Honoring
曹鈞培 曹 (Pei Juin Chou)

安息與感恩：

追思爺爺跨越世紀的百歲恩典人生

今天，我們懷著感恩與思念之心，一同追憶我們摯愛的爺爺。這並非一場哀傷的告別，而是一次對他豐盛生命、榮歸天家的感恩追思。他是一位生於1926年的長者，他的人生如同一部橫跨近一個世紀的史書，不僅親身見證了時代的洪流與劇變，更在其中活出了依靠信仰與家庭之愛的堅韌與智慧。

本文將回顧他如何從烽火連天的少年歲月走來，在戰亂、匱乏與遷徙的挑戰中，以驚人的毅力建立家庭、守護摯愛；並最終，將基督的信仰化為生命中最寶貴的祝福，為後代留下一份永恆的屬靈傳承。他的一生，是對上帝恩典最美好的見證。

1. 烽火中的少年：時代洪流下的漂泊與扎根

二十世紀上半葉的中國，是一個被時代巨輪無情輾壓的動盪年代。爺爺的早年歲月，正是在這樣的背景下展開。然而，他顛沛流離的經歷，不僅沒有擊垮他，反而成為鍛造他生命韌性的熔爐，為他日後的人生奠定了穩固的基石。

戰亂下的遷徙軌跡

爺爺的少年記憶，與戰爭的陰影緊密相連。他的足跡被迫跟隨著時代的動盪，譜寫了一段不斷遷徙的生命篇章：

1926年，他出生於廣州，一個風雲際會的南方大城。

1937年，日軍侵華戰爭爆發，為了躲避戰火，年少的他隨家人遷往香港避難。

1941年，太平洋戰爭爆發，香港淪陷，一家人再次被迫舉家遷回內地。

1945年，抗戰雖已結束，但命運的安排卻讓他意外滯留湖南。他原以為只是短暫探訪，未曾想這一待，便是整整三十年。

異鄉中的堅韌立足

初到湖南，持續的漂泊讓他明白，適應是生存的唯一法則。他將這份體悟化為驚人的行動力：面對全然陌生的語言環境，他在短短三個月內便克服了隔閡，學會了當地話；為了扎根立足，他潛心學習中醫，掌握了一門足以安身立命的專業技能。這份堅韌並非與生俱來的性格，而是在時代洪流中，為了生存與保護家人而主動磨礪出的智慧與能力。他早年的漂泊，是一代人的縮影；而他的堅韌立足，則是他在患難中淬煉出的信心見證。

2. 家庭的守護者：匱乏年代中的責任與愛

在那個物質極度匱乏的年代，爺爺以一己之力，為家人撐起了一片天。他忠實地履行了上帝託付的管家職分，對家庭的守護不僅是物質上的竭力供應，更是精神上的溫暖港灣。他從最深沉的苦難中，提煉出了對幸福最純粹的定義，並將這份愛與責任，化為家庭中最穩固的磐石。

傳統之約與家族延續

爺爺與嬷嬷的結合，源於一份深厚的家族之約。他們的婚姻並非始於浪漫的邂逅，而是由雙方家長在他們年幼時便啟蒙的「青梅竹馬」之緣。這份來自傳統的連結，在動盪的歲月中，為他們的家庭提供了最原始、也最堅固的穩定力量。

爺爺與嬷嬷於1948年結縭, 回憶起他們的婚禮，是一幅來自舊時光的溫馨畫卷：嬷嬷身著一襲紅色衣服，頭上戴著精緻的花飾；爺爺則穿上傳統的長衫馬掛。這不僅是一場儀式，更是一份如今已難再尋的、屬於那個時代的珍貴記憶。這份對傳統的尊重，也體現在他尊重長輩(爺爺的父親)親自為每個孫兒的命名 – 長女穎儀(出生於1949年),次女育麟(出生於1950年), 以及陸續誕生的四個兒子 – 承宗、承運、承礎、承平, 傳承了家族的血脈與期許。

最艱難的歲月：一人肩扛八口之家

1960年的「大饑荒」，是他一生最困苦的時刻，也是他作為家庭守護者角色最光輝的印證。他所面臨的困境，是我們今日難以想像的：

沉重負擔： 當時，他必須獨自一人扶養包含六個孩子與妻子的八口之家，所有的重擔都落在他一人的肩上。

物資匱乏： 最大的困難，是「有錢也買不到東西」。在嚴格的配給制度下，全家僅能依靠「紅薯飯」來勉強度日。

精神壓力： 他曾感嘆那段時間「家裡什麼都沒有」，這句樸實的話語背後，是一位父親與丈夫所承受的巨大精神壓力。

苦難中淬煉的幸福觀

正是因為親身走過那樣極端的艱辛，爺爺才對幸福有了最深刻的體悟。當被問及人生最快樂的事時，他的回答不是功成名就，也不是財富積累，而是一句簡單而溫暖的話語：「看見家人健康」。這個價值觀，成為他對家庭之愛最核心的表達，也定義了他一生守護的目標。

生命的重擔與對家庭的摯愛，如同兩股力量，共同將他引向了信仰的港灣。在那裡，他不僅找到了心靈的慰藉，更尋得了永恆的力量與盼望。

3. 信仰的旅程：從外在參與到內心歸宿

基督信仰，如同一顆早年埋下的種子，在爺爺生命的土壤中，歷經歲月的澆灌，最終長成一棵能夠遮風避雨的參天大樹。這份信仰從他年少的教育背景，昇華為晚年面對生命挑戰時的精神支柱，成為他內心那份「出人意外的平安」的真正源頭。

信仰的啟蒙種子

爺爺與基督教的初次相遇，可以追溯到他九歲那年，就讀於廣州教會學校「培正小學」的時光。在那個階段，信仰對他而言，更多是教育層面的「外在參與」，是課程與校園生活的一部分。然而，正是這段早年的經歷，悄然在他心中埋下了福音的種子，等待著在未來的某個時刻生根發芽。

晚年的回歸與深化

1987年在香港接受洗禮，是爺爺信仰生命中的一個重要轉捩點。在這一年，他重新與上帝及教會建立了深厚的聯繫。他的信仰經歷了一次深刻的轉化：從早年知識性的「外在參與」，深化為晚年與上帝建立的「內在關係」。這份真實的連結賦予他巨大的力量，讓他能夠用一種超越環境的平和，去接納與消化過往人生中所有的動盪與苦難。

信仰塑造的人生哲學

這份深化的信仰，直接形塑了他晚年的處世智慧，讓他活出了一種恬淡而從容的生命姿態：

量力而為： 他常說凡事要「量力而為」，不給自己施加過度的壓力。這種智慧，與信仰中學到的交託與安息精神深深呼應，讓他得以在晚年卸下重擔，享受心靈的自由。

知足感恩： 對於物質，他抱持著「夠用即可」的知足心態。這份淡然並非源於匱乏，而是源於信仰所帶來的內心富足，以及對上帝所賜一切的深深感恩。

信仰，對爺爺而言，早已超越了宗教儀式的範疇。它化為一種生活的智慧，一種處世的態度，並自然地成為一份最寶貴的屬靈產業，傳承給他所愛的家人。

4. 信念的傳承：一份量力、知足與感恩的屬靈產業

爺爺的信仰，從未停留在他個人的生命中。它如同一道溫暖的光，透過他的一言一行，潛移默化地照亮了整個家庭，成為賜予孩子們最正面的力量與人生指引。他留給後代的，不僅是血脈的延續，更是一份以信仰為基石，充滿智慧與愛的屬靈遺產。

他透過生活的實踐，將信仰的果實傳承給了後代：

傳遞「減壓」的人生智慧 他「量力而為」與「夠用即可」的價值觀，如同屬靈的防疫針，幫助後代在今日競爭激烈的社會中，學會為心靈減壓。這教導我們，真正的成功不是永無止境的追逐，而是找到內心的平和與平衡。

建立以「平安」為核心的幸福觀 他將「家人健康」視為人生最大的快樂，這份深刻的體悟為家庭營造了一個充滿愛與安全感的環境。他讓我們明白，家庭的凝聚力與彼此的安康，是任何物質成就都無法替代的至寶。

樹立「堅韌」的屬靈榜樣 一位親身經歷過戰爭、遷徙與飢荒的長者，晚年卻依然能保有對神的感恩之心。他的生命本身就是一個最有力的見證，向孩子們展示了信仰如何在最深的逆境中，成為力量、平靜與盼望的泉源。

維繫「連結」的開放態度 即使年事已高，爺爺依然努力跨越時代的鴻溝, 不斷向年輕教友學習使用電腦與手機，這份與時俱進的開放態度，不僅是為了方便生活，更反映了信仰中追求和睦與愛的本質，讓他與後代之間的情感連結始終緊密而溫暖。

爺爺留給家人的，是一份看得見、摸得著，且能代代相傳的屬靈產業。這份產業，就是以信、望、愛為根基的生活智慧。

結語：息了世上的勞苦，榮歸天家，在主裡得享永恆的安息

回望爺爺近一個世紀的漫長歲月，我們看到的是一幅充滿挑戰、卻又滿載恩典的生命畫卷。他的一生，走過了烽火，度過了飢荒，扛起了家庭的重擔，更於1998年驟失老伴, 然而，他並未被苦難所吞噬，反而在晚年依靠那份被火試煉過的真誠信仰，找到了屬天的平安，並將這份平安化為對家人的守護與祝福。

如今，他已息了世上一切的勞苦，安息在主的懷中，得享那永恆的榮耀與安寧。我們深信，他所留下的「量力、知足、感恩」的生命榜樣，將如同一盞明燈，繼續在我們心中發光，引領我們前行。

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Rest in Peace and Gratitude:

Remembering Grandpa’s Centenary Life of Grace

Today, with hearts full of gratitude and remembrance, we remember our beloved grandfather, Pei Juin Chou. This is not a sorrowful farewell, but a heartfelt tribute to his abundant life and glorious return to heaven. Born in 1926, his life was like a history book spanning nearly a century. He not only witnessed the torrents and upheavals of the times, but also lived out his resilience and wisdom through faith and family love.

This article will recount how he emerged from the flames of war in his youth, building his family and protecting his loved ones with astonishing perseverance amidst the challenges of war, scarcity, and migration; and ultimately, transforming his Christian faith into the most precious blessing in his life, leaving an eternal spiritual legacy for future generations. His life is the most beautiful testimony to God’s grace.

1. A Youth Amidst the Flames of War: Wandering and Rooting Amidst the Torrents of Time

The first half of the 20th century in China was a turbulent era, relentlessly crushed by the wheels of time. Grandpa’s early years unfolded against this backdrop. However, his turbulent life did not break him; instead, it became a crucible for forging his resilience and laying a solid foundation for his future.

The Migration Trajectory Amidst War

Grandpa’s childhood memories are inextricably linked to the shadow of war. His footsteps were forced to follow the turmoil of the times, composing a life of constant migration:

In 1926, he was born in Guangzhou, a major southern city where great events converged.

In 1937, the Japanese invasion of China broke out. To escape the war, the young man moved with his family to Hong Kong.

In 1941, the Pacific War broke out, Hong Kong fell, and the family was once again forced to move back to the mainland.

In 1945, although the War of Resistance against Japan had ended, fate unexpectedly left him stranded in Hunan. He thought it was just a short visit, but little did he know that this stay would last for thirty years.

A Resilient Foothold in a Foreign Land

Upon arriving in Hunan, the continuous wandering taught him that adaptation was the only rule for survival. He transformed this understanding into astonishing action: facing a completely unfamiliar language environment, he overcame the barriers and learned the local language in just three months; to establish himself, he devoted himself to studying traditional Chinese medicine, mastering a professional skill sufficient to make a living. This resilience was not an innate trait, but rather the wisdom and ability actively honed in the face of the tides of time, for the sake of survival and protecting his family. His early years of wandering were a microcosm of a generation; and his resilient establishment was a testament to the faith he forged in hardship.

2. Guardian of the Family: Responsibility and Love in an Era of Scarcity

In that era of extreme material scarcity, Grandpa single-handedly supported his family. He faithfully fulfilled the stewardship entrusted to him by God, protecting the family not only by providing material necessities but also by offering a warm spiritual haven. From the deepest suffering, he extracted the purest definition of happiness, transforming this love and responsibility into the most solid rock in the family.

A Traditional Pact and Family Continuation

Grandpa and Grandma’s marriage stemmed from a deep-seated family pact. Their union didn’t begin with a romantic encounter, but rather from a “childhood sweetheart” bond established by their parents in their early years. This connection rooted in tradition provided their family with the most primal and enduring stability during turbulent times.

Grandpa and Grandma married in 1948. Recalling their wedding, it’s a warm picture from bygone days: Grandma wore a red dress and delicate floral ornaments in her hair; Grandpa donned a traditional long gown and mandarin jacket. It was not merely a ceremony, but a precious memory of that era, now difficult to find again. This respect for tradition is also reflected in his respect for the naming of each grandchild by his elders (Grandpa’s father) – the eldest daughter Yingyi (born in 1949), the second daughter Yulin (born in 1950), and the four sons born subsequently – Chengzong, Chengyun, Chengchu, and Chengping – carrying on the family’s bloodline and expectations.

The Most Difficult Years: One Man Carrying the Burden of an Eight-Member Family

The Great Famine of 1960 was the most difficult time of his life, and also the most glorious testament to his role as the guardian of his family. The hardships he faced are unimaginable to us today:

Heavy Burden: At that time, he had to support a family of eight, including six children and his wife, all the burdens falling on his shoulders alone.

Scarcity of Resources: The greatest difficulty was that “even with money, you couldn’t buy anything.” Under the strict rationing system, the family could barely survive on sweet potato rice.

Mental Stress: He once lamented that during that period, “we had nothing at home.” Behind this simple statement lies the immense mental stress endured by a father and husband.

A View of Happiness Forged in Hardship

It was precisely because he personally experienced such extreme hardship that Grandpa had the deepest understanding of happiness. When asked about the happiest thing in his life, his answer was not success or wealth, but a simple and warm statement: “Seeing my family healthy.” This value became the core expression of his love for his family and defined the goal he upheld throughout his life.

The burdens of life and his deep love for his family, like two forces, led him to the harbor of faith. There, he not only found solace but also eternal strength and hope.

3. The Journey of Faith: From External Participation to Inner Destination

Christian faith, like a seed planted early in his life, was nurtured by the years and eventually grew into a towering tree that could shelter him from the wind and rain. This faith, originating from his early education, transformed into a pillar of support for facing life’s challenges in his later years, becoming the true source of his “unexpected peace.”

The Seed of Faith’s Enlightenment

Grandpa’s first encounter with Christianity can be traced back to when he was nine years old, attending the Guangzhou church school “Pui Ching Primary School.” At that stage, faith for him was more of an “external participation” in education, a part of the curriculum and school life. However, it was this early experience that quietly planted the seed of the Gospel in his heart, waiting to take root and sprout at some point in the future.

A Return and Deepening in Later Years

His baptism in Hong Kong in 1987 was a significant turning point in his faith. That year, he re-established a deep connection with God and the Church. His faith underwent a profound transformation: from the intellectual “external participation” of his early years to the “inner relationship” he built with God in his later years. This genuine connection gave him immense strength, allowing him to accept and process all the turmoil and suffering of his past life with a peace that transcended his circumstances.

A Philosophy of Life Shaped by Faith

This deepened faith directly shaped his wisdom in dealing with the world in his later years, allowing him to live a tranquil and composed life:

* Doing what you can: He often said that one should “do what one can,” avoiding putting excessive pressure on oneself. This wisdom deeply resonated with the spirit of surrender and rest learned in his faith, allowing him to unload his burdens and enjoy spiritual freedom in his later years.

Contentment and Gratitude: He held a contented mindset regarding material possessions, believing that “enough is enough.” This serenity didn’t stem from scarcity, but from the inner richness brought by his faith and a deep gratitude for all that God had given him.

For Grandpa, faith had long transcended the realm of religious rituals. It had become a wisdom for living, an attitude towards life, and naturally a most precious spiritual legacy, passed down to his beloved family.

4. The Inheritance of Faith: A Spiritual Legacy of Contentment, Gratitude, and Affection

Grandpa’s faith never remained confined to his personal life. Like a warm light, it subtly illuminated the entire family through his words and actions, becoming the most positive strength and life guidance bestowed upon his children. What he left to his descendants was not only the continuation of his bloodline, but also a spiritual legacy based on faith, full of wisdom and love.

Through his life experiences, he passed on the fruits of his faith to future generations:

Passing on the wisdom of stress reduction: His values ​​of “doing what you can” and “enough is enough” act like a spiritual vaccine, helping his descendants learn to reduce stress in today’s competitive society. This teaches us that true success is not about endless pursuit, but about finding inner peace and balance.

Establishing a view of happiness centered on “peace”: He considered “family health” the greatest joy in life, and this profound understanding created a loving and secure environment for his family. He taught us that family cohesion and mutual well-being are invaluable treasures that no material achievement can replace.

Setting an example of spiritual resilience: An elder who personally experienced war, migration, and famine, still maintained a grateful heart towards God in his later years. His life itself is a powerful testimony, showing his children how faith can be a source of strength, peace, and hope even in the deepest adversity.

Maintaining an Open Attitude of Connection: Even in his advanced age, Grandpa strived to bridge the gap of time, constantly learning to use computers and mobile phones from younger church members. This open-mindedness and adaptability not only facilitated his life but also reflected the essence of his faith—the pursuit of harmony and love—keeping the emotional connection between him and his descendants close and warm.

Grandpa left his family a tangible spiritual legacy that can be passed down through generations: the wisdom of living rooted in faith, hope, and love.

Conclusion: Rest from earthly toil, return to heaven in glory, and enjoy eternal rest in the Lord.

Looking back on Grandpa’s nearly century-long life, we see a life full of challenges yet overflowing with grace. His life was marked by war, famine, and the burden of supporting his family. He tragically lost his wife in 1998. Yet, he was not consumed by hardship. Instead, in his later years, relying on his fire-tested faith, he found heavenly peace, which he transformed into protection and blessings for his family.

Now, he has rested from all earthly toil, nestled in the Lord’s embrace, enjoying eternal glory and peace. We firmly believe that his example of “living within one’s means, being content, and being grateful” will continue to shine like a beacon in our hearts, guiding us on our journey.