Convocation.

I was really overwhelmed. What with the crowd and the camera shots and everybody’s parents to say hello to… and not to mention, my own to entertain and introduce… But it was, needless to say, a special moment.

I graduated on Monday, on the 4th July. My father was beaming. He was beaming because this was the day which made him so proud to know that I had finally graduated.

And I was in a daze, because looking back, I saw how far I was from this day at some points, how at one point, I thought it would be impossible. But alas, God makes possible what to us may seem impossible indeed.

At the end of the ceremony, a special girl came up to me to hand me a beautifully written card and letter and a scroll, thanking me for writing. She had introduced herself to me as a reader of this space during my book launch, and to my shock, I realized she, too, was graduating on the same day as I, as she was from the other medical college in Singapore. I was greatly touched by her thoughtfulness.

She reminded me, how really, God can use our weaknesses and frailties in ways we never thought possible, to encourage others walking the same journey as us. Our weaknesses need not be put to waste.

I got the day off from work, and so, had arranged to meet Darren, one of the awardees of the Outstanding Young Singaporeans 2011 whom I’d met during the award ceremony. Having suffered a stroke just shortly graduating from medical school at the age of 24, he made a resilient comeback as an educator and is now looking for avenues as a motivational speaker.

He reminded me, how really, God can use our setbacks and tragedies in ways we never thought possible.

After meeting him, I met up with a teacher from my alma mater, who had requested me to give a talk to the students about my journey to inspire them. To be honest, I said, my story isn’t one filled with stars and glitter- it is one which simply illustrates how miracles can happen to ordinary people when we believe in something greater than ourselves. Extraordinary things can happen when we dare to dream, and when we leave the X-factor to God.

He reminded me, how really, God helps us to find our life purpose when we dare to lose ourselves in a purpose greater than we can imagine.

Convocation. It will always be a special day.

Because it reminds me, that it wasn’t my outstanding intelligence or brilliance or self-striving diligence that earned me a degree, but God’s grace, in blessing me with a family when some have none, in blessing me with hope when I thought I had little, and in blessing me with a future when I could only see dimly.

May you always be reminded, of the future He has for you, too.

For I know the plans I have for you,”

declares God,

“plans to prosper you and not to harm you,

plans to give you hope and a future.
– Jeremiah 29:11