God is absolutely marvelous and wonderful! He has been showing me the intricate yet beautiful tapestry of His sovereign workings. As in the book of Esther, I am convinced that some events, experiences, encounters and even education that occurred in an individual’s life are not just humanly decided or designated, but are divinely designed and propelled.
Getting Acquainted
It was August 2003 and I was in USA preparing to pursue a Doctorate in Psychology at Rosemead University, California, when my sister brought Pastor and I together. Thanks to the Internet – no wonder Jesus said we will do greater things than what He had done (John 14:12, paraphrased); the era we are living in has advanced tremendously compared to Jesus’ lifetime on earth – so that without physically meeting in person, Pastor and I could get to know each other despite the distance and the oceans between us. Although we had been exchanging emails for some months, I had no idea whatsoever of his looks as Pastor did not know how to send his pictures through the Internet. (Yeah, I was writing to a faceless person)
Coming Home to Malaysia
In most of my plans and decisions, I wanted God’s will to be done in my life so I shared my concerns (about further education & this relationship with Pastor) to 2 of my Christian fellow-workers at the women’s rehabilitation center where I volunteered (see Proverbs 15: 22 & Proverbs 12:15). Talking things out with credible confidants and hearing their feedback and perspective has a way of clearing my mind & my spirit; I felt led to return to Malaysia.
Flying homewards on board the Korean Air, I cannot help but wonder about Rebecca’s thoughts and feelings as she journeyed with Abraham’s elderly servant to meet the man she was going to marry – Isaac – whom she had never set eyes on (please read Genesis 24 – it’s a moving God-guided romance). Unlike Rebecca though, where Isaac was able to receive her and love her (at first sight?), my initial experience with Pastor was not that remarkable . . .
“He remembered . . .”
In the book of Esther, Chapter 2: 1b, we find that King Xerxes “remembered Vashti and what she had done and what he had decreed about her . . .” (NIV)
In remembering his ex-Queen, I believe the King not only recalled the final days of her unfortunate disposal, but also the early experiences they shared and lived together; how she stood by him, worked with him, grew together with him in his kingly position and power – and these memories may have caused grief and remorse within his soul.
Meeting me in person, Pastor could not help but remembered the romances, the joys and pains that he shared with his beloved late wife . . .
The Father of the House
I have heard it said that when men fall, it’s because of the 3 ‘Gs’: Girls, Gold and Glory . . .
Being married to Pastor for more than four years now, I can certainly vouch that with regards to the first ‘G’ – Girls, he keeps his marriage vows firmly by guarding his thoughts and mannerisms towards other ladies. Perhaps it was this commitment to be faithful and true that caused him to grapple with the actuality of getting married again.
Second ‘G’ – Gold; there is no question of his honesty and accuracy in this matter of dollars and cents. He does not like to owe people money neither does he appreciate it if people owe him. Where church funds are concerned, he is careful not to embezzle it and whenever possible, he would personally cut cost to help the church save in its expenditure.
Third ‘G’ – Glory; in his 15-year tenure as Pastor of TCC, he had been a ‘Mr. Nice Guy of few words’. Functioning in that capacity as a ‘nice’ man (‘nice’ is not the fruit of the Holy Spirit), Pastor – from people’s feedback to me – was seen as ‘soft’ and extremely complying; complying not just to people but also to circumstances. But God in His mercy, is molding Pastor, shaping him, realigning and readjusting his grasp and understanding of the apostolic Word so that he grows in his spiritual stature. Pastor is presently rising to be the head, the father of the house with a conviction that will not be shaken or derailed. Accepting this leadership role as father of the house, however, did not in any way pump up his pride and arrogance – he remains a simple, teachable and affable person.
By adhering and living out the values of loyalty, integrity, honesty and simplicity in the areas of the 3 ‘Gs’, the father of the house hopes to set the precedence and standard for the generation to come.
Ps. Paul Kim
To be continued . . .
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