TOTD, June 09

God Provides Us Everything


Madam Zalina Abdul Gani was 38 when her husband died of cancer in 1999. Left with three children, then age five, seven, and 10, the grief-stricken widow slipped into a deep depression. She would just lie in bed, hardly able to get up or take care of household chores such as cooking and cleaning. Her youngest child, Asyraf, was allowed by his school, from the age of nine, to stay at home so he could help with the chores. For five years, the teachers took his lessons to him.
Not long after her husband’s death, Madam Zalina lost her job as an administrative clerk at Tan Tock Seng Hospital, her savings dried up and the bills snowballed. For six years, she lived in melancholy as government aid paid for the schooling of her two sons and daughter. Neighbours helped by giving the family food. “ Sometimes they gave us a fish, sometimes vegetables. But most days, we just ate plain rice with tomato ketchup or chili,” said the 48-year-old of her darkest days between 1999 and 2004. Now, back on her feet, Madam Zalina said she could not haved done it without the government aid she and her children received… ( The Straits Times, Monday, June 08, 2009)

As I read Madam Zalina’s life story, I felt a deep sympathy for her. For the loss of her husband, for the loss of her job, for the depression that came after all the problems on her. And her children, needed to take care of the house chores, but they survived! Sometimes, we’re just too easy to complain, i.e: what we eat, etc, but when we saw that Madam Zalina’s family only ate with chili or tomato ketchup, we should feel blessed and thankful for the food that we eat and not waste it.
For those who are rich, the bible reminds them to stay humble, never be arrogant or put their hope in wealth, because it is so uncertain. Put the hope in the Lord. He will provide us everything we need. Yes, He will provide us everything but it’s more joyful if only we can share with other people surround us. And for those who has ‘more’ let’s share with people who have ‘less’ like Madam Zalina’s family. (-fon-)

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.
--- 1 Timothy 6:17