Way better than lottery
I would like to share with you how God worked graciously in my parents lives to lead them to accept Christ. Four years ago, I thought it would take a miracle for my parents to become Christian and that’s what happened. My family was culturally Buddhist and lived by Chinese pragmatism. When I became Christian, my parents thought it was just a phase, and believed Christianity was a kind of emotional support. As long as I kept my grades up, I was ok and at least I learned good values. But when they saw that I wanted to stay up here after graduation instead of home where it was more economical, tensions began to grow. I prayed that God would have mercy on my parents so they could live another day so that they can hear the Gospel, and for the Holy Spirit to soften their hearts and make them hungry. I also prayed a dangerous prayer that God would humble them through life circumstances.
God began to answer these prayers in an unexpected way. In my undergrad before Christ days, I devised schemes conning money from internet companies and was a big player in a multilevel pyramid company. I hurt a lot of people along the way, especially my parents who loved me and tried to stop me. About 2 years ago, my leader talked me to me about my past and asked me if I ever paid it back. I never did. I didn’t want to deal with it. I buried all the guilt and shame and didn’t want to admit I was a criminal. Romans 13:8 said, “Let no debt remain outstanding except the continuing debt to love one another.” The debt was 5 figures and paying it all back would be costly. It also meant putting my dreams of pursuing medicine on hold so I can work a few years and also selling my nice car. What was even more painful was to face all the relational damage I caused to my family and friends. I prayed for conviction and I was rocked by the truth of what I had done. My leader told me that God would honor obedience and who knows, maybe this will be a good witness to my parents and maybe even lead them to be Christian one day. He was right and God turned this shame into multiple blessings. God encouraged me with his words. Hebrews 12:10-11 – “Our parents disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” I knew God loved me through this discipline, and I began the process of repentance. It turned out to be a blessing in many ways.
That Thanksgiving, I went home nervous about how my parents would respond. I apologized to my mom for being so rotten and selfish to them in the past and for causing so much pain and worry. I told them that I understood now how much they loved me, even though in the past I had returned it with anger and arrogance. I told them, I need to stay with my church, because my heart is very dark inside and I need the church to teach me God’s ways and guide me.