Personal and family – Page 6

Category: Personal and family

Unravelling the DNA of Peranakan Chinese

2 October 2021 blogpastor Leave a comment

This news article came out in the Straits Times Science section on Monday: “Unravelling the DNA of Peranakan Chinese”. I wanted to blog about it since my maternal grandparents, my siblings’ and my children and grandchildren were in the featured pictures of the article. It was a shot taken during the traditional Chinese New Year visit to my eldest brother’s home. We took a family photo on most years.

*My children and grandchildren. Match them with the photo in the* Straits Times *article.*

However, I was overtaken by things to do. Funny thing about retirement: I keep thinking I have lots of time, but it usually turns out differently. I hiked Mandai forest on Monday, fasted and prayed on Tuesday, tried my hand at pickle ball on Wednesday, had some zoom meetings, and one evening I had an urging to paint my master bedroom. The ceiling of my 22 years home was original paint, and the walls have been painted twice in that period. It definitely needed a fresh coat. On Wednesday night I told my wife, I wanted to paint the master bedroom and I needed her help. She was a great support and helpmeet. By Friday noon, it was all done. Praise the Lord! I know this is in answer to prayer. This poor man cried to the Lord and the Lord enabled me to get it done. One of my retirement TO DO list is 70% done. What is left is the living/dining area. Lord, help!

I finally have time to cycle down to Jurong Lake with an overcast sky and cool morning breeze. I relish such alone moments to break away from home and be under God’s open sky, riding at a leisurely pace and observing people and flora and feeling the breeze against my face, and then to buy ayam penyet home.

After a pleasant lunch, coffee and a bath, I finally settled into my room. I listened to sacred music, gave thanks for the satisfaction of finishing the painting, and listened to audio scriptures Numbers 3, 4. It was about the Levites and the work God has called them to do: to provide logistical support whenever the tabernacle had to be moved. I noticed the Levites had a short span of twenty years of logistical role(from age 30 to 50). This is heavy duty work, and this shows God cares about his servants. Their role would change after their “retirement”. I felt grateful as I reflected on God’s call on my life. Like the Levites, it was a call, and I responded with a Yes. Now that my role has ended, my call to teach God’s word remains the same. The role and form the ministry takes will be reshaped in the years to come. Even the platforms used will be changed. I feel thankful and excited and with some jitters about new online platforms I feel inclined towards. I fear I am rambling and I digress too much. More on this some other time.

What I wish to point out is that I had actually written something about the research results of the DNA of Peranakan Chinese on 2nd August 2021. If you wish to read the full blogpost, Scientific Proof of My Maternal Lineage. I pray that you keep yourself in the love of God, and stay safe and live free of fear of bad news. “He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord. (Psalm 112:7)

Prayer Overcomes Procrastination

9 September 2021 blogpastor Leave a comment

One of the tasks that I have procrastinated is painting all the ceilings and rooms in my home. It has been nine months since I retired, and I am only halfway done. What do I do with procrastination? I bring it to God in prayer. This task goes on my prayer list and I let God know I have a problem and ask for power to overcome the inertia. I was reluctant to pay people to do it. I am virtually a one man show, and an old man show at that. Thank God my wife helps out to move furniture and clean up. Still I needed divine help most.

One morning I woke up and the idea of paint, paint, paint persisted until it overcame all excuses and resistance. It had to be an answer to prayer. I announced my sudden inspiration to my wife, who was leaving for her Friday ladies’ prayer meeting. I think she must have thought this idea would not take off and was probably surprised when I actually got it done.

I was amazed at the power to do. The Lord must have energised me to finish three quarters of the painting. I was so excited that the next two days, I completed the finishing touches, and moved in all the furniture to make ready my retreat room – the sacred space for me to withdraw, study, pray, idle, nap and write.

The momentum steamrolled its way into progress in other areas as well. What happened was that we had to reorganise a lot of old files and paper documents, books, clothes, bookshelf, storage boxes and a storage space. The result was stunning for us as we had lived with and accepted all this junk for so many years, and never had the motivation or strength of will to overcome the million excuses we came up with not to change things. Suddenly, like magic (and hard work) it was all done.

*I was pleased the writing and prayer space looked so inviting*

Looking at the results gave us great pleasure. For me it was a lesson in the power of prayer. Do as Mary, the mother of Jesus, did. “Son they have run out of wine.” Perhaps we should make of list of things to do, and that we tend to procrastinate, and simply bring it to God in prayer. Allow God to do something in the situation or in our life and co-operate with him. Let Him empower us even in the mundane problems of everyday living.

Brief Hugs and Goodbyes

29 August 2021 blogpastor Leave a comment

The past fortnight had been packed and poignant. My son Matthew and his family has flown for a work stint in Arizona. About a week later, my daughter, Elaine, flew back to Washington D.C. On both occasions, there was an unusual atmosphere because our goodbyes were short of fifteen minutes, at the drop off point of the Departure Hall of Terminal One, Changi International Airport. The airport was empty compared to the good old days. No long snacks and chats at a foodcourt in the airport. Brief hugs and goodbyes.

*Joshua, Ping, Juyoung, Chloe, Claire, Matthew, Elaine, Jenny, Kenny*

Matthew, his wife Juyoung, and his two children were in Australia for three years and came back two years ago to settle into Singapore life, renovating and living in his HDB apartment. It was wonderful to have them around especially with their two adorable, lovely children. They stayed for a while with us occupying two rooms in our apartment while theirs was being renovated. Then when they moved, they were still living ten minutes drive away from us – a great convenience for us to have time with our grandchildren. Now they have rented out their beautifully done home and we miss them.

My son Joshua came back from studies in London and he and his wife Ping were also staying with us for a while as they searched for an apartment. They hardly did any renovations before moving to their move-in condition HDB apartment. We were happy to have them around even though it was for a short few months. They are now happily living in their apartment near the city centre.

Finally my daughter Elaine came back from US because of Covid-19. All the staff had the option(with their bosses’ approval) of working remotely from their home country. She seized it and it turned out to be a good decision as she stayed with us a good year and a half. We had her with us for the two Singapore “lock downs” and we were happy for the time together knowing it would not be permanent.

When Elaine had been called back I had mixed feelings. I felt sad to miss her but at the same time I was relieved she had to go back, as working in Singapore according to Washington’s work hours played havoc on her body clock, sleep patterns and health.

WISTFUL YET GRATEFUL

I look back on the past two years with wistfulness and gratitude. Grateful for the gift of time with my two children and family. Life is unpredictable and transitory, so I realise that all these gifts from God are to be received with gratitude and to be enjoyed and treasured while they lasted. As I reflect on the past two years, I do so with fondness and sad longing, but comforted by the fact that my eldest son Joshua and his wife are still with us. I do not wish to take this for granted for God alone knows what the future holds for them or for us. Grateful for every good gift of time together.

Recently, I had been memorising verses from Ephesians. On the day, when Matthew and his family were doing their swab tests, the verse I memorised was: See then that you walk circumspectly, not as foolish but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. (Eph 5:15-17 NKJV). How pertinent and timely! The rooms will be empty but the days need not be empty. With the extra free time, there will be temptations to fill up the time with vanity, and to miss out on understanding the Lord’s will. Since God has created us in Christ Jesus for good works that he prepared beforehand that we should walk in them, I would want to focus on knowing and doing his will.

“Lord, help Jenny and myself to grieve well over what has ended, to be thankful for the new beginnings you have for us. You are gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love. Protect us from the temptations and the evil one who seeks to infiltrate our day. Fill us with your comfort, wisdom and energy. Amen.”