So who are the people flanking me in the picture above, loaded down with cameras and smiles? Well, let me tell you about them.
For my inaugural Shameless Shoutout, I wanted to send a shout-out to probably the most important and most influential people in my life, my mom and dad.
My mom was born in Taiwan, the youngest of five children. She grew up in the capital city, Taipei, and went to college at the Fu Jen Catholic University. It was while she was in college that she came to know Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. Upon graduation, she immigrated to the United States to study in the MBA program at Central Missouri State University in Warrensburg, Missouri.
My dad was also born in Taiwan, the second of four children. He grew up partially in Taipei, but his father’s job as an engineer moved their family to Vietnam, where he remained until he graduated high school. He was in Vietnam during the American war, and was present during some of the bombings of Saigon (now current-day Ho Chi Minh City). My dad came to know Jesus at a revival camp, when keynote speaker Ravi Zacharias (a world-renown Christian apologist) gave an altar call. After high school, my dad immigrated to the United States for college. He graduated from LeTourneau University with a Bachelors degree in electrical engineering, and continued graduate work in that field at Wichita State University, where he received his Masters degree.
It was through the Christian Witness Center’s (CWC) many college outreaches that my mom and dad met up. My dad was involved with the inception of this outreach to Chinese international students and families, and it was by God’s design that my dad had the opportunity to drive my mom (who was still at CMSU) and her friends to one of the events that the CWC put together. After a brief courtship, my parents got married. I was born less than a year later. My sister, Sarah, was born a year and 10 months (or so) later.
I was blessed to grow up in a Christian home, in which my parents inculcated the truths of the Bible into me from a very young age. It was through the testimony of my parents and the unconditional love and hospitality they showed to the many Chinese international students that came to our house that I realized that I inherently lacked the love and grace with which my parents seemed to be filled. When I was five years old, I asked my parents what made them love people the way they did. They explained that it was actually the love of Jesus Christ living in their hearts that was reflected to others. I wanted this love to be within me, so with their guidance I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord, Savior, and Treasure that night.
My parents have been my greatest supporters, cheerleaders, comforters, and counselors throughout the years. They have sacrificed everything for me and my sister – willing to give up every desire they’ve had to provide the things we need and want. To this day, they still make plans with us in mind – the very fact that I don’t worry about God’s provision is because my parents have demonstrated that God provides for us everything we need and delights to give us the desires of our hearts. Whenever I am struggling, they are attentive listeners, always willing to lend an ear to my problems, even if it means staying up until 3am while I ramble about the most inane things. They are my sounding boards, firmly grounded in the Word of God, and while I don’t always appreciate their advice, I am thankful that they are willing to give it. They never cease to give – they have modeled God’s bountiful goodness to me in ways they will never be fully rewarded until God calls them Home. They have lavished praise and encouragement upon me. Whether that encouragement means “we’re proud of you” or “this is something you might want to remember for the next time,” I know that my parents have tried their best to teach me and my sister the ways of God and how to live a life that reflects His character and goodness. I am thankful for the times they have had to discipline me, because I know that they care enough about me to keep me from hurting myself. I am thankful for every time I get to pray with my parents, because I know that they have walked with God longer than I have been alive, and they know His voice intimately. I appreciate their patience, for the seasons of life when I have acted rebelliously, when I didn’t even understand what I was doing, when I spoke harshly or rashly, or did anything annoying or uncouth. I am awestruck by their grace, to unconditionally forgive me of my sins, and because of their example I know experientially that my Father in heaven does the same. I deeply value their love and care for me; they pray for me and specifically for different issues in my life. I know that wherever I am and whatever I do, my parents have my back, no matter what.
Honestly, there are days when I wonder why I deserve such awesome parents. There are also days when I wonder why I am subjected to such parents. :o) But praise God, the former days are more frequent than the latter days. So for my first Shameless Shoutout, I can think of no better people than my mom and dad. This small honor cannot speak for all that they have poured into my life; but I know that when they go Home, our Father will greet each of them with the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant; come enter My rest.”