Suffering of A Close Friend
As I closed the series on Genuine, I shared in my sermon a story of a close friend regarding her journey of pain and suffering and the outcome of her life now that she is a Christian.
This is the story she told me:
- She was raised in a well to do family as a young girl. Her parents have established businesses. Their house was the biggest house in their neighborhood then. People came in and out of their house because there was always food for everyone. Where there is food, there is a crowd.
- She was a menopause baby – born 13th from a mother aged 43.
- She had tetanus when she was 4 that almost took her life.
- Lost her mother when she was 7years old in a tragic truck accident. A speeding truck lost its brake and turned to the sidewalk where her mom was and hit her. Her mom suffered a broken skull and died on the spot.
- At age 8, father abandoned the family because he got depressed due to loss of his wife.
- Lost their family home through a fire. Not a single thing in the house was saved except the clothes they were wearing. She was 9 years old.
- Rebuilt the house but only to lose it in lawsuit because the other party bribed the judge (10 years old). She saw her house being bulldozed to the ground.
- Lost all their vehicles and taxi business because of a betrayal of a family friend.
- Eventually lost their business and stocks because of mismanagement of her father. In other words, they lost everything.
- All siblings were distributed to different relatives just to survive. She was 10 years old then.
- At 11 years old, she worked in the market selling fish and other seafood so she can continue her elementary school. She would wake up at 3am everyday then work until 11am then go to school from 12-6pm.
- None of her siblings were able to finish school. She studied hard so she can be a scholar and continue her studies. She continued working through HS and college so she can cover other school expenses.
- Her father died of emphysema when she was 24.
- Her second eldest sister, died of cancer.
- In a span of 2 years, 3 other siblings died. One sister to renal failure, a brother to cardiac arrest and another brother to asthma.
- Lastly and most painful of all sufferings, she lost a child due to sickness.
Then I asked her, “How do you view life now having experienced all these?”
She answered, “The way I view life changed when I became a Christian. We still go through suffering and pain but we know that God never leaves us nor abandons us. I am grateful to God for my life. I was also blessed when I married you. ”
Yup. This is the story of my wife Shirley. I asked her permission to post this in my blog. I hope this can give hope and encouragement to those who are going through difficult situations. Though life may seem unfair many times, we serve a God who is abounding in loving kindness and mercy. He is a God who give us hope and a bright future. He is a God who can restore things and make them new.
I haven’t met anybody who suffered so much in life as my wife (maybe Job) and still manages to serve God and her family.
She is able to see God in her sufferings and continues to hang on to Him.
2Cor. 1:5 For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.
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i didn’t know ate shirley’s story until now…..she’s really a great woman of God. she is one of my inspirations in my walk with God. i thought, the pain that i’m feeling right now of losing my mom is nothing compared with what she’s been through….now, who am i to question God about my loss, huh? thank you for this amazing blog pastor A…..it’s very timely that i was able to read this…..more power to you!!
September 5th, 2009 at 9:27 amWow. Naiyak ako. What a powerful testimony. I never knew! That’s why Ms Shirley has such a quiet strength about her. Thank her for letting you share this! And give her my love.
September 5th, 2009 at 9:32 amI remember Ms. Shirley sharing this testimony when I went through Victory Weekend. I keep it in my heart and is one of the things I remember whenever I feel like whining. Thank you for posting this.
September 5th, 2009 at 10:01 amSo encouraged reading Ms. Shirley’s story of faith and perseverance- thanks for sharing it Ptr. Ariel.
September 5th, 2009 at 11:58 amIt was a very inspiring story…it awakes someone who sometimes forgot that God is closer to us when we are suffreing…thanks and may you share more inspiring stories….
September 5th, 2009 at 12:04 pmThanks, Shirley, for having Pastor Ariel share this. May you continue to be a blessing to others. God’s name be praised!
September 5th, 2009 at 12:09 pmI’m speechless. I feel truly blessed just by reading about Shirley’s life. I’ve been going to Victory Alabang for quite some time now but I only had the chance to meet personally Shirley during the United Weddings. Even then, she made an impression on me. She seemed to exude a quiet strength and serenity about her that made me want to know her more. To share in the source of her strength and peace, I guess.
Thank you for sharing her story here. It makes all my problems insignificant in comparison to what she went through. It gives me encouragement in my own walk with God.
May God continue to bless your family!
September 5th, 2009 at 1:03 pmi second thelma – wow. shirley’s story is tragic and yet very powerful. her unwavering faith in God in the face of tremendous personal pain and hardship is something that speaks to us all. thanks for sharing this pastor a. i pray the Lord will continue to harness your faith as a couple and use it to penetrate other people’s lives for the glory of Jesus.
September 5th, 2009 at 1:18 pmkakaiyak naman to pastor. Literally, naiiyak ako ngayon. God bless you guys more!
September 5th, 2009 at 1:21 pmHello Pastor Ariel!
Thanks for sharing this. You wouldn’t think that Shirley has gone through all of those pain and suffering in the past. She always looks radiant. God’s grace is truly amazing!
Michlle
September 5th, 2009 at 2:38 pmwow…amazing testimony…there is nothing i can say…thanks for sharing Pastor…it was really a blessing reading this…. =)
September 5th, 2009 at 8:57 pmwhat an awesome blog bro! you and shirley are heroes to us. you’ve mentored us in so many ways and we’re just glad we can call you our friends.
September 5th, 2009 at 9:08 pmIt was indeed encouraging, I also didn’t know Ms. Shirley’s story,your family is a testimony for all us!
September 6th, 2009 at 5:40 pmGreat is thy faithfulness, Lord God Almighty…
I really admire your family Pastor A. You have endured so much and stayed strong in the FAITH. The will of God will never lead you where the grace of God could not keep you.
I pray for the strength and endurance to overcome all the trials that comes your way. God bless you and we love you
September 8th, 2009 at 10:54 ampastor, i never knew that you or your family also experience suffering. There were times also of my life that I felt so depress. i was just move by the story of Zaccheus. I am glad also that God lifted me up from all my suffering most especially when I surrendered my life to Him. I had an accident nearly death last 2003. Had a hematoma right side inside a muscle of my brain. My mom prayed so hard that I would not go surgery because it was the most delicate part of our body. praise God that he really answers prayers. Medicines helped too. This is one of my testimony to my friends in church. God is really good all the time. Never says NO to our prayers. He just says wait…
September 9th, 2009 at 4:41 pmWhat a powerful testimony! I’m so amazed by Shirley’s God-given strength and faith ! Very encouraging. I thought that suffering from cancer was the most painful one, but on this story, all i can say is i have not suffered enough.
September 10th, 2009 at 1:40 pmYou are indeed blessed…God has been so faithful throughout the storms in your life, I never imagined how God moves you but one thing is for sure He loves us so much, He will do everything to shape our character….like His Son Jesus.
Shirley, I just knew there is something in you, I couldn’t figure it out before, basta nakakahawa ka, your peace, your love for your family, your devotion for God and a heart of service to your husband, it is so CONTAGIOUS! Remember what I said sa text ko, “you are my mentor, and I look up to you,” Kaya pala coz you almost lost everything but then God still blessed you with a wonderful husband, and loving children. Thank you for being my inspiration! Thank you for sharing your testimony…
September 12th, 2009 at 7:02 pmWow this is so encouraging, Ptr. A!!! I didn’t know her story. She’s really a blessing to you and your kids. =) God loves you that much!
September 15th, 2009 at 12:08 pm