Blow out your soap bubble

"Measure thy life by loss and not by gain,

Not by the wine drunk, but by the wine poured forth.

For love's strength standeth in love's sacrifice'

And he who suffers most has most to give."

How do we respond to a tough situation or a trouble, which comes in our life? Do, we have a positive attitude and consider it as a flitting life, which; is just like the soap bubbles lasting for just a moment and then vanishes away. It is here today and gone tomorrow with the wind.

Some days, we just feel a lot blue, we feel a little down, when certain things doesn't work, some ups and downs in life; all the life's unpredictability which comes in our life. From the time of our birth, to our death or rather say from the cradle to the coffin man, from an infant to the old age; one has to undergo sorrow and problems which are all knitted into his body designed by the creator, but one most important thing is that all these problems are just for a moment and tlhis will not stay forever. Take life one day at a time as it comes.

"We are shaped by our thoughts; we become what we think. When the mind is pure, joy follows like a shadow that never leaves".- Gautama Buddha.

Last week, just to pacify my 8year old nephew, I decided to buy a soap bubble toy for the good marks which he scored in his term exams. He was very fond to play with it as; every time when he sees children playing he comes and describes it to me. For him to enjoy a little I, gifted him the new toy, his joy had no bounds as soon as I gifted he started to make big bubbles and float it in the air but, within a short span of time the bubble would hit an object and burst. Doing, all these activities he had a hundred questions in his mind, as to Why it  happens, How is it formed, Why it floats in air, Why does it have a spectrum of colours? and so on. While, I was answering few of his question, he asked me as to. Why does it burst when stretched to a maximum? I told him, that each object has certain  limit or a weak part which prevents further stretching, if we go beyond the limit it will burst. As the soap film stretches the surface concentration of soap decreases, the soap selectively strengthens the weak part of bubble and tend to prevent from further stretching. He then asked me an interesting question as to Why is the bubble temporary and burst soon? Wonderful !! that brought a new insight in my mind. True, these afflictions are momentary. While, I was pondering on the way the mechanism and closely observing these flitting soap bubbles, my eyes fell on a verse which clearly stated that "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;” 2 Cor 4:17. I understood clearly one thing like these soap bubbles our life's trouble, pain, distress all are for a short moment. Blow out your bubble, let it fly away and enjoy those bubble seeing to the spectrum of colours they produce.

Few days, back  I was having hard days and all things seemed to go wrong, I put my hope on God who is my author and finisher of this journey. I know it's by mercy of my God alone that I am being strengthened and renewed day by day with new boost in my life. The light afflictions which comes on our way is only temporary and not eternal. A little discomfort, a little pain, a little misery should not be a stumbling block to reach our goal. All these comes and goes, leave it.

The afflictions and sufferings of our Lord Jesus for each one of us is nothing when we compare it with us. It will outweigh all of them. Just, be strong in God, He is faithful to hold us each day with new hope, energy, happiness and a life with new goals.

I’m just writing a blog post, for your encouragement. If you know this article would help someone or encourage them, please do share with them. I’d also love to hear from you. Please do leave a comment.

Thanks

Ann

Generosity

You can always give without loving, but you can never love without giving.- Amy Carmichael

Generosity stems from our belief that we have enough to share. A great sage in Babylon said, "The reward of charity depends entirely upon the extent of kindness in it." Even the nature teaches us that we should be generous in giving,  we can see the rivers, the sea they store so much water but they do not use for themselves they give it to us. The trees produce sweet fruits but never do they taste their fruit. Earth is so vast with abundant riches stored in it, precious stones, minerals and ores all for our use. Never does the earth demands or wants to get, but is always ready to give.

2 Cor 9: 6 "Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously". When, a person gives willingly and happily, never expecting anything in return is called generosity. If, you have an attitude of treating, or considering another person to be greater, than you, or have a heart to help, to give, to donate, to make others happy and content ; you are remarked as a generous person. Generosity is a character which is inherited genetically. I, recall the incidence with my parents about their generosity, they used to be so generous with the church members, friends or people in our community or group and  especially to the poor and those in need by giving money or by hearing  their heartache. Sometimes when our parents used to lend money to those in need we used to tell, "Mummy & Papa they are just cheating you, they might be having more than us". They used to tell us, "it is because we have, so we give". As Charles Spurgeon also says," Giving is true having." Some people think that by giving they will become empty, or will lose their wealth but that is not true even God taught us to be generous and give joyfully.

A beautiful story about a very prominent leader Mahatma Gandhi. He used to go from city to city and village to village, collecting funds for Charkha Sangh. Once, in Orissa, after addressing to  the people a poor woman got up. She was bent with age, her hair was grey, clothes were tattered. She wanted to see Gandhiji, even  though the volunteers tried to stop her she kept on insisting, going up to Gandhiji, she touched his feet and brought out a copper coin from the folds of her sari and placed it in Gandhiji's feet. Gandhiji picked up the coin and put it away carefully. The Charkha Sangh funds were under the charge of Jamnalal Bajaj. He asked, Gandhi for the coin but Gandhi refused " I keep cheques worth thousands of rupees for Charkha Sangh," Jamanalal Bajaj said laughingly "yet you won't trust me with a copper coin."This copper coin is worth much more than those thousands". Gandhi said." If a man has several lakhs and he gives away a thousand or two, it doesn't mean much. But this coin was perhaps all that the poor woman possesed. She gave me all she had. That was very generous of her. What a great sacrifice she made. That is why I value this copper coin more than a crore of rupees." This story is somewhat similar to the story  in the bible of a widow's offering in Mark 12: 41-43.

'The greatest example of generosity can be seen in the life of Jesus, who laid down His life for the mankind. We should try to live a generous life and follow his steps.

 I’m just writing a blog post, for your encouragement and improved outlook towards generosity. If you know this article would help someone or encourage them, please do share with them. I’d also love to hear from you. Please do leave a comment.

Thanks

Ann

Big sea and a small boat.

These are my spiritual blogs, for everyone who face life's trials and difficulties, some ups and down in life. Many a times in life, we find ourselves in overwhelming situations which makes the boat to sail with difficulty, especially when the sea is rough, and the wind is boisterous. Different type of storms for different people like; health, wealth, finances, security and other things. When we are in this world we will have problems, sickness, troubles, difficulties, & much much more.

I, had to face such a difficult situation 4 year ago, when I had to resign from my job due, to my medical ailment. Seeing, all the turmoil's of life, I recollected a scenery of my childhood days, which was hung in our house, " O God, thy sea is so big and my boat is so small". Anxiety led me to ask God, how, am I going to reach the shore, and be at rest with you? God answered me, as written in 1 Cor 2:9 " What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived,-the things God has prepared for those who love Him-"  

God, had indeed prepared a way for me, before this foundation of the world, He has written my plans my future my each steps. God the Father gave his son for us, so that we can live the life in its full by following Jesus, who is the author. more. Whatever, may be the circumstances, it is just momentary. All for a second. The hand of God, is always on his loved ones, He will take you out of the situation.  Always have the hope that there will be a rainbow after the rain, there is  a morning after each night, light after every darkness. We see the frogs croaking, when  dark clouds appear, then the frog is sure that there is going to rain. It eagerly, waits for rain with a hope to get wet in rain... Spiritual hunger seems to come naturally for anyone who face topsy turvy roads not a smooth one. I was truly hungry for God, when I faced such overwhelming situations in life. As, I had no place to ventilate my feelings I, decided to give all into His feet. Keep on living that good life with hope, patience, enduring hardships....As in Romans 12:12 in bible it says to be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Every spare minute of my day was filled with thoughts to pursue God and feeding on Him like a caterpillar, which goes on feeding the leaves so that one day it becomes a beautiful full grown butterfly. I started to be in His presence and develop a closer relationship with Him. Do not be confirmed to this world but, be transformed. This body is a living sacrifice to God holy acceptable to God with heart of mercy. Now I can sing happily, my God is so big so strong, and so mighty there is nothing that He cannot do.....

Thank you

Ann

Made...

Yesterday, we did shopping as; one of my friend was going to lead a hostel life. So, we bought some household things, to do self cooking, and to live an independent life. It was strange to see all the items were with a tag, which had the price of the item, and the description of the item, and; at the end as to where it was made. I, noticed some of them made in India, some made in China, some made in USA, some made in Thailand, and so on.....This, brought an insight. We humans are the only one who puts a label, or tag of made in, but God the Father who made this universe and everything in it did not write his name in anything. We, can see many duplicates, made from a single original product by a man but God made everything and everyone as a single piece, in the universe in a unique and special way No duplicates. He made you and me in His own image and in a very special way. As it is said in Psalms 139:14 " I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful ".

 God has created each of us differently, but; when a potter makes pots, he makes many pots in the same way, only few he makes, in a different way. When a man makes something in factory, he makes all the items same, but, our God makes everything; unique and different. No, person has similar face, as you have, same genes and chromosomes as you have, You and me; are totally unique in all aspects. We, cannot find any deformity what God made whereas whatever a man makes has some or other deformity. He made the beautiful flowers, the stars, the birds, but; He did not say that 'He made'. He created this beautiful creation in a very unique way. Such, great is our God. As, we see in the scriptures in John 1:3" Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made."

God, has made everything beautiful in His time. He made all these things for mankind, to enjoy and give glory to Him. God has set a plan and way for us. His plans are bigger and higher then we think. I like to sing a beautiful song: "In His time, in his time, He made all things beautiful in his time".

Prayer : My God, my Saviour, I thank you that I am a unique and special creation of your hands. Thank you Lord for this life, for the abilities and talents you have given me. Help me to do your will as I want only to praise you and follow you.

I’m just writing a blog post, for your encouragement. If you know this article would help someone or encourage them, please do share with them. I’d also love to hear from you. Please do leave a comment.

Thanks

Ann

Put away your mask

One day, I heard the children running and playing in our courtyard. Loud noises, shouts, wailing, cries, and all sorts of sounds; were been made by them. They were playing hide and seek. One child had to trace or to seek, whereas all the others were hiding. Some of the children put face mask, so that they couldn't' be identified fast. The person who is seeking should say the name of the hider correctly. They can pretend the originality by wearing a mask.

 At times, to remove a bad odour from the surrounding we mask it with a pleasant perfume or air freshener. There are times when people cover up or hide things. Sometimes, the society where we live tells us, to cover or hide the problem. Infact, this can create an uncomfortable situation in our life. Your thoughts and feelings will get affected.

It reminded me from the Bible; The incidence when, Adam and Eve hid themselves from Lord God. It was sin which made tem hide from God. When people sin they try to hide it and usually do not disclose it, when asked they start making excuses or say lies. Hiding means not to tell the true thing, or to wear a mask and keep secret. Wearing mask, is to deceive someone or sometimes wearing a mask is to please someone through wrong steps. In our lives, we all face some or other sorts of trials and temptation, either daily, weekly or monthly. In those situations we like to hide ourselves from these situations and wants to put a mask and run away from that problem.  Jesus has given us hope and he helps us when we face troubles. When a situation to cry comes in our life, we should cry and don't wear a mask of a tough person. Be original. When there is a happy occasion, smile and laugh, don't wear a long face that time. Be original. When you are afraid or scared ask for a help, you need others too; don't think what others might say. Be original. Be yourself. NO MASK.

You, should be transparent and honest like water, which doesn't have any colour to change, requires no space to boast and become big, nor have any shape; it will adjust where it is put into. Always down to earth. God uses such humble characters in us to reveal our true nature. God wants us to put off our old sinful nature, our mask of saying lies, deceiving others and to put on the armour of God.

Famous Quote: " Wearing a mask wears you out. Faking it is fatiguing. The most exhausting activity is pretending to be what you know you aren't." -Rick Warren

Yummy....

It was a spring season when all the trees and plants were blooming with flowers, I was excited to take a walk down with my niece in my aunt's house. Beautiful flowers made my heart glad and mind refreshed. I was enjoying the beauty of nature when the buzzing sound of bees annoyed my niece and she started running and jumping to catch them. She asked me why are these bees in a hurry?

 I smiled and told her they are collecting nectar for you. Later on at the breakfast table she asked me for a slice of bread. As she likes honey, while I applied honey, she asked me, "Did the honey bee collect these nectar from aunt's garden"? She licked the honey and said Yummy, it's so tasty. Wow, so sweet and started to lick her fingers. She told me that without tasting I couldn't say  it's yummy. Our tongue has an incredible power. The taste of food for everyone might be somewhat same. But the liking differs from person to person. The tongue, has sense organ or papillae on tongue. The tip, tells about sweet and salty taste. Both the sides tells about sour taste and to the extreme end about bitter taste. Everyone likes a tasty meal. With tongue you can taste good and bad food. Without coming close to the food, picking it and putting in our mouth you cannot say about the taste of the food.

You, all might have seen a honeybee who is attracted, to the flower and goes from one flower, to other to collect nectar and pollen. The bees are active during spring as that is the time for bees to search store. The spring is the busiest season for them. Same way you should be attracted to the scriptures drink the nectar from it  and spread His words as the pollen grains are spread by the bees. A verse in the bible Psalms 34:8 " O taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him"

You, can know the goodness of God when you taste Him. Our personal experiences, can tell us that God is good. God's love is enough for us to walk in the tough, tougher, and toughest ways as, he knows how to guide us through the difficult path. He knows how fragile, or how strong we are. He knows, our down sitting and our uprising. God is good all the time. He is perfect and absolute. If he is good, no bad thing is from him. Even if we sometimes, feel as if  bad thing has happened to me or is happening to me, for sure He will change that bad into good so; that everyone will praise God for His goodness. I like to sing a song when God sustains me from my trials. The song is in Hindi version and the meaning is that I have tasted and known that God is so good. I am blessed because my God is my refuge in the darkest hours.

Song:  Chhakkar maene jana hain, Yahowa kaisa hain bhala,

Uddhar karta ki sharan mae, Main aa ke dhanya hua.

Lovely Nature

"Creation, is beautiful because you have the eyes to see it just, as it is." God, is the supreme creator of this lovely creation. When we look around and see with our eyes we come to a revelation, that this existing world is made by God, who is the Sovereign of the universe."

The Lord has made in wisdom Ps 148:8-10 " lightning and hail, snow and clouds, stormy winds, that do his bidding, mountains, and all hills, fruit trees, and all cedars, wild animals, and all cattle, small creature, and flying birds,". God made a Wonderful and lovely creation, so that we may praise and thank Him. Today, I was in a wonderful mood to write about the lovely creation, the handiwork of God which sometimes makes me awe-struck, seeing the beauty. Sometimes, I just sit and Google the new unusual birds or animals. Recently I came to know about a special bird 'Surakav',

SURAKAV

a male Anna's Humming bird. Like, a peacock is beautiful then a peahen same way; a male humming bird is awesome then a female humming bird. It's one of the amazing and unusual bird which changes it's colour. It has different colour of feathers, when viewed from distinct angles. When the bird moves it's head, we can see it's different colour. The feathers, are  shiny and have a thin keratin layer on the top of the feather fibers. When the rays of sun fall on the bird's feather; at every single layer some sunlight bounces off and goes through the layer and rebounds on to the next layer. This combines together to block out some colours and make others more prominent really for few seconds I pondered on the intricacies of god's handiwork when I saw this beautiful bird in goggle.

This, lovely nature which God made for all of us to possess and enjoy; But when we see today the man has stopped enjoying the nature and is moving to a different direction. Reading on today's newspaper  made me to pause and think of the headlines; why this indecent act of rape is on a higher side? The rape  of a minor on

June 4 2017 by an MLA and gang raped by his henchman in U.P is still on the limelight. Three charge sheet against the MLA, was filed on July 7, 11, 13, still no actions taken. Slowly her family members, including her father  and 2 aunt have been killed, and others threatened including her lawyer who is injured. No justice, till now and the accused are freely wandering. Where is the world heading to ? In order to enjoy the beautiful creation which God made, man is enjoying in self worship, Lust, greed, sexual immorality, envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; all sorts of evil is prevailing with no brotherly love, no mercy, no understanding.  As written in Romans  1: 21 " For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts darkened."

My Prayer : May God, deal with the problem and provide justice, to the survivor and her family. The darkened, and foolish hearts may get their punishment, as our God is a righteous God. Let all men praise and thank God and live a holy life acceptable to Him.

Famous Quotes:

 “I would rather be what God chose to make me than the most glorious creature that I could think of; for to have been thought about, born in God's thought, and then made by God, is the dearest, grandest and most precious thing in all thinking.” 
― George MacDonald