a story so sad

He was an OFW. He got sick while on duty. He communicated with his family by phone, email, chat. He was in touch and yet he was so far. He said he missed them all. That it was so difficult to be alone and to be in pain. With no one by his side. He just entrusted everything to God. Until he was fit enough to go home to the Philippines. He had no one to take care of him. His colleagues helped him to move from place of work to the airport. He requested people around to help lift his bags for checking. He was still in pain as he traveled. One could just imagine how difficult it was to travel sick, be in pain, and knowing that one's condition was not getting any better. What kept him going was the fact that he would be with his family soon, close to them to touch, to hug, to hear their voice, to talk to, face to face. Then he arrived in the Philippines. He aged too much due to his sickness. His wife, children and the rest of the family saw how much his condition had deteriorated. He went straight to the hospital. His favourite song was Hawak Kamay, which he kept singing even while lying on his hospital bed. His loved ones were by his side at all times, until the last breath.

A story so sad to tell, but true. It pains all to hear about it. One could just cry, and be silent for a while. To acknowledge the sovereignty of the Creator, the Author and Finisher of our lives. That in the years spent on earth, we hope that our only desire is to be able to live to fulfill His purposes for us - to love those whom He sends to us, our family, friends, neighbours, the community. And that no matter where we are in this earth, we continue to uphold the values that we have learned from our parents, our school, our church. And even from our society (if any ...).

That we might be for the praise of His glory ...