ERIC's sharing...

Every year on Chinese New Year’s eve, my family and I would head down to my grandma’s place for reunion dinner without fail. We’ve been doing that since I could remember. During my early childhood days, I was afraid of dining at the same table with so many adults. Usually, they would pop a couple of questions and my response would either a) to smile and turn away or b) to dig into my food more and let the question pass by. I never really got comfortable chatting with them during those early years. Reunion dinners seem to be more like an ‘I’m a shy boy’ experience more than anything else.

Years went by and I became a restless and indulgent adolescent. At times I found this ‘routine’ to be a chore and never really appreciated having reunion dinner together with my (extended) family. I would hurry through the meal and glue myself to the television and rejoice when my parents decide it’s time to return home.

Things changed a little though when I became 16 (after the ‘O’ levels). I started working and it seem as though my uncles and aunts had a little interest in what I was doing. Being the over-zealous and boastful adolescent, I would be eager to share with them my work experience, the income I was getting and practically anything I could brag about. It felt as though I had ‘earned’ the right and ‘transited’ into the adults’ realm and found a niche within that circle. Reunion dinners took on a new meaning – a time to brag about something or anything. This would be the pattern for the following couple of years until the nation decides that it’s time I put on green and become a man. Given the limited time I had with them, the harsh and puff of trainings, I mellowed and started (only a little though) to really enjoy reunion dinner for what it is – reunion.

2006 came and I was into the final days of my service term. Cry as we might, beg as we could, but the nation recognized that it needed a standby force during the CNY period and my company was given (or shot with) the arrow to undertake this mighty task. We were to stay in for 7 days straight from a day before CNY eve all the way until the 5th day on the lunar calendar. Reunion dinner wasn’t exactly on my mind – I just didn’t want to be trapped in there! Well, we did have considerable fun though. There were a couple of prayer meetings and worship services conducted by my 2IC, Cpt Tan, but regrettably, I never attended any of those even though the invitation was for everyone (I was still a non-believer back then). But these mates seemed to be really enjoying themselves and it’s as though the presence of God more than made up for the physical separation from families.

Few months down the road and I’ve been discharged from service and it’s all about inoculating back into the civilian world. Things weren’t really great but I never knew what was to come will change my life entirely. My grandpa would fall terribly ill in June and then my grandma in October. When my grandpa first got admitted into the hospital, I knew not why, but the first thought that came to my mind was – am I going to have a reunion dinner that involves everyone? It was quite out of the way, but this thought was the first that flooded me. From then, just before I fall asleep on most days, I would wonder about how CNY in 2007 would be. I wasn’t around in 2006 and I dearly wished that in 2007, everything would still be the same old routine. We’ll be glued to the television at about 6 and our parents would need to scream, shout and literally drag us out of the house and head down to our granny’s place for reunion dinner. At the dinner, there will be some awkwardness initially, but some conversation would be struck gradually. My granny would be her usual busy self, cooking, washing, hurrying here and there to make sure everyone gets well fed. Everything would just be like last year, the year before, and the year before……

When my grandpa passed away in October, I knew the chance for me to have a reunion dinner with everyone was gone. About 2 months later, my granny would, too, pass away and it seems like the chance is not only gone, but reunion dinner would never be the same again… At times I’ve struggled and came close to tears as I tried to accept the fact that I’ve missed the last opportunity to have reunion dinner with my entire family in 2006.

Fortunately, Jesus found me and led me back to the Father. Even though my grandparents are no longer around, the reunion dinner pattern would never be the same anymore, but the love of the Father has come into my life. And that love surpasses all the disappointment, hurt or even regrets that I may harbor within me for failing to make it for the reunion dinner in 2006. I also want to thank God for my granny’s salvation – though she’s not feasting with us now on earth, she’s feasting with the Lord in heaven. I even thank God for the salvation of my family – for now I have something to look forward to: the day when all of us will be in heaven together with the Lord and feasting together with Him.

Let us not forget to witness to our relatives even during this festive season. Though it may seem inappropriate and perhaps even undesirable (since persecution is bound to follow), but let us not kid ourselves in this temporary joy of CNY. For we know this joy is short-lived and the only true joy that lasts forever is the one that can only be found when we are with God. Continue to pray for our loved ones, so that we may all worship the Lord together in heaven and participate in the reunion that has no separation for ever and ever.