Sunday, January 03, 2010

有很多的感想 II (in memory of Hannah Faith Chan)

Last night, I was at Jack's house again, having dinner with his family. Thanks to Clare for inviting me.

I had a really good day yesterday: having lunch at Pho Hung with Clare's family, shopping at Vaughan Mills, having a Vietnamese dinner with Jack's family.

After dinner, I was chatting with Clare and Jack, and we got onto the topic of tithing for church. I told her that based on my salary, I should be giving approximately $400 each month, and in reality, I'm offering a lot less than 10%. I told her that 10% is just a suggested amount, and some would tithe more than that, while some less. It was a really interesting conversation. At one point, Jack asked me a question.

How can I believe in a God who allows babies to die before they've had a chance to truly experience life and all its ups and downs?

For sure, Jack knows about Hannah's death, and that's probably why he asked it. I feel like God has truly been watching me during these past two months, making sure that if my faith ever were to waver, that someone or something would present itself to me and help me to understand a little of the way how He works. I told Jack what I learned from Pastor Keith. When God takes a baby away to Heaven with Him, it means that this baby never had to experience any unhappiness, shame, persecution or rejection. Everything that this baby knew during her short existence was her parents love, her grandparents' love, love from her aunties and uncles, cousins and friends. Imagine how much God must have loved Hannah to have chosen for her a life so purely made up of love?

How many of us can say that we've lived a life without fear, shame, guilt, or pain? Hardly any. One day, when we meet Hannah again in Heaven, I'm sure we'll hear her tell us about how much love she received. We'd never hear her talk about anything dirty, corrupted or sinful because she never had any experience with these things.

Even young children will sometimes be jealous of their siblings, or act selfishly, or show anger towards their parents. As a parent, you would have to teach your child why these behaviours are wrong, and then have to watch their children repeat these mistakes over and over again throughout their lifetimes. But for Alvin and Sze-sze, when that day comes, they will see Hannah in all her glory and purity. Untarnished. What an honour God has bestowed on this faithful couple!

I thank the Lord Jesus for showing His grace and mercy and love.

凌雪

在嚴冬飄雪中,
您能否看見她
在凌空
雪粉霏霏
與陽光
照射著
的光芒?

-朱鳳鳴

No comments: