THE SHEPHERD’S CORNER
This week has been quite unusual. First, Tante Lian was admitted to the hospital but thank God, she was discharged on Friday. She had a fall. Roni’s father, Oom William was also admitted to the hospital for urinary tract infection but praise God, he was discharged also on Friday. On Saturday Tante Wydia was discharged from the nursing home. Thank God, she is now fully recovered from her pneumonia. THE SHEPHERD’S CORNER
This week has been quite unusual. First, Tante Lian was admitted to the hospital but thank God, she was discharged on Friday. She had a fall. Roni’s father, Oom William was also admitted to the hospital for urinary tract infection but praise God, he was discharged also on Friday. On Saturday Tante Wydia was discharged from the nursing home. Thank God, she is now fully recovered from her pneumonia.
However, on the same day Tante Lian and Oom William were discharged, Oom Ping Tiauw was admitted to the hospital. His kidneys are not doing too well. And, there was somebody else. Santy just received the news that her best and childhood friend, Linda, had been diagnosed with cancer, which already spread to her lungs and spine. Some of you might still remember her because she and her family came to visit us from Australia. They also attended our 2015 Old and New Service and Celebration in Glendora.
What do we make of all this news? When I called Oom Andy during Tante Lian’s hospitalization, I asked how he was doing, being home alone. Oom Andy replied, “I am with God!” Then he said something else—something poignant, “This is life, Paul.” Yes, this is life. Nothing is perfect, there is no one who is always healthy, and everything can go wrong. This is life.
That is the reason I keep going back—again and again—to Isaiah 43:1-3, “Do not fear for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flame will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.” This is life—with God!
Pastor Paul
However, on the same day Tante Lian and Oom William were discharged, Oom Ping Tiauw was admitted to the hospital. His kidneys are not doing too well. And, there was somebody else. Santy just received the news that her best and childhood friend, Linda, had been diagnosed with cancer, which already spread to her lungs and spine. Some of you might still remember her because she and her family came to visit us from Australia. They also attended our 2015 Old and New Service and Celebration in Glendora.
What do we make of all this news? When I called Oom Andy during Tante Lian’s hospitalization, I asked how he was doing, being home alone. Oom Andy replied, “I am with God!” Then he said something else—something poignant, “This is life, Paul.” Yes, this is life. Nothing is perfect, there is no one who is always healthy, and everything can go wrong. This is life.
That is the reason I keep going back—again and again—to Isaiah 43:1-3, “Do not fear for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flame will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.” This is life—with God!
Pastor Paul