I remember starting at a very young age to pray for my paternal grandparents. My grandfather followed a Chinese religion that I didn't (and still don't) really understand, but it sounded sort of ancient and pluralistic from the way my dad described it. My grandmother, as far as I know, did not follow any religion. But at the end of every prayer, when I remembered, I would automatically tag on, "And please let Grandma and Grandpa become Christians". It was definitely force of habit that kept me doing that; what does it mean, "let" them become Christians? As if it was God that was keeping them from believing in the first place? I guess what I had meant was... please give Dad opportunity to talk to them about You. Or, please move in their hearts to let them realize that You are real, and present, and want a relationship with them. But who knows, I was only a child.
As the years wore on, it became a back-burner issue. I was not able to directly talk to my grandparents, partly because of the language barrier, but also because of the culture. It's not appropriate to talk to older people about dying, and definitely not my place as a granddaughter. I tried to be a good and loving granddaughter though, and be respectful, and eat dinner with them and go to functions all the time though, just so they would know I loved them. I would show them I cared, and pray for them.
I forget the year my grandma had bypass surgery, but I remember that post-op she said that she tried praying and that she could feel God's presence. It already made me excited to hear that, but I thought that perhaps it was just something she used to comfort herself in her vulnerable position.
My mom told me a few weeks ago though, that my grandma agreed to have an evangelism meeting on October 11 with the senior pastor and a family friend, also from our church. I started to become optimistic that she would become a Christian. Last night at life group, we prayed for her.
My mom called me at 9:50 tonight and told me that my grandma accepted Jesus as her Saviour!!
My response was a mixture of ecstasy and skepticism. I was so overjoyed that she finally crossed that threshold and made the decision to follow Jesus, whereas before she was only open to hearing about Him. At the same time, I wondered if she truly knew what it meant to follow Jesus. My mom assured me that they asked her several times, and asked her to say in her own words how she knew she was going to heaven. So I have decided to join with the angels and celebrate - I emailed my small group with the great news, and proceeded to write this blog even though I had wanted to sleep early tonight.
It's such a joy to receive answer to prayer in such a big way. I love my grandma and am so glad I'll see her in heaven. I really hope that through this, there will be opportunity to witness to my grandpa as well. He will definitely be extremely resistant, but nothing is too daunting for our God.
Her conversion is also a reminder that time is limited, and sharing the gospel is something that can't just wait on the backburner all the time. It starts simply by making the choice to deliberately love people, and being transparent about the Source of your love. Then keep praying for opportunity, if not your own, then at least for someone else.
Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let them say among the nations, "The Lord reigns!"
