What other way to start off my new year?
No other way than bragging about my God!
Yes, About HIM, not me.
I wanted to do this post yesterday, but since i got back at 3am today, it was already clocked in past 12.
So, instead of just ending a year with thanksgiving, I'll end and start a year with Thanksgiving,
a thanksgiving of God's goodness and favor throughout my life. I was encouraged my the testimonies on watch night, and was contemplating on whether to give one. I did not plan it, just that I was reminded in that day of God's goodness throughout this year! But, since there was no time, it's okay, as long as I am aware of the blessings from Him.
The story begins,
As a child, I was not that bright. I was not stupid either, just average.
I don't think much was expected of me, my parents were even considering of taking me off the Chinese school as they were afraid it was too much for me to handle.
All my life, it was always mentioned that my sister was bright, on how as a child she could do the jigsaw puzzle upside down, a story that as proud parents they never got bored of telling.
But the amazing thing as a child of God is, you don't need to be smart, you just need God.
It was only in standard 3 that I started picking up, started to excel more in my studies.
So by the favour of God.
UPSR 2003!
Can you spot me ? The fattest one right in the middle. LOL!
It was without a doubt God's favour. No doubt I did put in effort, (till this day i will not say that UPSR is easy, whereas PMR and SPM was), but a man can only do so much, and the rest is in God's hands.
I remember we had to squeeze through the crowd to find out our results pasted on the board.
I remember seeing all A's, checked again, true enough. Told my mom and she said:" Are you sure? Go check again and see." (See, told you not much expectations were put upon me)
It was since that day that they started expecting me to do well.
So I guess at a young age I realised the importance of relying on God.
I am really glad for that and I hope I never forget that!
Indeed all my life, HE HAS NEVER FAILED!
Of the many things that he has shown my favour and grace, I'll share a few.
The next is truly a testimony.
Heard of Oxford and Cambridge? here's the story.
In 2008(form 5), my mid year English essay piece gave an idea for my English teacher to enroll me into the annual Oxford and Cambridge of Malaysia Essay Writing Competition. I was definitely reluctant when I found out because I knew the chances of competing with 25 other schools from our country was zero. I told my teacher frankly not to choose me because I knew my own capability and I was sure that my English proficiency is no where near the rest of the students all around our country. She still insisted and signed me up along with 2 others.
Now, I was not trying to be modest and playing that old" I'm not that good" game with teacher.
My English is just about fine but if you wanna compare me with the whole country, let me just point out a few facts
* I DO NOT READ! at all, no books interest me.(so how do you improve if you don't read)
*My spelling is horrible( honestly, grammar is fine but spelling is just ...)
* I am considered the worst candidate if you wanna compare me with the other 2 candidates who reads a whole lot.
* It's OXFORD and CAMBRIDGE standard! ( This says it all )
Well, all three of us just went for fun, all said that we are just going for fun as we all stand no chance of winning. I think none of us prepared as none of the sample essays were passed to us( this was only discovered before we entered the hall which our dear counselor was so shocked when she found out all the essays she passed to teacher was not handed to us).
However, some time before the competition, I went for a camp that a Quote that " Nothing is impossible with God" stuck with me. It somehow was very real to me and made me meditate on just that scripture for a long time. Even the night before the competition, the verse was just residing in my mind over and over again.
Day of competition, we entered the hall, along with 74 other candidates from all around Malaysia.
We were given only 1 hour, to read, choose and write a 1000 words piece. Everyone rushed and managed to finish. There were 8 examiners/judges who marked the essays on the spot as we headed to the other hall to check out the public speaking competition. As for our essays, they were marked with order, eliminating pieces stages by stages, finally with Chief Judge Ms Margaret Hall choosing the top 3 followed by 3 consolation placing.
After the public speaking competition, they announced the champions for both events, and guess what?
I got 1st runner-up!
My counselor was way more excited than me as she jumped up and down with joy when they announced my name.
Of course I was extremely shocked and happy at the same time. ( My friends told me that my whole face was red and I was shaking in shock as I walked up the stage)
I only have God to give glory to. Why ? the reason why Pn. Wong was so happy for me was because no one from my school has ever gotten into the top 3 despite sending good candidates each year. The nearest we came was in 2006 where one got a consolation prize. Trust me, 2006 graduated were one of the best as they were simply excellent when it comes to English.
I don't think my family members even thought I stood a chance as I'm always the one with the worst English at home.( Yes, my sister always says her English is better than mine)
I even got RM400 form that one hour!
My God is simply awesome.
In the same year, I was nominated to receive the highest award granted to a student n high school. In my school it was known as " Anugerah Pelajar Wawasan" or more commonly known as tokoh murid in most schools. The surreality of god in this picture is because the nomination came from a very surprising source, my assistant principal. Throughout my 5 years in school, I did contribute a lot and served the school in many ways, but i think not many that she was aware of.
So I was extremely surprised when she asked if I was nominated and decided to nominate me, a clear sign that it was not my my own strength but on God's. So all nominees had to get a few things done for the application to be processed. I remember Pn. Chow( my cf teacher) told me and my friend that we shouldn't waste time doing these and should focus on studies because it was almost impossible to get chosen. She later apologized as she said that I was chosen. So..
I was to do a write up about myself for the program book after being chosen for the award.
A write up on my achievements in school and the posts I hold in school or how I have contribute to school. Basically it was a self edifying write up. Then we would pass it up to be edited, then printed. Each year, the write up usually ends with a personal quote that one believes in. For mine? It was without a doubt " Nothing is impossible with God". But i knew I had to be really bold to write that, as I was in a Kebangsaan school and that statement would probably be edited anyway. I finally decided to just leave it as it is instead of making it less obvious like using" nothing is impossible to those who believes" instead because it was what I truly believed.
You know what? they did not edit that part at all. So, it was, printed out and circulated on that day. another thing, on the day that I passed up the write out, I was inform that I was also chosen to receive another award " Pelajat Khidmat Cemerlang" which was given to about 15 students each year. It was like a sign from God that if I gave Him the glory , he'll continue to favour me.
I received 6 awards on that day( others for clubs like scouts, prefects, leo and ed bod), a reminder of God's hand in my life.
In 2009, God had indeed continued to favour and blessed me whether I realized it or not.
So, an answer to a very common question, "Why do I keep going to church and continue serving Him?" The answer is simple, How can I not? It's my joy and honour to do so and God has never failed me. SO how can I keep from Praising His name?
So, this is my story, you can only identify if you experience His goodness too. All you have to do is ask.
