A Weekly Meditation of Pastor Chang (June 28, 2009)

<More Love and Trust>

(A reflection after the second week of Mrs. Chang¡¯s surgery)

When I sense that my wife will be different after her surgery for a while (I have no any idea for how long) I begin to pray: ¡°Lord, give me more faith so that I may trust you totally that you will heal her completely; give me more patience so that I may go along with her to build her up; grant me your love so that I may walk with her to go through this ordeal.¡± The more I grow older the more I feel that to have company is so good. Let me urge all young couples: treasure your spouse! Do not let the evil trick you that you can find another better one to replace your present spouse; be alarmed, if you have such kind of thinking, it is from evil! Please from now on, discipline yourself in prayer to bless your relationship with your spouse, in good communication so that you may build up a good and sweet relationship day by day. I know that it is not easy because our human love is so limited, unless we get the unlimited and sacred love from the Lord. Ask, and you will receive. 

When I discover that my wife becomes forgetful, especially many events she totally forgets; such as, she cannot remember when, why, and what did she go through her surgery? And to the issues that she cares the most she will repeatedly ask me for at least 10 times a day; such as, ¡°How is the church situation in Staten Island?¡± ¡°How is the church situation in Flushing?¡± I need to give the same answer 10 times a day. I sense that I really need God¡¯s patience because besides responding to the daily phone calls from many people who care about the health of my wife; I also need to deal with the church ministry; furthermore, I need to deal with some medical issues, after my wife¡¯s surgery. And the worse part is: I discover that my wife even forgets when and what kind of medicine she needs to take? I ask the Lord: make me strong so that I can handle everything well. Tell you honestly, I really need to pray for double strength and energy. 

But I am very grateful, because my wife¡¯s physical condition is getting better and better when she is covered with love and care. She sleeps less and less from 18 hours a day to be more normal and becomes less tired. I deeply appreciate many church sisters who take turns to cook meals for us. Thank you for feeding us so well that I may gain some pounds. 

Recently the more I practice the biblical principles in my daily life the more I discover a kind of truth, which is: When anyone who has the love of Jesus Christ, even facing the troublesome it will turn to become sweet eventually. I do not know how does the Holy Spirit transform it? But I just know if we live in Christ, let Him in charge of our daily living, everything will be just like that. For example, I everyday need to answer the same question from my wife at least 10 times. I never feel bothered. Instead, I feel it is a good way to build her up and reconnect her lost memories. It is a journey that I am accompanying her to go through this forgetfulness. I sometimes need to use a joyful way to tell her about ¡°her own story.¡± Interestingly, it seems to bring us back to 30 some years ago when we were still boyfriend and girlfriend. It is so sweet, isn¡¯t it?  

When I think about this, in my mind as a pastor, each and every family of the GCC begins to appear in my mind. I find that I need to spend more time to pray and intercede for our church families and couples. I really pray that there is no bitterness between our church couples. I pray that no evil can take advantage over our families when we have family crisis. 

A few days ago, I read one book written by a family that I familiar with. A book to remember their parents ¨C a Godly couple who were husband and wife for 66 years, recently both of them went to be with the Lord. And between their departure times there was only 44 days. They left a great example and legacy for their 8 children to follow and all of their children are great Christians. Some are pastors, medical doctors, and good Christian workers in different ministries. I was so moved with tears by what the old couple did, it is not only because I knew this old couple, but also because of their wonderful testimony. Here is their motto: ¡°Abiding in Christ, and accomplishing what the Lord has given.¡± It was so beautiful.

 

I am thinking of our church. I pray that our church will not only attract people in to know Jesus Christ; hopefully, they also can be transformed to be more Christ like. Let every family be more beautiful and fragrant. Let us start with prayer! Bless your spouse and your children daily!  Let the Holy Spirit be our teacher!