I've been a Christian since I was four years old. I grew up memorizing Bible verses, knowing Bible stories by 
heart and eagerly anticipating every lesson in Sunday School. I lived my life as a "good kid" and did things the
way I thought Christian kids did. I got decent grades, I was the responsible eldest child and sibling, I was the 
eternal confidante of my friends. I loved knowing that I was indeed "good" and admirable to others' eyes. It 
was only much later when I realized that I lived an upright life not for Him, but to please myself and others first
and foremost. It was pride, self-admiration and even self-righteousness that led me to lead the godly life 
I thought I had.

Years later, our family underwent a severe financial crisis, and there came a point where we would have to move 
from house to house after short periods of time. I remember that in a span of five years, we had moved thrice. It
was rough as I had just hit my teens then. I remember feeling confused and having low self-esteem. Even though I
clung on to my “good girl” image, inwardly, I envied, I doubted and questioned God, I blamed my family and 
detested my friends for having more (materially) than I did. 

Eventually, things improved and we were living comfortably once more. However, we hit another rocky spot. 
During the Christmas break of my freshman year in college, my mom’s left eye became blurry until she went 
completely blind on New Year’s Day. That was the saddest New Year’s Day as my family and I spent it in the 
hospital. Fortunately, the doctors were able to diagnose her condition quickly. With steroid treatment, my mom 
was able to regain her eyesight and things went back to normal after a month. During April of that year, though, 
it happened to the other eye and it was horror having to go through the same thing once more. Nevertheless, 
God, in His sovereignty, was in control as He started preparing everyone in my family for a spiritual revival.

God worked in and through my younger brother first. He came back from our church’s annual High School camp 
with a revived Spirit and later on became active in our Youth Ministry. His being “on fire” for the LORD was 
contagious, but I didn’t have to wait long though. That July when I was a sophomore, there was a mini-retreat 
conducted by our church for the students in the university that I go to, and it was then and there that I truly 
surrendered my life to Him and made Him the Lord of my life.

Things have been uphill since then. My mom was able to start a Bible study group for our university administration
where she works. I have also become active in the Youth Ministry, and now, my brother and I are being prepared 
to lead our own cell groups. My younger sister, who just turned thirteen, has also started to join us in our Saturday
Youth Worship. We have become more prayerful as a family and each of us is just bursting with love for Him and 
His Word.

Two more “blind episodes” later (both of which happened just this year), my Mom was diagnosed with having 
Multiple Sclerosis a month ago. Initially, we all felt shocked and discouraged, but we always felt His hand upon us.
There are times we do feel downhearted, but we look to His Word for comfort, and indeed, He does give us the 
comfort we need. We constantly hold on to His promise, “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares 
for you” in 2nd Peter 5:7.

Over the years, we have learned that all experience suffering, even the good and innocent ones, but it is how we
deal with it that can make or break us. We have learned to look at rough situations from an eternal perspective 
knowing how God will reward us in the end. We have all taken a good look at each and every circumstance and 
have decided to look not at what is seen but what is unseen. “For what is seen is temporary but what is unseen
is eternal.” 2nd Corinthians 4:18. 

To the God who is in the business of changing lives be all the glory, honor and praise!

By: Tina

"...But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD." -Joshua 24:15