Button Battery Boy One Year On

Exactly one year ago, I rushed down to KKH upon hearing that my son (then sixteen months) had swallowed and choked on something. When the surgeon came out of the operating theatre, I was expecting all to be fine but what came after was the darkest moment of my life. Cat and I were told that Luke had swallowed a button battery, not only that, because the battery was lodged in the moist esophagus, the battery released its current and burned a hole in the esophagus. To add to things, we had no idea if acid had flowed into his body. The world grew dim that moment. Terrifyingly dim.

During those days of uncertainty, whenever I saw thee empty cot, tears flowed. Whenever I unlocked my iPhone and look at the picture of my two beloved, tears flowed again. I sometimes asked, "Why God?". "Was it something that I had done?" I was utterly confused.

A year later, Luke is a healthy boy, completely without any symptoms of side effects whatsoever. In fact, he is quite athletic (can run pretty fast!). He's adorable. He brings smiles to whoever is around him.

I remember my prayer to God during those dark days. "God. The doctors have no way of healing him through medicine. They are unable to perform surgery to patch up the hole or clear up the acid dispersed throughout the body. Thus, if he were to recover, it would only be because of your sheer power and grace." God was merciful to listen to my prayer.

This is my testimony, that indeed God is the only source, only giver, only granter of life. He was the one who formed Luke in the womb of Cat and through a miraculous birth (he had a knot on his umbilical cord), was brought into this world. He recovered his life when it was almost taken away from us. He continues giving him every inhale and exhale just as he continues to let our heart beat the next moment. At the A&E, I remember the doctor (Dr. Janil Puthucheary, MP of Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC) telling me, "Its just a waiting game now." In other words, the doctors could not do anything. We couldn't do anything. No one could do anything. Nothing could be done unless God gives life.

On the cross, Jesus died to give us life. Not just life on earth, but life eternal. A life that no longer dies in sin. A life that no longer wallows in emptiness. A life that no longer is anxious over how can I save myself. And He proved that He indeed is the life, when He resurrected from the dead. He gave life to Luke. He gives life to whoever trusts in Him for the forgiveness of sins. He is the life giving Savior. He is the life giving Lord.

And of course, I also prayed. "Lord, if you are to take Luke away to a better place, to be by your side, please give me the faith to trust in you. To really trust that all things, good things, bad things, work for the good of those who love you. To trust that you are in control whatever happens. To trust that you care. And because of the saving work which your Son accomplished, we have a living hope that we will reunite again."

What can I depend on ultimately for the life of my son? Dr Janil was awesome. The staff at KKH A&E, I expressed my gratitude to every doctor, sister and nurse there. But ultimately, our dependence is upon the life giver, the life sustainer, the life saver, the authority of our lives, the one who say, that He is the bread of life. He gives His life for us, that we may give our lives for Him.

I end with some pictures of Luke. You can also read this blog post I wrote about 9 months back?

p.s.: He better memorize this post when he gets bigger!!!

Luke tied to so many tubes one year ago =(

But now, he's a happy boy wearing pony riding helmet!

I hate to admit it. But I really like his precious moments face.

With the world's best kor kor

All praise and glory to God.

Help! My Exams Are Freaking Me Out!

Its that time of the year again. The threat of being retained looms over your every instant moment. The subjects just seems so difficult. Going through it numerous times doesn't seem to help. Sometimes, you just want to shout out for help.

Well, I don't have a magic wand to help you cope with exam stress. But what I want to let you know is that the bible does give us principles on how to cope with it.

1. Just do your best for God and let Him take care of the rest.

"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men," (Colossians 3:23)

Just do your best. Leave the rest to God. Even if you end up getting less than expected results after trying your best, you can still be satisfied in telling Jesus, "I have given my best for you." and let Him guide the path onwards whatever it maybe. Even if you can't make it to the next year, to that desired school, to that long awaited course, God IS IN CONTROL.
The story of Joseph does not remain in our heads. The hard knocks are to be experienced in our hearts and lives, that we can truly say like he did, "God has meant everything for good," (Genesis 50:20)
Trust in God that He cares and has His best plans for you no matter how things turn out.

2. Just do your best and don't compare with the rest.

God has given some to be smarter in academics just as He has given some five talents, some others two talents and still others, one talent. But we should all note that however much talents we have, its all GIVEN. Its all grace. Its not earned. So, just do your best even if you are given just one talent. Don't compare with those who have two or five talents. Don't compare with those who score straight 'A's or have secured that scholarship. Know that whoever God has given more, more will be demanded from him (Luke 12:48). Stop competing and just do your best with the talents given to you.

3. Even if you have not done your best, you can still rest in Christ.

Perhaps you are feeling guilty because you have fallen short of not giving your best. Well who hasn't? But know that the forgiveness of our sins based on what Christ has done for us is not just some pep talk on the pulpit. It is utterly personal. Confess your sin before God, and know that He will forgive you. You can stop feeling guilty because Jesus has paid the penalty for you. Only start anew and strive towards giving your best. Give your best not because of selfish reasons, but because you want to live for your Lord Jesus Christ.
Identify the thing which is distracting you. TV, Whatsapp, FB, Youtube. Name the thing that is feeding your procrastination. Make concrete plans to deal with it.

Dear youths. God is in charge and cares for you no matter what your circumstances are. He has your best plans at heart though we cannot see it all right now. But this is called, trusting faith. He has created you uniquely. Don't compare with others. Just do your best for Him. If you have not been doing your best, tell it to Him and know that in Christ, you are forgiven. Do your best, not for your own ambition, but for your Lord. Hope it helps.

Everyone did what was right in his own eyes

"Everyone did what was right in his own eyes." Judges 21:5

With the exception of featured role model heroes like Gideon and Samson, we rarely read the book of Judges in detail. Yet, Judges is an essential read in today's pluralistic times. We live in a society where Christians are placed alongside idols of religion, wealth, power, luxury, sexual satisfaction. These idols make no authority claims on you. They are customized for your convenience where you can pick them up or drop them anytime you want. This ultimately leads us do whatever seems right to us. We are the authority, we are the lords of our own life. I decide what is right. I choose my own set of customized gods according to my preferences and schedule.

But when that happens, Christians depart from God who should be the center and Lord of our lives. We depart from obedience to Him. God demands lordship over all areas of our lives, yet we have suppress Him into just a religious activity mutually exclusive to only Sundays.

In this generation, I weep over young girls who for the sake of making it big in showbiz bare their bodies to the lusting eyes of the world. These young children gyrate to sexual explicit dance moves. Country by country, same sex marriages are made legal. Abuse of technology has seized our minds from meditating on God's Word.

We are increasing in rebellion to God day by day. How can we avoid the wrath of God? Judges show the repeated cycle of Israel's rebellion to God, Israel's rebuke and reprove by God, Israel's repentance to God, and in God's mercy, He rescues this undeserving people who sadly does not appreciate or even remember what a great a grace they have received and soon, the sad cycle repeats.

Isn't it the same for us? In church history, God has raised amongst us faithful servants of Him. Yet the church continues its decline till the day the ultimate deliverer comes.

Ask Ourselves

Which will we choose? God as Lord over all areas of our lives? Or will we choose the preferences of this age?