Dancing with words

From dancing in the muddy fields

to soaking in the sun o’er the hills

From riding the back of cattle

to sitting in planes once in a while

From roaming the wild grassland

to tiptoeing into university corridors

From the vibrant university corridor

to occupying office spaces

From the niche of office spaces

to staying at home with the kids

From being sidelined at home

to busy hospital corridors

From gloomy hospital corridors

to scaling the wall of HOPE

From scaling hope to PRAISING…

#dancingwithwords

#waitingforthedoc19032021

Last week, as I waited for the doctor to arrived I wrote this very brief story of mine in the busy and crowded waiting area.

As some of you might have known I have shifted my site to a self-hosted plarform. But now here I am unable to hire nor able to look up the cause of the site not loading. I seek help but still not yet sorted out as my weak body taking up on me. www.abidings.com is the domain should anyone wants to visit.

If and only if someone could help in any way possible, I’d be really grateful!

Dancing with words:

It’s been FOUR years since I started blogging right after my brain surgery. I thank the WordPress Team for congratulating me, calling it an ACHIEVEMENT on 17 March 2021.

Truly speaking, I’m dancing with words thst came to mind trying to help myself and others who are in the same situation as mine. Along the journey I have also met good people who help and really encourage my writing.

Today, I have published two books which were available on Amazon’s store both namely: Unconsumed: In His Abiding Grace and Walking Outside the Garden.

Intoxicated Living

‘The world’s not as I expected,’ skeptically mused a person, time and again.  Although it was supposed to be a humor, it has some weigh.  The world has intoxicated our living by the time our conscience was put to practice.

Our mind becomes intoxicated with wants, selfish ambitions, adjustments with immediate neighborhood, and so on.  Physically, we have been pained, suffered, and many more, as we live our daily life.  These all are signs of us being alive, so it’s a blessing.

As if these weren’t enough, we have tons of ways to get intoxicated with.  Intoxication took away our understanding and makes us unwise, at times.  Our imperfect mind showed up when we speaks or acts as fools in our intoxicated state.

Necessary Intoxication:

The other day, medical practitioners took some amount of my blood, as they need to determine what had intoxicated my living.  The level of the drugs in my blood, which I had taken for a decade, had to be maintained at the so-called normal level.

Dosages of my medicines have to be increase if it’s lower than the desired level; or lowered otherwise.  My intoxicated blood becomes a boon for my normal living.  My movements and activities, however, get more limited than before.  Intoxication affects my life in some way.

Our body cells, neurons, and bloods are designed by our Creator to accept and intermingle with outside particles for good.  They secrete and excrete to keep our toxic level well balance to sustain our life.  We are fearfully and wonderfully made, which need consistent care.

Intoxicated by Pain:

Pain has become part of my normal life.  As I said earlier, to be able to feel the pain is another blessing.  It is a sign of me being normal and alive.  Let me tell you that I have been in a situation beyond pain, being unconscious, and the experience is worst than pain.

We all suffered some kind of pain, in different ways.  When our pain is too much it can blind our thinking, which suppressed our hope.  It intoxicated our thoughts and living.  Yet most pains are temporary or at least for a lifetime.  Our search for suppressing pain can be dangerous.

In our intoxicated life, with pain and suffering, we search for an entity or someone who’ll listen to our groaning, occasionally.  What if I can tell all?  It may somehow ease my occasional pain but it is hard to find a good listener.  We can be boring, a chronic complainer, and negative mindset to others.

Pain does not subsides by telling someone throughout so we all chose to keep quiet as much as possible.  It’s better to report our level of intoxication, by pain, to the Lord’s.

Intoxicated by Misery:  (1 Samuel 1)

Hannah was mistaken as a woman intoxicated by drinking wine when she poured out her deep misery before the Lord God.  In reality, she was intoxicated by misery.  She was severely provoked by her rival because she was barren; unable to bear son for her husband.

She’s a woman; I cannot say with certainty the level of her troubled heart.  It’d be difficult to empathize her being provoked.  Dear women, you’ll know better.  Her misery was beyond the love and understanding of her husband- Elkanah.

She was in bitterness of soul, and prayed to the Lord asking for a son, and wept in anguish until her voice was able to come out.  Imagine should you be in Hannah’s state of mind, it pained me.  One night, my chest was choked, as I read it to my children.  She was excessively intoxicated by her misery.

She did not care for what people would think.  The priest Eli had observed only her lips were moving, as she spoke to the Lord in her heart.  She vowed to give the child to the Lord, should the Lord grant her prayer.  This lady was in huge distress and she surrenders herself fully to the Lord.

Hannah knew that her situation has come to the level which can be solved only by the intervention of the Almighty God.  In her own conviction, she went to the Lord, because she has HOPE in Him.

She said, “May your servant find favor in your eyes.” Then she went her way and ate something, and her face was no longer downcast.

Beyond Hannah’ Misery:

There is an upside to her misery.  Hannah’s misery took her into the ministry of God.  She participated in God’s plan by bearing a ruler and priest for the Lord.  Her contribution or role in God’s ministry will be remembered as she did not shy away but approached the Lord.

It is great relief to read the next chapter, which consist of her praise to the Lord.  The Lord had granted Hannah’s prayer, she bore a son, named him Samuel.  Samuel was dedicated to the Lord; he grow onto become a priest who ruled and anointed the kings for Israelites.

Hannah’s Prayer of Gratitude:

In Chapter 2 of 1 Samuel, Hannah’s prayer of thanksgiving was recorded.  Her heart was filled with joy; for she witnessed the good deeds of the Lord.  Her bitter life turns into a rejoicing life.  She proclaimed: (1 Samuel 2: 2, 8, 9)

There is no one holy like the Lord; there is no one besides you; there is o Rock like our God.  For the foundations of the earth are the Lord’s; on them he has set the world.  He will guard the feet of his faithful servants.

One day, or at least once in a while, we’d be set free from our intoxicated living, by the grace of God.  Now, a rejoicing heart is a blessed heart.  We should know how to be thankful and show our gratitude once we’re set free.

When the sun shines let us be thankful for the sun; and the sun don’t shine let us be thankful for the shad we got!

How to Get Free from Intoxicated Living?

We have talked in length the details of God’s work in Hannah’s life.  She was set free from her misery because she went to the Lord’s presence.  She knew her problem was beyond men can handle.

By hoping in the Lord, with great perseverance, we will be set free from our intoxicated living.  The time will come for us to be free from all kinds of troubles the world can bestowed upon us.

And for that, it is important to know the truth.  When we know the truth we can trust in Him.  Today, how are you intoxicated?  Let’s abide in Jesus Christ.  As Jesus Christ had declared, “the truth shall set you free.”  (John 8:32b)

I know it is hard to let a day pass when we’re in the midst of our afflictions and sufferings.  Yet we have HOPE, amidst our intoxicated living, through Christ Jesus!

Compassion and Hope: Renewed Every Morning

The same year I’d graduated from University I had seizure. To meet my immediate financial needs I’d started joining a private firm.

It was here, at my workplace, I’d suffered this unusual attack, which plagued my living since then. I was seized and my life-boat capsized. However, I just believe it was some jerking in my brain, which would soon vanish.

My preparations and night-long practices for my dream job had been hit hard. In some major competitive exams for jobs, I’d simply slept away. Yet by God’s grace I secured a job in the banking sector, which I quit later.

In between work, I’ve been juggling and roaming through corridors of several hospitals in the hope of leading smoother life but it wasn’t meant to be, may be, for the time being. Until several years ago, I’d started visiting the Intractable Clinics. I’d witnessed the moaning and giggling, in dereliction, of patients encroaching the corridors of hospital.

Everything happens for a reason; reasons unknown or known, that I believe because I’d experience the other side of life too. Some of those very embarrassing moments are better left behind and forgotten. During the course of time, I was not consumed by my captivator, here seizure or epilepsy, it is because God’s compassion failed not.

My family blueprint, which I’d developed through the years, could not be fully put into practice. The blueprint contained determined sources of income, administration, expressing love, tolerating each other, and holistic way of raising children, and the likes.

Through the struggles, life goes on. I went on to live a normal life, although illness persist, and get blessed in different ways. Sometimes, I termed it as an ‘illness that comes too soon’ mostly because I cannot see in God’s view at this time.

There are times, in between, when it is difficult to find meaning in life. Yet I was not consumed by the work of evil inside my mind because the Compassion of Christ gets renewed every morning.

Although I don’t want to admit it; enduring the pain and physical frailties throughout, was not easy. In the meantime, there are obligations and responsibilities, which can’t ever be ignored.

Compassion in the midst of suffering

His Compassions Fail Not
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I do believe that we all have verses in the Holy Bible, which renewed our hope in the face of adversity. When in financial deepwater and health related issues, I was reminded of several verses. One among them is this:

Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. (Read lamentations 3:21-25) These verses has always comforted me and given me hope in times of adversities.

The Prophet Jeremiah had lamented during Jerusalem’s captivity. Chapter 3 of the poem mostly dealt with his personal lamentation on the issue of suffering and God. The compassion of God brings hope to those who seek Him.

When in captives the people of Israelites lived a troubled life. Jeremiah the prophet had witnessed the unfathomable misery of God’s people. The recent prosperity of Jerusalem has made their suffering all the more bitter. It is here in these verses a light of hope was shed again.

They are seized, held as captives by their enemies yet they are not consumed. The Lord was compassionate towards them. Again, let me reiterate here again that in their sufferings they are not consumed.

The Lord their God doesn’t allowed them to be fully consumed. Beyond their ability they get protected. In the hope of returning one day, they still lived on. Through His prophet he showed His compassion towards them in their sufferings.

My Renewed Hope Every Morning
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After several years of suffering, I’d undergo Brain Surgery two years ago. The aftermath has been filled with pain.

I’d develop migraines, which makes me, very much, sensitive to my surroundings and the pain was sometime unable to bear. Being devoid of enjoyment in life is a huge challenge.

When I was rushed back to the hospital, it was not easy to endure the pain and shadowy images in my eyes. The day seems to be too long when you are suffering.

I waited for the night to come. I wanted to sleep. It is my hope that the morning would bring me something. Every morning my hope gets renewed.

In the midst of my physical frailties, it was good to have that feeling of hope. I still cherished that moment: when I am able to see the morning light. I’d prayed with huge hope of getting home soon.

All my wearies of yesterday are no more. The night has consumed my pain in the dark. A new morning has broken; a new hope has filled my heart.

The love, mercies, grace, and compassion of the Lord were renewed every morning. It was a glad moment to rediscover I am still alive to see a new day. It is all because of the faithfulness of the Lord.

“The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “Therefore I hope in Him!” The Lord is good to those who wait for Him; to the soul who seek Him.”

In the face adversities, be it financial, health, relationships, His compassions fail not. The Lord gave me hope to carry on in this world.

That hope, at some extent, made living with epilepsy easier. Hope becomes one of the most important pillars of my life.

Living in captivity: a life seized, was not easy. Yet I have this hope that deliverance is assured; and surely on the way.

It was more of a reminder to trust and put my faith in Him, so I weary not. It was a learning phase although it’s difficult. The fruit would be sweet, one day, when the time comes.

It is my hope that He would provide, fulfill, and gave us hope in times to come. We will not be consumed in the process because His (God) compassion fails not! They are renewed every morning.

Selfishness and Sufferings

There is no exception to our selfish ambition while in sufferings.  Selfishness needs to be tamed, and that’s the hard part.

Selfishness resulted in suffering.  And it is true the other way round.  They go hand in hand yet they should not be together as selfishness would cause greater sufferings.

Here we will talk about selfish ambitions only in the context of a suffering person.  Let us put aside those selfish ambitions for riches and personal gains for the time being.

Well, infightings has been going, on and on, in a suffering mind.  It is caused by the outward physical pain and the daily happenings.  In the end, selfishness becomes an integral part of a sufferer.

Entertainment, once they are, in the form of plays, music, and the likes, could become a hindrance in living a normal life.  I have been in this situation for a while now.   I won’t talk deep about it here but there are occurrences I have to endure in my epileptic disorder.  And sometimes it’s difficult to blend in with the normal surroundings.

Pain was caused in many forms.  Not all forms can be avoided.  But there are times when I thought some the causes could be avoided.  That is when my selfishness came up.  Selfishness, in turn gave way to more pain in the mind.  And that’s my problem too.

In living a life, there are obligations that cannot be ignored.  I feel bad when I cannot conform to the demands of people around me.  I felt that I was selfish because I have to limit my activities.

In that way, the interests of people around me were neglected.  At times, I found myself to be egocentric and self-centered in approach because of my weak physical condition.

May be, that is why the Bible gave no exception to any circumstances when selfishness could be utilized in normal living.  Selfishness destroys unity and steadfastness to God.

There’s none who enjoy life for a longer period in solitary.  Just for a short time, it might be enjoyable.  I am not sure about that.  We must learn to adjust in the interest of other.  Submerging in our self-interest is being selfish.

Disturbances in life could be a blessing.  If there’s nothing to bother life would be dull.  Eventually, loneliness would ruin and kill our life.

Selfishness as a Stronghold:

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A stronghold is a fortress where one can take refuge and safely dwelled with minimum threat.  Here in this case, it is that fort inside our human heart where the evil could safely thrive in.

Selfishness could be a stronghold for the evil to dwell if it is not destroyed from time to time.  If left unattended the fortress might be difficult to get uprooted.  And that is what I wanted to do every day.

It has parasitic character which would eventually eat up its host; here our life or character.  It has to be crushed, one day at a time, with the help of the Holy Spirit.

No one can simply spin ourselves in a cocoon while we are on the march.  We are to work together as a team in a family, society, and in the church.  Yet we are tempted, in many forms, to be a little selfish, manage ourselves, and stay away from people.

Beyond Selfishness:

Now, let’s see, in the Bible, what Apostle Paul wrote to the Philippians:

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.  Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” (Philippians 2:2-3)  There’s no exception given here.

People suffer, even the righteous suffer yet they become the source of their renewed strength from the Lord.  When the Lord blessed our sufferings it can bring joy in our life.

There is a time for all – time to suffer, time to rest.  It is my hope that this phase would be used by God to strengthen my faith.

We all suffer but in different ways.  There is no great and small sufferings, the pain inflicted might cause same destruction.  But in the blood of Christ we can be whole again.

Rejoice in every situation, says the Bible.  In reality, it is really difficult but there must be a way out, I hope.  Let us present our request to God, in prayer and petition, with thanksgiving.  (Philippians 4:4-7)

In that way, the peace of God will transcend understanding while suffering.  Further, God would safeguard our heart and mind, in Christ Jesus, through our journey.

There are still many people, saints and servant-hearted, who could help others despite their sufferings.  I want to be like them!

Dear reader, if you too are still in your suffering phase I empathize with you.  It is my prayer God would guide us through this phase without causing further self-inflicting pain in the process.

May the face of God shine brighter in our daily life!

A Short Poem on Teacher (With Actions for Kids)

One day my son, during his Kindergarten days, came back from school with a note stating that kids will have Recitation Competition on 10-12 lines short poems.

The poem needs to be collected by us.  Also, we must help him learnt at home.  Furthermore, the poem must be recited with actions, it stated.

A young plant’s first leafs

We are searching for few short poems, when my wife suggested we wrote a poem on Teacher.  Then, I took my pen, flicked few times in the air, just before the words hit me.

Remember, the poem is written for a five-year-old to be performed with actions.  Simple words and easy to show in actions, that’s how I chose the words.  At the same time, it must not too hard for my son.  We practiced it and he learned it in few times.   The actions, for the poems, are composed by my son himself after I’d explained the meanings in details.

Dedication:

This is a poem dedicated to all kinds of teachers, especially to those who taught us when we were very young.  More importantly, to my parents who taught us the ways of life.

To our amazement, our son performed well in the school, which got him a ‘Certificate of Merit’ from his school teacher.

Here, this is the poem:

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TEACHER

‘T’ is for Teacher

The heart of every classroom

The soul of every school

Shaping our future bright

Sowing confidence in us

The mind behind the message

Helping us blossom into stars.

Your wink makes us glad

Your smile makes us happy

Piece of gold, you put in our mind

For, every learner begins with a Teacher.

Abiding Grace: Beyond the Likes of our Heart

“I don’t like you, Dad.  You’re not good to me today.”

“Oh Really? What’s the matter? What do you like?”

“You don’t allow me to play.”

“Yes. Let’s practice your poem for 10-15 minutes, before you play.”

“No, Dad.  I like to play now.”

“Okay.  I will let you do whatever you like, guaranteed.  But let’s practice, first.”

“You’re real bad now, Dad.  I don’t like you.”

He looked around the house, for a while, seeking support probably.  Since there’s no one, he turned back.

“I’m sorry, Dad.  Let’s practice.  But let’s play together when we’re done, please?”

“No, my dear son let us play first.  When you’re happy, we’ll practice.”

“Thank you, Dad.  I love you!”

You already get it, I hope.  By the way, that’s me and my five-year-old son bargaining for a deal.  A father would never want to upset their children.

Scattered playing items for children

When my children did not liked me for few moments I feel pained, it hurts.  I wanted them to like me and enjoy my company as much as I liked them.

In the meantime, I often wanted to say, at least in my mind; I gave up my career to be with you because I love you.  I am also human.  However, I try my best to not tagged myself with this tagline.  A likable dad, I wanted to be.

Many times, we don’t like the company of Jesus Christ in our daily walk of life.  We would have our own reasons.  We are not free, unable to do what we like.  Will our attitude be hurtful?  I think so.  He laid down His life, in the worst manner undeservingly, for us.

We, as a human, have our own liking.  It comes from inside and sometimes out of nowhere.  It might not be wrong to say, we like to play it our own way.  When things don’t go as we liked, we get upset.

For as long as we can play the way we liked, we tend to forget to talk to our Father, our Heavenly Father.  We don’t want to learn lessons, the very much needed lesson, for our future endeavor.  We like to avoid teachings as much as we could.

Once our path seems rocky, when we hit some stones on the road, the journey was not smooth anymore.  Then we began looking around for help.  Still, not willing to submit in His ways, at least for now, we looked around, which is a good sign.

We vent our anger and ire at our Creator; we are not struck dead, right there.  When we can express our displeasures in complete sense not trying to cause harm, it can be a huge step for building relationships.

Like the father-son relationship, we could be with our God, who is our Father.  The shedding of blood, on the cross, has made us His son.  A father seldom do things that will simply hurt their children.

In His abiding grace, He listened to us dearly, waited for us patiently.  But what will not serve us good, we did not get.  We need to get adjusted or change our approached.

Giving in, letting His ways inside us, would be the first thing to do.  It will please our heart in the long-run, beyond the human mind could foresaw.

 

Abiding Grace: The Joy of Getting our Needs

Talking about needs?  Money, food items, clothing, and the likes, came flashing in our mind.

Money; hard cash

“Daddy, since you are no more going to your office, who gives us money for my School Fees?” enquired my son in a very low voice.

This morning, we get up early as usual.  We get him dressed in uniforms, we prayed for him, after breakfast.  There is time for small talk.  Just then, he enquired about it.

The simple yet accurate answer could be, “Your mother is working.  She earned money for our family.”  But today, he was asking more than that.  In our city, school fees are enormous, especially in private institutions.

When we prayed, this morning, we asked God for providing his School Fees and our other needs.  Also that, Our God must help him in his learning process.  That might be the reason why my son was asking me this question.

To our amazement, our son still remembered when the two of us – me and my wife, were working full days.  He talked about it more often.  Although we do not earn in abundant, it was easier to manage our expenditure, during those days.

Now, when I told him, “Our God provided our needs.”  He nodded his head in agreement.

And he responded, “Really? Woooow!”

It was followed by some act of happiness, and it was a good feeling watching him, chirping his way into a very good mood.

In His abiding grace, our God has provided us our needs, indeed.  It was a good reminder for us, as much as for our son.

Needs for healthy living

Needs and wants, seems to come from the same category, are different.   What we wanted are diverse and can be gigantic.  There is no limit to it.  However, our real needs could be paltry although the amount kept increasing with the progress of our civilization.

We now lived in a world with too many good options for caring our own future.  It is a good thing to worry for our future endeavor yet caring too much for the future could be tiresome.  It can lead us to worry lots, which will eventually degrade our happiness.

When our small investments or assets are under performing, way below our expectations, it could be tiresome.  For it is written:  “Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?”  Refer to the “Do Not Worry” sermon in Matthew 6: 25-34.

When we were young, we possessed none.  Not even a single bucks, sometimes.  Yet we eat and were filled.  Our parents loved us and our parents loved God; that is how we get our needs.  By now, I hope, we already know about trusting in the Lord.

All our needs are provided beyond our mind could fathomed.  Yet not all we have wanted or desired.  For our own good, does our heavenly Father worked for us, in His abiding grace.

Abiding Grace: Finding Hope amidst Uncertainty

Uncertainty, undeniably, is one of the ingredients in the walk of life.  It happened for a reason, may be.

My son just came back from school.  As usual, I enquired as to what they did at school.  They played and they enjoyed, which was good.  When we sent our children to school, we want them to learn something.  If their progress can be seen, we become happier.  Anyways, it doesn’t happen that way, always.

Children; Writing practice

Some worksheets, they brought along, to be done at home.  At times, children simply didn’t follow our instructions.  And we forget they are just starting.  As a parent, we are uncertain about their future.  Parenting was never easy – you get discouraged one minute, you get happy with full of hope the other time.

Imparting knowledge, for some of us, isn’t easy.  That’s why we sent them to school, to get help while we raised them.  We want our children to blossom into stars.  However, several rounds of ‘test of patience’ needed to overcome first.  Amidst that uncertainty, we have hope when we rested the matter in God’s Abiding Grace.

Calculating Investments

Investments, in all its forms, had an uncertain future.  The sales person feed us good return for every policy or investment plans.  It is their job; they are trained for that purpose only.  It is us, the investors, who got stuck, if it goes awry.  We might not reap the fruit in time.

Like others, in our pursuit of happiness, we tend to invest amidst uncertainty.  We must take a risk yet it can take us into bondage.  Being unable to get rid of any investments due to unforeseen reasons is also hard to bear.  Yet, in His abiding grace, we have hope that at least we might be delivered in time.  In any type of the outcome, God’s grace is behind what led us till today.

Empty glass

Emptiness, inside the heart, can eat up our body too.  Several times, when I wanted to commune with God, it seems God was far away today.  When our emptiness is not filled by the Holy Spirit, it is as good as a half-dead person.  When the cup is not filled, we have nothing to offer our surroundings.  In this time of uncertainty, God’s abiding grace still abided with us although we did not feel it.

We wanted to perform good things yet we ended up doing bad things.  Without His grace not a soul will live.  Waiting silently to transform us, to fill us again, will give us hope amidst this uncertainty – the dilemma or unpredictability.

When we’re let down or we felt let down beyond our normal living, it is more difficult.  In the evening, as usual, we go out to spend time in a park nearby.  My children, in their prime, were active.  They wanted to play with me.  At times, I am unable to play with them as much as they wanted.  It isn’t easy to be in that condition.

Playing with Children

For every person, I hope, it is our dream to spent time with, play with our children till they get bored.  It was uncertain when would Daddy get fully fit to play with them into their hearts contentment.  Yet you don’t want to let them know of all your difficulties.  It is their happiness that comes first.  Time and again, it is my duty to give them hope and assured them of His abiding grace.  One thing is certain amidst all uncertainty, Jesus Christ died for us.  He set the path right for all of us.

Let me end herewith that in every sphere of uncertainty in our walk of life, God’s grace is abiding.  He did all the necessities unseen to our earthly eyes.  It’s just that we didn’t observe God’s work or might be ignoring it.

Let’s try to make uncertainty be just a phase in our journey.

Abiding Grace: The Joy of Companionship

In moments of sadness and happiness, we always need someone’s company to be with us.

‘Companion’ in its verb form could be ‘accompany’ with whom one spends lots of time with or travel with.    Synonyms of ‘companionship’ are friendship, acquaintance, togetherness, and many more.

The Joy of Companionship

We do know that God is always with us.  His abiding grace is sufficient.  But many times, we cannot feel His companion right away.  To feel it, first, we need to empty ourselves and give Him, His much deserved, space.  Surely, He will make us whole again.

Let me share you part of my journal entry.

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June 14, 2017 1400 HOURS

As usual, some unwanted occurrence visited me.  This time, it’s a bit harder.  But I try to let it pass as soon as possible.  It might be due to the change in weather condition, I guess, as it happened before.

We were at home with my two little children.  I let them know of my situation and that God’s abiding grace will be with us.

I kneel down to pray sliding on our bed.  My eyes got a bit blurry but I was fine.  My little ones did not want to disturb me.

They came, and as we pray, I hold them in my arms – one on my left and the other on my right.  I told them to put their holy hands on my head and pray for me too.  And they did!

“Heal my daddy’s head inside-out.  Please give daddy longevity.  That, we will live together for a long time.  We love him very much!”

On hearing their prayer, it gives me new strength and I was filled with tears of happiness.  It gives me strength to carry on.

Then I resume my prayer and thank God for everything.  His companionship came in the form of my own children today!  I am really hopeful that my God would consider their request.

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We cannot, always, have the same strength as yesterday’s.  It might be due to different reasons.  Small things, for some other persons, can still let us down.  As long as we are breathing, it will exist.

When we were discouraged and disturbed, we want companion, at least.   But, if you’re like me, we don’t want to let loose our mind and everything either.

Today, in what form do you get your companion – that, I did not know.  However, our heavenly father is and was so kind to be with us.  It is just that we don’t have time to realize His presence.

It reminded me of how Elisha was prompted to ask God to open the eyes of his servant to see ‘the invisibles’!  (Read 2 Kings 6: 14-17)

In moments of loneliness and helplessness, several times, we wanted to see ‘the invisibles’, if you’re like me.  For a person who easily gets disturbed because of the long-suffering and not living the dream, we wanted to feel His presence, His abiding companionship, every day and every hour.

For the wandering mind, the companionship of someone is most needed.  For the insecure at heart, it gives relief with someone’s mere companion.  That is one among the JOY of living with an abiding grace.

Do not fear. He will keep you safe and sound, in His companionship.

 

Please feel free to comment or write your thoughts.

Before the time comes: The Waiting Period

“Don’t be afraid.  Jesus (Christ) will calm the storm when the time comes!”

My five-year-old son consoled his baby-sister.

One evening, strong tropical monsoon winds blew the neighborhood unexpectedly.  As it generally happened with our young ones, our little daughter was covered in fear.   The trees bending up and down were a rare sight for her.

Wind blowing gently

Few days before, I was narrating when Jesus Christ calmed the squall in the Sea of Galilee.  The disciples were unhappy with their Teacher being asleep in such dangerous situation.  They felt He didn’t care enough for them as they had expected. (Matt. 8:23-26)

No one knows how long the wind will blow.  Nor did we have authority over the winds.  Several measures can only be taken to take shelter.  Modern technologies also failed to measure the exact consequences.

So, it is important to know what to do, how to do, just before ‘the time’ comes.  Jesus Christ rose from the dead but after three days.  The waiting period was three days.

On the road to Emmaus; “…we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel. Indeed, besides all this, today is the third day since these things happened.”  They are lonely and deeply troubled.  The news of Christ’s Resurrection, simply, astonished them.  (Luke 24:19-35)

Several times, the pain, caused by the neurological disorder, in my body was hard to tolerate.  Yet the time has not come when I will be completely free from it.  It will come sooner or later, in His time.

So, in the meantime, I should not be left discourage or afraid.  I needed to remind myself this more often than before.  He will calm the storm one day.

Fear often overshadows faith.  When the pain is there, it is a good reminder that I am conscious and fully alive.  Fear kept the going troubled.

It is wonderful how one get strength – from where and when.  This time it comes from my son.  As he consoled his baby sister who was in distress, often times I am the one who needed to be consoled.

When you are hit back by what you’ve told others about comfort, being God as our refuge.  It makes me wonder whether I did less in the past or not.  It can become an important step forward in the way of life.

Wait on the Lord, with all your heart.