Today, at 1.09pm, a sister-in-Christ texted, “Thank God for His mercies!!!!”
She then sent me a link to the unfortunate news of the third covid death in my country.
I was in the midst of an online worship service then, and hence I did not read the article. I only saw the headline.
It was a 70 year old Singaporean man, similar to dad’s age.
A few minutes later, my husband came into the room, informing me of the same news.
I just nodded.
I could recall the date the first two deaths occurred.
Why?
The first confirmed case in Singapore happened on 23 Jan (1/23).
And the first two deaths, that of a 75 year old woman and a 64 year old man, happened on 21 Mar (3/21).
21 Mar 2020, Saturday
This was dad’s 44th day of hospitalization.
He was in ICU on 20 March.
How did I feel upon learning the news of the first two covid deaths that day?
I felt fearful, grateful and humbled.
22 Mar 2020, Sunday
Dad had his first shower since hospitalization, because he was then able to sit up long enough without O2 support to do so, with the help of the nurse of course.
Dad’s 45th day of hospitalization was also my parents’ 45th wedding anniversary.
Coincidence? I believe it’s more than that.
This is just one of the many signs God has been giving us throughout this journey, assuring us that He is Immanuel, God with us.
Although my dad and mum could not be together physically, I gave thanks that
(1) my dad could be out of ICU for the second time on 20 Mar,
(2) his lungs were well enough for him to sit up on 22 Mar to take a shower after 44 days and had a shave, and
(3) dad could communicate mum with lesser tubes and machines around him, via video call.
However, dad’s stay in this ward was short-lived.
23 Mar 2020, Monday
Having been out of ICU just 3 days ago, dad was back at the ICU again – for the third time.
The weekend ‘half-time’ break was as if God had intentionally allowed it so that dad could spend his 45th wedding anniversary with mum in a nicer environment.
25 Mar 2020, Wednesday
Dad was suddenly transferred not just out of ICU, but out of the isolation ward altogether.
He was deemed well enough to be “de-isolated” and “de-ICUed”, to be monitored in the general ward.
Puzzling? Yes.
29 Mar 2020, Sunday, Today
At 4.30pm, after reading the details of the third death, again,
I feel fearful, grateful and humbled.
Fearful not because of the fear of death, but the fear of God.
Grateful because of the mercies of God upon my dad. This is not to say that God is not merciful should He choose to take my dad home.
Humbled because I’m once again reminded that we man, are not in control of anything.
The 70-year-old Singaporean father was similar in age with my dad.
His daughter and I are of similar age.
She wrote that her father had “put on a good and ferocious fight” against the virus.
During those intense weeks when my dad was in ICU, I wrote and gave thanks to God for dad’s strong spirit and perseverance, fighting like a good military soldier that he was in his younger days, and a faithful Christian soldier.
My dad, too, did not travel to affected countries and it remains a mystery how he had contracted the virus.
My heart goes out to all affected families.
Some, till now, still do not comprehend the severity of the situation, choosing to stretch and test the advisories set out, and flouting rules, until it happens to someone close to them.
Is my dad still in the general ward today?
By the mercies of God, yes.
We Are A Moment
(click to listen)
We are a moment, You are forever Lord of the Ages, God before time We are a vapour, You are eternal Love everlasting, reigning on high Holy, holy, Lord God Almighty Worthy is the Lamb Who was slain Highest praises, honor and glory Be unto Your name, be unto Your Name We are the broken, You are the Healer Jesus, Redeemer, Mighty to save You are the love song we’ll sing forever Bowing before You, blessing Your Name
Psalm 90: 2, 3, 10, 12
Before the mountains were born
or you brought forth the whole world,
from everlasting to everlasting you are God.
You turn people back to dust,
saying, “Return to dust, you mortals.”
Our days may come to seventy years,
or eighty, if our strength endures;
Teach us to number our days,
that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
WEH PSALMS 