Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.
— Martin Luther King Jr (1929-1968), an influential American civil rights leader and Baptist minister, best known for his role in advancing civil rights through nonviolent protest during the 1950s and 1960s.
DEAR readers and friends,
As we embrace this blessed Easter Week, my heart overflows with gratitude and joy. I wish to share my journey—a journey of divine healing, faith, and hope.
May I invite you to imagine the depth of my thankfulness to our Lord Jesus, the Almighty, who listens to the whispered prayers of my beloved family, loved ones, friends, and cherished church community. Their steadfast love and unwavering faith have been a profound reminder that we are never alone; God embraces us through the compassion of others.
The past few weeks have been nothing short of miraculous. On March 19, I faced a harrowing reality: my worsening lung condition, filled with tumours since March 11, had left me breathless. Doctors advised my family to bring me home, prepared for what they believed would be the end. The ICU director somberly informed my loved ones that my condition was precarious; a miracle would be required for me to survive. Yet today, as I write this on Easter Wednesday, I am tethered to life, free from oxygen, and able to walk on my own. My journey is a living testament that the Almighty hears our prayers and answers them in ways we could never anticipate.
On that fateful day, I felt a profound shift within me. The prayers of my beloved daughter, my husband, my spiritual director Father Ramon Borja, my dear friends, and the vibrant love emanating from my church surrounded me like a warm embrace.
These prayers reached the heavens as tender offerings of love, and in return, God granted me the gift of grace.
I extend my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who journeyed with me—my loving daughter, my supportive husband, and my kind and devoted Father Ramon, whose presence and unwavering prayers carried me through my darkest hours.
Friends from near and far rallied around me: my dear sisters Caroline, Joycelyn, Lee Choo, and Wenderine, along with Brother Raymond Wee. To all of you who held me in your prayers, I am forever grateful.
God’s love is vast and unfailing, and I have experienced it in ways beyond imagination, a living testament to His healing power.
Even amid impending darkness, a flicker of hope sparked within me. My gratitude knows no bounds for the miracle that began on March 25. Surrounded by the prayers of my community, I felt the embrace of the Light of Divine Mercy.
I sensed the healing touch of Jesus alongside the intercessions of Mother Mary, Help of Christians, St Chabel, St John Bosco, St Anthony, and St Faustina. In this crucible of suffering—a profound learning journey—God’s light began to shine.
The evening of March 25 marked a turning point: my swollen body began to restore itself, a physical manifestation of divine grace through the touch of Saint Faustina.
It was as though a spring bloom emerged in the warmth of the sun — yellow becoming a symbol of new life, hope, and renewal.
Just as the earth awakens in spring, my spirit blossomed with deep gratitude, especially after the healing gift of hydrogen oxygen inhalation on March 27. By March 28, I slept without the oxygen I had relied upon for so long.
Each day thereafter brought new strength. On March 29, I took my first independent steps, a feat I had thought impossible only weeks earlier. On March 30, as I walked my sister to her farewell, emotions of gratitude and love flooded me.
Attending Mass with my beloved family at The Church of the Savior in Beijing on Easter Sunday, April 5, deepened my sense of hope, joy, and serenity.
No longer fragile, I walked to church with newfound vigour, lifting my hands and voice in praise—a heartfelt act of thanksgiving for the miraculous grace that transformed my life.
In gratitude, I reflect upon the profound words of scripture: “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11).
Dear readers and friends, my healing is a testament to God’s mercy, love, and faithfulness. Eight days after believing I would transition to eternal rest, I stand in awe of His mercy—proof that the Lord keeps His promises, as He assured me of recovery twenty days after my confession on March 15.
As I contemplate Easter, I am reminded of the vibrant colour yellow—symbolising love, hope, joy, and resurrection. It reflects the essence of Easter: the triumph of life over death and the promise of renewal.
Spring’s beauty invites reflection on our own journeys and awakening to the grace of God that sustains us through trials.
Each bloom and ray of sunlight is a reminder of resurrection, a celebration of new life through our Lord Jesus Christ.
As I lay awake in grateful reflection this Easter Sunday, tears of joy flowed freely. I thanked the Lord for His merciful grace, for my daughter and husband, whose unwavering support sustained me, and for my compassionate spiritual director, Father Ramon, who guided me faithfully through my darkest hours. Their love and prayers have been my lifeline, and I am truly blessed to dwell in this space of love, healing, and faith.
Dear friends, let us remember that we all face struggles. “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18). To anyone enduring pain, sickness, or suffering, may you feel the warmth of God’s grace.
May His miracles bring hope and strength to overcome your trials.
As the vibrant yellow of Easter’s light fills our hearts, may it symbolise the abundant grace and healing we continually receive. I humbly conclude with this prayer:
“Dear Lord, grant us courage to face our challenges, and may Your miracles shine brightly in our lives. May the blossom of existence remind us that even in our darkest moments, light and life will return, for You are with us always.”
In His love, we find our strength. In fervent prayer, we journey together.
Peace and blessings to you all this Easter and beyond. May your life be filled with full colours! May God bless you abundantly.
The views expressed here are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of Sarawak Tribune. The writer can be reached at lawleepoh@gmail.com.
