IT'S ALL ABOUT GRACE

I can not even remember the first time I knelt down before God asking for His mercy upon my father.

As he always told us he was a member of a meditation group in Solo since 19 years ago. He faithfully followed the routine activities of the group. Besides, he had also a closed friend from the group who became his spiritual leader. Any question which my father had about life and eternity was handed to him and he seemed to be able to answer my father’s questions and comfort my father with his advices.

He always told us that he never changed his belief, we (my mom, brothers, sister, and in laws) tried to tell about Jesus Christ to my father in any occasion that we had. Moreover, every year since 2004, some members of Holy Word Christian Church (Gereja Kristen Kalam Kudus), one of Christian church denomination in Solo had always come for a Christmas Carol gathering at my house to introduce Jesus Christ to my father. For me, personally, I often felt hopeless about that. I longed for God’s touch into my father’s heart. I asked and asked impatiently when God would come into my father’s life and save him as he is getting old and old. However, the answer of my prayer seemed so far away. But, my sister in law always encouraged me to keep praying and believing in His time. Time flew without any change.

It was 2008 and that year my father was 82. In the beginning of that year, he was shocked by his spiritual leader’s death. His closed friend to whom my father leant on passed away due to terminal illness. After his friend’s death, my father started to question himself about who would be his guide. Then, he began to remember all the stories about Jesus Christ he ever heard. And, it was the Holy Spirit’s work when finally my father’s heart opened for Jesus Christ. It happened on Good Friday that year. My eldest brother came for a visit and asked my father whether he would like to join Good Friday service at the church. Without any argumentation, my father said that he wanted to come to the service. Then, he joined in the service and told us that he was inspired and touched by God’s love that came into us in Jesus Christ, who died for our sins. On that day, after the service, my father decided to join in the catechism class.

I could not say even a word when I knew that finally God came into my father’s heart. For me, it was only by grace and it was amazing. And…., I just can say that there is none like You, Lord.