Gary

My journey began in Indonesia, amidst a family that did not follow the Catholic faith. It was through my education in Catholic schools that I first encountered the concept of God, but true understanding and connection came later when I moved to Singapore at the age of 15.

In those formative years, without modern distractions, I found solace and purpose in the quiet sanctuary of the chapel. What began as a simple escape from the mundane day-to-day life evolved into a profound spiritual awakening. What started as a selfish intention to enjoy the aircon in the chapel led me to join a bible sharing group, pray the rosary and even play the organ for Mass. Attending mass was my solace and after three years, I joined RCIY (rites of Christian initiation for youths) and got baptised.  

Yet, as life’s trials unfolded, I found myself struggling with doubt and despair. A diagnosis of congenital hernia shook me to the core, and I questioned God’s plan for my life. It was a dark period marked by anger and disillusionment. I was angry and upset at God: not only did He take me away from my comfortable life in my hometown to live here alone for the past many years, but now He even took away my health. I distanced myself from the Church, believing that

I was abandoned.

But God, in His infinite mercy, never abandoned me. Even in my darkest hour, He provided for me, guiding me to a new job when I least expected it. In fact, I was able to excel at my work even though it required skills that were not my natural talents. I was limited by proficiency in language, leadership and dealing with people in general. In retrospect, it must be God’s grace for me to gradually build a “thick-skin” and for me to gradually overcome my personal deficiencies.

His faithfulness was a beacon of light in my despair, a reminder that His love endures even in our moments of weakness.

This was the time when I discovered the Landings programme through a simple church bulletin and I made an initial contact. What I thought was a necessary “process” to reconnect to the faith opened my eyes to the value of fellow Catholics at various stages of rediscovering the faith. There is a power in faith-storytelling and I was not alone in my struggles after all. This was the first step in finding my way back to the Church, and in the shared experiences, I uncovered the profound truth that had always eluded me: that my life is not my own, but a gift from God, entrusted to me for a divine purpose. 

As I reflect on my journey, I see now that every trial, every setback, was a stepping stone on the path to spiritual growth. God’s hand was ever-present, guiding me, shaping me, moulding me into the person He intended me to be. For things I could not do by myself and for things beyond my control, He would send or direct me to kind and sincere people. Past sufferings and difficulties turned out to be part of His plan to prepare me for other life events in the future.

Today, I stand before you as a testament to the healing power of God’s love. He has healed not only my body but also my soul, restoring my faith and filling me with a sense of purpose and meaning.

My prayer for each of you is that you may open your hearts to God’s presence in your lives, that you may experience His healing touch and come to know the profound joy that comes from knowing Him. May you seek Him earnestly, and may He reveal Himself to you in ways beyond your wildest imagination. God bless you.

Gary

Shared with love by Landings Singapore.

Also featured on CatholicStories.sg to reach more hearts in our Catholic family.