Uncle Raju

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith - 2 Timothy 4:7

Uncle Raju’s life had never been a bed of roses but God was always faithful to him, meeting his every need.

I remember Uncle as a God-fearing man who held steadfast to his beliefs. Each visit to his farm would always end with a prayer, no matter how hard-pressed for time we were.

Family reunions during the Christmas season would always be in his house, at the farm. In the midst of fun & laughter and plenty of chatter, he would make sure that we spend time with God. Tamil Christian songs would be sung, normally led by him, followed by Bible reading and prayers. While half the time I had no clue of what was being sung or read or prayed, some parts of the songs sung would remain in my head for days, a constant reminder that our God is not limited to one language.

Till now, we do not know why he had to suffer so much, or why he had to pass on in such a short notice. We prayed. We asked God for a miracle. We asked “Why, God?” We know that God’s ways are higher than ours and that it’s all done according to HIS will and timing and yet we had so many questions.

Paul, in the book of Philippians, said that to live is Christ and to die is gain. When Uncle was alive, he lived for Christ, and now that he’s dead physically, he’s with Christ spiritually. And one day, we’ll have our “family reunion” in heaven.