My Testimony By Karen Shum
This would be my last opportunity to share with you what I have learned in this lifetime, and the grace that had been afforded me.
Upon reflection on my life, I can see God’s blessings throughout. He began by giving me wonderful, loving parents who raised me to be a good person. Since childhood, I’ve had difficulties with communication, social intricacies and its nuances. Outside of the norm, I am lost as to what I should say and do. So I tend to keep quiet, just be a good listener and try to stay out of trouble. Despite these social shortcomings, I would invariably meet good people wherever I went. God seems to always cover our deficits. This cannot be a coincidence. Somehow I’ve been surrounded by upstanding, decent people who accepted me and taught me much as role models and many remain my friends today.
By God’s grace, He made it possible for me to enter a physiotherapy program leading to a career that was truly gratifying, for which I often gave my heartfelt thanks. There, I found fulfillment in helping people and also worked with many wonderful colleagues from whom I learned a lot. He also brought me to a church where brothers and sisters lived out the love of God, showing me how to behave as God would have us. There, I belonged to a small group where we gave one another prayer, fellowship and support. And He gave me a wonderful and loving family who cares for me very much. There is nothing more heartwarming than being loved. My children have been exceedingly helpful in so many ways. They helped with food, cleaning, yard work, snow removal and also spoiled me with goodies. Anthony had been so attentive, going above and beyond: my personal chef, meal planner, caregiver, chauffeur, and technical support. He looked after my every need in addition to the household’s, indoor and outdoor. Customer service excellence! This is love in its full manifestation. What a HUGE blessing! How did I get so “lucky”? I would say it is by God’s grace.
Notwithstanding all these blessings, my life had not always been hunky dory. As with most people, I had endured trials and tribulations. Have you undergone or are you struggling with such difficulties? God allows these challenges in our lives because He is reaching out to you and me. When faced with circumstances far too formidable, I had been forced to relinquish full control and rely solely on God. These were the difficult times where I learned to walk closer with Him. In the process, especially through this cancer struggle, God showed me His mercy and kindness. He provided wonderful doctors to look after me, all so caring and compassionate. He availed me with lots of helpful advice and treatments by my acupuncturist, tai chi instructor and Chinese medicine doctor. He also showed me love through many concrete acts of caring, generosity and saintly intercessions. Many people prayed for me, cooked for me, comforted me and gave their support. I was even provided with all the necessary medical equipment at a time when I needed it. Different circles of friends and family went out of their way to use the limited foods that I was allowed to eat so I would be fully included in our social gatherings. There are so many different people with sincere interest in helping me that it can only be by God’s grace. I was embraced by an army of angels and encircled with love: in front and behind, above and below, to the left and to the right! What a glorious blessing! It is the benefit of being a child of God the Father. Because He lives, I have been blessed to experience in its full extent the Peace, Love and Joy that only God can provide.
I was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2018, one of the deadliest cancers. Without any chemotherapy or radiation therapy interventions, I was able to live a fairly normal life for 51/2 years. This is a testament of God’s grace and faithfulness. In the poem “What God Hath Promised” by Annie Johnson Flint, it said “God hath not promised sun without rain, joy without sorrow and peace without pain…but God hath promised strength for the day, rest for the labour, light for the way, grace for the trials, help from above, unfailing kindness, undying love.” And He did as He hath promised. Yield yourself to His sovereignty and you can also experience the true depth of this amazing love.
