Faith is like a seed, plant it and watch it grow.
In recent years, thousands of children are plagued by the non-stopped pandemic and burdened by the pressure of examinations. They have difficulties with social-emotional problems. Some of them lose hope and clear directions in their future development. According to new reports, the number of Hong Kong students with mental health problems doubled in four years, and at least 10 per cent of adolescents are suffering from physical, mental or health problems.
This figure is not surprising, as my daughter and some of her friends also suffer from the above problems.
My daughter’s immune system became weak after vaccinations and later she was attacked by eczema which made her too itchy to sleep. Every morning, she looked pale, exhausted and with a low self-esteem. I was very worried about my daughter’s health and prayed for God’s mercy. I looked for famous doctors everywhere, hoping that her eczema can be treated and cured as soon as possible. My daughter had to take bitter medicines, and quit seafood as well as snacks. Her doctor planned to help her regulate her stomach and improve her immune system through half a year’s medication.
Gradually, her condtion was improving and her mood got better. I thanked God from the bottom of my heart. I think the illness was a blessing in disguise because it was helping my child to resist the temptation of snacks and the bitter medicine could strengthen her perseverance to face adversity.
Her situation reminds me of what the Bible says, “Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).
Eczema seems to be a common problem for many teachers and students after they were infected by COVID. For serious cases, the patients failed to attend normal school life.
One day, there was a secondary six student who asked me to pray for her good classmate — Nana, as she had not shown up for one month. I prayed to God and hoped she could recover and have a normal and cheerful school life before her graduation.
As we celebrate the 500 years of Christianity in the Philippines. The Chaplaincy to Filipino Migrants organises an on-line talk every Tuesday at 9.00pm. You can join us at:
https://www.Facebook.com/CFM-Gifted-to-give-101039001847033
After a month, I finally saw Nana go back to school. I was grateful that Nana’s eczema was really improving, and I saw her happy face and smooth skin again. I knew that God really heard my prayers.
In the recent graduation ceremony of secondary six students, I invited Nana to lead the prayer on behalf of the graduating classmates. I guessed she might turn down my invitation as she was too shy and might not have the courage to go up to the auditorium and lead the prayer.
Although she was not a Catholic, her response was only three words: “Thank our God” which was touching and really made me cry in my heart.
I believe that my prayer was like a seed planted in the heart of the student, and it began to sprout, so that she can live with a spirit of gratitude and Christian faith. I praised God’s grace and blessings for this.
Karen Cheng
