The award- the crown of righteousness

My dad returned to the Lord in the early hours of 30^th September 2008. It was 12 days after his 69^th birthday. It happened so suddenly. He was in Penang where he resided with my mum since his retirement four years ago from the Conference of Chinese Methodist Church. He had faithfully served the Lord since he decided to go full time ministry more than 40 years ago. Even after retirement, he had always say, once a servant of God, he will serve till his last breath. That was what he actually did as he continued to preach though his mobility was affected by the stroke. He had just preached at one of the church service the Sunday before his passing.

I want to thank our CG members who have prayed for me. This is a real big blow for me and my family. This year alone my sister-in-law and my father-in-law have returned to the Lord early half of this year. Now my father who had suffered stroke since a year before retirement had been called to return to eternal home.

My mum related that at about 4 am she checked my dad but she did not touch him as my dad was a light sleeper. A bit of noise would wake him up. It was also around this time that my dad would go to toilet almost every day without fail. And because he tends to wet himself before he could reach toilet, my mum was also very careful to wake up often so that she could clean him up, if necessary, or if he falls, she would know and tried to get him up. They have refused to get a maid and though it was tiresome, my mum persisted. An hour or so later, my mum felt that it was odd that my dad did not go to toilet. By then, my dad was sleeping very near to the edge of the bed and my mum was worried that he might fall when he wakes up. And so, she pushed him and to her surprise, my dad did not wake up. At this point, she somehow felt things were not right. She put “minyak angin” at his nostril and slapped his face. That too did not get any reaction. My mum shook him many times and told him that it was time to wake up to go to church. At this point, she asked God if He had taken my dad away. At about 6.30 am she phoned my elder sister and my brother-in-law went over and he immediately called my sister to tell her that my dad’s legs were cold. Things did not look good. He called for ambulance and the medical officer certified my dad had passed away.

My dad may not be the hugging type of person. In fact, he was a very strict disciplinarian. His words were to be final and no one dared to argue. But all of us (2 sisters and 1 brother) respected him. Tears just flowed non stop for all of us. But my mum did not shed a single tear till last night. On the first homecoming service my mum gave a brief eulogy and she said, This is Rev Tiang’s most glorious day. Nothing beats this day as he has returned to the Lord. My dad was dressed in his favourite red shirt with pastor collar and coat. This was what he wore whenever he preached.

On the funeral day, he had a grand send off. His body was taken to Jelutong Chinese Methodist Church where he worshipped the Lord and also served before his passing. It was full house as my dad had served in many churches before. Longest period was in Sitiawan. Many church members and relatives from far and near came to send him off. There were about 20-odd senior pastors from the Methodist Church that attended the funeral. The president of Conference of Chinese Methodist Church conducted the funeral. The message was taken from Deuteronomy 34 titled Moses, the servant of the Lord has died. How appropriate as my dad was a servant of God.

My brother gave eulogy and he took 2 Timothy 4:7 & 8 as the basis of the eulogy. That is also the verse which we would like to put on the tombstone. My dad final journey on earth ends with the burial at Penang’s Western Road Christian Cemetery. For those in the know, this is a very old cemetery and there is no more plots available in the entire Penang island Christian cemetery. My brother-in-law’s maternal grandfather was buried there and what we did was to bury my dad on top of him. Meaning, a plot of land for two persons.

My mum felt so proud to see so many people who came to the funeral. People who either have been blessed or who have blessed him. My mum is doing well. She definitely knows my dad is in heaven. However, I would like to ask for prayers that my mum will get over the grief soon. At every turn at the house, or grocery shopping, it all reminds her of the times they were together. It was too much for her to bear. I have just spoken to her this afternoon and she cried and again she asked if things would be different if she had woke up earlier than 4 am. According to my brother-in-law, my dad had passed away much earlier than 4 am. That is because my dad’s body had changed colour by the time the undertaker came at 10 am to take away his body. Although she knew God would have taken him away anyhow, she is still wondering why is it that my dad did not wake her up or say some thing to her before he went away. But we told her that my dad had went away so peacefully. We think he may have cardiac arrest while sleeping. But he was in sleeping position and there was no sign of struggle.

My dad have lived a fulfilling life. My dad did not have earthly possession. My mum, till today, has always said our God provided for all our needs. Indeed, my dad had accumulated heavenly wealth. My brother was to take my parents to Australia for a holiday in mid-Oct. But God has better plans for my dad. My dad no longer have to suffer the frequent falls.

My dad was always proud of his children. I may not have the academic excellence like my siblings but he never fails to love me all the same. My elder and younger sisters are teachers and my brother is a microbiologist. How did they manage to send them to university? All through the grace of God.

Lastly, I am still grieving for my dad. I also know for sure that my dad is in heaven now. But humanly speaking, I can’t escape from grief. I remembered how he caned me, how he advise me to study well, how he would drive all the way from hometown (Sitiawan & later Teluk Intan) whenever I have problems. Like the Chinese saying, only time will lessen the grief. Every homecoming service and the final moment before they nail the coffin, I made sure that I take good long look at my dad’s face. I just want his face to be captured in my memory always. When they lowered the coffin into the grave, I muttered farewell to my dad. My dad is a man of God. Served faithfully till his last breath.

Praise God. Hallelujah.

Posted by Shee Aie