Have you written your epitaph?

Face it. We will not live forever. Are you ready to face death? Where are you going? Or is death still a taboo subject and you find it too superstitious to even mention it.

 Perhaps you may even think that it will not come so soon.

I wrote about how a business contact smsed me about her brother who was having a meeting and suddenly threw a fit before collapsing into a deep coma due to a massive stroke.

He was brain dead after surgery for a few weeks.  I just received an email to inform me that  he has passed away in his coma.

How sad? Oh how suddenly is a life taken away?  He is only in his late forties and he left behind a wife and young children.

My father in law is such an inspiration to me.  His wife died some 15 years ago from a crippling disease which destroyed her joints and kidneys. He is living with us now. He reads his bible every day. He sings hymns and visits his friends who are not well.  He never skip church services unless he is very sick. He is still going to work at a small hotel even at this age. He is totally independent. He is also the handyman in my family. He cooks pepper crabs for us once in a while. When a tap leaks or a bulb blows he is there to solve the problem.

He is now 78 years old and he is all ready to meet our Saviour in heaven. His only concern is for his siblings, relatives and friends who are still outside the kingdom of God.

He has written his epitaph in Mandarin and I decided to translate it into English for him.

I can see that he has real joy and peace in his life. What a beautiful and inspiring life. What an example for me to follow.

Here is the translated epitaph of my father in law to be read in the future

My Christian testimony  (To be shared in the future)

I don’t receive much education so I couldn’t write much. But I thank God that He has enabled me to write this testimony. It is by His Grace that I am redeemed to become His child.

I come from a traditional family background and we had been worshiping idols in our family for many generations.

My only daughter became a Christian when she was in her secondary school. This was a very serious setback to our family which had held on to our tradition of idol and ancestral worship for many generations.

I got very angry when my daughter brought home her bible. I scolded her and even caned her. I eventually chased her out of our house. Fortunately there were understanding and caring neighbors who intervened and calmed me down.

But my daughter did not give up her faith because of my persecution. Instead she persevered to pray for my wife and me.  She prayed everyday for our salvation.

A miracle finally happened! One Sunday, my wife and I picked up our courage to follow my daughter to her church. We wanted to find out what the church is all about. But I never expected to find so many brothers and sisters who were so friendly and caring. We received a warm welcome from the church members. We didn’t feel like we were strangers to the church. We finally realized that the God whom my daughter trusted is the true God.

The messages preached by the speaker helped to encourage us. I didn’t know that God’s love is so great. I was touched by the hymn “Amazing Grace”. Both my wife and I decided to accept the Lord Jesus as our Savior on that day. Hallelujah, praise the Lord! We even had all the idols in our home removed immediately.

All these happened in the year 1982. The Gospel is so amazing.  We subsequently joined our daughter to attend New Life BP Church in Woodlands New Town and took part in the church activities.

Of course we still encounter problems, difficulties and discouragement as Christians but our loving God always listen and answer our prayers.

Our life becomes more meaningful and our heart was filled with joy and peace.

How I wish my relatives who have not believe in Jesus would quickly come and believe in Him. Jesus can save you and give you joy and peace. God’s word is our light to our path. Let Jesus be your Lord and Savior so that you too can escape from hell.

Jesus is now seated in heaven and has prepared for us a beautiful home. Which road will you take when you die? Heaven or hell?

Thank you for attending my funeral service. Good bye!  Hope to see you in heaven.

Remember to believe in Jesus.  See you in heaven!

Thum Mun Hun