Regarding A Gift...

The Psalmist said something very profound –

“You have put gladness in my heart, more than in the season that their grain and wine increased.”*

Perspective from the other side. There is joy (of course) when things are good; when folks are fine and life is cruising, all sunshine and roses. But to have joy, in the midst of pain, is to either be delusional or been bestowed a divine gift.

I choose the later.

*Psalms 4:7

On Railing...

Frankly, I am not enjoying this process! Fear has not been conquered and worry has not been vanquished. My immediate reaction was to unworthily fling back my Father’s love in His face and weep uncontrollably.

I find that this lack of control over my life has left me demoralized. I am an easy prey to the most stupid thoughts. And perhaps, not knowing in my lifetime, is too hard a price. I want to rail against the unfairness of it all.

But Lord, as I stand, smack in the middle of another storm, the saving grace is that You are with me.

For the moment, that is enough.

On Fitting...

Father, I realise now that every experience I go through is Your plan and perfect will for me. You are working on me. Knocking a chip off, here; smoothing a rough edge there. I am your unique design, being moulded for a specific purpose. Well, two actually! One, here on earth – to fulfil what You have already prepared for me to do from before time -

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” *

And, two, to eventually be “fitted together” – laid between other stones, to build Your home.

Lord, when I see my life in terms of eternity, I know I am just a tiny thread in the beautiful tapestry that You are weaving; and I am humbled. I now see that You are preparing me to fit perfectly!

“...Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God...” **

* Ephesians 2:10

** Ephesians 2: 20 - 22

Once Upon A Time...In Coonoor...

Three years ago, today,

around eleven-thirty,

you pledged your love to me,

before God and family.

Three years ago, today,

around half-past three,

you and I, waved everyone goodbye,

then played a game of TT! *

Three years ago, today,

around seven in the evening,

we had some soup and some chicken wings,

and watched some TV. **

Three years, today, my love,

I can’t believe how they’ve flown,

And the joy of being with you,

has only grown.

Three years behind us

And, ahead, all of eternity;

and all I can think about, is God answering

all my prayers, and giving you to me!

-          R. D. P.

* True story!

** Again, true story!

A Prayer...

Father, I realise that I am so inadequate. So unworthy of all that You have promised. And I know it is not about me. It is Your grace. You who are to be glorified. All I can say is Thank You, Lord...

Please, may I desire You and You alone.

“I am thy shield,

and thy

exceeding great reward.”

Could heart wish more

than this,

O Lord,

My Lord?

-          Ruth Bell Graham

A Conversation...

Taken from Amy Carmichael’s His Thoughts Said...His Father Said... –

“His thoughts said, “The way is rough.”

            His Father said, “But every step bringeth thee nearer to thy Home.”

His thoughts said, “The fight is fierce.”

            His Father said, “He who is near to his Captain is sure to be a target for the archers.”

His thoughts said, “The night is long.”

            His Father said, “But joy cometh in the morning.” *

* Psalm 30:5

On Life...

Like a shadow declining

Swiftly away...away...

Like the dew of the morning

Gone with the heat of the day;

Like the wind in the treetops,

Like a wave of the sea,

So are our lives on earth when seen

In the light of eternity.

-          Ruth Bell Graham

Over the last few months, one thing I’ve realised is that I can never take life for granted. Life – living – it’s all so ephemeral. Here today and gone tomorrow. Nothing is set in stone. Nothing lasts forever. Least of all, life.

But through the uncertainty of today, there is hope. The future is sure. It is secure. As simple as it may be, the knowledge is a balm. That this isn’t it. We will see him again. Heaven is not a dreamt-up sop for grieving folks, but a reality. An absolute.

Which makes living worthwhile.

“...He has put eternity in (our) hearts...” *

* Ecclesiastes 3:11

On Comparing...

“Then a dispute arose among them as to which of them would be greatest. And Jesus, perceive(d) the thought of their heart.” *

A part of me always despised the disciples for arguing about who was the greatest. What a childish, ridiculous debate. Men! Trust them to be fighting about some non-issue. Such big egos. Which sensible person would wrangle saying, “I am the greatest.”

Well that was my condescending attitude until I saw them in a new light. It was contended that we are all surprisingly/ shockingly similar to the disciples in that we compare ourselves to each other.

Talk about being douched in cold water!

I cannot even begin to count the number of times I look at someone and mentally decide, “Oh I’d never do that” or “I’m better in that sense” or even, “Oh no, he/she is so much more thoughtful/spiritual/good-looking, etc than I could ever be.” Innumerable times I’ve mentally compared – I vs. Mr. /Ms. X. Sub-consciously tallying the results – who is better i.e. who is the greatest!

Reality check! I’m probably worse than the disciples (there I go, comparing again!). But seriously – how can I judge/ condemn/ mentally tally anyone, when Jesus gave a clear command – “Judge not.” **

* Luke 9:46, 47

** Matthew 7:1