A Mother and Daughter’s Journey
In life’s most difficult moments, one often feels lost and hopeless. Yet, God’s voice can still be heard, guiding, comforting, and leading us toward healing. For May and her mother Mdm Lim, their extraordinary journey is a powerful blend of personal encounters with the Holy Spirit, divine prompting, and scriptural encouragement, a story of transformation and faith.
Their journey began when Mdm Lim experienced unexpected tightness in her body due to a change in medication. Feeling weak and dizzy, she cried out, “Jesus, Jesus, Jesus.” in Hokkien. She felt the Holy Spirit’s power as warmth flooded her right hand and left leg, bringing relief. This opened her heart to learn more about God.She soon shared her testimony with her brother, and he was baptized before his passing in 2024. The power of the Holy Spirit and the presence of Jesus had begun to shape Mdm Lim’s journey.
Mdm Lim joins the elderly dialect RCIA in May 2023
God’s Voice in Times of Despair,
His Peace Amidst Fear
On vacation in Australia in November 2024, May was marvelling at the beauty of God’s creation when she felt the Holy Spirit whisper, “Human beings are more beautiful – Heart”. The next day she saw an unforgettable sign at a church: “God is Nearer than You Might Think.”
While still on holiday, May was hit with the difficult news—her mother had a 12 cm cancer tumour in her left kidney. “I spoke to mum and heard her cry, and I could sense her deep fear and despair.” The weight of fear was overwhelming for both.
When May knelt with her husband to pray at a church in Tasmania,, the petition box read “Don’t worry about anything. Instead pray about everything.” Philippians 4:6 reminded May that peace comes from prayer and she had to trust in God. This theme would continue to unfold in the days ahead.
Philippians 4:6 – Let Go. Let God.
Touched by the Holy Spirit
Before the surgery, the family learned of potential complications. May recalled Isaiah 55:8, which speaks of God’s ways being higher than our ways. It became clear that, even in her uncertainty, God was very near.
Fr Simon Tan from Church of St Alphonsus (Novena), who could converse with Mdm Lim in Teochew, began helping her to work through her doubts about baptism. May knew her mother had concerns reconciling her faith with honouring her late husband. Fr Simon’s gentle counsel illuminated both daughter and mother: Christ was in her mother’s heart and that the peace of Christ surpasses all understanding.
May and her family united in prayer and belief in God
In December, when Father Simon for prayed over the family, something incredible happened. Mdm Lim, seated in prayer, experienced the Holy Spirit in a powerful way—her fringe was stroked twice, and she realised it was the touch of the Holy Spirit. She uttered “I got hope. God is with me. I have courage to move forward.” That day, the Advent candle of Hope was lit in church and had come alive in her.
Both May and her mother attended the Lourdes Experience in Singapore. During the sprinkling of holy water, “my mum teared up and she said she was very touched but could not explain why.” The mantra flashed around the stadium captured how open her mother was to God’s love – “Be it done unto me according to your will.”
Luke 1:37 – Mother Mary’s words echo in our hearts
May’s brother-in-law, a non-Christian, had during this time, gifted a painting of our shepherd Jesus, feeding His sheep. Indeed finding one lost sheep gives our Lord such joy. May felt deeply that it was a sign of Christ’s personal invitation to her mother.
Psalm 23 – The Lord is my shepherd
A Spiritual Heart Surgery
As the surgery neared, May could sense a deep peace in her mother, and a renewed energy. After the surgery, it seemed that Mdm Lim’s heart had undergone a transformation. Mdm Lim shared that she had a dream during recovery: she had visited Our Mother of Perpetual Succour corner at Novena, and that she had recovered well from the surgery. She now thinks that she had gone for heart surgery instead of a removal of her left kidney. The spiritual heart surgery had set her free. God had re-oriented her heart and purpose.
She soon began to share boldly with family members about Hope, Peace, and the Courage she now had. It was Revelation 3:20 come alive – Jesus is knocking on the door to our hearts, and Mdm Lim had opened the door from the inside knob of her heart.
Our Heart Matters Most to God
A grateful family for God’s love and graces
On Christmas Day, despite some physical pain, Mdm Lim visited the church of St. Francis Xavier. There, she realized, May had always been sharing and praising Jesus for all the milestones in her own life. Now both of their journeys are a testimony of God’s love.
As 1 John 4:16 says, “God is love, and anyone who lives in love lives in God, and God lives in them.”
Today, Mdm Lim continues to praise the Lord for his goodness and to live in gratitude to Him. She surrenders her journey to God who is in charge, and speaks of being with Jesus and leading a purposeful daily life.