prayer, obedience, courage

That was the process to my parents' salvation.

When I first received Jesus into my life 14 years ago, they had no objections. Afterall, my dad was from a mission school and my mum a non-practising buddhist. I was never that close to my parents to speak to them about religion. They weren't even present on the day of my baptism. But that was partly my ignorance. Then, I saw baptism as a natural rite after receiving Jesus into my life, not a marriage, so I deemed it unnecessary for them to witness my baptism. I was silly then.

I had invited them to a few of the church events through the years (when I wasn't running away from God because of my sexuality). My dad never wanted to attend them but mum went to one of the Mother's Day Celebration service. She had never gone back since. In the daily conversations with them, I gathered that Dad didn't want to attend church because he thought that if God had existed, there wouldn't be so much suffering in this world. Mum didn't want to attend church because she didn't want people to come up to her to speak with her. Even after I addressed their concerns, they never were open to receiving Jesus into their lives, citing the reason as being too busy to think about " things like that". Slowly, I started giving up, especially after I started attending Free Community Church (where at least 90% of the congregation are LGBTQ). I am not out to them yet, and attending and serving in FCC actively means one fewer avenue to expose them to the love and grace of God.

7 months ago, dad was diagnosed with cancer of the salivary gland, stage 4. It was too sudden. Everyone in the family was devastated. While contemplating if he should go for a major life-threatening surgery to remove a massive tumor on his gums which has grown into/around his jaw bone, we spent a lot more time going out for dinners, eating food that he wanted to eat, that he was comfortable eating. I was shaken and praying a lot, mostly for God's miraculous healing on dad.

During the two days where I had to take my dad to different specialists to confirm if he really needed the surgery, I felt God's prompting to share with dad and mum about praying to receive Jesus into their lives.. I struggled. Inviting them to go to church was okay, telling them about God was okay, sharing to the extent where I had to ask them whether they want to believe in Jesus? Not so okay.

I prayed, I asked my ex DG members to pray, I asked my cell group members to pray. I prayed and prayed for courage. My mind told me it was impossible and terribly awkward to share and ask. But I knew God was saying: This is the time. So over lunch, I started. I started sharing with them about the unpredictabilities in life and that one certainty we could hold on to. I spoke to them about the promise that God has given us, the gift of eternal life through Jesus, and the invitation He has for my parents. The words that came out weren't my own. I knew. The day was still long. I stopped for them to digest what I had shared and prayed for God to make tender their hearts to receive His message.

After lunch, I continued the sharing in the car on our way to see the next specialist. By then, I was thankful I had my shades on, because I was tearing while I was sharing how wonderful God had been and what a change He had brought about in my life. I told them that all that was needed to receive peace and joy despite difficult situations and live the abundant life was simply to pray to receive Jesus into their lives. I told them about my brother who already received Jesus, that one day, we will all meet again in heaven when our lives on earth end. Still, I didn't ask them if they wanted to receive Jesus yet. I felt that wasn't the time. I could sense that they weren't rejecting the gospel. But they were quiet. So I stopped sharing again and prayed for the Holy Spirit to work in their hearts. I texted my DG and CG members to pray again. I updated them and told them that I was going to ask my parents if they wanted to pray and receive Christ on the way home. And so I did. They said yes. I was so estastic but in a calm tone, I told them that we will pray together when we get back home, and so we did.

I invited my helper, a catholic, to sit with us in a circle too so my parents won't feel so awkward, so that I won't feel awkward. My mum even took out her ipad to record the whole process. I took out the evangecube and shared the whole gospel with them again. Then I asked them again, if they wanted to receive Jesus into their lives, they said yes. I asked them to follow me in prayer. We held hands and prayed. My mum was tearing with all the nose goo dripping on the floor (she wasn't able to wipe it off because we were still holding hands). That was the happiest day of my life. And I was terribly grateful to God that that day finally happened. At least the most important part of their lives was taken care of.

I attended my ex-church with them for the first 4 weeks together with my best friend at work (whom I am out to). For the subsequent weeks up till today, her husband and her were my parents' companions in church. Prior to dad's surgery and during his recovery, their cell group had been keeping dad in prayer. Now both mum and dad are being followed up by the cell group leader's wife. I am so thankful they are taken care of. Really really thankful.

Next hurdle: Coming out to my parents.
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