Thanks for being chosen by God, our family became Christians. On the first day of the lunar new year, the whole family of eight gathered together and held a particular family thanksgiving party, which was an unforgettable day.
Christian faith is a heritage of my family. Before liberation, my grandfather has ordained a pastor, and my second uncle was the oldest. My mother has believed in God since she was a kid. Later my father became a Christian too. Twenty years ago, God healed his stomach cancer. Since then, he has believed in God even more. Because of my mother's praying, I became an elder, a servant of God, and my wife became a Christian too. Thanks to the grace of God, my young brother often participates in the church choir and brotherhood fellowship. My sister-in-law was not a Christian at first, but later she experienced something connecting with God; the name of God finally called her. My son and nephew were also influenced by family, following the Lord since childhood.
During a previous visit, an old sister once said her whole family would worship during the Spring Festival. I had this idea before and also prayed for this. A night in the twelfth lunar month, I was suddenly inspired by God to hold a family thanksgiving worship in Spring Festival. The theme to be shared would be New Year Updating. I already had the outline, eager to discuss my patents in the morning to get their support.
On the first day of the first lunar month, the whole family gathered together in my young brother's newly renovated house. We sat together sang praises in joy.
Then last year, we looked back, counted the grace of God, and testified God's grace. My parents are sick, but they are protected and still living by God. I've been granted the most lovely person with disabilities in the city. My family has also purchased a new mortgage house. The renovation of the new home of my brother is over. The work of his son in the province won an award. My nephew is enrolled in the baccalaureate.
Then we read Psalm 111. After that, I shared the sermon and thought of the blessing of fearing the Lord. We should set our mind in the new year; as Caleb said, "As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord. " I preached that we should follow the Lord with faith, make new aspirations, and become a new person.
Finally, we prayed for blessings. Then we served a variety of dishes which were carefully prepared and cheered for the blessing. My parents said, "This is the most meaningful Spring Festival in our family for all these years." After dinner, we sat together, drinking tea and talking about the Christian faith.
(The original article is published by Gospel Times.)
- Translated by Yuehan Jiang