Thursday, August 14, 2025

二百零三阵风 之 这是一场由神亲自带领的毕业旅行!

从爸爸今年四月第一次进医院、出院、六月再次入院,从CCU到HDU到ICU 、到单人普通病房、到回到家中、最后回到天家,都看到神的带领和眷顾。

神的工作就是如此奇妙,用粤语来说就是“估你吾到”! 爸爸从刚硬的心,到愿意全然接受耶稣基督成为他个人的救主并相信神,这都是圣灵的功劳。

神亲自带领弟兄姐妹去到爸爸家中向他传福音和分享见证,两位传道在医院带领爸爸作的决志祷告,长老夫妇的每日探访和代祷,我们与弟兄姐妹为爸爸祷告、读经和唱诗给他听。
爸爸虽然躺在病床上,感谢神,他依然保持清醒,能够听福音、听赞美诗和祷告。上帝每赐他多一天,他就多一天的恩典听神的话语,当我们看见爸爸的回转归向基督,我们都满心感谢神的怜悯与恩赐。

神赐下足够的恩典,让我们家人能够与爸爸互相说出心底话,我们互相道歉与宽恕。我们告诉爸爸我们有多么的爱他,也告诉他要爱神、要倚靠神、要紧紧抓住神的恩典。
神也赐给我们有足够的时间,爸爸能够全程参与他自己的追思会预备,爸爸选择火葬,且亲自选他自己最喜欢的照片、衣服和裤子。当我们告诉爸爸他的追思祷告会和灵位的地点时,他举起双拇指表示满意。

在两晚的追思礼拜到第三天的出殡礼拜,都有多名的非信徒亲友是第一次出席基督徒的丧礼,他们都惊讶地表示到原来基督徒的丧礼是多么的环保、祥和、平安和温馨。有者说原来基督徒的丧礼是不需要不断地焚烧任何的物品导致烟雾弥漫而薰到双眼流泪且刺鼻;有者说基督徒的丧礼所播放的赞美诗听了令人感到轻松喜乐;有者说没想到基督徒丧礼的雰围如此舒服和平安,好象在出席一场喜宴;也有者说基督徒的追思礼拜所传讲的讯息、亲人的见证以及弟兄姐妹的陪伴与安慰,都带出了无比温馨的雰围。没错,的确如此,连续三天的追思礼拜都是以神为中心,都是多人为神做美好的见证,都是传讲福音的契机,都是为着还活着的人的救恩祷告祈求。当中有悲伤、泪水和不舍,同时也有安慰、盼望、平安喜乐和有福的确据。无论是家人还是来宾,从年幼的到年长的,信主和未信主的,大家都领受到从神而来的平安和盼望,都有大大的得着。

当我自己缅怀爸爸时,我不记住他的过失。我回顾爸爸的一生,我看见神所赐给他有爱人如己的心和怜悯之心,他一直以来都乐意助人,他的老朋友们都说年轻时都受过爸爸不少的恩惠。从钱财上帮助的慷慨解囊到有力出力的帮助,无论是邻舍还是陌生人,爸爸都给予及时的帮助。我也看见爸爸的“含怒不可到日落”,爸爸都宽恕那些得罪过他的人,鲜少记仇。

我更要记住,爸爸从不信到坚信耶稣基督,在病痛当中为主作见证,激励了家人对神有更多更大的倚靠,这是他留给我的属灵遗产。我要把这见证告诉我的子子孙孙,好叫他们知道他们的祖父曾祖父是如何抓住神的应许和救恩,且要教导下一代要紧紧跟随神。


From Dad’s first hospital admission in April this year, his discharge, his readmission in June, his journey from the CCU to HDU to ICU, to a private general ward, then back home, and finally to his heavenly home—we witnessed God’s guidance and care every step of the way.

God’s work is truly wondrous; as we say in Cantonese, “He works in ways you’d never expect!” Dad’s heart, once hardened, came to fully accept Jesus Christ as his personal Savior and to believe in God—all by the power of the Holy Spirit.

God personally led many brothers and sisters in Christ to visit Dad at home to share the Gospel and their testimonies. Two pastors led him in a prayer of commitment at the hospital. An elder and his wife visited and prayed for him daily. Together with fellow believers, we prayed for Dad, read Scripture to him, and sang hymns. Though confined to his sickbed, by God’s grace, Dad remained lucid—able to hear the Gospel, listen to worship songs, and receive prayers. Every extra day God granted him was another day of grace to hear God’s Word. Witnessing Dad’s repentance and turning to Christ filled our hearts with gratitude for God’s mercy and gift.

God granted abundant grace, allowing our family to share heartfelt words with Dad. We offered apologies and forgiveness to one another. We told Dad how deeply we loved him, and urged him to love God, to rely on Him, and to hold fast to His grace. God also gave us ample time for Dad to participate fully in preparing his own memorial service. He chose cremation and personally selected his favorite photos, clothes, and trousers. When we told him about the locations for his memorial service and niche, he gave a thumbs-up of approval.

Over two nights of memorial services and the funeral on the third day, many non-believing relatives and friends attended a Christian funeral for the first time. They expressed amazement at how eco-friendly, peaceful, comforting, and warm it was. Some remarked that Christian funerals don’t require constant burning of items—sparing them from smoky, teary eyes and acrid smells. Others noted how the hymns played brought a sense of lightness and joy. Some said they hadn’t expected the atmosphere to be so comforting and peaceful, almost like attending a joyous banquet. Still others shared how the messages shared, the testimonies from loved ones, and the presence and comfort of brothers and sisters created profoundly moving warmth. Indeed, it was true. For three consecutive days, the memorial services centered on God, bore beautiful witness before many, became opportunities to share the Gospel, and offered prayers for the salvation of the living. There was sorrow, tears, and reluctance to part, but also comfort, hope, peace, joy, and the blessed assurance of faith. Everyone present—family and guests, young and old, believers and non-believers—received peace and hope from God and were deeply enriched.

When I remember Dad, I do not dwell on his faults. Looking back on his life, I see the heart of compassion and love for others that God gave him. He was always eager to help people. His old friends often speak of how he generously assisted them in their youth—whether through financial support or practical help. Dad offered timely aid to neighbors and strangers alike. I also remember how he lived out "not letting the sun go down on your anger." He forgave those who wronged him and rarely held grudges.

Most importantly, I will remember how Dad moved from unbelief to firm faith in Jesus Christ. Amidst his suffering, he testified for the Lord, inspiring our family to rely on God more deeply and profoundly. This is the spiritual heritage he left me. I will share this testimony with my children and grandchildren, generation after generation, so they may know how their grandfather (and great-grandfather) held fast to God’s promises and salvation. And I will teach the next generations to follow God closely.

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