June 2013,
A Tribute to Dad
(by Rev Goh Seng Fong
June 29, 1979)
My heart has many fond memories of you. What I am today as a servant of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ has been, in many, many ways, influenced by you. In you, I see the faithfulness of the all-providing Almighty God. As a child, I can still remember the times of privilege and joy when I put my hands trustingly in yours, knowing that you would care and provide. Even in these short years of my marriage life, I can see your faithfulness in taking care of us. Our physical home has your touch of care. Our cupboards are filled with your supplies. The lives of your son, his wife and your grandson have been so refreshed again and again by your constant presence, protection and provision. Truly, it is then not difficult for me to believe that there is a God of faithfulness and love because you, as His creation, has exemplified Him, the Creator. Also, it is not difficult for me to give up my life fully to the Almighty God and Father as His servant, because you have been an example of His Reality and Faithfulness in providing for my family and for the family of the believers of Jesus Christ and for others who need the Saviour Jesus Christ.
Many other lessons have I learned from you that which I cannot pen all at once, but that which I will always praise God daily for you as I am called into remembrance of them. One great lesson, however, stands very prominently which you have taught, not just only with words, but, above all, with your actions and life. This great lesson which you personify is the constant persistency of your labour of love in many practical ways for me and the family, as well as for many that have come in contact with you. Even in times of misunderstanding, you have stood the test of consistent love for us. Nothing that we have done or said stops you from loving us. Many are the testimonies of your labour of love and many mourn your quick departure from this life.
You are now entered into your deserved rest. All souls belong to the Lord God and you are now returned to Him. You have lived well and the Lord God has appointed your rest from the fury and weariness of this life. Your physical body, dust it is and to dust it shall return, is now sown to the ground but it shall be raised incorruptible and put on immortality. Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, not only died for our sins so that our sins are forgiven, but also rose up from the dead to guarantee our bodily resurrection. Then death will have no more sting and grave, no victory. Then God shall wipe away all tears from our eyes, and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain, for the former things are passed away.
I promise to take care of your companion of over forty years, your wife, and my mother. In your choice of her, you have provided me, my brothers and sisters, one of the greatest mothers of the world. We thank God very much for both of you. May we live our lives wisely, never foolishly, never a grief to you or to her that bare us!
You are now gone ahead of us and we know that you are still concerned that we live our lives well. You have always written “May God Bless You”, and we know that as you are in the presence of the Lord God, you are personally requesting Him to bless us with His salvation, wisdom and strength to do and complete His will. May the Lord God help us that we will be worthy of His Name, and your prayers for us! We will meet again before His Throne and praise God for all that He has done for us. Till we see one another again, enjoy your rest in God.
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