“Human beings are truly small in the face of life,” and “our destiny is not entirely in our own hands.” When we see sayings like these, we often simply sigh and move on without much reflection. Yet the experiences of the past few years have given me a new understanding of life and destiny.
I thank the Lord that I still have the opportunity to contribute to EFCCA’s 30th anniversary publication. I also thank the Lord that the EFCCA family has walked hand in hand into its thirtieth year—what a blessing!
I remember that at the 25th anniversary we were still a family of four. In 2024, we welcomed our third baby and became a family of five, blessed with both daughters and a son. Looking back over the pregnancy, there were several things for which I am especially thankful. During that time, colleagues in my office fell ill one after another, and some even contracted COVID-19, yet I remained unaffected, almost as though I had stronger immunity than usual. Late in the pregnancy my blood sugar was elevated, but I followed the doctor’s diagnosis and treatment, and after the baby was born my blood sugar returned to normal.
What I most want to share is the peace the Lord gave me in the delivery room at Auckland Hospital on the night our baby was born.
I arrived at the hospital at seven in the morning to prepare for delivery. By evening, more than twelve hours had passed. The midwife discovered that the baby was in an unsuitable position. Put simply, the conditions were not right for a natural delivery unless something changed. Her words seemed to be preparing me mentally for surgery. At that moment, I prayed silently and sincerely hoped for a miracle so that the baby could be born safely.
A little while later, the midwife told me with amazement and excitement, “The baby has turned by himself!” I had been so nervous that my whole body felt cold and trembled, but in that moment I truly experienced God’s protection and a supernatural peace and presence. Praise the Lord—surprise replaced fear, and in the end both mother and baby were safe.
When I remember each of the three times I gave birth, the experiences in the delivery room are still vivid, filled with grace and praise. I would also like to share a small secret with brothers and sisters who have not yet become parents: each time I was in the delivery room, I played gospel songs on repeat, both Chinese and English, some joyful and some gentle. They truly helped calm and steady my heart. Seen another way, it was also a wonderful opportunity to share the gospel together with the baby.
When we face the birth of life, we also have to acknowledge the impact of death. Even after believing in the Lord for many years, can we truly face death without fear? When we see so many natural disasters and tragedies in the news, can we really remain unmoved?
In the first half of this year, two events gave me a deeper understanding: one person’s classmate died by suicide, and another person’s colleague died unexpectedly. When I heard these things from others, my heart was filled with mixed emotions. Two young and vibrant lives were suddenly gone. Although I had never met the classmate and had never spoken with the colleague, the thought that they might not have known Christ made me grieve and also taught me to value the present more deeply.
In my lifetime, I want to keep learning humility and obedience. In my lifetime, I want to pray for family members and friends who have not yet believed, asking the Lord to open their hearts so that they may receive salvation and, through the gospel, turn to the Lord Jesus Christ—the One who brings people from death to life and loves us with unconditional love.
“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”
— Psalm 90:12
Jessie
