Entries by Sim Kay Tee

What is Your Redemption Story?

According to a recent news report, one in five Singaporean marriages in 2017 were inter-ethnic. These mixed marriages were often inter-religious unions as well. The report highlights how parents generally expect their children to fall in love and marry people of their own race. Though mixed-race relationships are more common nowadays, such couples say that they still get strange looks in public and often face parental objections. Society is still not fully accepting of inter-racial marriages.

God’s Story Through Generations

Once, I was asked to teach the gospel of Matthew to a Bible study group. I was given a lesson plan that began at Matthew 1:18; the first 17 verses were excluded. When asked about the omission, the organiser told me that there was nothing for me to teach since this passage is taken up by a long list of unfamiliar names. He didn’t want me to bore the class with the lengthy genealogy.

Tracing the Roots of God’s Faithfulness

When she was in primary school, my youngest daughter was assigned a class project to trace her family tree. She came to me for help. Sadly, I was only able to identify with certainty family members of the previous two generations! When they were teenagers, my father and his older brother left their family in China to seek their fortune in Singapore, just after the Second World War. I have no knowledge of any relatives living in China today.

From Bitterness to Joy

My wife knew her days were numbered. The prognosis for her late-stage cancer gave her “a few months” at best. She was prepared to meet her Lord. One night, I asked her what was the one thing she wished she could do before she left. She said, “I want to carry my grandchild”. Soon thereafter, she went home to her Father’s house. Her wish remained unfulfilled.

The Blessing of Community

Marriage is intimately personal, a sacred union between two individuals, a man and a woman. But it is never a private affair; marriage must involve the community. The couple would want the blessings of God and their community as they start a family. In many wedding services, the presiding minister will conclude with the congregation praying for God’s blessings upon the newlyweds. I believe the communal approval and prayers encourage the permanence of the marriage.

The Reward of Kindness

After recounting the story of Ruth in the Bible, the teacher asked his Sunday school class, “What’s the name of the man who married Ruth?” Six-year-old Tommy confidently shouted, “Boaz!” The teacher then followed up with another question: “What’s the name of the other man who didn’t want to marry Ruth?” Another student shouted, “my friend!”