So we had this small chitchat. He said he was checking out this abandoned townhouse in our subdivision. Because he said he was a freelance real estate broker. He's got a wife, a 2-yr old grandchild and four children, to which he said "Dapat nga lima sila eh.." So I said to myself "Hmmm.. Why not 5?" So I thought his wife must have had a miscarriage a long time ago. But no, it was not a miscarriage at all.
So before asking him, as if he already knew my question, he said that his 20-year old son died of cancer just last year. I was surprised. Who is this man, who I just happen to meet for just a minute or two, sharing his story to me? And so as any normal person would usually do, I listened -- intently.
He said that his son had bone cancer. His son got it from a leg injury from playing badminton. The doctor said that his son will live for only a year. But he said, God is good, his son, Jim (not his son's real name) had lived for another 3 years - 3 years of no chemotherapy, just Jim's faith and an alternative medicine of some sort, which I did not bother asking him.
I didn't know what to react at first. I felt sorry upon hearing his son's story. How can this man share something like this to a stranger like me? Who would? I believe he has a purpose. He just wanted to share God's love, even to a stranger like me. Well luckily for him, I found God already. Haha!
He's had his share of God's love, which was so evident in his story. He said that when the doctor had his son's leg amputated, God provided a very good prosthetic leg worth half a million. When his son died, somebody provided for the casket. And just 10 minutes after his son died, he received a phone call from a friend. His friend just gave him a memorial lot, to which he said, "Oo nga 'no? Ni hindi ko nga naisip noon kung saan ko ililibing ang anak ko." So even in the direst moment, still God provided to this man. Even in the gloomiest day of this man's life, God took care of his "unfortunate" but apparent needs -- a casket and a memorial lot.
He said that if it weren't for God, he could not have overcome the death of his son. If it weren't because of his faith in God, he could have easily given up. Many people have asked him how he did it, he said "Kahit ako naa-amaze, siguro dahil lang talaga sa grace ni God."
Kuya Cris' testimony really struck my heart. I even wanted to cry at that moment while he was telling his story. I wanted to cry, not because I pity him and his situation. I wanted to cry, not because of his sad story. I wanted to cry, not for the sake of crying. I wanted to cry, because I was amazed of God's grace, not just for this man, but for all of us as well.
I remember going through a similar situation like his (well not the death of a person, just to be clear) -- the same trying, heavy, difficult situation. Where there's no other way but to ask God for his grace.
God reminded me right now of that situation. The only thing that God revealed to me, in those toughest times of my life, is His promise found in 2 Corinthians 12:9. It says:
"But he said to me,'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me." (NIV)
This is what I saw in Kuya Cris. God's grace was sufficient and was made perfect for his weakness. He boasted all the more, with gladness about the death of his son. And with that I saw Christ's power that rested upon him.
I am glad that Kuya Cris found God before his son died. I am glad that he relentlessly relied on God in his times of diffuculty. I am glad that he made God the strength of his heart. I am glad that Kuya Cris remained faithful with his walk with God despite the situation he's gone through. I am glad, that whatever life may bring upon this man, I am assured that he will go through and endure it, again, by God's grace.
How about you? Are you in an unfortunate event right now? Whatever it is, no matter how difficult it is, just like losing a loved one, or small, just like picking which color of blouse to wear for the day, one thing is for sure: God's grace is sufficient -- His one, amazing grace. Just ask for it.
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| photo: www.mudpreacher.com |
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