. For many years as a young believer, I would hear this promise been quoted repeatedly. However, many occasion the subsequent verses were never mentioned. One day as I read the passage again, the following verses 12-14 gripped my heart. This promise comes with a requirement - an ACTION from our part. The only way to know the true success in life is to CALL upon God. The urgency must arise within our spirit to go and approach God; talk to him and his promise is he will LISTEN to us. So many of us complain God doesn't care, doesn't listen, life is so aimless. Question - have we talk to him enough? Listen enough? Then act on it.

In my schooling years, I walked into my house after school daily with the same ritual. Before I even bathed, I would sit beside my mum who worked on her pieces at the sewing machine. My ever patient mum would silently listened to my joy and pain of growing up. She rejoiced with me when I was happy and empathized with me in my challenges. In between my long talk, she would throw in wise counsel, usually only a few words but full of wisdom. Some days I would enter the room without saying anything. Mum would ask without fail, “Don’t you have anything to tell me?” She’s mum! She knows her child well. These are days when I was too tired to talk, too hurt to bring it up or found it too silly to share.

Throughout the past week, the word which brewed in my mind was “seek”. I persistently asked God for a deeper meaning of the word. I found my conversation with the Lord in my old journal pertaining to this very scripture, Jeremiah 29:12 and seeking him.

Cease complaining,
come and converse with the Creator;
cultivate confidence and courage!

His encouragement is just simply to stop fretting and complaining. His invitation is "come" - call me, converse with me for I am your Maker. I received my confidence and renewal of courage as a growing child as I talked to mum. We will find as we talk to God constantly, we are cultivating confidence and courage that we never knew we possess.

Just as my mum waited to hear from her eager child’s daily reports, God longs to hear from us all the time too. I am blessed to have a mum who was always ready to listen to me shout my joy as well as ventilate my frustration. We are certainly blessed with an amazing God who is always listening and always understanding. Perhaps for many of us, God is pursuing us like my mum did to me, “Don’t you have anything to tell me?” Do we have anything to come before Him today and pray. He promises – He will listen.

She's mum and knows me well.
He's our Father and knows us full well (Psalm 139).

"My Good Lord, I thank You for the invitation to come and converse with You. How blessed am I. I renew my pledge to You today to call upon You daily and all the time. As I do that, I long to hear You speak to me the secrets of Your heart. In Jesus' name. Amen."