PERSONAL TESTIMONY
I am Shirley Hew, from Wesley Methodist Church, Kuantan. I would like to share how God has worked in my life and transformed me. May His name be glorified through my testimony.
I was born and raised in Kuantan into a loving and non-Christian family. I had little understanding of faith in my early years. However, my journey took an unexpected turn when I was raised by my Christian grandmother, who introduced me to church life. Though I didn’t fully understand the teachings at that time, those experiences planted seeds in my heart.
I have 3 younger brothers. Among all my siblings, I was the only one who grew up with my grandmother, who was a Christian. Although my parents are Buddhists, my grandparents and several of my aunts and uncles are Christians too.
Life before Christ:
I still remember when I was 5 years old. Every week, my grandmother would take me to Glorious Grace Presbyterian Church, located at Seri Kuantan. Honestly, every time I went to church, I didn’t understand what the pastor was preaching about. I didn’t know how to sing. All I knew was that when the service almost ended, my grandmother would put money into a red bag. Like any other child, what caught my attention and excited me the most was the food served after the church service. That was my weekly routine.
When I turned 6 years old, I was enrolled into the kindergarten in the same church. After graduating from kindergarten, I stopped going to church. Day by day, until my teenage years, I felt that my mother did not love me, unlike her sons. Household chores like mopping the floor, sweeping, washing the dishes and ironing clothes for the whole family were all my responsibilities. In fact, none of my younger brothers had to do anything at home. I always noticed and felt the difference between me and my siblings. They are always protected, and all their needs are easily fulfilled. Communication problems started between my mother and me. I never had the chance to share my thoughts with her since young. Thankfully, my father was always there to support me. For many years, I struggled with anxiety, depression, family conflicts, and a sense of emptiness.
How I met Christ:
One day, I attended my uncle’s funeral at the Tg Api cemetery. I met my cousin sister Cindy Ong and her mother Cecillia. They invited me to a church service. The message of love and hope deeply touched me. In 2013, I started attending church service and have been going ever since. On my first day in church, I liked the hymnal songs being sung. I began to feel that this place truly calmed my mind. This feeling is something I have never experienced before. Over the following months, I started to learn “How to pray?” and began reading the Bible. I accepted Christ as my Savior and was baptized in year 2014.
Life after Christ:
One day, Ps Woo was preaching about forgiveness and I remembered he said that “if we forgive people, we will get more happiness.” With this verse, it made me realize the importance of forgiving my mother because I want to live a joyful life.
From the Bible, the book of Ephesians 4:32 said “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” The book of Luke 6:37 said “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven.”
…Yes, God’s forgiveness is indeed powerful – it frees us from bitterness and allows us to experience peace and joy. Truly forgiving from the heart can be challenging, especially when the pain runs deep. Through God’s Grace, all is possible.
Since then, my life has been transformed. My anxiety and depression have lessened. I feel a deep sense of peace and purpose. I have found a supportive community in my church and my faith continues to grow. God is always good; He already plans everything for us. From knowing nothing, I have served as the treasurer of Methodist Women for more than 2 years and I am also a member of the flower arrangement and worship team. I’m grateful to God for blessing my son who was baptised on Christmas Day in 2024.
Conclusion
As I reflect on my journey, I can see God’s faithful hand guiding me through every season of my life. He carried me through family struggles, feelings of unworthiness, and deep sorrow. From knowing very little about the Christian faith, He patiently nurtured my relationship with Him, leading me to serve faithfully in the church and experience the joy of seeing my son grow in his faith.
Today, my son serves in our Church School’s PA ministry and faithfully supports the church’s weekly live-streaming service. Watching him serving is a beautiful reminder of God’s grace and faithfulness to our family.
I am deeply grateful for God’s unfailing love, which has healed my broken heart, strengthened my faith, and surrounded me with a loving church family. He has replaced my fear with peace, my pain with purpose, and given me the strength to forgive, grow, and move forward with hope.
To anyone who is struggling or carrying past hurts, don’t lose hope. God’s love never fails, His grace is sufficient, and His plans are always good. Trust Him, even when the path is uncertain. In His perfect timing, He will bring healing, peace, renewed hope, and lasting joy.
To God be all Glory!
Blessings,
Shirley Hew
Wesley Methodist Church, Kuantan