Flowers for Anthony

"A really big field of sunflowers (probably more than five million)
at the Abbey of the Genesee, Piffard, NY."

Photo Credit



But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness,
and all these things will be given to you as well.

- Matthew 6:33

Anthony Yeo, Singapore's "Father of Counselling", passed away on Saturday, June 20.

He was the Clinical Director for the Counseling and Care Center in Singapore.

Diagnosed with Burkitt's lymphoma in early May, he underwent chemotherapy after which the cancer went into remission. He passed away due to some complications, including a lung infection and pneumonia.

He was 60 years old. (Read Yahoo! news item here)

Other than a text message from a friend informing me about it, I have no other first hand source of news regarding Anthony's last few months here on earth. However, I was able to read some of the online tributes written by people whose lives he had impacted.

When I received the SMS message about his death, just two days ago, a deep sadness touched my heart and I had a leading to write something about Anthony Yeo.

This is strange, because I met Anthony only once before, and that was many years ago, when he was the speaker at the Graduates Christian Fellowship-Inter Varsity Christian Fellowship conference in Bacolod City.

This morning I still felt sad as I remembered Anthony is no longer with his family and friends in this earthly life, and again, that desire to pay tribute to a man I hardly knew rose in my heart.

I brushed the thought aside, but the thought would not leave my mind.

I realized God must be trying to tell me something.

So, I talked to Him about it. After asking God what it was that He wanted me to write about Anthony, there was a sudden flashback in my memory.

There Anthony was, probably in his late forties, and asking this question:

What do you think is the meaning of Matthew 6:33?

What do you think Jesus meant when He said, "...all these things will be given to you as well?"

That was when I remembered.

It was Anthony Yeo who confirmed the desire in my heart, even at that time, to re-evaluate my faith, and begin to deepen my resolve to really live as a kingdom person.

The rest of his teaching during that weekend is just a blur. I actually do not remember most of it, except that he taught on Matthew 6:33. But I do remember going home after that weekend retreat with a renewed commitment to simplify, to live my life as a "no frills" woman, and to just let Jesus lead me closer to His heart.

There was that deep desire to live for God alone, and to seek His will and His guidance in all the choices I made. Yet, hindrances would often get in the way.

I will never forget what Anthony said in answer to that question. He said that the phrase "all these things" actually mean "all the things we need to survive - what we will eat, what we will drink, and what we will wear."

All the things we need to survive.

He was quite direct to the point. The Son of man did not have so much as a pillow to lay his head on. He probably did not have two or three closets full of clothes to choose from. He did not have three or four cars in the garage.

He only did what His heavenly Father told Him to do...

I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself;
he can do only what he sees his Father doing,
because whatever the Father does the Son also does.

- John 5:19

Jesus did not live for Himself, He lived for the Father's pleasure. And He invites us to do the same.


Now, as I write these words, I recall just how gripped I was by Anthony's simple message of kingdom living.

My heart is beating fast, I feel my face getting warm, and tears welling up in my eyes.

God is reminding me just what Anthony had contributed to my life. I am what I am today because a man named Anthony Yeo asked that crucial question fifteen years ago, and my heart heard what the heavenly Father was saying to me through this humble, soft spoken Singaporean man!

I never saw Anthony again after that. But now I understand why my heart was so moved upon hearing the news of his death.

This man had been used of God to impact my life in a way that I am appreciating only now!

I believe with all my heart in the abundance and generosity of God. He has created us for beauty, and joy, and Jesus Himself said that He has come to give life to the full, the abundant life.


James says in James 1:17 that "every good and perfect gift is from the above, coming down from the Father of heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."

Anthony's message was not about depriving oneself, but about making God-honoring choices in a world that measures one's worth by one's attainments, accomplishments, and achievements!

Living life from this heavenly perspective adds beauty and dimension to what God has been teaching me the past decade of my life.


I have borrowed a beautiful picture of sunflowers to post together with my tribute for Anthony. Whenever I think of sunflowers, I always think of how heaven must be full of them.

A lot of times, Anthony must have been just a lonely voice in the wilderness, speaking up for the downtrodden and the underdog. In his own, quiet way, he reflected God's heart, and was not afraid to speak his heart out. After living a full life, God has called him home to his eternal rest.


These flowers are for you, Anthony. I thank God for having allowed me to meet you at that juncture in my life journey, sending you to be the messenger that will speak His words that have continued to impact my life up to now.

Here are some of the online tributes to Anthony Yeo:

Tribute to Anthony Yeo, a truly gifted counselor/The Straits Times

Tell Me What To Believe

Tribute to Anthony Yeo/Facebook

Final Farewell to Anthony Yeo

Remembering Anthony Yeo

Our Thoughts Are With Anthony Yeo