Father’s Day Testimony

Father’s Day Testimony 18^th June 2006

Good morning, brothers and sisters, my name is Jason, and I just became a father this year, so this day, I will be celebrating my first Father’s day. Thank you for giving me an opportunity to share this morning.

On 7^th January 2006, at 1:23 pm one fine Saturday afternoon, Samuel Jonathan Gong Jong Chen first came into this world. A great sense of joy flooded through me as I saw this little precious gift from God for the first time and I knew at that moment that life as I knew it would never be the same again.

It has certainly not been easy taking care of this little one, especially so for my dear wife, Jou Li, who pretty much has had to tend to little Samuel’s needs 24/7.  Every new parent will tell you about the heaps of laundry, interrupted sleep, and frequent bottle washing we all have to endure. However, the great sense of joy in seeing your little child grow, play, laugh and smile certainly more than makes up for it. It is truly a challenging yet incredibly blessed responsibility to be a parent.

I feel that becoming a father has certainly helped me grow as a person and also taught me a thing or two about my relationship with God. Our dear Lord said that only by learning to become like little children will we inherit the kingdom of God. Three things in particular come to my mind thus far, taken from simple observations of little Samuel.

Firstly, little Samuel is completely honest and real as a baby. When he’s hungry, wet or unhappy, he cries. When he’s happy or excited, he smiles and laughs. He acts exactly as he feels. He never hides his feelings or pretends. In my relationship with God, I realize that I need to learn to be more real with God. My deceitful heart naturally tries to hide secret thoughts and motives from God, but God does not look at the outward appearance, He looks at the heart. By looking at Samuel, I am challenged to try to be really honest with God, coming to Him just as I am, and submit myself to Him to change me. 

Secondly, little Samuel is innocent and trusting. He does not realize how dangerous this world is. He simply feeds, sleeps and plays in his own little world – he is free from the numerous worries and problems that plague all of us adults. He simply trusts his parents to provide all that he needs. I realize that I too need to be like that, less concerned and worried about problems, not neglecting them of course, but continuing to trust God and facing them with the confidence that all things will work out in the end. In the end, our great Father in Heaven will make all things alright.

Finally, little Samuel knows who to turn to for help. When hungry, wet or sad, little Samuel knows how to cry out for mum and dad. He knows that he needs help, and can’t do it on his own. How often I try to face my problems in life in my own strength, rationalizing with my mind, and thinking of a solution my way. Too often I only run into more brick walls and ceilings. Instead, I should really learn to pray, for then God will make a way.

I would also like to share with you all what Samuel’s name means. On the day I found out Jou Li was expecting, I happened to be reading from 1 Samuel, and although I could not be sure whether the baby was a boy or a girl, I strongly felt that his name would be Samuel. The name Samuel means God Hears, and our prayer is that this truth will be embraced by Samuel all his life, knowing that God Hears our prayers always. Jonathan means gift of God, and indeed, Samuel is such a wonderful gift to us and also reminds us so much of God’s wonderful grace. Gong, our sir name, does not refer to the resounding gong of 1 Corinthians 13.;) Instead, in Chinese, it refers to a mighty river, in my understanding. It is also our hope that the mighty River of God will flow through Samuel’s life always bringing life and blessing wherever he goes. Jong Chen means loyal and sincere and we pray that these qualities will also be part of Samuel’s character as he grows up.   

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank my father, Gong Wooi Sing once again for always being there for me as a loving father and friend. I would also like to thank my grandfather, Gong Ngie Liong, who has been a great visionary and with great love and wisdom, always planned carefully for my future and also the future of the whole Gong family. Both of you have played an invaluable part in making me the man I am today and the father I will continue to be to little Samuel.

Thank you everyone once again, and a very happy Father’s day to every father here this morning and also to our majestic Heavenly Father in Heaven to whom I and my family certainly owe everything. May His grace, protection and favor always rest on all of us, His little children, and May His Mighty Hands make all things alright in the end. In Jesus name, Amen.  

Thank you.

God bless,

Jason