Rev Francisco BilogEsther 4:12-16; Ps. 116
Key Verse: Esther 4:14: “And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?”
Our celebration today is to give credit to whom credit is due for what we are as individual person and for what God has done in one’s life. It has been a general observation that many are timid to express their grateful feelings to the persons concern. It is like the sad experienced of a widowed mother who had spent long days and hours in the factory and at home raising her four children. One day, laying exhausted and emaciated on her death bed, her four children, now grown up stood around her bed. The eldest son, in tears said to her, “Mother, you have always been so good and kind to us. We want you to thank you. We are proud of you.”
The mother opened her eyes and said: “You never said so before.” She turned her head and died.
It may be that we are really grateful, but we don’t know how to express them. Like the Psalmist asking himself, “what shall I render unto the Lord for all His benefits towards me?” The Psalmist was enlightened by the inspiration of the Holy spirit that answered his own question: “I will offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving to God and call upon the name of the Lord. I will fulfill my vows to the Lord in the presence of His people, and in the courts of His house I will praise the Lord.”
It is in the spirit of this passage that we have come today.
Heseds’ birthday was last Tuesday, June 24. Today, June 28, Sister Dania and brother Leo and their family enjoined us in great thanksgiving. Yes, indeed, God deserves our highest thanksgiving for another that He has bestowed upon Hesed and for the new life God has bestowed upon sister Dania. We are here to join their family in giving thanks to God for everything that God has bestowed upon the lives of a Mother and daughter, their lives intertwined from the birth of Hesed and the new life of sister Dania upheld by the loving sacrifice Hesed.
Yes, we are here to remember that their are special, significant events that occurred in the lives of Hesed and sister Dania.
The moment of birth of Hesed is a special event. Hesed I firmly state and say that your moment of birth was great because of the door of opportunity it opened for you. You were created in the image of Almighty God. You were made for His delight, and with great potential.
You didn’t choose when you would be born or where we would be born, or who your parents would be.
Perhaps you would have preferred to have been born into a wealthy or famous family, not as pastor’s kid. If ever you have entertained this thought you must also remember that a Baby was born in a stable and became the Savior of the world!
Just think, if you hadn’t been born in the Soriano family and as pastor’s kid, you would never had the opportunity to experience the wonderful growth and joys you had, which I am very sure would make you smile with twinkling eyes today and say, “praised the Lord!”.
The second great moment in the life of Hesed is when she realize That Someone Loves her
Fortunately, for most of us that comes very early in our lives. Some say it begins the very moment our mother holds us and talks softly to us and feeds us and sings to us and rocks us to sleep.
But what I’m speaking of is that moment when we consciously become aware that we are loved and cared for. That’s a great moment—that feeling of belonging, ob being protected and secure—of knowing that someone cares deeply for us. Certainly to be pitied is the child who grows up without love. Our prisons and mental institutions are filled with just such.
Hesed, do you remember that first time that you became aware that you were loved and cared for? Maybe it was on your birthday or at Christmas. Maybe it was when your mother kissed a wound on your feet and tenderly put a band-aid on it. Maybe it was when you had a nightmare and your father hug and embraced you and sleep with you.
I know this: the earlier it comes, the better, because we tend to carry such moments with us into adulthood. To be raised in a home where love abounds is one of life’s greatest joys.
The THIRD great moment in the life of Hesed is when she decided what to do with her life.
God made us in such a way that if we don’t have a purpose for living, we will shrivel up and die inwardly. We must have dreams, goals—a reason to live.
When I talk about deciding what to do with our lives, I’m not speaking about making a living. I’m talking about making a life!
There are many people who give their lives to worthy and noble causes such as helping the poor, ministering to the elderly, providing health care. These are good purposes and will result in a degree of satisfaction and fulfillment. But the best purpose in life is to carry out the plan of God, and share His love in as many ways as He directs.
I believe that when Hesed chose to enter social work as her profession she did it because she believes it is God plan in her life.
If you ask her, how is she doing now in her work as a social worker?, I am sure she would say I am enjoying it helping people, including the tension and dangers that comes with it.
Having decided to spend her life and career to serve the poor and needy, such decision generosity was faced squarely when she saw that the physical life of her mother today depends upon a kidney transplant from a possible donor.
Having seen that the search and prayer for a kidney donor seemed far of, Hesed’s character of love and generosity was touched by the continuing struggle of her mother’s health.
Her life of love and compassion made Hesed to decide like Esther of old, (Esther 4:14, 16 ) “ And who knows but that I have come to a special position for such a time as this?”…”I will go to the king; and if I die, then I will die.”
In the history of Queen Esther, she was informed by her uncle Mordecai that there was a plan by Haman to massacre the Israelites. Mordecai further told her that she may be able to stop the killing of the Jews by pleading to the king to stop Haman. Esther, however, knew that if she goes to the king without an invitation, she may also be risking her life, unless the king extend his welcome upon her entrance to his presence.
Weighing her chances and prodded by her love to her people, she decided to make a difference, “I will go to the king; and if I die, then I will die.”
This was indeed the state of sister Hesed, her love to her mother and responding to God’s leading she decided to make a difference in the life of her mother by sharing her kidney and trusting in God’s hand to bless their lives together.
When Queen Esther entered the presence of the king, he extended his wand and welcomed her, saying “ask anything, I will be willing even to give half of the kingdom.”
God indeed extended His hand of grace and mercy and blessed both the lives of Hesed and sister Dania for their new lives and stronger relationship.
Yes, many years ago sister Dania shared her life that Hesed maybe born in this world, this month Hesed shared her life that her mother may have life abundantly. God had blessed both their love and their lives.
Happy Birthday Hesed, and Happy new life sister Dania.
We thank all those who prayed and helped in the successful operation of both Hesed and sister Dania.
Most of all we praise God and thank him for extending his hand of blessings to Hesed, to sister Dania and for the successful operation and their continuing recovery. Praise the Lord!