Home昔日真理報2019年 真理報文章2019 年 10 月【特稿】她的離別燃點生命--追思悼念 Sophia 姊妹

【特稿】她的離別燃點生命--追思悼念 Sophia 姊妹

 

Sophia「金百合」是送給我的表妹,廣受愛載的趙何佩儀(Sophia )姊妹的稱謂。「金百合」像徵豐收、滿足、感恩、欣賞、歡愉等意義,更代表我們的心意,因為 Sophia 姊妹為我們付出了情與義。大家把它摺成心形的立體卡紙,一串串地掛起來,風一吹就隨風飄舞,好像 Sophia 姊妹在對我們說叮嚀的話語。

雖然 Sophia 姊妹離開我們快五年了,這些日子我始終忘不了她的一顰一笑,永遠記得她總是滿面笑容,說話很溫柔,態度很親切,待人非常誠懇,又多才多藝。她在宣道會擔任主日學工作廿多年,經常幫助弟兄姊妹及弱勢不幸者。她的忘我精神,令人肅然欽敬,萬分佩服!

五年前,我出席 Sophia 姊妹的安息禮拜,當日有滂沱大雨,卻不減到場人數,約有七百人參加。座位不夠,站立的人也不願提前開,為的是送別一位令人永遠懷念的姊妹,令人尊崇敬佩的導師。她並非特別出名的大人物,卻有著不平凡的影響力。她是牧師口中的「義人」,是家人朋友中充滿笑容的天使。因為傷風感冒,病毒侵入血管,48 小時便奪去年輕表妹的生命!

她的離世震驚了很多人,被扶助者失去了愛護他們的義人,她的離別也帶給家人及朋友無盡的傷痛。她從小就是父母的掌上明珠,聰明可愛,活潑靈俐。長大信主後,她不遺餘力地走出去傳揚福音,更是愛與善同行,活出基督的大愛,燃亮了很多人的生命!但她的短暫一生精彩無比,她的離世並不是宣告生命的結束,而是留下了永遠的懷念,真是不枉此生。「你們得救在乎歸回安息。」(賽30:15)

她對弟兄姊妹經常伸出援手盡心盡力地栽培,擁有卓越成就,他們對她有著百般感恩,感激她慷慨幫助。她不沽名釣譽,有如雲彩般的可愛!「若是跌到,這人可以扶起他的同伴。」(傳道書四章10節) 她就是扶起同伴的那一位。

我於 1996 年 8 月企業移民來加拿大,是廿多年的佛教徒,不曾接觸過教會。表妹不斷盛情邀請,令我盛情難卻,便跟著她參加家庭福音聚會,聽聽聖經真理。不時有不同活動,分享美食及佈道大會,參加福音旅遊。Sophia 會帶來自置店的愛心咖啡和西餅,贈送記事簿記述聖經的重點。漸漸地大家增進了彼此的認識及歸屬感,明白「施比受更有福」道理,我從一個信佛的人慢慢轉向主耶穌基督了。

後來 Sophia 姊妹和家庭福聚會邀請我參加探訪小組的工作,她告訴我探訪這些為生命而戰的勇士們要好好安慰﹑鼓勵﹑恩待﹑尊重﹑保密。在我們探訪的過程中,遭遇各種各樣的人和事,幫助他們有機會東山再起。環境的突發狀況,非我們的能力所能掌控,只要我們確信自己所求的是神的旨意的成全,不是一己的私利,神就會帶領和保守我們的。因為神說:「萬事都互相効力,叫愛神的人得益處」。(羅8:28)「你們要稱謝耶和華,因祂本為善,祂的慈愛永遠長存!」 (詩篇136:1)


Sophia 姊妹教我要樂於聆聽傾訴﹑關愛送暖,不但要真誠,還要圓融得體,三思而行。要明白如何表達將會影響對方,因為體貼的說話帶來生命,殘忍的說話摧毀人的心靈。要體恤當事人的感受和壓力,尊重並保密,以天父的愛和憐憫的心為出發點,彼此禱告祝福。「我們行善不可喪志,若有不灰心,到了時候就要收成。」(加拉太書6:9)

Sophia 姊妹與我攜手播下無數的種子,每次她總是細心地帶著營養食品和日常用品,我帶著調理滋潤的湯及生果去探訪被人忽略的弱勢人士。有異鄉人因身體原故面對化療﹑電療的辛苦,多麼需要有人關愛協助他們呀!有一位從西德移民來到加拿大,無親無友的女士,我邀請她上生命歷程四堂課。因她打標靶針藥痛楚難忍,她很感謝列治文華人浸信會的弟兄姊妹,為她送出溫暖與關愛。

Sophia 姊妹知我遇到家暴,失控不敢言,便不時慰勉並為我禱告,為我分憂解愁。她鼓勵我,並帶領我走出陰影。如今這些肉體上的折磨我已經勝過。當我遇到同樣遭受家暴的華女,失控被虐不敢言,心中早已沒有盼望,甚至想結束自己的生命,彷彿以前的我,令我感同身受,我自己所受到的家暴也如一面鏡子般,再次呈現眼前。Sophia 與我用基督的愛陪伴她,使她慢慢地走出死亡的光景。現在這位華女為主作工,天天開心,因為她已經有了新的生命。Sophia 姊妹的付出的愛,是何等的珍貴!這位華女的重生見證「生命本無貴賤,呵護豈有差別」中都有表述。「但我依靠你的慈愛,我的心因你的救恩快樂。」 (詩篇13:5)

每當有人要感謝 Sophia 姊妹時,她會說:「倘若大家要在心中感謝我,我想人與人要互相關愛﹑扶持,受過人的幫助,將來有機會請儘量幫助人。」這種助人自助的想法十分寶貴,每個受過別人恩惠的人,都可以用自己的方法再去幫助和感染其他的人。

Sophia 未離世之前,她從未停下來,她的忘我精神令我非常感動。她所計劃好的事項可以讓人分享,感受到耶穌的愛所散發的熱誠和歡欣!你有否想過神的計劃是什麼呢?可有去成就神的計劃?神希望我們領人歸主,認識耶穌基督,幫助他人成長,如此可使別人蒙福。

Sophia 姊妹的一生就像一把明亮的火炬,並未因人消逝而熄滅,她的生命的榜樣會激勵更多的人去傳揚福音。她的一生沒有白過,她活得精彩不平凡,充滿了永恆的光彩。相信很多人會學習她的榜樣,承擔起傳福的使命,去燃點更多生命之火,讓愛火常存,並綻放得更加精彩。

雖然 Sophia 姊妹已經離開了我們,然而我們小組中的每位弟兄姊妹內心都充滿了對她的謝意,視她為值得尊崇敬佩的導師。我們會永遠的懷念她,學傚她,薪火相傳,努力為主做工。她帶領過的家庭福音聚會同人,會在主的真道上健康成長,激發人性光明的一面,為主耶穌作美好的見證。

那美好的仗,她已經打過了,當跑的路,她已跑盡了,所信的道她已經守住了,從此之後有公義的冠冕為她存留。(參閱提後4:7-8)這是天父給她應許,也是我們大家的盼望:「我一生一世必有恩惠慈愛隨著我,我且要住在耶和華的殿中直到永遠。」 (詩篇廿三篇6節) Sophia 導師,我們以妳為榮,以妳為榜樣。我們全體都向我們所尊崇敬佩的導師鞠躬致謝

 

      聖經金句 (Bible Verses)

喜樂 Joy

喜樂的心乃是良藥;憂傷的靈使骨枯乾。箴言 17:22
A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Proverbs 17:22

然而,我要因耶和華歡欣,因救我的 神喜樂。哈巴谷書 3:18
yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. Habakkuk 3:18

要常常喜樂,不住的禱告,凡事謝恩。帖撒羅尼迦前書 5:16-17
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17

饒恕 Forgiveness

主啊,你本為良善,樂意饒恕人,有豐盛的慈愛賜給凡求告你的人。詩篇 86:5
You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you. Psalm 86:5

你不要說:“我要以惡報惡”;要等候耶和華,他必拯救你。箴言 20:22
Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong!” Wait for the LORD, and he will avenge you. Proverbs 6:14

你們饒恕人的過犯,你們的天父也必饒恕你們的過犯;馬太福音 6:14
For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. Matthew 6:14

你們不饒恕人的過犯,你們的天父也必不饒恕你們的過犯。馬太福音 6:15
But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:15

你們各人若不從心裡饒恕你的弟兄,我天父也要這樣待你們了。馬太福音 18:35
This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart. Matthew 18:35

謙卑 Humility

敬畏耶和華是智慧的訓誨;尊榮以前,必有謙卑。箴言 15:33
Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the LORD, and humility comes before honor. Proverbs 15:33

敬畏耶和華心存謙卑,就得富有、尊榮、生命為賞賜。箴言 22:4
Humility is the fear of the LORD; its wages are riches and honor and life. Proverbs 22:4

凡事不可結黨,不可貪圖虛浮的榮耀;只要存心謙卑,各人看別人比自己強。腓立比書 2:3
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. Philippians 2:3

但他賜更多的恩典,所以經上說:神阻擋驕傲的人,賜恩給謙卑的人。雅各書 4:6
But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” James 4:6

驕傲 Pride

驕傲來,羞恥也來;謙遜人卻有智慧。箴言 11:2
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. Proverbs 11:2

驕傲只啟爭競;聽勸言的,卻有智慧。箴言 13:10
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. Proverbs 13:10

驕傲在敗壞以先;狂心在跌倒之前。箴言 16:18
Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18

但他賜更多的恩典,所以經上說:神阻擋驕傲的人,賜恩給謙卑的人。雅各書 4:6
But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” James 4:6

忍耐 Patience

愚妄人怒氣全發;智慧人忍氣含怒。箴言 29:11
Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end. Proverbs 29:11

並且你們要為我的名,被眾人恨惡,惟有忍耐到底的,必然得救。馬可福音 13:13
Everyone will hate you because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. Mark 13:13

不但如此,就是在患難中也是歡歡喜喜的。因為知道患難生忍耐。羅馬書 5:3
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance. Romans 5:3

我們行善,不可喪志;若不灰心,到了時候就要收成加拉太書 6:9
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9

你們也當忍耐,堅固你們的心,因為主來的日子近了。雅各書 5:8
You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. James 5:8

溫柔 Meekness

回答柔和,使怒消退;言語暴戾,觸動怒氣。箴言 15:1
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1

溫柔的人有福了,因為他們必承受地土。馬太福音 5:5
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Matthew 5:5

用溫柔勸戒那抵擋的人;或者 神給他們悔改的心,可以明白真道。提摩太後書 2:25
Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth. 2 Timothy 2:25

只要以裡面存著長久溫柔、安靜的心為妝飾;這在 神面前是極寶貴的。彼得前書 3:4
Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. 1 Peter 3:4

嫉妒 Envy

不要為作惡的心懷不平,也不要向那行不義的生出嫉妒。詩篇 37:1
Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong. Psalm 37:1

心中安靜是肉體的生命;嫉妒是骨中的朽爛。箴言 14:30
A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones. Proverbs 14:30

在何處有嫉妒、紛爭,就在何處有擾亂和各樣的壞事。雅各書 3:16
For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. James 3:16

生氣 Anger

當止住怒氣,離棄忿怒;不要心懷不平,以致作惡。詩篇 37:8
Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil. Psalm 37:8

好生氣的人,不可與他結交;暴怒的人,不可與他來往。箴言 22:24
Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered. Proverbs 22:24

愚妄人怒氣全發;智慧人忍氣含怒。箴言 29:11
Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end. Proverbs 29:11

生氣卻不要犯罪.不可含怒到日落。以弗所書 4:26
In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry. Ephesians 4:26

我親愛的弟兄們,這是你們所知道的,但你們各人要快快的聽,慢慢的說,慢慢的動怒,因為人的怒氣並不成就 神的義。雅各書 1:19,20
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. James 1:19,20

災難 Calamity

謹守口與舌的、就保守自己免受災難。箴言 21:23
Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity. Proverbs 21:23

民要攻打民、國要攻打國、多處必有地震、饑荒.這都是災難的起頭。馬可福音 13:8
Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains. Mark 13:8

憂愁 Worry

你們不要憂愁、因靠耶和華而得的喜樂是你們的力量。尼希米記 8:10
Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength. Nehemiah 8:10

主雖使人憂愁, 還要照他諸般的慈愛發憐憫。耶利米哀歌 3:32
Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. Lamentations 3:32

凡勞苦擔重擔的人,可以到我這裡來,我就使你們得安息。馬太福音 11:28
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

我留下平安給你們、我將我的平安賜給你們.我所賜的、不像世人所賜的.你們心裏不要憂愁、也不要膽怯。約翰福音 14:27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27

應當一無掛慮,只要凡事藉著禱告、祈求和感謝,將你們所要的告訴神。神所賜出人意外的平安,必在基督耶穌裡,保守你們的心懷意念。腓立比書 4:6,7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6,7

因此, 你們是大有喜樂, 但如今, 在百般的試煉中暫時憂愁。彼得前書 1:6
In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 1 Peter 1:6

患難 Trouble, Suffering

義人多有苦難,但耶和華救他脫離這一切。詩篇 34:19
The righteous person may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all. Psalm 34:19

神是我們的避難所,是我們的力量,是我們在患難中隨時的幫助!詩篇 46:1
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1

耶和華本為善,在患難的日子為人的保障,並且認得那些投靠他的人。那鴻書 1:7
The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him. Nahum 1:7

為義受逼迫的人有福了,因為天國是他們的。馬太福音 5:10
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:10

不但如此,就是在患難中,也是歡歡喜喜的。因為知道患難生忍耐。羅馬書 5:3
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; Romans 5:3

我想現在的苦楚,若比將來要顯於我們的榮耀,就不足介意了。羅馬書 8:18
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. Romans 8:18

因為你們蒙恩,不但得以信服基督,並要為他受苦。腓立比書 1:29
For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him. Philippians 1:29

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