Authored by Justin Yuen on Oct 30th 2010, 03:37
This is a post for all my friends and family, who really are the best. You have all shown how much you care about me, and helped me through so much. I am overwhelmed by the kindness I have received, and really don't know where to start in showing you how grateful I am for all of you.
Two posts ago, I described how I had reached a point in my life where I started to discover faith. For the first few days, I prayed for myself, hoping for a miracle that would lead to my full recovery. What I realized after a few days of this is that I'm already so lucky to have been given so much in life. The only thing I've felt missing in my life is not something I can ask for - it is something I need to discover myself: the ability to sincerely care for other people - to put others first in my heart, before myself. I had previously thought "First, I need to get my own life on track, then I'll have the time and energy to do great things for other people". This was not only an excuse to be selfish, but one that would likely have forever prevented me from finding that missing piece of my life. So, for the past few days, I've been praying for all of you; I've been asking for whatever it is in life that all of you may feel is missing. I hope this is my first step in learning selflessness and showing how much I care about all of you. The important principle to be found in my struggle with selfishness is that we often think that we need to accomplish A before we can accomplish B, but are blinded to the reality that sometimes, B is really an integral part of accomplishing A; it would be impossible for me to become a complete person without caring for other people, so to think of A as a prerequisite of B would put me in a hopeless struggle for the unattainable. I've now realized that I can care for other people as I struggle with my own concerns and needs, and this is how I'll find fulfillment in life. Going into this battle with cancer, I had the mentality that I would put my life on hold temporarily in order to fight this fight and recover from sickness. Once I beat it, I'd return to my normal life. (I would first beat cancer (A) in order to be able to continue on with my life (B)). Again, I realized the flaw in thinking; the best way here is to live life WHILE I battle cancer. Regardless of how difficult it may be, there's always a way to live life, and doing so is the key to not losing sight of what it's really all about. I no longer think of my current experience with cancer as a barrier to my life, but a part of it. And it's not even what I would call a bad part of it, as it's brought me closer to all of you, and changed me in so many positive ways. The lesson I've learned is that we should never put our lives on hold for anything. There's always a way to live life through whatever we may encounter. Thank you to all of you who have touched me in so many ways, taught me what true kindness and selflessness really are, and helped me find meaning in this challenging stage of my life. I also owe a special thanks to my friends who have put up a website, organized events, and done so much more for me, without me even realizing it.http://www.journeyforjustin.com/blog/
http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=149816065058924Let's all live our lives every second, no matter what may arise, and find fulfillment in life together.
Hey Justin,Thank you so much for your post. For the past month, I was kind of lost energy to go on working on the fashion business. It seems I am away from what I want so far away. I was working all the time included Sat and Sun with no time to go out and see the cloud ( you know the style of working we have). And haven't see many friends for long long time, lost my social life & with no boyfriend etc......... However things doesn't work out what I expect. Putting in so much efforts but it seems no return. I feel my life could be better even if I didn't do anythings........However, after I read your post, I realized I am so lucky already. And you are right, we shouldn't let something to make our life on hold. We should go on for what we want to live.I truly hope you will recover soon and I can't wait for the day we can go to the tea place again.Chailie
This is incredibly encouraging Justin. Not just in that it's good to see you coming to a deepening revelation of purpose and fullness through your battles with health, but also because your struggles to understand what it truly means to care for others and live in a genuinely loving sacrificial nature, despite the circumstances of life, are shared by me and (I'm sure) many others. Your journey and reflections shed a new and clear light on this for me and inspire me to live more intentionally in a gracious perspective. Pray that I would experience the same kind of transformation you are. Thank you. We, everyday, praise in your victories and share in your burdens, confidently hoping all the while for your soon and full recovery. AB ;)
Dearest Justin,We are all searching for the deeper meaning and purpose of life. God gives purpose to our days and motivation to live life to the full. One of the great truths of Christian life is that it changes your attitude. Christ plants new hope in your heart and helps you look at life with new understanding and dimension. You will realize the rich quality of your faith and live a life in abundance. "My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness." 2 Corinthians 12:9.Justin, we love you and are so thankful to God that you begin your journey to discover faith by praying to God for His mercy on you and now for friends and family. God never fails you if you put your trust in Him. We continue to pray for God's miraculous healing on you.May God bless you and keep you in His Love and grace.With love and prayers,Gu Ma Betty
Dearest Justin, May I share this little prayer, which I pray often, with you:-O Lord, let me greet the coming day in peace.In every hour reveal thy will to me,Bless my moments with all around me.give me strength to face everything that the day may bring.Show me the truth, teach me to pray and pray Thou thyself in me.I love talking to God because I know no matter what situation I am in He is there listening.May God's tender care be with you as you starts your next treatment.Lots of love and thank you for praying for me,auntie Fei
Keep smiling and even laughing can help. Keep positive and have good mood.
Justin-What a remarkable young person you are! To have gained such Faith and to extend your prayers to all of us even in your own tremendous battle against your illness. We are with you constantly. Lots of love, A Ellie
Hey Just-justI just got back from Beijing. Learnt so much from my trip. The orphanage was really nice and the children were so adorable. The trip reinforces the fact that we are so lucky to have everything in abundance - love, support and everything we need. Seeing sick children with no family to love them and no one to play with them really broke my heart. But I also saw pictures of children who had successful surgeries and were later adopted with their new families. From talking with the founders Joyce and Robin, I really felt God's presence and God's abundance provision whenever we need it. In the 16 years in Beijing and more than 10 years of running Hope, they have never really lacked anything. When emergency medical needs arise, or when a child needs emergency surgery, God always provides sufficient funding for them. God works in a mysterious way which we may not understand but he ALWAYS provides everything we need at the perfect timing. So trust in Him and lift all your burdens up to Him in prayers. I will e-mail you a picture of Jay (the boy I am sponsoring). He is so sweet and I really enjoyed the time we spent with him. Eventhough he was falling ill, he was so well behaved and we really bonded. It was so sad to leave when we had to. I am looking forward to returning there soon and maybe you can come with me too when you return to Asia. Take care, eat loads and pray hard! We are all praying very hard for you!Love you loads and missing you loads,V
Dear Justin,You mentioned you're moving into a new building with all the latest technologies in the room..... What do you think? Do you have a window close to your bed so you can still enjoy the autumn colours and the sky?It's halloween tonight, so Mark and I are getting loads of candies ready for the neighbourhood kids (it's only an excuse because "I" usually ended up eating majority of them)!!!!Thinking of you always and I hope you'll have a comfortable week ahead. Keep smiling, eating and rest as much as you can and looking forward to read your post.LauraP.S. My mom sends her love to you...
A Verse/Hymn by John Greenleaf Whittier 1807-1892Abstracted here 3 verses out of the original five:Dear Lord and Father of MankindO sabbath rest by Galilee!O calm of hills above,Where Jesus knelt to share with theeThe silence of eternity,Interpreted by love.Drop thy still dews of quietnessTill all our strivings cease:Take from our souls the strain and stress,And let our ordered lives confessThe beauty of Thy peace.Breathe thru the heats if our desireThy coolness and Thy balm;Let sense be dumb, let flesh retire;Speak thru the earthquake, wind, and fire,O still small voice of calm!The Almighty Himself knelt and pray for strength and peace.With much regards.
The last verse above, typing error, it is 'Breathe thru the heats OF our desire'Sorry
Today 1st November is All Saints day; a day of remembrance as we attribute our praise to those special people who given so much glory to God. But of course they were mortals and sinners, just like us. But it is amongst us sinners that God has given Grace for us to acknowledge and to overcome our weaknesses. A lot of people don't realize that life is lived for others. It is milestone for any young person to come to that understanding. I'm very happy for you.God bless you and keep you and never be parted from you.Caroline
Hi Justin, thank you so much for your prayers - thay mean a great deal. I would also like to thank Gu Ma Betty and Vena for their words of wisdom and inspiration. These passages were drawn to my attention yesterday - God's words will speak for themselves:Thanksgiving and Prayer 15 For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, 16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit[f] of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way. Made Alive in Christ 1 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh[a] and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. The passages come from Ephesians 1 and 2.Praying lots for your next round of chemo, you're wearing the armour of God for this next round with Purple Blob. Sock it to him!With love, Ellen
How did you get so damn inspirational?
Hi Justin,I look forward to your new post everyday. . . usually checking when there is a moment of peace between phone calls from clients:"Where is my building permit?", and phone calls from contractors:"Guess what I found inside the walls where you want to put the emergency eyewash?" You know guys, there is so much more to life. More than checking off a list of tasks one by one. . . More than making sure you follow instructions in a recipe. . . It took me a very long time to realize it's all about sharing and loving people around you. I am jealous of your maturity!You are always in our prayers!Love,Aunty LindaMany hugs and kisses from Peter and Berenger too
Justin, allow me to introduce myself, I am Matt's friend and accountant, Kevin -- I finally read all your blogs here, although Matt has been keeping me posted as to your progress. As a cancer survivor (approaching 5 years), and dealing with cancer on a daily basis with my mother before that so much of what you say is true, it just takes us a while for us to realize it. Where do we get our strength from ? Your answer makes perfect sense. Although my cancer was not life threating, so much of how I dealt with it came from my mother, and her dealings with it. Perhaps she to had an epiphany that I never realized during her battle. Keep the faith Justin, and keeps those inspirational words coming, we could all learn something from them !!