Season Of Favour

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16

"Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved - you and your household." Acts 16 :31

Again I have this urgent surge of wanting to visit my parents over the long weekend. School has been quite an affair with the never ending meetings, complaints, problems and what nought but the desire of my heart was to be with the old folks once again.

As usual, Muar is not quite an attraction to the younger generation and to the disappointment of my parents I took a slow ride back to my hometown to see their well being - alone - and fortunately with a maid tagging along. Oh ...that I have to live to see this day!

When the children were young and innocent, they listened to almost every instruction; all I had got to do was to pack them into the car and we would be to Muar to see Por Por and Kong Kong. The grandparents recounted the younger days when grandchildren were strewn around them all the time but now they look forward to only having the neighbouring kids' company calling them Por and Kong too...what a terrible state. We are ashamed of ourselves.

Somehow, I love to be in the good old boring town for I draw an inner strength just by reflecting the days of old and how the turns of life have created life as it is now. One very life turning event that has taken hold of a good part of my existence is mine coming to know the salvation of God way back in the mid 70s in the varsity through a long lost friend; Ms Teo.

Being born into a non-Christian home, my sister and I after having received the Lord Jesus as our Saviour, caused quite a commotion in the home when we started to practise the faith. But my mother is God-sent; she loves us like the way a tiger will protect her cubs and through this love, slowly but surely, opened herself to the faith and by God's grace accepted Him too in her life in her 50s. She was very brave and was painfully ostracised by her neighbours and friends for her sudden change of faith; but that was only momentary and people had to know her stand. She stood firm and by her faith she saw Acts 16 : 31 come to pass as all her children embrace the faith. But yet...my father is the difficult one.

Kong is lovable, fun , happy go lucky and almost in anything believes in the power of MONEY only. He often shared and said what's the use of a God when you don't have money and food on the table? Can your God provide what I want in life? One can hardly blame him cos he was brought up under such adversed and hard times and his utmost concern was that his stomach should be full all the time. No amount of small talk worked. We could only pray and watch.

Sometimes it takes a while; at times it takes a life time but God never lies. We stood firm in the word of God through the ups and downs of life but God is never changing ; He is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. It took all of us and the way we lead our lives to prove our faithful God to Kong. A realist, and who even reads the dictionary everyday to learn new words at 90, Kong was touched and moved by the spirit of God on a fateful evening dated 15 June 2008 in the USCI campus through the living testimony of 2 gifted singers - The Petra Singers- who shared how all the money in the world could not bring a wayward son back to good living accept through the love and mercy of God. When the spirit of God humbles a man, His Grace is truly sufficient. 33 years of praying...every prayer worthwhile...for before my very own eyes my father stood up and accepted Jesus. Hallelujah !...even the angels in heaven must have descended in joy and exaltation! The journey is to be ploughed but the great assurance of being with him eternally is EVERYTHING.

Yesterday, my mother said ; "Poh, you have to attend service with dad and me. The church members must also know we have a troupe of children and you will represent them today." I was sad; we must have grieved them. To have so many children and yet no one around them. In service, Pastor Catherine spoke on the Favour Of God; so appropriately expounded...it's God's favour that we should clamour for in life; His peace, wisdom and protection included. All the material things in life will just disappear with a tsunami but God's favour lasts forever.

To me, this season of favour is seen when I see Kong sitting in church with Por. This season of favour is when Kong and Por going to the alter for prayers. This season of favour is when I see Kong being humbled by the spirit of God. This season of favour is when my parents are in the Lord...favour of God.


I have to remember this day ...this season of favour. Kong is so refreshingly unashamed to be prayed for; Kong and Por are in God's favour. Thank you dear Jesus. I only prayed for the spirit of God to teach them each day His truth through the word. I am so very proud of Por whom at this age of 84 , diligently asked me for the Bible verses expounded in service and shared that she would earmark them so that Kong would read them later in the night. My dear girls at home...do you hear what I hear?

I caught this picture just to depict the solitude and loneliness they have to go through each day but maybe it is good cos the complications of their children's life (if they were to stay with them)would rob them of peace!


Por is ever so meticulous and particular over cleanliness...her kictchen speaks much, doesn't it?

The displayed photos stay close to their hearts when they miss the children.

Overlooking their unit we can see the Straits of Melaka, a lovely sight and the breeze is so very welcoming on a hot day.

As their units cover a wide angle, one can see almost anything ...from roads to bridges and byways...I am not exaggerating...I also could not resist taking the picture of a school. Just looking at the picturesque scenario would recall plenty of memories and the turn of events in life and how faithful God is to the family; for surely, O Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favour as with a shield. Psalm 5 :12.

And to complete the lovely weekend away from Subang Jaya, my generous pa would not allow me to drive home without the goodies.

The coveted Mee Siput

The special concoction of otak-otak...the girls asked me why they tasted especially nice this time.

These mouth-watering teo chew delicacies...Mee Sing...come home soon.

And...mama's final expression of love. 2 bottle of rice wine to perfect Chinese cooking. What more can one ask for ?

Thank you dear Jesus for this season of favour and a lovely weekend with Por and Kong.