PLMC Stories
Even in Sickness, I Will Thank Him! by Ian Yap
In Sep 2023, a month shy of my 51st birthday, I noticed that a small hard lump just below my right earlobe had grown rapidly in size over a few weeks. It bothered me enough to bring it up during dinner with the family. The dear wife straight out told me to go and get it checked ASAP, in spite of my protests that my schedule was packed. A morning slot happened to open up at the doctor’s so I went, expecting to be given a cream and a time-off chit. Instead, the doctor arranged an appointment with the hospital, marked with a priority stamp. What followed in the next three weeks was a whirlwind of medical appointments for a battery of tests, consultations and an urgent parotidectomy to remove the tumour in the saliva gland, as pre-op tests had been inconclusive for cancer. I would only know for sure when the lump was removed and investigated. Nothing prepared me for this uncertainty. I have a young family, I have aged parents, and I have responsibilities at work. My time here is not done yet, I prayed, and asked that God heal me. He can do it. Just say the word. I felt abundant hope, even though with the symptoms I had, nothing on Dr Google presented a positive picture. I clung to a verse that I dub the “Don’t worry, be happy” verse – Matthew 6:34 “Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” I asked the Lord to remove all worries from me and my loved ones, and that all will be fine. He can do it. Just say the word. I informed my family without any anxiety, just a feeling of deep peace.
With hope and peace, it was easy for me to be open and share my situation with people I know. Prayers and well wishes poured in. A couple of friends sent daily word for me to focus on and increase my reliance on the Lord. My fellow Silver Boxes leaders actively prayed and checked on me regularly, even activating their cells’ prayer warriors to pray for me. Our church pastors and staff also prayed for me, sending me encouraging notes, and a nourishment hamper. Carolyn and Soo Hoong also visited me post-op to pray for me. My daughters committed me to prayer each time they said grace before our family meals. God’s warmth and love enveloped me through my family, friends and church.
My op to remove the lump went well but it was only 2 weeks later that the biopsy outcome was known. When my surgeon told me was that the tumour was benign, relief swept over me. The Lord had been faithful once again. He never fails us.
With God’s grace, I am recovering well from the surgery. Through this episode, I could see that God is very much in control of all situations, and all His children need to do is to obey and rely on Him. His timing was so perfect – I was worried about my busy work schedule but meetings either moved or someone would cover my duties. He is Jehovah Jireh – the surgeon assigned to my case was the Head of ENT, my insurance took care of the major chunk of the medical bills, my family ensured I had the best care, and my in-laws even prepared my post-op recovery meals. I found new things to be grateful for each day.
Lamentations 3:22-23 says that “the steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness.” He is indeed REAL and I experienced Him each step of the way. No one will ever say thanks when they get sick, but THANK YOU, Abba Father!
My Prodigal Father God by Joy Lee
My recent trip to England for the birth of my eldest son’s first baby gave me an unmistakable glimpse of how prodigal God can be to His children. “Having or giving something on a lavish scale,” is how the dictionary explains the word ‘prodigal’, aside from its more common association of being wastefully or recklessly extravagant. And how Father God lavishly spoilt me!
First of all, my family made arrangements so that despite the long 14-hour flight to Heathrow airport, my flight would be hassle-free and restful (no jetlag either way!) so that I arrived in top condition to give postpartum help. And even though I arrived at the airport lugging nearly 50 kg of baggage, there was no shortage of hands reaching out to help me, right up to Daniel and Faith’s flat, and even to my own rented room in Cambridge. Fortuitously, ‘as lavished upon by my prodigal Father, Daniel had found this room which was within the same compound, just about 100m across the garden. My daily stroll at 6 am to and at 9 pm from the flat was a time filled with praise for God that chased away all fears of the dark and spooky.
Another sign of His goodness was how Sophie, my newborn granddaughter, was born around the time I arrived, even when she was not expected till a week later. This maximised the time I could spend with her in her first month. The clearest sign of God’s lavish love was how I could magically cook confinement meals that Faith enjoyed and finished up, even though I had not been cooking for the last 40 years! God’s marvellous culinary help be praised! Not being able to get silkie chicken or garoupa in England was inconsequential as God helped me to improvise when making the meals. God be praised that the new mother could get the best nutrition to recover her health and to lactate more successfully! Despite warnings of below-zero late winter temperatures and snow, the temperature was mostly double-digit throughout my time there, sparing me the English chill. (After I left, Daniel reported a return to single-digit temperatures there!)
In the mild weather, I had the luxury of daily walks in this pretty university town to do the usual tourist things and have my afternoon coffee and cake. God indeed indulged the Anglophile in me. Even after my return to Singapore, I am assured of His continued extravagant blessings as Sophie is growing very well and Daniel has been granted approval to resume his doctoral studies back in Singapore. Soon, we will be reunited in June. Our prodigal Father God be praised!
