Reflections of the past year.....

Reflections of the past year

As the year, is ending it is time to have a careful reflection. Few more minutes and we will have a new year 2019 with a fresh beginning, a chance to start all over again, and a time to have changes in our lives. During the last days, some of us start making resolutions for the new year, that is very good to make, but we should also spare some time, to look back and to reflect on what we can learn from 2018?

I love, to spend a day simply reflecting and ponder on my old memories, remembering my happy moments, and sad moments, my painful journey and painless journey.

 In those times I just thank my God for leading me peacefully. When I was just recalling, I turned back to see how wonderfully God saved me and my family from the floods in Kerala, which happened on 14^th Aug 2018. As it is said in Bible “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28

When we feel, that nothing is working in our lives and days become more and more frustrated, remember He who has called you will lead you, guide you and help you to accomplish your dreams. Every difficulty in your life, whether big or small, is something God will use to produce more strength, faith and perseverance in you if you let Him! All your pain has a purpose. God has a plan for each and every one. A great purpose and a beautiful future for all. His plans for you are in His promises, and those precious promises can come alive only by seeking Him.

 My prayer …. Lord give me the strength, and courage to whatever I am going to face in my life. If you are on my side my Lord, I can solve all of my problems. Help me to follow you. Amen. Immediately the song flashed my mind…Count all the blessings name them one by one and it will surprise you what the Lord has done.A Very Happy New Year to All.

Famous Quotes: “As years passed away, I have formed the habit of looking back upon that former self as upon another person, the remembrance of whose emotions has been a solace in adversity and added zest to the enjoyment of prosperity”. --- Simon Newcomb

New year resolutions....

New year resolutions

The festive season, is continuing and all are still in that festival mood, few more days and all will be welcoming, 2019.

On arrival of the new year, all including me, are eager to adapt new resolutions of Do’s and don’ts. As we all are planning for 2019 resolutions, try to spend a few moments to evaluate your spiritual life last year, then think What, you can do in this New Year to grow more spiritually? Actually, it is not only new year, when we should make changes in our lives, but each and every day, we should; change by reevaluating ourselves. We should strive, to be better in all aspects.

Few, days back I took decisions in my mind thinking, if God gives, 2019 as a gift in my hand, immediately I sat down with a cup of coffee, grabbed a pen and paper, and started to write down all the things I would like to achieve or change in 2019.

New year resolutions are great if the priority is right. God should be our first priority in life. Some have commitments which is like quitting certain things from his or her life which is causing hindrances in their life like not to eat an un-healthy diet, to quit smoking, to stop drinking, to avoid bad behaviors. These are physical resolutions for some.

To speak truth, Practice forgiveness, be kind, Love everyone, Listen and help your elders, to pray more, to read the scriptures every day, and to grow more spiritually, to trust God more when you are burdened, to have a closer relation with God, to commit your ways to the God as He will direct your steps. Once we put and keep God first, life will become more manageable for us. He will keep us at peace through life’s storms. God will give us the desires of our heart as long as He is first in our lives. These are spiritual resolutions.

 Praise God for everything in your life.as whatever He does is only for our good. Try to maintain keeping your resolutions till the end of the year 2019.My only prayer to my God is to give me the grace to keep my resolutions for His glory even though I may have to walk through the valley dark and deep. His grace is sufficient for me.

Gift kept in the cupboard unwrapped

Gift kept in the cupboard unwrapped

This year is leaving from us, and most of us might be busy in packing, or buying gifts for your loved ones. Everyone of us like to get gifts. Have you ever thought of the gift which is kept wrapped in your cupboard but not opened? Have you ever, wondered what or which gift is kept there for a long span of time which is unopened?

During my college days, I remember, we used to celebrate new year, in a very joyful manner by giving cards and gifts packed and decorated. The gifts which were given, in occasions like birthdays and in new year, were all dumped in the cupboard. Mostly due to lack of time, or due to increasing number of gifts they were unnoticed. Then one day, while I was cleaning my cupboard, I saw a beautiful purple gift box packed tightly, unopened which might have been there for 3-4 years.

In the same way, many of the God given gifts go unnoticed by you and me. God has given each one talent, according to his or her abilities, He gave us the gifts not for the purpose to gather dust on them and to put them inside the cupboard, instead, gifts should also be shared with others and not only be kept for ourselves.

The talents can be compared with the muscles of our body, if we don’t use a particular muscle say our leg muscle then there will be wastage of the muscle and slowly it will be of no use. if you don’t use what God has given you, he will take it away and give it to someone else who will use it. And if you use God will give you more of the new gifts.

Whatever your talent may be, or whatever you are good in like writing, drawing, music, singing, cooking, praying; it should be used for God and should be done heartily. He didn’t gift you with talents just for your own benefit but to be useful for His kingdom.

As it’s written in scriptures, If God is pleased with us, we will hear him say, “Well done good and faithful servant” when we meet Him in heaven—then we must faithfully use our talents the way He wants us to.

Famous Quotes: Your talent is God's gift to you. What you do with it is your gift back to God. -Leo Buscaglia

Keep your holidays stress free...

Keep your holidays stress free.

Oh, so December is here. A festive season…Everyone is in a holiday mood and everyone seems to be stressed up thinking what to prepare for holidays, where to go for holidays, what to buy and how to decorate? Especially the moms are the stressed ones.

With so much to do to prepare for the holidays, sometimes we think if we had ten hands and two brain, we could have done all the work, we wait for some help which can be a support for us.

I remember when I was 10-year-old, during the festival season we children used to be enjoying holidays, but may be our parents were tensed. My sister and myself used to make noises, screaming, and putting our house topsy turvey. Those days we were least bothered to help mummy. Mummy used to do the shopping, clean, decorate the house then bake cake and make other eatables, then pack gifts and give to relatives and friends. All these were tiring and stressful for mommy to do alone, but the love, made her to do the activities. When I visited my friend’s house last day, I could see her stressed up with the holidays coming up.

I came to realize that mothers are so much stressed and want to tell them not to let holidays make you dreadful. Instead find ways to prevent the stress and depressions coming through such holidays. Learn to recognize what cause holiday triggers, such as financial pressures or work environment, then try to remove those factors which case stress by planning ahead and put positive thinking always. Get plenty of sleep. Set aside some time for yourself staying calm and clearing your mind with negativism.

Ask God how you can be ready to give yourself for others ready for a sacrifice, as God sent His beloved son who died for our sins and conquered death and will rise again which was a perfect sacrifice for all mankind. Because there is nothing other than the gift of love and help which we can give to others.

Famous Quotes:

 “The sacrifice which causes sorrow to the doer of the sacrifice is no sacrifice. Real sacrifice lightens the mind of the doer and gives him a sense of peace and joy. The Buddha gave up the pleasures of life because they had become painful to him.” - Mahatma Gandhi

Warm Blanket On A Cold Night

Warm blanket on a cold night

 December, a cold season with frosty winter nights. Everyone likes to be wrapped up in blankets and drink lots of hot cup of coffee, to keep themselves warm. 

It was 6.am in the morning when I opened my eyes, still it was quite dark outside, so I slept for another hour soundly, not noticing that it was late for my duty. Those days, going for duties was were very hard, because to leave the cozy and comfortable warm bed was difficult.

As a baby is wrapped in blanket to render a feeling, of love and protection or security to the child. Sometimes blankets are given as gifts to mother’s or grandparents to express the feeling of nearness or love.

As a blanket shows love, in the same way, during the lonely difficult, cold seasons of our life when we experience the depression in our bones and the whole mind and body is tormented with droughts of sleepless nights and pain we are reminded of God’s love and warmth. His love is magnificent and Immeasurable ;  If you see an Ocean, the depth, the length, the height, of it cannot be measured so is the love of our God who, came for you and me so that we may be delivered from our sins and who loves us so much that even, when we were sinners, He thought of you and me and gave up His life till His last breath. .... A beautiful chorus of God’s love flashed my mind…

Oh, the love that sought me,

Oh, the blood that bought me,

Oh, the grace that brought me to the fold,

Wondrous grace that brought me to the fold.

Other thing which a blanket, depicts is comfort. If we face difficulty or disappointment or any hardship, we should look on to God for He will comfort us. Nowadays there is danger wherever we go. When we make God our refuge, we have security in Him. Just like a newborn baby wrapped in a warm, secure blanket, God wraps us in His love, power and protection. If you are comforted try to comfort others.

God's Love and Care

God's Unfolding Plans

                       God’s unfolding plan                     

One day, my five year old niece was playing in our garden. She is fond of plucking flowers, there were some, beautiful roses. She plucked a bloomed rose and a bud too. When she noticed it, that a bud had been plucked too, she got scared, for the scolding which she will receive of plucking a rose bud.

After a few minutes, I secretly noticed my niece, she was trying to carefully open the petals, of the half bloomed rose. She tried this act of opening the rose bud, for quite a couple of minutes but failed. Crying, she came to me and started saying that she cannot open the bud, like the other rose.

 I hugged her, and told her that God has a plan and a time for everything. The plans of God cannot be unfolded by anyone, it will happen as HE has predestined. With our clumsy hands, if we try to open, it will be torn or will be good for nothing. Nothing can stop or destroy God’s plan. Trust and wait for His plan. Whatever God has planned for you that will surely be for your good. Keep everything in His hands and be still.

Then the lines of the poem, which I had read long ago flashed in my mind:

“It is only a tiny rosebud,

A flower of God's design;

But I cannot unfold the petals

With these clumsy hands of mine…………/

………So, I'll trust in Him for leading

Each moment of my day.

I will look to Him for His guidance

Each step of the pilgrim way”……………….Author Unknown

Thus, in this crossway of our life, when we are in dilemma as to take which way, just lean on Him as He will show you the correct way in which you have to walk.

Trusting God in the storms of life

Trusting God in the Storms of Life

One day when I was tired, I thought of going to my friend’s house, as I was overwhelmed with my tensions. I reached her house, we had a cup of coffee and snacks, then we started sharing our thoughts. We kept on talking for a long span, of time without noticing the clock and It became very dark outside with thunders heard from far.

I waved my friend goodbye, and drove off to my house. Then suddenly the rain started, with heavy downpour and fierce lashing of winds on the car from all sides, the trees swaying and heavy thunderbolts with flash of lightning. Seeing the situation, fear gripped me, after a few miles; my car too broke down. It was a dark and lonely road with no single person outside. I started to pray, pleading Him to send some help in the dark and lonely night. When I played my car stereo, I heard the sweet song…in Hindi dialect “Rahoein me kaate agar ho….”  Which means... In our lives we may find thorns and difficulties, but we shouldn’t stop in between just keep on walking. It reminded me how God carried me in His arms, when through pain and difficulties, I used to have many sleepless nights the time, when I was diagnosed with M.S.

When situations like these come, when you are down with your health, or there are zero finances, or difficulty with your children’s education, that is the time we we feel helpless, fearful, and broken down. Then we raise all these questions, as to why this happened, or why did God allow this in my life? Why did He allow this storm in my life?

No storm can last forever. Remember one thing that in these storms you are not alone, God is with you. Do not see how big is your problem, but rather you should know how big is your God. If you focus too much on the problems, you will lose sight of the promises.  He will bring peace and calm, to all your situations just trust Him and lean on Him.

Famous Quotes:

 “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze”. - Isaiah 43:2

In God's care and Protection

In God’s Care & Protection…

In the afternoon, after my lunch I was resting under a mango tree, I saw a pair of sparrows busy in making nest with twigs and feathers in their beak.  

When one thinks of care & protection, immediately the picture of a bird covering its young ones, with it’s feathers, comes to our mind. A mother bird with it’s feathers protects the young one’s from the wind and rain. As it’s written “He will cover you with his feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge”, similarly our God protects us under His mighty wings.
Nature has always inspired me, I have seen the animals, birds   taking care of their young, by the wisdom God has given. I was reading an article about them as to how a hen, a crow, and an eagle take care of its eggs and it’s young. But ostriches which is the largest, heaviest and fastest bird are said “that God did not give them wisdom”.

As they do not care it’s egg where it laid them, and let the eggs lie in the hot sun for warmth, even they are least bothered that any animal may trample it or eat it. It is understood that the parents of ostrich do not take care of its young. But it does keep an eye and watch the young when they are out may be for 2 weeks. This made me think of the wonderful ways God care us His loved ones.

Like a parent, whose arms are open always to care it’s young from a scary storm, in the same way God’s comfort and care provides safety and protection from life’s emotional storms.

God, does care for us more than His created creatures. Even though we go through troubles and heartache, we can face them without fear as long as our faces are turned toward God who is our refuge and strength.

Famous Quote: When trouble comes, focus on God's ability to care for you. - Charles Stanley

God is working on me.

God is at work in you.

Is God working in your life?

There are times when we think God, has left us during the difficult times in our lives. It seems, sometimes to us that God does not count us worthy enough and He has stopped working on us. I was thinking about, my past when my thoughts started wandering as to what God has done for me in my past. How He chiseled me to make me perfect.

Taking the coffee cup in hand, I switched on my stereo, and the sweet song filled the air. “He is still working on me, to make me what I ought to be…” That beautiful song made me remind the things, He had done for me in the past, and the plans He has for my future. He is working continuously on me.

Suddenly, my eyes focused on our gardener working in the garden, cutting, pruning, planting, grafting, removing the weeds. So that beautiful fruits or flowers are there in the garden. In the same way our heavenly Father prunes us cuts us, removes the unwanted to make us fruitful and perfect piece.

 God is moving in ways you don’t understand right now but we have to be still, and allow Him to work on us. When people see your talents being used for God, when you manage to have peace in your life, amidst all the storms you are facing, then they will know that God is working in you.

God wants me, to impart to others the same love and mercies He bestowed on me.  Your anxieties are temporary, but the Lord and His grace are everlasting. Remember that we serve a God who can do far beyond what we think or imagine. God is working things out for you, even when you don't feel it. Have faith and be thankful.   

Famous Quote:

“Your breakthrough is on the way. Don't be discouraged if things are not working out right now. God is working it all out behind the scenes. It may not come when you want, but trust that it will be right on time, because our God is an on time.”

― Germany Kent

Inner Joy

Inner Joy

Once, when I was taking a morning walk, I heard, a small sparrow chirping in the mango tree. It was very joyful, for the beautiful morning, and could be seen flying from one branch to another. Few other sparrows joined it, and the chirping grew louder; as if they were giving thanks to God. Suddenly, I started thinking, why can’t I be like these birds, with no tensions and worry of the future but; having tremendous Inner joy.  

There are birds and animals, that teach us important spiritual lessons. One of which is a sparrow. It is such an ordinary cute looking, little bird. It’s always chirping cheerfully, not worrying about anything.

 Even God tells us in scriptures “Therefore, I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow, nor reap, nor gather into barns, and yet; your heavenly Father, feeds them.

God wants us, to have that great joy and pleasure in every season, in every moment, and every circumstance. Even though, we sometimes face challenges in our lives due to our health problem or, family problems or, job related problems, let it be any stuff; trust God and be joyful. Show the people your attitude of joy and happiness amidst all your circumstances they too will glorify God seeing the inner joy in you. God's plan for you is that, you have joy, but not ordinary joy, constant joy, conspicuous joy, contagious joy.Ultimately Joy is one of the fruits of spirit. So friends, hope you all may be filled with this great joy in the days to come.

Famous Quotes:

"Go forth into the busy world and love it. Interest yourself in its life; mingle kindly with its joys and sorrows."- Ralph Waldo Emerson  

Joy must be developed from the inside. If we cannot find happiness within ourselves, we will not be able to find happiness anywhere."- Allan Lokos

Live A Faithful Life

Live A Faithful Life

Sometimes, I ask myself, whether I am faithful to the life which God has given in my hands? Actually, we all should ask this to our inner selves.

 The way to have a faithful life can be done with very small things, like being honest while writing an exam, keeping a promise, or living a trustworthy relation with your family.

When we live in this life, we should live a life, which is faithful for others. We sometimes think that life is a bed of flowery ease but it’s not so. Life is not always comfort. Even though you might have to face hardships in life yet try to live which is faithful.

In this world, faithfulness can be seen even in the plants and animals but in human beings, sometimes it takes hard time exercise faithfulness. Each person has different roles to do like a doctor or a nurse, they love their profession and so they should be faithful towards it, by healing and taking care of the sick. A mother, is called faithful when she does her duties by taking care of her family. A farmer, works hard in the soil and grows crop, for his family and many others in the land. He should be faithful, to do his job. A teacher, teaches the students, and make them to stand on their feet; with good moral and attitude. That’s the job of the teacher which she should do faithfully. Even in the bible faithfulness is one of the fruit of spirit which one should have in his or her life.

God is faithful. He does what He promises to do. Moreover, because God is faithful, we dare have courage to trust Him and His promises. Wherever we are in school, in work, in home or alone we should live faithfully by our actions, words of mouth, and thoughts in mind. We should live life with good clean contend life, pleasing to God.

Famous Quotes:

"Faithfulness is not doing something right once but doing something right over and over and over and over.” ― Joyce Meyer

"Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies". -- Mother Teresa

Hear His Voice

Hear His Voice

In this hustle and bustle of life, do you get time to hear the voice of God. Sometimes in life, when you are in a dilemma as to take which direction for your life, a road to right or to left??

You might be eager to hear the voice of God, for the different life’s challenges which you are presently facing. You might be eager to hear God’s voice speaking for your job, your children’s education, your health, your finances, and all the issues of life.

Sometimes, we feel God is “not speaking” to us, when we experience dark and deep valleys, where all the roads are blocked. I felt like that, sometimes back, had a feeling of loneliness as if God is ignoring me, during times of my MS attacks; and when a shot of steroids was necessary for my limbs to get going. Those times I felt, as if I am alone battling to come out from my situation. There is no one by my side. Later, I heard a slight whisper in my ears, which was feeble but comforting voice.

Like, a boy named Samuel, in Bible who heard God’s voice 3 times and said “Here I am”. We too should be prompt to hear and act on it. Most of the pet animals, they hear the master’s voice very quickly, a dog, a sheep, a goat and others. When a small, move of the master is heard and sensed by the animal it acts quickly. We human, should learn from them. Quick to listen, and act on our shepherd’s voice.

God, speaks to us in varied forms, sometimes in a “still”, small voice, sometimes in visions, in messages, in prayers, in reading the word of God and many more. Once you hear God’s voice you should obey Him, which increases the bond of closeness deeper and deeper with God. As new year, is approaching spend time to hear His slightest whisper and submit for His will.

Famous Quotes:

“Whenever there is stillness there is the still small voice, God's speaking from the whirlwind, nature's old song, and dance...” ― Annie Dillard

“God will shout during your storms, whisper during your sunshine and sing during the rarest rainbows you will encounter.” ― Shannon L. Alder

Patience

Patience

Have you ever seen someone losing his or her patience easily?

In this present, world where everything is moving, in a jet speed, may it be any field: medical field, education field, or technical field, everything is fast and rapid. No one wants to wait or slow down a bit.

If we decide to wait on God's way, we can have patience, and enjoy the wait. Just like an example of a broody hen, which sits on eggs to hatch it. If the hen does not wait, for 21 days to hatch it, but rather breaks the egg, with its beak to set the chick free, it will just break it, and no chicks will come out. But as we let God help us in each situation, we develop patience, which is one of the sweetest fruits.

We want, good things to happen in our lives soon and sooner, not little later. And when things do not work, the way we want, we happen to get little impatient. We keep asking God, "When will it happen or why it is taking time, God?" Most of us need to grow in this area of trusting God. God causes things to happen at exactly the right time. Instead of questioning God, you should pray to God and submit, for His will to happen in our lives. We have to wait for His answer with patience.

Patience is the first thing that proves our trust to God.  If you trust on God, you will mount up with wings like eagle.  So, stop trying to figure out everything with your mind, but patiently wait on God.

Famous Quotes:

Patience is not simply the ability to wait - it's how we behave while we're waiting. - Joyce Meyer

The keys to patience are acceptance and faith. Accept things as they are, and look realistically at the world around you. Have faith in yourself and in the direction you have chosen. -Ralph Marston