Mary's Little Prayers

Mary on Thai TV

2011-04-19T02:13:00.002+07:00

Mary was interviewed on one of Thailand's top chat shows, Joh Jai, in March as a part of their series on how to overcome personal's tragedy.

The videos are in Thai, unfortunately. But Mary discussed God's role in her life she already wrote about here in this blog.

Thanks LadyEdnaMode for the videos.

Part 1:

Part 2:

Chapter 26: The Noodle Stall

2010-01-10T01:54:00.000+07:00

O Lord….. Not too far from my office there is a new noodle stall that is full of customers each day. At the beginning it was just a small stall. Not long after business expanded, and now we can see people riding in expensive cares stop by to eat at this noodle place.

Being a friendly person, I chit chat with the owner of the stall. He is a young man in his 30’s, and comes from up country with his wife to look for gold in the City of Bangkok. Seeing that this plot of land was empty, he offered to rent the place to sell noodle. With hard work and good culinary skill, both of them have attracted a long list of regular customers, one of them being me J

After a while I noticed there were more vendors selling other types of food rather than just this young man’s beef noodle. One day I asked him whether he had brought his relatives from his home town to help him expand. He said with a sad face, “No. These new vendors are not my relatives. They are new comers coming here to cash in on my customers. You see, the owner of the land seeing that my business is doing very well, decides to find more vendors to join me. He also increases the rent. It’s really unfair. When I approached him, this plot of land was vacant, and had been for a long time. Now that I have made it well known, he is doing this to me.” His face was filled with disappointment as he spoke to me.

With so many vendors crowding the place, customer get distracted. They come to eat the beef noodle. Now each vendor is trying to sell his/her own treat. And frankly speaking, not all the new food was tasty.

Last week I dropped by that place, the original beef noodle vendor was gone. I felt sad that I did not have a chance to say good bye. I never went back to that place again. When I did a couple of months later, the whole place went back to being a vacant plot! Evidently, most customers were like me. They went there to eat the beef noodle, not the other stuff. Once the main attraction was gone, people stopped going altogether.

I couldn’t help thinking of the land owner. Wasn’t it his greediness that brought about this sad saga? Now his land is just sitting idle without generating any income for him. Many people are like this. They don’t appreciate the preciousness of the goose that lay the golden eggs. At the end greed will ruin their lives.

Then I think of You, my Lord. You are more than the goose that lay the golden eggs. To those who believe in You, You are their Savior, their true Love, and their real Lord. However, there are so many in this world who do not appreciate the preciousness of Your presence in their lives. By the time they realize it, it might be too late.

Writing to this point, I feel so blessed to have You in my life, my Lord. May I hold on to You tightly. I’ll never let You be far away from me, ever.

“Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles, and not grow weary. They will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:31

Amen

A Child of God’s

Chapter 25: The Night When the Light Was Out

2009-12-13T22:17:00.002+07:00

O Lord…..The other night around 9:00 p.m. the electricity went out in our house and all neighborhood. When it happened, all members of my family were busy doing our own business. My eldest son was taking a shower. My youngest daughter was doing her homework. My youngest son was watering plants outside our house while I was jogging around the compound.

At first I thought the electricity would be out for just a while. So, I continued with my exercise. It’d be better off outside with fresh air since the air conditioners in the house did not work anyway. However, after a long while the neighborhood was still in the dark. That was when my children came out with their flash lights looking for their mommy. I reluctantly went back with them. It happened to be a full moon night, and I enjoyed the serenity and beauty of the atmosphere softly illuminated by the moon light.

Once back in the house my children and I agreed that we would not lit any candles. It’d only increase the temperature of the room. So, we each took out a flash light and pointed the light up to the ceiling. It gave us an atmosphere that was almost adventurous. After another long while the electricity was still not back. My children finally decided to immigrate to my room. The next thing we did was to take out a fan each. My eldest son decided to take his T shirt off and lied down on the floor. My youngest son followed his elder brother’s footsteps. Pretty soon my daughter also joined the gang. Not me. I stayed put on the sofa.

After settling down comfortably, each one of our family started to share his/her story. This one told the things that happened at the factory that day. The other one shared about the orientation of new juniors at her university or about his friends at school that day. Pretty soon all of us, mother and children, were laughing with each other’s jokes and stories. It was such a hilarious and joyous moment for all of us in a room dimly lit by lights from flash lights only. We totally forgot that were taking ‘refuge’ from the darkness that was engulfing our neighborhood. Moreover, our room was becoming an oven recently turned on.

We enjoyed our company of each other to the point that we were oblivious to the atmosphere surrounding us. All the sudden our room was lit up . Electricity finally returned. My children clapped hands and cheered. We reluctantly had to leave the room to continued doing what was left off before the light went out.

After my children left the room, I thanked You for giving me such a wonderful family with children as loving as they are. Whenever something happens, no matter how big or small they would gather around me because they “love and trust” me. I’m the center on whom they can depend. They are willing to go through any circumstances with eagerness and courage without complaints. They can even turn around a ‘threatening’ situation into an enjoyable one.

How about us as Your children? Do people love You and trust You and depend on You no matter what happens to their lives? If so, we will have no fear in our lives even when the light goes out in our lives sometimes. We’ll be able to lie down, take out a fan, and enjoy the atmosphere of darkness.

I love and trust You, my Lord.

“If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me, and the light become night around me, even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day for darkness is as light to you.” Psalm 139:11-12

Amen

A Child of God’s

Chapter 24: God’s Miracle ………..Cont’d

2009-10-19T23:23:00.001+07:00

O Lord…..The other day I wrote about Your miracle that was witnessed by my company’s lawyer. I told him that yes, “all things are possible with God. (Mark 10:27)”. Before I left, I told him another real life miracle that happened to one of my friends’ friend.

One evening not too long ago I was working late. Without prior appointment a girl friend of mine walked into my office with another friend. She said she happened to pass by, and saw the lights on. So she just wanted to drop by and say hello. She then introduced the other lady who accompanied her.

This new acquaintance started the conversation by saying she knew I was a new convert. She also knew I had gone through a lot in life. Could I share with her what happened in my life? With a smile I said “sure” willingly.

I started with how I was accused of a crime I did not commit. Then how I was finally exonerated completely. And that I decided to forgive the man who had ruined my life for almost 2 decades because of God’s grace. As she listened to my unbelievable life story, to my and my friend’s surprise, she burst into tears.

Was she so moved by my suffering to the point of crying like this, I wondered? We had just met a few moments ago.

Then she started her own sharing in between sobs. She and her husband were going to get a divorce the next morning. She had caught him having an affair with his secretary. He wouldn’t fire the secretary, and she couldn’t forgive him. So, that’s it. A divorce. No other alternative.

“If you could forgive someone who had inflicted so much pain and suffering in you for almost 2 decades, why can’t I forgive my husband who has cheated on me? I’ll go home right now and ask for mutual forgiveness.”

A week later I received a big cake with words of thanks on it. The husband actually did not want a divorce himself. However, since his wife asked for it, out of his male pride and ego, he agreed. Now that his wife went back to him and asked for mutual forgiveness, he was willing to give their marriage another chance.

This lady called me later and thanked me profoundly. I simply said, “Please thank the Lord, my friend. It’s His blessing that saved your marriage. I was merely a channel through which He passes it to you and your husband.” J

"Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in His ways.” Psalm 128:1

Amen

A Child of God’s

Chapter 23: God’s Miracle

2009-10-04T22:44:00.001+07:00

O Lord….. A few days ago my company’s lawyer came to see me. As soon as he came into my room, he exclaimed excitedly. “Today I’ve experienced your God’s miracle first hand!” The excitement could be seen through his eyes.

I was truly surprised.

This man is not a Christian. In fact he has never heard about God until he knows me. I’d tell him about “my God”, and how mighty God is. He always says he has never had direct experience with God himself, but judging from what happened in my life, he can’t deny that God does exist. But to hear from his mouth that he has experienced God’s miracle himself rather startles me.

“This morning I went to court.” He started his story. “My client was the defendant in the civil case. The judge tried to persuade both sides to reconcile by each taking a step back and came to an agreement. From 9:00 a.m. till noon the judge tried in vain. Both the accuser and the accused were locked in their own pride and position, and wouldn’t budge an inch. Finally, tired of persuasion the presiding judge declared a 10-minute recess. “When I come back, if both sides still insist on going ahead with the case, it’s all yours. Remember this. It will take a few years before a verdict can be reached.”

“Oh, what happened next?” I asked with interest.

“What happened next was what I called a miracle. My former boss who was a friend of my client stood up. He’s a new convert, and constantly talks about God like you. With a loud and clear voice he declared in the middle of the court room. “I was formerly a sinful person. I did a lot of bad things. I was arrogant, conceited, and wouldn’t budge on any issue. Later I discovered God and was able to experience the joy of God’s love. I also have the great fortune of experiencing the happiness as the result of forgiving. C’mon. I want both of you to experience such joy and happiness. Let’s forgive each other.

Silence.

“One could hear the pin dropped,” my company’s lawyer continued. “I was getting nervous as the atmosphere had been tensed the whole morning. Now my former boss just added more weight to the situation. He had just preached to two stubborn men!”

However, after a few seconds of heavy silence in the room, the plaintiff stood up and announced, “You are right. I think I’ll withdraw the case.”

My lawyer friend continued his story with excitement still detected in his tone.

“The judge took 3 hours to convince them but in vain. My former boss took a mere 3 minutes, and everything just ended the way it did. It’s amazing. It’s unbelievable. It’s a miracle!” He said before he left my room. “I think your God is great!”

“I know. My God is great.” I said with a smile. After he closed my room’s door behind him, I thought inside my heart, “And I hope one day my God will be your God too J”

“Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God!”

John 11:40

Amen

A Child of God’s

Chapter 22: -------------------

2009-09-15T21:43:00.001+07:00

O Lord….. One day a few years ago was the most exciting day for all 17-18-year-olds in my country. It was the day that results of the entrance exams of all universities in Thailand were announced. It was the “happiest” day for some while it was also the saddest day for so many others.

My youngest daughter got up very early that day. By the time I woke up, she was dancing on the cloud. Her name was on the list of those “accepted” ones. She was admitted to all faculties she chose and at the universities of her choice too. There couldn’t be any higher degree of joy and happiness for all Thai students than to be accepted to the universities of their choices. That was step one to the door of success.

Throughout that morning she did not stop talking on the phone. Laughter was heard periodically though sometimes she paused to console those who missed the list.

Then one phone call shattered her merry state of mind. “Really?” “When?” “Which hospital is she in?” “Gone?” She put down the phone visibly in shock. She then walked slowly to me who was sitting nearby, kneeled down, and put her arms around my waist. And like the dam had broken, she burst into tears.

One of her classmates went to check on the names at the university she chose. She was also accepted to the faculty of the university of her choice. Gleaming with pride and joy, she went home to inform her mom of the good news. Her mom never got to congratulate her daughter on her success. While crossing the street to her house, a bus hit her and sped away. She was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital.

All her friends received the news with shock and disbelief. After hanging up the phone, reality just sank in. My daughter sobbed uncontrollably. “How can this happen?”

I held my daughter tight. Even though I didn’t know the girl’s parents, my heart ached for them. As a mother myself I could feel the pain that must have torn the mother’s heart to pieces. How could a joyful day like this turn so tragic for this family?

There was nothing I could do except to pray for the grief stricken family and for the soul of the girl whom I was sure was accepted into heaven. I did not dare even to ask “why?” in my mind. There are so many questions in life that cannot be answered.

I consoled my daughter by telling her that everyone must die. How long does one live is up to God. So while we still have a chance to be in this world, we should live our lives to the fullest in serving You, and glorifying You every day. This way when our time in this world is up, we are ready.

That night my daughter cancelled her plan to join the celebration party in memory of the one friend who would not be around to join any activities from now on.

I don’t know how to name this prayer, my Lord, except to beg You to bless this girl’s bereaved family; and to accept her little soul into Your kingdom.

“What man can live and not see death,
or save himself from the power of the grave?” Psalm 89:48

Amen.

A Child of God’s

Chapter 21: Good Luck/ Fluke/ or God’s Blessings…Cont’d

2009-09-01T00:14:00.002+07:00

O Lord….. While I’m on the subject of Your blessings, I recall another incident that could be explained only as Your blessing. This time I was at the giving end.

Not too long ago I decided to renovate my bedroom. To give some liveliness to my otherwise simple and ordinary bedroom, I changed all furniture. The bed, cupboard, chairs and other movable items were given away. The last item that was left was a 6’mattress. I changed my bed size as well so the old mattress which was relatively new was of no use any more. I don’t remember why my staff who took the bed did not want the mattress as well. What to do? To whom should I give my 6’ mattress to?

My gynecologist is a devout Christian. Her husband is also a faithful Christian doctor. Together they founded an orphanage that took care of over 40 orphans ranging from a few months old to teenagers. These two kind- hearted doctors take care of these orphans with love and care like their own children. Moreover, they finance this orphanage with they own money. Many of their patients as well as a lot more others who know this extraordinary couple regularly give donations to help support the livelihood of these children. I am among one of them.

As soon as other items from my bedroom were given away, I thought of my gynecologist. Maybe she could put the 6’ mattress on the floor for the children to sleep on.

When told the reason of my visit, my doctor smiled and said as if she knew all along that this would happen. “I knew one day someone will come and donate a 6’ mattress. Recently I extended the building of my ‘house’, and made a room for guests who visited us. Sometimes there are visitors from abroad, and they can stay in this room over night. My mom had an old bed, but we had no mattress. So, I’ve been praying to God for a 6’ mattress. And here you are!” She smiled again.

Our eyes met, gleaming with joy in our hearts for the same cause. For two women who have faith in You as strong and solid as ours, there needn’t be any more words. How often does one need a 6’ mattress? And how often does one want to donate this item with the exact size?

Fluke? Coincidence? People can say whatever they want. I know in my heart as well as my doctor that You are the Greatest, my Lord. And whenever I can be part of Your plan as a giver, I’m happy beyond words.

Please continue using me, my Lord. I am most happy to be Your humble servant forever. J

“He will guard the feet of His saints…..” 1 Samuel 2:9

Amen

A Child of God’s

Chapter 20: GOOD LUCK/ FLUKE/or GOD’S BLESSING

2009-08-17T10:12:00.001+07:00

O Lord….. Whenever something good happens, most people will say, “How lucky!” Some might say, “What a fluke?” How many will say, “Thank you, God, for Your blessing?” I wonder.

For me nowadays I know it’s not fluke or coincidence or good luck. I‘d thank You, my Lord, every time something good happens to me or my family.

A few years back my children and I took off to the North of Thailand for our New Year holiday. We all rode in our family’s van. Before we left, we had the vehicle checked. The van was in perfect condition ready for a long distance drive. On the morning of Dec. 31 we arrived at Chiengrai on the way to Doi Tung, the mountain top where the Royal Palace of the late Princess Mother of Thailand situated. The scenery up on the mountain was like in Europe, scenic with blooming flowers under the cool breeze. We planned to come down to our hotel on time for the Count Down.

On the way up the mountain, however, a red light appeared beeping on the dashboard. We stopped at 2-3 car repair shops, but none of them found anything wrong with the van. After a while the red light disappeared, and we assumed it was the malfunction of some small bulbs behind the dashboard. We had a wonderful time visiting and enjoying the beautiful scenery, and started heading down the winding road to our hotel which was a long drive from there. Suddenly the red light reappeared. This time it would not go away. We looked at each other. The sky was beginning to get dark. Sun light was gradually dimming on the horizon. We were in the middle of nowhere, and it was late afternoon of Dec. 31 ! While we were getting panicky, we saw a dynamo shop on the road side. It was a small one shop house car repair shop. Another car was parking in front of that place. After the shop owner checked our van, he declared that the alternator was malfunctioned. As our van ran on the road, the battery would not be recharged, which meant within a short period it would stop running totally. At first we planned to buy a new battery to replace the existing one. However, with the distance back to our hotel and
2 more hills to climb before we could get to our hotel, even 2 batteries would not be enough. We then asked the shop owner whether he had a new alternator to replace ours. He said he didn’t. At that moment we looked at each other again while our faces were getting pale. It was almost 6:00 p.m. on the eve of Dec. 31. All other shops were already closed.

“Can you fix it then?” “At least I can try, but it will take a few hours.” “Please.” We practically begged him.

While the male members of our family slid themselves under the van to help the shop owner, the female members including myself walked around to survey the surrounding. The place where we were stuck was at the foothill. There was a garden restaurant nearby with local food and a live band to celebrate the New Year Eve. My two daughters and I sat down under a big tree and started ordering food. The breeze was cool and refreshing. The live band played western music (wow!) After a long while the sons joined us.

It turned out that our New Year dinner was more special than what we had planned. We missed the bar-be-cue, wine and other scrumptious food at the hotel. Instead we had a down-to-earth local village meal under the moon light amidst nature. As we enjoyed our meal, we sang along with the band.

We decided to give the New Year cake we brought to the shop owner’s little daughter as token of our appreciation for what her dad did for us.

On the way back to the hotel, my eldest son remarked, “We were very lucky today. Without that mechanic, we would have been stranded in the middle of the forest for the night!” I looked at him and said, “Lucky? No, my dear. God was taking care of us. I’ve been praying 3 rosaries all together today. God was with us all along. We should thank Him for His blessing.”

We arrived at our hotel a few minutes before midnight in time for the Count Down. It turned out to be one of the most exciting and enjoyable New Year Eve for all of us, and one that our whole family had experienced Your love and care first hand.

We said prayers of thanks after the Count Down. It was our first activity of the New Year. Afterwards we retired to bed physically exhausted but filled with Your love in our hearts and minds.

“…….Pray continually. Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18

Thank you, Lord, for Your loving care for me and my family. I promise I’ll serve you to the best of my ability to show my gratitude now and forever.

“The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.” Psalm 121:8

Amen

A Child of God’s

Chapter 19: Daily Prayers

2009-08-08T00:04:00.002+07:00

O Lord… I once wrote that praying one rosary a day has become my daily habit now. It’s so natural to me like breathing in and out. I pray while watering my plants, exercising, or even waiting to see my doctor. It’s second nature to me now. Sometimes when I wake up in the middle of the night which is not often, I find that m mind is praying J What a wonderful feeling!

One day not too long ago the son of one of my friends came to see me regarding business matters. We ended up talking about God and prayers. He was quite surprised to learn that a busy businesswoman like me prays ever day. I told him when I first converted, I did not. Later on one of my relatives was in desperate need of some help. Besides helping him to the best of my ability, I prayed. Kneeling before a statue of Mary, I prayed one rosary every night. After two continuous months of praying, my relative’s problem was solved. I was overjoyed, happy for him, and glad that I did not have to hurt my knees any more.

Then my conscience began to bother me. What kind of a person was I? Once I got what I asked for, I just stopped praying? After a round of self exploration and realization I promised Mary that I’d pray one rosary a day, but not necessarily in kneeling position. I’d pray during the day whenever I have time. If I don’t really have time on any particular day, I’d make up the next day. I’d make sure by December 31 I’ll have prayed 365 or 366 rosaries…the promise which I’ve kept till today.

At the beginning I felt that it took so long and got distracted. Little by little … I learn to concentrate. And little by little I began to feel that peace was manifesting in my heart. I discovered that while I prayed, the whole world did not exist. There was absolutely nothing, no one around me. Only me and You, my Lord. What a feeling! What a joy! Sometimes my heart would feel so ecstatic with Your presence that I’d like to share with the whole world of my feeling.

This was the true joy of my daily prayer. I told my friend’s son.

A foreign writer once wrote, “In writing a good love letter, you should start writing without knowing what to write; and finish writing without knowing what you have written. It should come from the heart.” I’d like to add that praying should be the same. Praying from one’s heart is much better than praying with fancy words.

The same writer added, “Praying with one’s heart but with no words is better than praying with words but no heart.”

“You will seek me and find me when

you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13

John Vianney, who is considered a saint, has written beautifully about the heart’s cry of prayer, and the need to pray with a pure heart:

“Prayer is a fragrant dew, but we must pray with a pure heart to feel this dew. There flows from prayer a delicious sweetness, like the juice of very ripe grapes. Troubles melt away before a fervent prayer like snow before the sun. To approach God one should go straight to him, like a ball from a cannon. Prayer disengages your soul from matter; it raises it on high, like the fire that inflates a balloon. The more we pray, the more we wish to pray. Like a fish which at first swims on the surface of the water, and afterwards plunges down and is always going deeper, the soul plunges, dives, and loses itself in the sweetness of conversing with God. Prayer is the holy water that by its flow makes the plants of our good desires grow green and flourish, that cleanses our souls of their imperfections, and that quenches the thirst of passion in our hearts.” (God’s Little Devotional Book on Prayers, Honers Books, Inc. Copyright@1997, Tuba, Oklahoma 74155, USA)

Thank you my Lord, for listening to my humble prayers from my heart till the end.

Amen

A Child of God's

Chapter 18: Serving God According to Our Ability

2009-07-21T00:21:00.002+07:00

O Lord…..I still remember how I felt one day some 10 years ago. At that time Thailand just suffered from the worst economic meltdown in centuries. It started in 1997 and continued to worsen for years to come.

Like millions of other Thai businessmen and women I thought I’d surely go bankrupt. One day I confided in my soul friend, a faithful and devout Christian herself. I told her I was willing to give up everything and let the banks take over. I’d then devote myself totally to serve God. I was willing to just sweep the floor of the church, I told her.

Upon hearing me, my friend said it would be a pity if a capable businesswoman like me would just give up. How could I serve God as a cleaning woman, she asked. I could serve Him much better being a businesswoman, she then added.

I could? That was the first time I ever heard I could serve God doing other things besides joining religious activities. Being a new convert I didn’t know any other way. After being confirmed by my priest, I was ecstatic.

I changed the way I prayed. I started praying that if it’s Your will, my Lord, for me to continue doing business, please grant me one through which I could pass on Your blessings to others.

I prayed earnestly with my unconditional faith day after day.

Amazingly, my Lord, You had heard my prayers and granted me opportunities to start new businesses time and again. Each time I was able to hire hundreds of workers enabling them to support hundreds more families.

I had also discovered that if we serve You with whatever talent we have, you will bless us with more blessings abundantly.

“Do not neglect your gift……Be diligent in these matters…..” 1Timothy 4:14-15

At the same time having faith without serving you is not sufficient. As for when and how, let it be according to each person’s ability and opportunity.

“In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” James 2:17

I am willing to be a living witness that You are real and listen to every one of your children’s prayers. It’s just that we must pray with eagerness and faithfulness, And when You grant us our wish, we must be grateful and serve You more. We should not just take You for granted once we get what we pray for.

“However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.” Act 20:24

May I promise You, my Lord, that I’ll serve You to the best of my ability, no matter how small, and according to Your will now and forever.

Amen.

A Child of God

Chapter 17: Happiness

2009-06-15T00:12:00.003+07:00

O Lord … the other day one of my friends asked me how I always looked so happy with smiles on my face even though she knew I had gone through so much in life. She said anyone who just knew me would think I was born with silver spoons in my mouth and never knew what hardship meant.

I smiled and said, “Here it is, the source of my happiness”, and pointed at my heart with my index finger. My friend’s eyes widened with excitement. “Are you in love?” I smiled a broader smile. “Yes, I am. In fact the love in my heart is so full that it overflows. My love of God, that is.” My friend’s face looked disappointed. “Again, God again.” But then she couldn’t help continuing her conversation. “I tried, too, but I never got loved back from God nor received any message from God. I think God loves you more than me.” I knew immediately she was complaining because she did not get what she prayed for.

“Do you think God is like us human being? Whenever you ask anything from Him, he will have to hurry and hand it to you? If you think like this, you’ll forever be disappointed because God will NOT respond to requests from His children the way we human do.”

“I have been a catholic since I was born. I have never been granted anything that I pray for. They say God usually favors new converts like you.”

I answered her back, “Will you listen to me? Actually as a new child of God, I’m not knowledgeable about God enough to tell you anything about Him because you know God longer than I do. But after being tested for more than 20 years, I dare say I’ve discovered God. In fact I can feel Him every day, and I welcome Him into my heart every day. That’s why I am so happy. Let me tell you how I get everything I pray for.”

“One example was that many years ago when my court case first ended, I was still traumatized, painful, and hurt. I couldn’t accept the fact that I had to lose 20 years of my life though I did not do anything wrong. I was accused of the crime I did not commit. While my colleagues went on to become millionaires, chairmen, and top executives, I had become a forgotten woman, broken spiritually and financially. Society shunned me, and later my husband left me, leaving our 4 children for me to take care alone. Though I was able to forgive all, I lived in self pity. Every day I’d wake up thinking how I could just go to sleep without having to get up the next day. No, I did not think of suicide again, but I was thinking to myself where I could find a sleeping pill that could put me to sleep for 5 years per pill. I’d take 2 so that I could sleep without having to wake up for 10 years hoping that when I finally did, life would be better for me. I prayed and prayed to God to please ‘heal’ me, and to Mary to give love to my heart that was broken to pieces. Then I listened.”

“You listened? You really trusted God to the point that you thought God would talk to you?”
“Please let me continue.” I listened because I knew God could and would heal me. How and
when, I didn’t know; but I opened my heart to receive any message from Him every day. Then one day He spoke to me. At that time Thailand was hosting the FESPIC Game, an Asian Game for the invalids. That night the president of the Association for the Disabled (I didn’t remember the proper name) who had only one leg appeared on television. He was giving a speech welcoming the participants of the game who were all disabled. “No one wants to be born an invalid. However, if one has to be under such condition either by birth or by any unfortunate circumstances, should that person bemoan the rest of his life at his misfortune? What good would it do? On the contrary if that person accepts this misfortune as fact of life, he can very much live a life as normal and as happy as the healthy people.”

I sprang up from my sofa. Yes, God had just spoken to me.! I must be able to accept what happened to me as fact of life, and live on. I couldn’t go back and re-lived or changed my past, nor could I jump into the future. But I can live my present to the very best. So what if society shunned me? So what if my husband left me? I still had my mind and body healthy and in tact.
I can start a new life if only I could forget the past and accept it as fact of life.

Yes, God I heard You! Loud and clear. BUT, could I ? Could I just forget the injustice that had been inflicted upon me for the past 2 decades? Could I just brush aside the pain that the only man whom I ever loved and to whom I could give my life simply walked away from me and our 4 children at the time when I needed someone the most?

That night I analyzed, prayed, and listened till dawn. God has spoken. Whether I could do it or not depended on me myself. God only helps those who help themselves.

Gradually I healed my destroyed heart. And what you said a while ago why I always looked so happy was that I have conversation with God every day. He listens and He replies. If you want God to answer to your prayers, you must have an unconditional faith. Then open your heart wide and deep. And listen! And you’ll find out that miracles can happen to ordinary people like you and me every day.”

“For nothing is impossible with God.” Luke 1:37

Amen.

A Child of God

Chapter 16: Be quiet and Listen

2009-05-05T22:05:00.001+07:00

O Lord … Today I’d like to offer you a short poem as my prayer.

Every day
We are busy
We work
We go here and there
Getting confused
So much complexity
We listen
All around us
Arguing
Only when we have time
Do we (sometimes) pray
But do we “listen”?
God speaks to us
In what manner?
If we don’t listen
Even though we may pray
How will God
Communicate with us?
Each day
We should have
One brief moment
To be quiet and listen
To God’s voice
Then we’ll know
How much
God loves us!
For me I already know, my Lord :)

“Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge.” Proverb 23:12

Amen.

A Child of God

Chapter 15: Why? Why? Why?

2009-04-17T18:08:00.001+07:00

O Lord … not too long ago one of my best friends fell very ill after she went out to dinner. Some kind of virus got into her nervous system. She lay unconscious for weeks. When she finally came through, she became partially paralyzed.

Since she was a good Christian whose faith was known to all who knew her, one word kept popping up among those who visited her at the hospital. “Why?” Others, “Why does it happen to someone like her?” “Why does God allow such a terrible thing to happen to a faithful person like her?” …

Another friend who was a new convert like me asked me the same question. “Frankly my friend, I don’t know the answer myself.” I answered. For several days my heart was troubled by the same question, and even more so because of another reason. Why is it that every time something bad happens, people blame it on God? Why do people think that God was the one who caused my friend to be paralyzed?

I looked at my own life. Though I suffered beyond words for the past decades, I never once blamed God. I analyze that every person who is born to this world must go through suffering in one form or the other. What then are the causes of our suffering? Here is my own conclusion.

1. Other people cause us to suffer.
2. We make ourselves suffer.
3. Things beyond our control such as natural disasters, wars, diseases make us suffer.

I told my friend that the reason why she got so sick was that she must have
eaten something contaminated with that deadly type of virus that destroyed part of her nerve. God didn’t put the virus into her body! So, she should stop blaming God. My explanation somewhat calmed her and other friends down.

At the same token a lot of people believe that once they proclaim they have ‘faith’ in God, their lives will be protected from all evils, all bad fortunes, and all disappointments. That’s why once they do not get what they pray for, they will waste no time in questioning God’s existence. “If God is real, why doesn’t He grant me my wish?” There it goes…

My Lord, from my own experience I’ve learned that as our Father, You know better than us, Your foolish children. You will give and grant us our wishes if and when You think is appropriate, when it’s Your will. Not our will. If we the foolish children realize this fact, we’ll be granted our wish every time we ask from You! This is the test of our faith.

Thank You, my Lord. There is no more “Why?” from me.
My faith in You is profound and unconditional.

"...that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.” James 1:3

"...faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” James 2:17

Amen.

A Child of God

Chapter 14: Forgiveness … cont’d

2009-04-01T23:33:00.002+07:00

O Lord … In my previous prayer I wrote about forgiving. I described how difficult it was to forgive our enemies or those who hurt us. Come today, may I write to you one more time about another type of forgiveness. Yes, one that is much more difficult to do … forgiving someone whom we love, but who has wronged us!

Enemies are outsiders. They can hurt us for hundreds of reasons. But for someone whom we love and to whom we have given our lives to hurt and betray us, it’s the cruelest pain that can be inflicted upon mankind. How can we forgive them then? Without You, my Lord, it’s an impossible deed.

I am one who was able to go through the whole length of this tunnel of pain because You were with me throughout the ride. Yes, my Lord. I had to pray for years and years before I was able to forgive the man to whom I gave my life but who betrayed me. I was too weak to forgive him on my own.

Little by little, You lead me to understand that hating someone and wanting to revenge is like chaining ourselves to the bonfire of hatred. The more we want to revenge, the shorter we cut the chain, pulling us closer and closer to the fire. At the end we’ll be burnt alive being strapped pitifully alone to the pole. And where is the person whom we want to revenge? He is no where in sight to acknowledge our demise and oblivious to our suffering. He might even be beaming with satisfaction should he know he succeeded in hurting us.

On the contrary if we are able to forgive those who hurt us – no matter who they are – we’ll be liberating ourselves from the fire of hatred. Once we forgive, we can walk away from the fire and feel free to breathe fresh air again.

Forgiving does not mean we are a ‘loser’ or being weak. On the contrary, being able to forgive requires inner strength and makes us a ‘winner’, a winner of ourselves, of our own hearts. If we can’t do it at first, try asking for God’s Grace. At the end besides feeling free, we’ll also get satisfaction from our forgiveness. Remember this saying, “Love your enemy. You’ll drive him crazy”!

O Lord … may I prostate at Your feet. You have blessed me with Your Grace in freeing my heart from 2 huge bonfires. First I was able to forgive those who wrongly accused me of the crime I did not commit. Then I was able to cut the chain to the fire built by the only man I ever loved in my life.

If this isn’t the greatest feeling of freedom and freshness, what is?
I am grateful to You, my Lord.

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other,
just as in Christ God forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32

Amen.

A Child of God

Chapter 13 : Forgiveness

2009-03-17T22:46:00.001+07:00

O Lord … Not many people in this world understand the pain of being accused of a crime they do not commit. It’s not something that happens ordinarily in our daily lives. I happen to be one of the very few who experienced such pain to the fullest extent.

I was accused of malfeasance and embezzling my former company, a major finance and securities firm, while I was the President for a staggering amount of Baht 196 millions (US$ 7.84 millions then). My real crime? I refused to accommodate a request that was totally unethical and against my principle from a powerful director of the board. When this director became the chairman of the company, I conveniently became someone who should be written off. A former staff of mine whose wedding was officiated by me became a star witness in exchange for a promotion. The result? An arrest warrant was issued. Suddenly there was a price on my head!

In foreign countries anyone who is accused of any crime will be presumed innocent until proven guilty. In Thailand, however, any suspect accused of criminal charges will be locked up until proven innocent by the court if he cannot post a bail. Where would I get the money or collateral to post as bail for such a mammoth amount? I would surely rot to death in jail. I had no choice but to flee.

From that point on, I would live a life of a fugitive. As the youngest daughter of my family, I was raised as a protected little girl. I studied in a private all-girl, catholic school. After graduation from abroad I climbed up the corporate ladder rapidly. At the age of 25 I reached the pinnacle of my career when I became the co-founder and President of a finance and securities company that would become one of Thailand’s largest financial institutions. Nothing in my background had prepared me to live a life as a fugitive having to be on the run like a criminal. Eating just one meal a day sometimes, and being unable to sleep at night for fear of the dark, I dragged my life on pathetically until … On the dawn of the 25th December, 1989, I dozed off after keeping awake the whole previous night. When I awoke, it was pitched dark outside, and cold, very cold. On top of all the miseries I was hungry, yes, starving. When I could not find anything to eat because all shops were closed, I became hysterical. What was the point of going on? When I could not find any weapon to take my own life, I sank down to the floor and cried out to God to take me to be with Him. At that moment of total desperation I felt Your loving arms embracing me and soothing my wounded soul. I was startled. Your presence was so strong that I was jolted back to my senses.

If I was to continue living, I must first forgive all my enemies. But how? I was cursing then just moments ago so I prayed. As soon as I did so, a feeling like a breeze of snow swept through my heart that felt like fire. I knew immediately that You had touched my heart and soul. Through You I was able to forgive all those who hurt me. I had just experienced a miracle! I prostrated and prayed again. “Thank You Lord. I’ll be and do whatever You want me to be or do.”
Besides forgiving the man who put me through all these, my former employee who betrayed me, and the lawyer who was also my former employee, I even prayed for Your blessings for them. I had never felt more free in my life!
“Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you.” Matthew 5:44

“For it you forgive men where they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” Matthew 6:14-15

Amen.

A Child of God

Chapter 12 : Connections

2009-02-21T01:51:00.000+07:00

O Lord … In Thailand we Thais always like to find ‘connections’ in doing things. Having ‘connections’ means one can get things done more speedily or more conveniently. There is nothing wrong in having ‘connections’ or in trying to find one. I am sure it’s the same way in many other countries around the world.

Right now, I’ve discovered the biggest and most powerful ‘connection’ in the entire universe, You!

Please give me permission to elaborate through this prayer.

Nowadays no matter what I do, in business, in personal or family affairs, etc. I’d ask You to ‘lead’ me and to be ‘caretaker’ for me. I pray every day that I can serve You according to Your will. At the same time I teach all my children to pray for guidance in everything they do, and to thank You no matter what they get for You know better than Your children. After we practice this absolute faith in You, what we get as the result is wow! , we get everything we pray for! Since our faith in You is unconditional, we have learned to accept things according to YOUR will rather than OUR will. The result is that we feel we RECEIVE Your blessings every day. In being able to accept our disappointments when we don’t get what we pray for as Your blessing is indeed the greatest blessing in itself!

Thank You, my Lord, thank You!

“So, we say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.
What can man do to me?’” Hebrews 13:6

“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances,
for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5: 5-8

Amen.

A Child of God

Chapter 11: Money and Happiness

2009-02-01T00:28:00.000+07:00

O Lord … in my business I often have opportunities to meet foreigners. Every time if situation permits, I’ll bring up topic about You. Most westerners are Christians though some would tell me out right that they are not religious.

The other day a Taiwanese customer came to visit me. His group is one of the largest conglomerates in his country. His boss is a billionaire. They all work unbelievably hard, and none of them believe in You.

During luncheon together he mentioned that he was often very tired. So was his boss. Besides, though he and his boss were undeniably rich, they were not happy. He felt empty inside he said. However, he marveled that I always had a smile on my face. Certainly I must be richer that they were! I quickly replied, “No, not at all. I’m not even one in a millionth of your wealth. But I’m happy because I have God!” He looked me in the eyes, “God again” I smiled, “Yes, God gives me happiness.” “Though I’m very busy”, I continued, “I’d find time to do things to serve Him. And it gives me great joy and happiness.” “It’s a waste of time!” He declared. I told him that for me, serving God was not a waste of time. I believe in You, and have faith in You. In serving You with all my heart, You will in return take care of my business for me. He then told me coarsely, “I don’t believe in God. Period.”

So, it was period, the end of the conversation about You. Some people are like lotus in the mud (Thai saying). There is nothing we can do about people who worship themselves and money like this. It reminds me of Your teaching, “When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away that was sown in his heart …” Matthew 13:18

I’ll keep sewing, my Lord, untiringly. I promise.

“It is good to praise the Lord… to proclaim your love in the morning
and your faithfulness at night….” Psalm 92: 1-2

Amen.

A Child of God

Chapter 10: Pilgrimage Trips

2008-11-20T00:20:00.002+07:00

O Lord … You have been very kind to me beyond any words can describe. Within a few years after I’ve become Your child, You have blessed me and my family time and again.

My two younger children and I had had a chance to go on a pilgrimage trip to Rome, Lourdes, and Fatima recently. It was the first time in my life and my children’s to experience Your presence so intimately and to witness solid faith of those who are really faithful to You.

On the night at Lourdes after the candle light prayers of the whole group ended before mid-night, I felt tired, dead tired I might say. My two younger children wanted to go back to our hotel. I felt the same way, but my conscience told me otherwise. I had to go back and prayed my rosaries alone. The better side of me won.

Amidst the coldness of the weather and the quietness of the surrounding, I kneeled down in front of Mary’s statue on the mountain and prayed. Without knowing, tears streamed down my cheeks. Experiences of my previous sufferings ran through my mind, scene by scene, as though they were scenes of movies being shown on a screen. Everything happened on its own without my own consciousness. I could feel Mary’s and Your love engulfing my lonely heart. My children told me tears ran down my face continuously throughout the time that I prayed. I myself was not aware of it. All I ever remembered was that my heart was filled with Your love during that time. I was completely lost, oblivious to my surroundings and only concentrated on my feelings of connecting with You through my prayers.

By the time I got up, I felt rejuvenated both physically and spiritually. I could feel the freshness of pure morning dew drops that completely cleaned my heart of all pain. It was a miracle that I could feel. I felt ecstatic beyond words!

When I got back to our hotel, I thoroughly understood what St. Bernadette had said in summarizing her whole life and her whole mission, “To obey is to love! To suffer in silence for Christ is joy! To love sincerely is to give everything, even grief!”

May I humbly add my version of love, my Lord, “To love is to sacrifice. If the suffering is the result of faith in You, it can become rejuvenating sweetness!”

The three of us – both my children and I went back to our hotel in the early hours of the new day. Strangely enough my physical exhaustion was gone. I remembered what our priest had told me in the coach. “I think God’s mission for you is to be a witness.” I contemplated his words carefully at that moment. What happened to my life already passed. From now on I’ll live my life for one and only purpose. That is to serve You, my Lord … either to be a witness or do whatever You want me to be or do. I am ready, my Lord.

That night, or morning rather, I went to sleep as the happiest person on earth :)

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation;
the old one has gone, the new one has come!” 2 Corinthians 5:17

Amen

A Child of God

Chapter 9: New Year Prayer

2008-11-08T21:15:00.006+07:00

O Lord … I wrote a New Year Prayer to You some 3 decades ago. It’s new year around the corner again. Since what I wrote then is still applicable today, I humbly offer the same prayer to You one more time.

New Year Prayer

Thank Thee, O Lord, for the past year,
For Your Love, Your help, and Your cheer,
For Your mercy, Your kindness, and Your care,
I thank Thee, O Lord, with this prayer.

This New Year, O Lord, please help me
Be a better man, be a better me,
Be ready to help others when needed.
Be ready to forgive when cheated

Be braver, be bolder, but kinder.
Be wiser, be wittier as I grow older.
Be cheerful and always ready to smile.
Be generous as far as mile after mile.

Be healthier, be lovelier, be manlier.
Be smarter, be fonder, and prettier.
Be more a giver than as asker.
Be more a doer then a wisher.

When I fall, please help me stand.
When I sin, please give me Thy hand.
When I’m sick, please cure me.
When I do bad, please warn me consciously.

When I’m needed, please let me know.
When I’m in crisis, please let justice grow.
When I can help better the world, please wake me.
When I can persue peace, please help strongly.

Give me more courage to live the life.
Give me more patience to strive.
Give me more advice which I need.
Give me more strength to withstand the greed.

Give me more chances to help others.
Give me time to support my neighbors.
Give me power to create.
Give me ability to persuade.

Let me be a grown-up man.
Let me act wisely with a careful plan.
Let me understand people more.
Let me know what men are created for.

Let me be openhearted enough.
Let me forgive though the matter’s tough.
Let me live the life usefully.
Let me be better, let it be a better me.

I pray deeply from my heart.
I pray peace and happiness not to depart.
I pray gently kneeling here.
I pray to Thee, Lord, to give me a Happy New Year!

Amen

A Child of God

Chapter 8: The Cross

2008-10-16T13:03:00.002+07:00

O Lord … In the past before I became a child of Yours, like millions of other people in this world, the Cross was merely an instrument to put prisoners in ancient days to death. Nothing more. Nothing less. It had nothing to do with our modern day lives. O, Yes, the Cross has become a fashionable piece of ornament to be worn around the neck, fingers, or ears. And that’s it.

But now, my Lord, after I have come to know You and accepted You as the Savior of my life and soul, the Cross is no longer irrelevant in my every day life any more. In fact it is EVERYTHING. I willingly and gleefully accept this Cross in my daily life. A well-known Belgian writer, Phil Bosrnans, once wrote about the meaning of the Cross and he described it much more meaningfully and impressively than I could. He wrote

“ The Cross brings you back to truth,
to the reality of your vulnerability,
--your exact human size, your insignificance,
your poverty, your feebleness.
The Cross can free you from material things,
which threaten to drown you.
You can cut free from your mediocrity.
The Cross is like an aerial,
which can pick up a message from God.
It won’t take away your pain,
but it will take away the senselessness,
the purposelessness of it all.
You can feel human again
and, perhaps, feel and see everything clearly,
through eyes that have wept.”

Yes, my Lord, I can see now, very clearly through both my eyes that have been thoroughly cleansed by tears. I am now willing to carry the Cross every step of my life so that I can walk side by side with You to the top of Mt. GOLGOTHA.

I will follow You, my Lord.

“If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and
take up his cross and follow me.” Matthew 16:24

Amen

A Child of God

Chapter 7: Your Favorite Child

2008-10-03T23:58:00.002+07:00

O Lord … For once may I have your permission to tell myself something that I know is not true. May I be allowed to tell myself that I am your FAVORITE CHILD though I know well in my heart that You love all Your children equally.

Formerly whenever I heard someone say that once he accepted You into his life, he would be a ‘new’ man, a reborn person of some sort, … etc. And I would think to myself, ‘What an overstatement!’ They were the words that these Christians had to say publicly in order to make an impression. But now, my Lord, the very same feeling that I could never understand formerly is happening to me!

Right now I am a child of Yours, wholly and completely. If I were a tree now, I’d probably be a big tree that had shed all dried leaves and dead branches, leaving in existence just a strong and big trunk. Amidst the chaos of our society and the down trend of our economy I only see the Love from You, shining brightly like the ray of the sun touching and dancing brightly on the pure morning dew on the leaves of the trees and flowers.

Amidst the nothingness of my life, I feel I am the richest person on earth! I also feel I am the most blessed child of Yours! You never deserted me. Mary never deserted me. I’d like to offer myself humbly to serve You to the best of my ability. I’ll behave like a horse running straight toward the goal without being distracted. I’ll not yield to obstacles, hardship, or misunderstanding (if any) in serving You. I’ll serve You to the best that my energy and wisdom allow.

O Lord … Please give me guidance and blessing so that I know how to serve You properly and not be lost again.

Thank you, my Lord, for listening to my prayers. Anyone who doesn’t have solid faith in You might think that I’m being overly exaggerated. However, as I said at the beginning of this prayer, I ask for Your permission to say something I know is not true. I am Your favorite child! It does not matter who thinks otherwise.

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him.” Romans 9:28

Amen

A Child of God

Chapter 6: Please Use Me

2008-09-17T11:08:00.005+07:00

O Lord … In the Bible, the book of Ecclesiasticus 2:1-11 says,
“My child, if you aspire to serve the Lord,
prepare yourself for an ordeal.
Be sincere of heart, be steadfast,
and do not be alarmed when disaster comes.
Cling to him and do not leave him,
so that you may be honoured at the end of your days.
Whatever happens to you, accept it,
and in the uncertainties of your humble state, be patient,
since gold is tested in the fire,
and the chosen in the furnace of humiliation.
Trust him and he will uphold you,
follow a straight path and hope in him.
You who fear the Lord, wait for his mercy;
do not turn aside, for fear you fall.
You who fear the Lord, trust him,
and you will not be robbed of your reward.
You who fear the Lord, hope for those good gifts for his,
everlasting joy and mercy.
Look at the generations of old and see:
who ever trusted in the Lord and was put to shame?
Or who ever, steadfastly fearing him, was forsaken?
Or who ever called to him and was ignored?
For the Lord is compassionate and merciful,
he forgives sins and saves in the time of distress.”

I feel that I have been tested time and again. If I were gold, I’d be melted and melted till I’m totally liquidized. Please, my Lord, please use me; or let me be whatever You’d like me to be. Please, do not test me again. Gold in its liquid form would be of no use till it’s put into a mould and come out as ornaments. I’m ready to serve You, my Lord. Just don’t melt me again, please. Use me or let me be whatever You want me to be.

I’m ready, My Lord.

Amen

A Child of God

Chapter 5: I Had a Dream

2008-08-07T12:48:00.004+07:00

O Lord….. How tired I am of this world. No matter which way I turn, I only see conflict, jealousy, and people taking advantage of each other. Even in the smallest circle of society, there is neither peace nor harmony. Why? Because people nowadays don’t know the real meaning of love, love of God, love of other people. Human beings are selfish. They just want to take as much as they can.

O Lord….. I’ve written a poem with which I’d like to honor You. Please give love, lots of love to all Your children on earth. Only love can make this world a more livable place for all mankind.

I Had A Dream

I once had a dream........
To better the world, right the wrong, feed the poor.
To love, and simply BE loved.

Time passed……..
I fought for justice, loved all around me, and gave all I could.
But people kept saying the glass was half empty while I saw it half full.

While I thanked the sun for giving energy to the world and marveled

At the beauty of the weed under our feet,
People all around complained of the heat and stomped on the grass.

I gave, but was double-crossed.
I loved, but was betrayed.

Time passed……..
Days turned into weeks, weeks into months, and months into years.

Half a century later……..
I lay exhausted in bed, disillusioned and disheartened
By the disfigure of our supposedly ROUND world.

Looking out of the window,
It was the darkest of the darkest of the night.
Suddenly, there it was, a tiny lone star, shining brightly
Against the total blackness of the sky.
Unknown to all, and probably unnoticed by many.
But it DID make a difference.
The sky was not totally dark and ugly.
There was light and brightness no matter how small it was.

I jumped up from bed.
Though I could not change the world, right the wrong, and feed all the poor, I can still LOVE!

One loving heart CAN make the difference in this heartless world.
Like the lone star in the darkness of the night.
I was an idealistically romantic purist in all senses.
I’ll just have to be an idealistically pragmatic realist now.
With a repaired heart and an improved inner vision,
I have a dream……..

“Praise the Lord. Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who finds great delights in His command…….. Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for the gracious and compassionate and righteous man.”
Psalm 112:1 , 112:4

Amen

A Child of God

Chapter 4: SEALM II, Philippines

2008-08-07T12:44:00.003+07:00

O Lord….. You are indeed a great listener. I’ve been praying every day to You to give me opportunities to serve You. And You did!

As a new Christian I was naturally surprised to be chosen as one of the representatives of the Thai lay ladies to participate in the 2nd South East Asian Laity Meeting in the Philippines last month. They wanted 4 official representatives from each country, 2 men and 2 women. The representatives must be able to speak English. There were about 90 participants from 9 countries: Brunei, India, Indonesia, Malasia, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, and Thailand.

The participation in this meeting had reinforced my already strong faith unexpectedly and unbelievably.

I had a chance to live with a host family in a Catholic Community during my short stay there. There I learned from the lady who took care of us how to live a “Christ-centered life”. She was a business executive, but she devoted EVERYTHING in her life to God. At that time I did not understand what it meant to live such a life, but looking at her and seeing how strong her faith was made me feel so inadequate. I bombarded her with questions on how to serve God, how to be a good Christian, and how to keep one’s faith so strong. As a new Christian it was energizing and refreshing to my soul to see someone like her who devoted every moment of her life to God.

On the last day of the seminar after mass I was blessed with a task I never dared dream of. I was asked to go up to the altar and gave a speech on my life and why I converted. I was very excited. I prayed for the Holy Spirit to be with me throughout my speech.

It turned out to be the most significant speech I had given in my life so far. Who could have dreamed that I would have a chance to be standing on the altar of a cathedral in the Philippines and gave a sharing speech in front of representatives of 9 countries? The audience gave me a standing ovation after I finished. Many had tears in their eyes. The most touching moment, however, was when 3 people from the audience came up to me and hugged me and cried. They wanted to share their life stories with me. One in particular was a Philippino woman who told me her husband had suffered the same kind of injustice like me for the past 10 years. She said because of what happened, both she and her husband had lost faith in God. She came to the meeting because it was her duty to play the guitar. She said she was glad she came, because after hearing my speech, she felt ashamed that her faith was too shallow and that my life experience had restored her faith. She asked me to correspond with her after I returned home.

My Lord, I am a new Christian whose life is not worthy of any praise. I am however willing and ready to share my faith and life experiences so that the whole world can know that You are real, You are sacred, and You are almighty. Anyone who has faith in You will be saved and blessed.

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,

whose confidence is in Him…” Jeremiah 17:7

Amen

A Child of God

Chapter 3: Please Bless Me

2008-08-07T11:52:00.016+07:00

O Lord….. I’m looking at the mirror. What I see makes me startled with fear and anxiety. I’m no longer a young girl with a beautiful and fresh face. What I see is a face of a middle aged woman, the age which Thai people term beautifully as “golden age” to lessen the impact of its real meaning. Pretty soon my face and body will have more wrinkles. The situation will get worse as this is the law of nature. Nobody wants to get old, but this is the fact of life.

O Lord….. I don’t know how much time I have left on this world. I only know that I’ve not served You at all. Please give me opportunities to serve You on earth before I go to do so in heaven.

In the meantime please bless me with beauty of my mind and spirit. Please don’t let my spirit get senile along with my body, but please fill my heart with Your love, kindness, and gentleness. Though my body has to wilt as time goes by, please let what stays be the beauty of my heart that increases with my age. Let me be not afraid of getting old. On the contrary with each step of my life please let me move forward with a strong faith in my heart and an unwavering determination to serve You in everything I do. Let me be a woman who is beautiful and worthy to be a child of Yours.

"Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Give her the reward she has earned…..” Proverbs 31:30-31

Amen

A Child of God

Chapter 2: Please Heal Me

2008-08-07T11:36:00.009+07:00

O Lord….. This morning I came across an article, “The Power of Forgiveness”. It was written by an American veteran who dropped the napalm bomb to a small village in Vietnam some 20 years ago. The consequences of his action were captured on film by a photographer whose picture of a naked 7-year-old girl run screaming in the middle of the road won a Pulitzer price. The writer said that for decades he had lived with guilt in his heart and had turned his back against God. It wasn’t until he met his 3rd wife when he finally found what he had been looking for—peace in his heart again. She was a devout Christian. Through her he came back to accept God as his savior, and had since become a preacher. Eventually, he had an opportunity to meet that naked 7-year-old girl who was then a grown up woman, happily married and lived a normal life in Toronto, Canada; and asked for her forgiveness. She readily forgave him.

As I read the article, tears streamed down my face. Every time I read about prisoners-of-war telling stories of their torture or people who are prosecuted unfairly, I’d find myself in tears. Most of these people would turn away from God for a long time….until one day when they met someone who could sooth their hearts with God’s love. That’s when they came back to God again. That’s when they could find the strength to forgive themselves or those who had put them through so much miseries before finally being healed.

But for me, my Lord, I had an experience contrary to all the stories I had read. I was condemned and persecuted for the crime I did not commit. I had to live a life in exile like a criminal eluding extradition at times eating just one meal a day in a foreign land. All the time that I was suffering, I did not once lose faith in You nor did I once blame You. On the contrary I cried out to You for help time and again. And throughout those trying times I was not even a Christian yet.

Now, my Lord, now that my ordeal is over, now that I’m proven innocent, I’m suffering much more, more than any words could describe. I told myself during my life in exile that I must not die, that I had to fight for justice, that I had to clear my name for my children’s sake. Fourteen years had passed. Now that my name is cleared, where is justice? While my former colleagues are now top CEO’s or Chairmen of well-known companies, I am a broken woman, forgotten by society and shunned by friends. Most painful is the fact that there is no one, absolutely no one

I liken myself to a deer which fell into a trap dug by a hunter. Once done, the surface of the trap was covered with leaves and branches. I was buried alive with no sunlight and no way to escape. With miracle from God one day I was pulled from the hell hole. My whole body was covered with wounds and bruises. All I had left was my breathing and an unyielding heart.

Once home I’d expect my owner to help heal me and put me back to the path of a normal life. Instead he looked at me with eyes of scorn. Instead of treating me with kind and understanding words, he poured hot boiling water on me. Instead of curing my wounds with soothing medicine, he put salt and pepper in them. Worst yet, my unwavering faith in God was mocked and laughed at. If there was God, why did I have to go through what I did?

O Lord….. Please help me. You are supreme above all things in the whole of universe. Please help heal me. Only You know how. My pain is so deep that I find it impossible to go on in my life. No, my Lord, my pain is not caused by hatred. I have no hatred left. I was able to forgive all who hurt me because of You, remember? I desperately want to be healed. Please send someone, something, or somewhat to help heal me.

Please, my Lord, please heal me.

“I’m worn out from groaning; all night long I flood my bed with weeping and drench my couch with tears.

My eyes grow weak with sorrow; they fail because of all my foes.
Away from me, all you who do evil, for the Lord had heard my weeping.

The Lord has heard my cry for mercy; the Lord accepts my prayer.

All my enemies will be ashamed and dismayed;

they will turn back in sudden disgrace.” Psalm 6:6-10

Amen

A Child of God

Chapter 1: A Day in My Daily Life

2008-08-07T11:30:00.004+07:00

O Lord….. My life this morning is the same as every day. My children have gone off to school. My husband has left for work. In a little while I’d be off to work as well. In my daily life I am very busy at work. Is there anyone who understands the feeling of a working woman like me? I have to be strong at work yet gentle and kind at home. I cannot fail as a businesswoman, at the same time I have to be a perfect wife and a good mother at home.

With all the burdens on my shoulders I do not want anything in return. I just want to be loved by my family the way I love them. That’s all I ask and hope for.

O Lord…. Please make today more special than any other day. Please give me opportunities to serve You through helping other people so that another day in my life will not pass in vain.

Please listen to my prayers. Amen.

O Lord….. This is almost noon. I’ve been busy all morning, and have not rested yet. It will be noon soon. I thank You for listening to my prayers since this morning though they might not be meaningful in any way, and might have taken away Your attention from others who might be in need of more urgent help from You. Please give Your love to all my staff in this office. Amen.

O Lord….. The day is ending. I’m kneeling in front of You. It’s been a long day, and I am bone tired. Yet when I go home, I cannot tell anyone I am tired. As soon as I arrive home, my status will change immediately. I automatically become a housewife, one who does not have problems on her own, and must have a clear heart and a clear mind. If the food is not delicious, I’d be complained. If the house is not tidy, I’m inadequate in my duty. Though I cannot be fired as a housewife, I’d feel guilty every time I am complained. It’s the role and duty of a good wife that my society has set it to be.

O Lord….. How glad I am that I am a Christian now. We Christians do not believe in being reborn. I definitely do not want to be reborn life after life, especially as a woman again. How fortunate we Christians are to have You as our savior. I look forward to the day when I can serve You eternally in Heaven.

Thank You for listening to my prayers the whole day today.

“Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayers.” Romans 12:11-12

Amen

A Child of God

Preface

2008-08-07T11:26:00.037+07:00

For the past decades if one looked at my life from a non-believer’s point of view, he would find a novel-like story which author was a highly imaginative person. Even I could hardly follow the plot of my own life.

I was born in Bangkok, Thailand, the youngest daughter of my family whose parents were devout people. My mother especially would worship all things she thought were sacred—ranging from the moon to statues. Fortunately they sent all their three daughters to catholic girl schools for education. After graduation from high school in Bangkok, I went to the U.S.A., and came back with a Bachelor degree (Honors) in Business Administration in 1969 at the age of only 20. I was immediately offered a job by Thailand’s first finance and securities company. With hard work and outstanding performance I was asked by a large commercial bank’s President to co-found another such company 5 years later, and became its first Managing Director. At the age of 25 I was the youngest female top financial executive in Thailand at that time. Five more years later the Chairman of the company wanted to retire. With assistance from another financier, I bought up all his shares and became the biggest shareholder of the company. At the age of 30 I was at the top of the world!

Then lightening struck. Less than a year after I took over the company, the Stock Exchange of Thailand crashed for the first time. I did all I could, but finally decided to sell the company back at a tremendous loss. I was willing to sacrifice myself in exchange for the safety of the money of the depositors many of whom were catholic schools.

Having brought the ship safely back to shore, I was totally exhausted and wanted to rest. I resigned. Before I was due to leave, something unimaginable happened. I was asked to attend a meeting, an ordinary event in my daily life then. On that fateful day, however, there was no meeting. Instead, I was held against my will in the meeting room for 7 hours, forced to sign some papers by a senior director. Seeing that it was unethical, I steadfastly refused. From 4:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. I was denied any food nor drinks. When the director who held me captive finally had to let me go before midnight, he pointed his finger at me. “One day you’ll be sorry.” Little did I know that what I did or did not do that day would cost me 2 decades of my life.

Later this man became the new Chairman of the company, and he was true to his words.

One day I got the shock of my life when I was tipped off that an arrest warrant was on the way for me for allegedly embezzling my former company a staggering amount of Baht 196 MM! (approximately US$ 7.84 MM at that time). A former employee of mine whose wedding was officiated by me was willing to give false testimonies to the police in exchange for a promotion. While all accused were presumed innocent until proven guilty in court, I could be jailed rotten if I could not produce enough bail. Where could I obtain that amount of money for bail? I had no choice. Leaving my 4 young children and my husband behind, I took the first plane out of Thailand the next morning. As soon as the plane took off, I buried my face in my hands and cried out in my heart, “God! I am innocent! I am innocent!”

My life from that point on was like that of the doctor played by Harrison Ford in the movie, “The Fugitive”. Fearing I might be arrested, I moved from place to place, some days eating just one meal. At night I’d be too scared to sleep. My life as a pitiful fugitive went on till…… Dec. 25, 1989. Having been awake the whole previous night, I went to sleep late in the morning: and woke up around 7:00 p.m. I was starved. It was pitched dark outside and it was cold, very cold, and raining. When I came back to my room empty handed because all shops and restaurants were closed, I was hungry and angry. I became hysterical and started cursing the man who put me through this suffering, and the lawyer and the false witness who were both my previous employees. I must have temporarily gone insane at that point, and saw my own life less worthy than the dust on the floor. I ran around my tiny room looking for something—a knife, a rope, anything that could end my miserable being.

When I could not find any, I knelt down in the middle of the floor and cried out to the Lord. “Dear God. I do not know what sin I committed in my past life, but I can’t go on living anymore. Please come and take me to be with you.”

At that time I was not yet baptized. But throughout my ordeal I prayed feverishly night and day to God for His help.

I did not know how long I was kneeling there, but was jolted awake when a thought flashed into my mind without my awareness. It was like someone had spoken to me. “Don’t give up, my child. One day the truth will prevail. God has a mission for you.”

I jumped up from the floor. Did someone just talk to me? Or was I hallucinating? There was no one in the room except me. Then it dawned on me that though I was suffering beyond words, I was still free, wasn’t I? Besides, every time I thought I had come to the end of the rope, I’d get some reprieve. There couldn’t be any other explanation. It must be God who was taking care of me and had just spoken to me!

I prostrated and prayed, “Dear God, if it’s You who had just spoken to me, I’d be and do whatever You want me to.” Then I prostrated again. Just as I did that, a righteous thought came into my mind. If I was to continue living, I must first forgive. But How? Only moments ago I was cursing them to death. After trying the whole night, I prayed again. “Dear God, I want to forgive my enemies, but I cannot do it on my own. Please help me be able to do so.” What happened next was something I’d never forget the rest of my life. As soon as I finished my prayers, the feeling of hatred in my heart like a fire in the desert was blown away. Instead a breeze of coolness like the first fall of snow swept through my heart. It was wonderful. I felt redeemed and refreshed. I knew immediately a miracle had happened. God had touched my soul with His love. I was able to forgive my enemies through His blessing. I was ecstatic, and cried the tears of joy and excitement the whole night. Later I even prayed for God’s blessings for all 3 of them and their families.

I was to remain living the life of a fugitive in exile till the statute of limitations expired before I could return to Thailand. Though I could not be arrested on criminal charges, I was sued in civil court as well. That new chairman was bent to get me dead or alive. I had to attend lengthy court sessions. When one lawyer after another wanted to charge me a few million Baht as lawyer fee, I suddenly realized that I had God. Why did I need any lawyer? My faith was so strong that I could call it ‘blind faith’. I dismissed my lawyer, and went to court defending myself. Realizing that God helped those who helped themselves, I decided to head back to my former company to petition for justice. Another uphill battle had just begun.

Having been the top boss of the company, I was reduced to being just an ex con woman. Nobody would see me. I’d go there in the morning day after day hoping to get an appointment with someone. Everyone ignored and shunned me. The humiliation was so heart drenching that at times I thought I could not go on. However, I dared not get discouraged. If I did, I would be turned to ashes. I prayed vehemently with my unconditional faith till…..one Monday. On January 17, 1991, as usual I went to see the Director of the Legal Dept. of my former company. Ignoring his secretary’s refusal for me to see him, I barged into his room and presented him with a list of documents I said would prove my innocence. He shook his head. “It’s been 14 years. All documents had been destroyed.” Without premeditation I blurted out. “Then let me go and search the company’s store room myself!”

Nothing could be more absurd than that statement. However, “All Things Are Possible with God. Mark 10:27”. Accompanied by 5 of the company’s staff, I was allowed to go to the specially built and well guarded storage of the company. The Legal Director gave the permission so that he could rid himself of me the nuisance once and for all. Within only 2 hours however, I was able to dig out the evidence that would prove my innocence beyond any doubts. One of my other staff was ordered to destroy them; but for some reason she did not, but reported to the chairman who ordered her that she did.

The Board of Directors learned of the evidence at their next board meeting. They were stunned and speechless. One of them remarked. “We have killed an innocent woman!” Their resolution was to withdraw the case from the civil court immediately, and also asked me not to sue them back.

On March 21, 1991, I walked out of the court for the last time. Before I did, I kneeled down and kissed its floor saying the last goodbye. Even the sky cried the tears of joy for me. It rained the whole morning.

Remembering that I was able to forgive all of those who wrongly accused me because of God’s grace on the night of Dec. 25, 1989, I decided not to sue back for any amount of money though I could have asked for millions of Baht in damages. To family members who could not understand my action, I simply said, “It’s between me and God.”

And so it ended. So had everything. To most people including my husband at that time, my nightmare was over. I should just forget everything and get on with my life. I told my husband I was not a tab that could be turned on and just turned off. To me the fight for justice had ended; so had the purpose of living. I was a wounded woman who needed healing. Suddenly, it was an empty world around me. For the past decade or so I told myself I could not die before I was able to find justice. Now that the truth was known, where was justice? There were no announcements in the newspapers. I was still a social outcast, forgotten by most and shunned by all. All my former colleagues were then top financial executives. I was almost penniless and jobless. I could not even read business newspapers without crying. Suddenly, my previous determination and courage all but disappeared. The only feeling I had left was self pity. I had lost the will to live again.

I used to read about stories of prisoners of war killing themselves upon returning home. Why, I wondered? They endured torture in captivity, yet ended their lives once they were free. I was then facing the same psychological trauma like that of a prisoner of war upon returning home.

As if the Cross I was carrying was not heavy enough, an extra weight was added onto my shoulders. Not understanding that I desperately needed him to help me heal, my husband walked out of the family. I was left to care for our four children alone.

My life at that point was like a beautiful porcelain vase being thrown to the floor, then stomped upon by a strong rogue man. There was nothing left but pieces strewn around on the floor.

Whenever they saw me cry, my two younger children would climb onto my laps, wiped my tears and said, “Mommy, don’t cry. We love you. We promise we’ll be good children. We will study hard and make you proud of us one day.” I’d pull them close, hugged them, and told them I loved them too.

The only 2 things that kept me going at that point were God’s and my children’s love. I prayed every day begging God to help heal me. Since I did not have anyone to whom to turn, I wrote a lot of prayers to Him pouring out my grief, my pain, and every feeling in my heart to Him. God was silent, however. Then one day God spoke to me answering my prayers!

Thailand was hosting the FESPIC Game or the sport event for the disabled in January 1999. The night before the games started, the Head of the Thai team, a man who had a missing leg, appeared on television. He was giving a speech. At one point he said, “Nobody wanted to be born disabled. However, if we could accept this fact of life, we could live a normal life.” That’s it! God had spoken to me. The key to solve my psychological problem was that I must be able to accept what had happened to me. So what that I was a single mother? So what that society shunned me? I still had 10 fingers and a perfect body and a sound mind, didn’t I? Suddenly it was like the unlit bulb being turned on. I could not go back and re-lived nor changed my past, but I could live the present and shape my future. That night I prayed the whole night. The truth had now prevailed. It’s time to move on and found out what His mission for me was. If I continued living in this sorry state of mind, God’s miracle to me would be a waste.

I was baptized on June 2, 1996. Feeling ecstatic, I felt like I was reborn. I then channeled all my energy into serving God. I formed the Hot Line under the auspices of the Catholic Association of Thailand for those in distress. I joined the Catholic Business Executive Group and became their Secretary General. I joined the Thai Catholic Women Association, and was the 1st Vice President. I went to care for the old and visited the crippled. The list went on. My children were then grown up and together we tried our best to serve God.

I was so busy serving God and other people that I forgot about myself and my wound. By the time I had time to look at myself again, I found that the pain in my heart was no longer there. I was completely healed! I was afraid my heart would be scarred for life. Instead it is now filled with love, love of God, love of my children, and love of all others around me. Life is not perfect, but life is beautiful!

Looking back, I likened my experience to that of someone who was thrown into a river. Submerging in the middle of the rapid current, I was struggling to stay afloat. I saw Jesus standing on the shore watching me attentively. I cried out to Him for help. Instead of jumping into the river and rescued me, He’d throw materials, sometimes a log, sometimes a piece of wood to me. Finally, when I was able to swim ashore, He was there smiling and welcoming me with His open arms. By watching over me but letting me learn how to swim myself, Jesus had made me a competent and capable swimmer!

I also discover that the virtue of forgiveness benefits the forgiver, not the forgiven. Forgiving is not a sign of weakness. On the contrary it is the sign of strength. It frees the one who forgives from the chain that ties the person to the pole near the fire of hatred. It is not easy to forgive your enemy. I also find out that it is much, much more difficult to forgive someone whom you love but wrong you. However, once you are able to do so, you are free. You can walk away from the bonfire and breathe fresh air again.

I might have lost 2 decades of my life, but I can say now that looking back I have no bitterness left in my heart. Through my ordeal my children and I were melted by the fire of pain. However, having been immersed in the sea of God’s love together, we now reappear as one unit, united by our love for one another and bonded by our unconditional faith in Jesus.

One by one my children were converted too. Setting a standard for them to follow, I now try to live a Christ-centered life. Never a day passes by that we don’t talk about God and His blessings. I teach them to live their daily lives in such a way that honours Him. I also teach them to have unconditional faith in Him. Trust in Him, I say. I tell them to ask for His guidance and blessing in everything they do, and accept His will thankfully. Often we do not get what we ask for, but we still thank God for what He does not give us. The Lord knows better.

“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you In Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

This kind of faith not only makes my children good Christians, it also makes them strong mentally and spiritually. They can accept disappointment in life with humility and tolerance enabling them to cope with the world of today.

Every week except when we are not in town or sick, my children and I will attend mass together. When we go home, feeling Christ in us, we’d feel a renewed sense of freshness instilled in our soul and be ready for a new week.

Every weekend my whole family which now includes my son-in-law and my 14-month-old grandson will have dinner together. After saying prayers of thanks, we share our weekly experiences with each other amidst laughters. A family of love we are whole and we are one. Whole as we are united with God through our faith in Him. One as we are united by love of one another.

With my children now old enough to help me in my businesses plus an extra gift from God—my son-in-law who is a smart but polite PhD graduate in Engineering from UC Berkeley, U.S.A., my businesses are flourishing and expanding steadily. Everyone who comes into contact with my family will remark with admiration on how lucky I am to have children like them. They are all smart yet polite and obedient. Even my bankers are impressed. They all ask me how I raised them. I simply smile and say, “My children are like this because of God’s blessing.”

Who would have thought a few years ago that a broken family like ours would be healed and blessed like this?

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him” Romans 8:28

During the economic crisis in Thailand in 1997 I was so desperate financially that I remarked to my best friend that I was ready to give up everything and was willing to just serve God. A very devout Christian herself, she told me that different people had different talents. She was sure I could serve God better as a businesswoman. She said it would be a waste if I were to become just a housewife. That was the first time I had ever heard that I could serve our Lord through whatever we did. I started praying earnestly that if God wanted me to continue my business, please grant me one that could serve Him. Not long after came a big project that would enable me to employ hundreds of workers. It was a joint venture with a group of foreign investors. Where would I get the money to join them? I prayed, and my children helped me pray too. One week before the deal was concluded, I had enough money for my shares. Since then I never look back.

I have built 2 new factories in one of the best industrial estates in Thailand. In honouring our Lord I built an altar like in a church with verses from the Bible on the wall of each factory. Everyone who enters my factories will see the image of God before he sees my businesses. Besides, on the wall facing the street I have the whole surface covered with mosaics of bold abstract colours with a big golden Cross in the middle. If your heart is full of the Good News and Jesus Christ, it will spill over. You can’t keep it for yourself. Nowadays, I am having a special kind of fever—Jesus Fever—the kind of fever that I do not want its degree to subside no matter what.

If someone asks me to introduce myself today, I’d go like this. I am a faithful servant of God, a proud mother of 4 excellent children, and a businesswoman, in that order. I am also happy to share with you that I have discovered what God’s mission for me is. It is not a big project or something grand in nature. It’s just for me to be a good child of His, living my daily life in such a way that people see Christ in me, and dare be a witness like I am doing now. This is what God wants me to be. This is what God wants everyone to be.

I start this blog so that I can be a witness that God is real, God is great, and God is love.

The ‘Prayers’ that will appear in this blog were written by me after I was baptized in 1996. I now re-write them in English to share with you the readers.

I’d like to summarize my life so far with the following verses from the Bible.

“My child, if you aspire to serve the Lord, prepare yourself for an ordeal. Be sincere of heart, be steadfast. and do not be alarmed when disaster comes. Cling to Him and do not leave Him, so that you may be honored at the end of your days. Whatever happens to you, accept it, and in the uncertainties of your humble state, be patient, Since gold is tested in the fire, and the chosen in the furnace of humiliation. Trust Him and He will uphold you, follow a straight path and hope in Him. You who fear the Lord, wait for His mercy. Do no turn aside, for fear you fall. You who fear the Lord, trust Him, and you will not be robbed of your reward. You who fear the Lord, hope for those good gifts of His, everlasting joy and mercy. Look at the generations of old and see; who ever trusted in the Lord and was put to shame? Or who ever, steadfastly fearing Him, was forsaken? or who ever called to Him and was ignored? For the Lord is compassionate and merciful, He forgives sins and saves in the time of distress. Ecclesiasticus 2:1-11

“Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead.”

Philippians 3:13

“What is impossible with men is possible with God.” Luke 18:27

“Everything is possible for him who believes.” Mark 9:23

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other

just as in Christ God forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32

“For though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again.” Proverbs 24:16

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,whose confidence is in Him.”

Jeremiah 17:7

“Woman. You have great faith! Your request is granted.” Matthew 15:28

May God bless you all.

Mary Sarindhorn Mativachranon
August 7, 2008

Book review from Senior Rev. Chumnarn Saengchai

2008-08-07T11:25:00.002+07:00

Book review from H.E. Michael Cardinal Michai Kitbunchu

2008-08-07T11:17:00.001+07:00

My Little Prayers

2008-08-07T11:13:00.001+07:00

Hear Mary's Prayers!

2008-05-17T05:16:00.003+07:00

Coming soon.