5 February was really my busy day. From Monday to Thursday, I had not stopped doing research about my studies. I am doing nine subjects for this semester: New Testament, World Religion, Hebrews Language, History of Christianity, Homiletics, Asian Church Music, Research Methodology, Music Theory, and Field Education (Research on Weekly performance in church). Altogether, I have more than 5000 pages to read in order to fulfill the task of the reading program. It is a compulsory program, considered as one of the assignments. Once I accomplish my reading program, the chances of passing the subjects will be higher.
On 5 February, I woke up at 6am to revise “Romans”; 7:40am New Testament class; 8:35am Research Methodology; 9:30am Assembly for STS students; 11am Research on world religion; 12:30pm lunch time. Wow! I was so glad to return back home during lunch time. Immediately, without hesitation, SHOWER first! After the shower, I went into my room, drying my hair, sitting down on bed, preparing to study World Religion, taking up my phone. Then I saw a SMS…
“…our grandma just passed away today…”
A long period of silence… Staring at the SMS, and read it a few times… Heart pumping fast… “No! It’s too sudden! It’s too…”
Unexpected…?
7 February 2009 was my grandma’s funeral service. That’s the first time I experience that one of my relatives passed away. My mother was mourning bitterly, profusely… I was standing besides her, giving her the most caring support; comforting, hugging my mother. This is also the first time that I saw my mother mourning so bitterly. When I looked at my grandma in the coffin, tears just filled up my whole eyes, though it didn’t drop. My mother kept on talking to her mother, lying dead in coffin. I really had nothing to say. My youngest sister was patting on my left shoulder when she saw the tears in my eyes.
Ephesians 6:1 – 2
“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this right. ‘Honor your father and mother’ – which is the first commandment with a promise.”
My mother and her sisters were regretting that they didn’t spend much time with their mother, though they love her dearly. From that time onwards, I truly understand what it means “spending quality time with parents”.
Readers, we only have one mother who gives birth to us. We only have one father whom we share the same family blood type. Please cherish our parents whenever we have time to accompany them. Don’t focus on our life too personally. Our parents need us too. From now, I will always give most of my time to my parents especially my mother whenever I have a chance to meet them. As you know my life, studying and serving at same time, my time with my parents is scarce. Whenever there’s a chance to meet them, that quality time with my parents is absolutely precious to me.
Heavenly Father, thanks for being with us all the time, even though sometimes we only look for our own interests. God, forgive us for sometimes we ignored Your presence.
Praise the Lord for your parents are still nagging and scolding you now.
Cherish these precious moments.
Cherish our father and mother.
