Family of Grace
Carrie reflects on how God has showed His grace to her and her family. She helpfully reminds us that each conversion is a miracle and act of grace, and encourages us to persevere in sharing the gospel.
As I pondered over what to write for this week's eNews that is in line with our sermon series on “Generations of Grace”, God reminded me of the grace He bestowed on my family.
Before the pandemic, my siblings and I would gather every Saturday in my late parents’ home at Geylang Lorong 3 which was returned to HDB end of 2020 when its lease expired. This was the place that we not only grew up in but also where our parents played nannies to our nieces and nephews when they were little. This place was where many fun memories of our big family were made and where we bonded. The bonds forged are still strong such that till this day, we are still gathering, though not weekly but regularly.
I grew up in this non-Christian family where we practised ancestral worship that my parents inherited from the generation(s) before. The gospel was unheard of and “alien” to most of us. However, God in His sovereign grace, was seeking out some of us in the family. The first act of His grace was leading me to Him. God in His divine providence brought the gospel to me during my school days through my neighbour and school friends.
The second act of His grace was when my fifth brother accepted Christ as His Lord and Saviour. His conversion was met with disbelief by most of our unbelieving siblings because of his rebellious past. Subsequent acts of grace were when my sister and eldest nephew came to know the Lord.
The greatest act of God’s grace in my family was when He led my father and a few months later, my mother (both were in their 80s then) to repent and believe in Him. I recall that it was a Sunday morning in the old church building, my heart was somehow burdened and in anguish for their salvation. I was at the choir loft pleading before God, crying my heart out for them. Lo and behold, in God’s providential grace, He answered my prayer when my parents put their faith in Him. I remember testifying of God’s faithfulness and grace at the prayer meeting.
Though majority of my family members are still not believers, God’s acts of grace have given me hope to persevere in prayer for the remaining generations of the family. Pray for Kai Mun and me to be faithful in preaching the gospel whenever opportunities present themselves, for we are recipients of God’s grace:
And can it be that I should gain
An interest in the Saviour’s blood
Died He for me, who caused His pain
For me, who Him to death pursued?
Amazing love! How can it be
That Thou, my God, should die for me?
Amazing love! How can it be
That Thou, my God, should die for me?
