Blessed Charlene and us

Charlene and us have been very, very blessed.

When she was first born, Dez and I were badly shaken by her congenital condition. But we were blessed to have someone meeting us to share his personal story, and giving us hope and encouraging us. (read post 4 Nov 2009). Our friend also sent prayer requests to three churches in Singapore to pray for Charlene.

United in Prayer

- This time, our whole church prayed for Charlene fervently. Two sisters from the Chinese congregation later shared that the church was united as one through praying for Charlene.

- Many people whom we knew through the special-needs children support group were praying for Charlene too. St John St Mary (SJSM) church also prayed for Charlene.

- Our family, relatives, friends, colleagues and Charlene's teachers were also praying for us.

- During those weeks at the hospital, so many visited Charlene and brought with them prayers, food, drinks, car rides and company. There were also strangers whom God has sent to pray for Charlene in the ward;  2 different Deborah, Reverend Cecil, Prophet Russell and a taxi driver called Peter.

6th Degree of Separation

I once joked that half of Singapore praying for Charlene. After the funeral and talking to our brothers and sisters in Christ, I think my joke may turn out true.
- Our church friend met a client and explained that he could only meet her in the morning because he had to visit a 4 yr old friend in NUH and the client asked "Is it Charlene?"
- Our university friend told a friend she is going to NUH to pray for a 4-yr old kid and her friend asked "Is it Charlene?"
- A mum of a special needs child was sharing Charlene's story to an ex Rainbow teacher who came to visit and the teacher asked her "Is it Charlene?"

You Never Let Go

Prayers and care and concern from fellow brothers and sisters in Christ supported us and provided us with strength. We knew we were not alone. We knew God sent them to bless us and help us. We knew God never let go of our hands through the calm and through the storms.

We thank God for all the prayer warriors who have prayed fervently for Charlene throughout these weeks.
Though the end result may not be what we have prayed for, we believe that our God is a good God and our God is a sovereign God.

We don't know God's plans. While we don't know, God is already working His purpose in all of us. Reverend Erick shared how he didn't know he could pray so hard and so passionately. Perhaps, many of us through praying for Charlene has drawn closer to God and have our prayer lives transformed.

God loves us while we were still sinners.When God gave His one and only son Jesus for us, He gave us a choice to believe or not. We must remember God's unconditional love for us. And we love God because of His unconditional love for us not because he can answer any of our prayers. God is not our genie whom we turned to for our own wishes.

The Bible says in 1 John 5:14
...if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. (emphasis added)

Charlene's purpose and mission on Earth has completed. And our loving Father has decided to give her heavenly reward. We have been reassured many times that she is running and smiling happily in heaven. It is of great comfort to know that she is completely restored and filled with joy in the presence of our Lord Jesus. And we know we will meet again.

So long Charlene. Be a happy angel.