The Amazing God

God never ceases to amaze me.

A couple of weeks ago, on the way to work, I saw an advertisement at a bus shelter. It was poster from MINDS, or Movement for the Intellectually Disabled Singapore. The photo of a smiling young man, who looked like he was signing (sign language communication) with his hands, attracted my attention. The slogan says something like this "I can work. Let me be part of your community". I took note of the URL and checked it out when I reached the office.

You see, I have been thinking of helping the hearing impaired community in Singapore for some time. For those who don't know me, I am hearing-impaired, and have been so since the age of 3, I think. The last time I went for a hearing test, the results showed profound hearing loss in both years. Legally and technically speaking, I am deaf, and am a member of the Singapore Association for the Deaf (SADeaf). However, I have been working for so many years, completed my university studies, married, and blessed with 2 little girls that I don't feel impaired in any way, save for the hearing aid that I wear, and the sound of silence that greeted me whenever I take it off my ear.

I thought, God has blessed me in such a special way. Although deaf since young, He never allowed me to feel like a deaf person. I was raised in a supportive household, schooled in a Christian mission school (despite not coming from a Christian family), followed by secondary school, junior college, NUS, NTU. Career-wise, it has been adventure after adventure after I graduated from Accountancy to an unexpected career in IT (for God, anything is possible). I have since married a wonderful wife and been blessed with 2 hearing, healthy daughters.

I wanted to help in any way I can, and I believe now is the time. I believe I can help the hearing-impaired community integrate better with the society we live in, and share with anyone who's willing to listen, how God has been a faithful partner in my life. That's why when I saw the photo, this thought was re-awakened in me. When I went to the MINDS website, I realized that it was for the Intellectually Disabled. I felt my calling was for the hearing-impaired, so I wrote to SADeaf and introduced myself.

To my pleasant surprise, I was promptly told that the association would like to interview me for their magazine, in a feature for role-models. I wonder what lies ahead, but I know God will help me make a positive difference in the lives of the hearing-impaired. You can probably tell that I am looking forward to doing this interview and beyond. Without doubt, I definitely am.

More surprises.

Just last Friday, my wife Veron shared with me that she has been asked to attend a job interview this week. And today, after the interview, she told me she has received a job offer, which she promptly accepted. We have both been praying since Apr/May this year, and we thought she missed the boat on what seems like an excellent opportunity in Jul. She did not feel comfortable when she went for an interview at the US IT company, so she declined to pursue it further although she was interviewed by the founder, and had another interview scheduled for the COO. Various other opportunities came and went without any news. Then this surprise came today.

Again, last Friday, I was told that I have been given a raise. This is definitely unexpected at challenging times like now. Then, I received a call to interview for a regional management position at a leading IT company. Then again on the same day, I received a letter about a cash gift the Singapore Government will be giving us for under the Baby Bonus scheme.

I thank God for all His blessings.

His thoughts are higher than our thoughts, and so are His ways. As for me, I just want to continue living this life for God, so that when I reach the end of this journey on Earth, I will have no regrets and can look forward to spending eternity with God in heaven. Meanwhile, I ask God to help me be a blessing to others as He has been a blessing to me, to make a positive difference in people's lives with the strength He has given me in place of my many weaknesses. I know He will.

May God bless you.

Category: Sounding Board, cf_