Tomorrow will be Beautiful…

My husband likes to listen to Joseph Prince messages as he gets ready to leave for work every morning. He has his iPad moving from room to room with him, as he listens to Joseph Prince preaching on it.  And as I go about doing my morning stuff I catch parts of the messages too sometimes.  A part of one of the message really spoke to me and I was really blessed by it. He said that God gives us His Grace to sustain us through tough times and also that we get a fresh supply of His Grace each morning to help us through the day… to carry us through the day. 

There is a reason why God said not to worry about tomorrow. His Grace is enough to get you through the day. Tomorrow you will receive a fresh supply of His Grace to help you through tomorrow. And mostly we find that we sit and spend months and years worrying about something, which eventually goes real smoothly and beautifully. The thing is God’s Grace will cover your problems for today… which is why today’s problems do not seem as hard as tomorrow’s because God’s Grace carries us and sustains us through it.

God promises that His Grace will be there through every tomorrows that we have to face. But if we try to carry tomorrow’s burden today itself, we carry it on our own… which ends up causing a lot of stress and a lot of worry… which eventually leads to depression.

It’s something like manna.  You would receive enough for the day and you trust God for tomorrow’s supply.

I’m not saying not to plan for tomorrow. Definitely make your plan and commit them to the Lord but do not worry about them. God’s Grace will be there to work things out for you. To make things the best for you.  As a parent, I know how much my life has changed after having a baby. My priorities, what I buy, what I eat, what I do throughout my day, the songs I sing, my daily activities… everything revolves so much around my baby. If I feel this way as an earthly parent, how much more would God do for us. He will go before you and solve all your problems.

He will fight your battles for you. He will fulfil the desires of your heart. He will prosper you and bring you success. He will bring joy, harmony and peace into your situation. But we need to trust God.

When we don’t worry and are joyful and peaceful, we allow God to act. We tell God – I trust you with my tomorrow. God loves it, when His children trust Him. Even when it’s dark all around, if we can look up and say – God I trust you – I am sure that would make God so proud of us, His children.

So don’t worry about tomorrow. His Grace has already been made available for your and my tomorrow. Tomorrow will be Beautiful.

Lamentations 3: 22 – 24 -  Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.  They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.   I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion;  therefore I will wait for him.”

Matthew 6: 34 - … do not worry about tomorrow…

John 14: 27 - … Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

2 Chronicles 20: 15 - … For the battle is not yours, but God's.

Death... Not the End

Death…

Something that I don’t like to even think about. No I am not referring to my death. I think of all the deaths that one has to face, the easiest to probably face is one’s own death. It’s the death of people who are close to us that is hard to deal with. Yesterday one of my uncles died. And this has left me feeling real reflective from the time I heard about it. I miss him but I am so glad that I will meet him one day in heaven. It’s not the end. It’s not over.

We all deal with losing relatives, friends. The deaths that affected me were my grandparents, my beautiful cousin Olive, a missionary who was more family, Uncle Reuben, my father in law and yesterday my Periappa (Uncle).

When my grandparents passed away, I guess I was a little girl. I loved them a lot. My fondest memory of my grandfather is dancing with him while he sang this song that went ‘thatha thatha’. He danced with us, sang with us, took us to the village lake and played with us in the water, he would sit and try to read our English Bibles with the very little English he knew while my sister and I sat on both his side helping and correcting him. Thatha was one big sweetheart. He was just an adorable man. My grandmother was more of a silent and strong woman. I remember lots of women coming home to speak to her and she always had this elderly air around her. People were always very respectful and came to her for advices. I was a little girl when they passed away. Though I did feel sad, more than feeling sad that I lost them I felt sad for my Mom. I knew and understood she had lost her parents and I felt really sad for her. I learnt a lot from my grandparents. I don’t remember them ever advising me but their lives were advices I will carry with me all my life.

The next time I had to deal with a close one’s death was when my cousin Olive died. She was a beautiful little girl. She was 7 years old when she died of cancer. She just had this energetic, chirpy, happy air about her. My fondest memory of her is of the day we were both walking hand in hand, down this big ground where a prayer meeting was about to be held. We were both dressed in yellow that day. I remember I had told her that if we both wear the same colour and walk together, everyone would know we are sisters. And so that day when I wore yellow, she wore yellow too. And she made sure she was with me the whole day. As we walked together towards the stage on that ground, she turned to me and said – Didi, everyone will know we are sisters right? Aww… She was the sweetest little girl. I remember her dancing and singing this song in Hindi which in English would mean – ‘One day I will turn into a butterfly and fly away. I will show my colours to everyone and fly away. I was a worm (caterpillar) which was hiding and crawling but God made me fly and surprised me. I fluttered my wings and flew away. I became an example (of what God could do) to everyone and flew away’ And flew away she did… Her life was definitely an example of what God could do. Her life still speaks…

I have a picture of Uncle Reuben in which I am so little that I don’t remember it being taken. My sister and I are standing on both his sides and laughing while he is tickling us. He was with us from such an early stage that to us he was family. He left the place where my parents worked and continued his ministry elsewhere but again came back to where my parents were about a year before he passed away. He was a very healthy man who took good care of himself saying – ‘I have to live long so that I can bring many souls to God’. He had a road accident and became unconscious and died later in the hospital. My fondest memory of him is of course that picture I have of him with my sister and me. Yes, I realise I don’t remember that picture being taken but yet. Uncle Reuben left behind a beautiful family who have so cheerfully pressed on. It broke their hearts and shattered their lives but they have picked up the pieces and moved on. I haven’t ever heard them complain, even with tears running down their faces.  Uncle’s life will always be a testimony. And his family stands as a powerful testimony of strength and trust in God.

When my father in law passed away, I didn’t have time to think or grieve about my loss. I had to make sure I was completely there for my husband, to comfort him, strengthen him, pray for him and be there for him. I put the fact that I was pregnant at that time and my grief and loss on the backburner to try and make things as good as possible for my husband. My father in law was a very humble and friendly man. He was lavish with his praises and compliments. I remember one day I made mutton curry for him and I remember him saying that that was the best mutton curry he had ever had. Those words had quite an effect on me especially since I wasn’t all that great a cook those days. He loved when I made tandoori chicken and he made sure he told quite a lot of people about it. Even today when I sometimes speak to people he knew, they tell me – your father in law loved your tandoori chicken. My fondest memory of my father in law would be the day after my wedding day. I was at my in laws and a little nervous as Jerry had gone out for some work and I was alone. I wasn’t feeling well too. I was sitting in one of the rooms wondering what I was supposed to do and my father in law walked in. He had a pill in one hand and a glass of water in the other. He gave them to me saying – I heard you weren’t feeling well. That was very fatherly.  Another time I remember I had just put brown highlights on my hair and he saw them and said to make sure I oil my hair regularly as they were turning brown. I explained to him that I had actually colored my hair. He laughed and said - You actually paid them to do this to you?? Something about him that is really challenging was his immense will power. He was an amazing man.

My Periappa passed away yesterday. I still cannot believe he is gone. I always used to playfully fight with him and bully him. He had a shop which sold all kinds of things and I would just walk in and take anything I liked. I remember telling him I’d take care of his shop when he had some work and actually sitting there eating the sweets and ice creams in the shop. He made awesome brinjal side dish. The last time I spoke to him was when he was in the hospital and he wanted to know when I was coming to India. I told him that maybe around December and he said oh maybe I will be gone by then. I told him to stay alive telling him I wanted his brinjal side dish and he had to make them for me when I came home. He laughed when I said that, like he usually laughs for most things I say. Periappa was such a good man. I haven’t ever heard him talk rudely to anyone or even in a high volume. He was very mature and very refined in the way he handled any situation. I still can’t believe he is gone. I remember telling my cousin who was crying over the phone that when a good man dies, he leaves behind a wealth of blessings, which will be for his children. And Periappa was a very good man. He wasn’t a rich man and yet he gave lavishly. He partially sponsored me through college. It’s very rare to see people to whom money doesn’t matter much and Periappa was one such man. My fondest memory of my Periappa is his smiling happy welcoming face. The shop is in front of the house so when I visit them it’s the shop I see first. I would put my head out to try and look for Periappa in the shop and the moment he saw me, he would give his happy big smile while he continued attending to the customers. It’s hard to even think that he’s gone. And I am happy I will see him again in heaven. One day before he passed away he told a couple of people – Tomorrow I am going Home. And the next day He did go Home to be with Jesus. He was at peace knowing where he was going. Heaven must have thrown a really BIG welcome party for someone like him. I think they must still be celebrating.

It’s not the end. It’s not over. I WILL see them again in Heaven.

I am glad I have accepted Jesus as my personal saviour because of which I am covered by His blood. I have the joy of knowing where I am going. The joy of knowing I will see the ones I have lost, again.

It’s always exciting to think about the day we go to heaven and what is more exciting is when I think of the loved ones who have already gone there and who I expectantly wait to see again. Heaven is going to be beautiful with all the beautiful people who have gone there ahead of us. And though there are times I feel sad and miss them I remind myself that it’s not the end. It’s not over…

Psalm 116:15 - Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his faithful servants.

1 Thessalonians 4: 13 – 14 - Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.

Like A Mother...

Yesterday we had been to a friend’s house for dinner.  Another friend of ours had come too. She has this adorable son named Aiden. Aiden is a happy, active and a really sweet little kid.  When we got there I saw Aiden on his mother’s lap and he was very quiet and looked sad. He wasn’t feeling well. He was just hugging his mom and lying on her lap. He wasn’t willing to go to anyone, not even his father. He just wanted his mom. And every time his mom got up to go somewhere, he would cry. He wasn’t well and being with his Mom gave him comfort, made him feel better. He’s usually a very happy kid, always running around. But when he wasn’t well, he wanted his mom to be close to him. Hugging her and being on her lap made him feel better.

Looking at Aiden, I was reminded about myself. Last week I wasn’t keeping well and I remembered how much I missed Mom. There are times when I am sick I would call mom and speak to her and when I have hung up, I would be completely alright. I guess it’s because of the love in her voice. To know you’re loved this much and someone cares this much for you. To hear the concern in her voice. To know undoubtedly that she will be praying for you, oh so fervently and earnestly. To know that she will feel and understand your pain and wish it was hers. Just knowing all this makes me feel so much better. Last week I didn’t call her immediately because I knew that she would get worried especially with me being so far away. But after 2 days of being sick I eventually did call her. She was concerned but relieved that I had called her because she said that now she could pray about it. And pray about it, she did. After a while I began to feel so much better and I called her to tell her I was feeling better because I knew she would be worried and she said she had been praying and she knew I was feeling better because she felt God’s deliverance while praying. Oh to have a praying Mom!!! Nothing can beat that!!

I am a mother myself. I love being a mother. I love my daughter. I don’t know how to describe what I feel for her or if I can actually describe it but I do know that she is a bigger part of me than myself. She’s such happiness and a blessing. Every morning the first thing I do is clean her up and change her diapers and give her her breakfast which is various kinds of porridge with fruits. Today, after I cleaned her up, I left her to play with her toys while I went to the kitchen to get her porridge ready. I just got busy with something in the kitchen and forgot about Gracia’s porridge. After a while Jerry, who had now joined Gracia in playing with her toys, called out asking if I had given Gracia something to eat and I suddenly realised I had forgotten about Gracia’s breakfast. I quickly took it to her and there is this song that came to my mind. It’s a Hindi song but the words mean – ‘A mother can forget her child but I will not forget you. Just like a hen keeps her little ones close to her, I keep you close to me. See I have engraved you on the palm of my hands’. I just felt so wow singing this song. I know how much I love Gracia but there is a chance of me forgetting her but not a chance of God forgetting me ever. I am on His mind 24/7. How wow is that !!!

God says in Isaiah 49:15 - Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!
Again in Psalm 27:10 he says that even if your father and mother should leave you, I will not leave you and will always be with you. In Isaiah 66: 13 He says I will comfort you like a mother comforts her child.

It’s nice to every now and then bask in my mother’s love. I love the way she talks to me because it makes me feel so loved. It makes me feel so special and so wonderful. God loves us so much more. It’s so much more wonderful to bask in God’s love for I am more loved by Him, held in a more special way by Him. When we learn to lean on Him, to hug Him during our tough moments, He will give us His comfort, His strength and His peace.

Today at Church, our pastor, just before wrapping up the sermon said – Know that no matter what God lets you go through, He always has his eyes on you and is watching over you. He is with you every step of the way. He will not let you go through a path before going through it himself. He is always near you.                               

Isaiah 49:15 - Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!

Psalm 27:10 - Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me.

Isaiah 66:13a - As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you;

My Happy Baby

Gracia is such a happy baby by God’s abundant grace. She is fascinated by things around her and is generally smiling and laughing. She has these big wide eyes that exude happiness. When we go out for a walk or for a trip or to a show, we love to look at her face. She would start laughing and squealing and starts clapping her hands. And it makes us really happy to know that she is happy and is enjoying herself. And when she enjoys something we try to do that over and over again. Just to see her smile and laugh.

She enjoys every simple thing around her and is fascinated by everything. When we go out for a walk, she looks around at the trees and flowers and the cars going by… she loves the birds and their chirpy sounds. She enjoys all of this. I see her make those happy sounds and it makes me very happy and I want to take her out more.

And when we go out, we enjoy watching her face more than whatever is around us. We had been to an IMAX to watch a show on animals and we enjoyed watching her face more than the show.

Now God is our father and our parent and I’m sure God also does that. I am sure whenever he sends blessings our way; he looks at our faces, to see our expression. To see if it makes us smile. To see if we are laughing. If we are squealing with delight. What does God see when he sees our faces? Does he see happiness? I think for a parent the biggest happiness is to see their children happy. When I wake up in the morning, does God see me happy for this new day? As I have my breakfast, does God see a smile on my face?

Everyone has problems. But there are so much more good things in our lives than problems. But the problem is we have been receiving the good things so freely and so abundantly that we have begun to take it for granted. The Bible says – Whatever things are beautiful think on these things (Philippians 4:8). More often than not, we tend to think of the few things that are not going good for us, rather than the abundant good things we are surrounded by.

Every time you wake up, God looks your face. Every time the fresh air hits your face, God looks at your face. Every time the birds chirp, God looks at your face. Every time you have food to eat, friends to hang out with, family who care for you, God looks at your face. If I begin to list our blessings, both you and I know, there would be no end. But the point is – When God looks at our faces, what does he see? Does he see happiness… joy… smile… baby G’s wide eyed wonder? Or does he see frowned foreheads who are too busy thinking of that one or two things which is not going well for us?

For the things that are not going well, remember everything will work out for our good. God will go before us and fight our battles. The problems will go away and in the end we WILL be rewarded. But till then, be happy. Because it means so much to God. It also is good for our health and looks nice on our face but most importantly it means so much to God. And when God sees us happy, he feels like doing more and more for us. I think the best form of gratitude we can give God is by being happy.

We need to start opening our eyes to the wonder and the beauty around us. And flash that smile cause our Father is looking at our faces to see if we are enjoying the life He so beautifully gave us. And just like my heart swells with abundant happiness when I see Gracia enjoy and be happy, God’s heart swells with abundant happiness too when He sees we are happy and having a good time. Does God see his happy baby when he looks at you and me?

Psalm 92:4 - For You, O Lord, have made me glad by Your works; at the deeds of Your hands I joyfully sing. (AMP)

Proverbs 16:20 - … whoever leans on, trusts in, and is confident in the Lord--happy, blessed, and fortunate is he. (AMP)

Proverbs 17:21 - A happy heart is good medicine and a cheerful mind works healing, but a broken spirit dries up the bones. (AMP)

Problems and Blessings

If God were to ask you – ‘Is it okay if I allow some problems to come your way today?’ What would your response be?

Take some time to think about this before you proceed…

If God were to ask you for your permission to allow some problem in your life, what would your response be?

We dislike problems. We fear problems. We want problems to go away and never come back.

What we sometimes don’t realise is that every problem draws us closer to God. We pray more, we study and meditate on God’s word more, we wait for and on God more, we trust God more… And all these attributes bring us closer to God. Problems are always temporary. Once they are gone, they leave us closer to God. We become more spiritually mature.

The advantage of being more spiritually mature is that we become eligible to receive more of God’s blessings.

It’s like in a video game, every level you cross opens up more and more features and benefits that you get to enjoy.

My baby is at a very curious stage. She is very observant, very inquisitive… Her eyes look around at all she can see and when she finds something interesting she reaches out and wants to take it. I love her very much and want to give her everything. But I cannot. Why? Simply because she is not ready. She reaches out for her soft toys and I give it to her. She reaches out for a pen and I don’t give it to her, because I know she could poke herself or harm herself. But when she is a little older and is mature enough to use a pen, maybe in a few months, I would buy her all kinds of pens – sketch pens, crayons, glitter pens… I will pour out whatever kind of pens I could give her so she enjoys them. But she needs to grow to that level. Right now, I buy her all sorts of soft toys. She likes Winnie the Pooh and I have to buy Winnie the Pooh wherever I see him.

It’s like there is this level chart. Every spiritual maturity level you reach qualifies you for certain blessings. It’s different for different people. For one it could be a better job, for another it could be good health. God designs the charts according to our desires and according to the plans he has for us. Every time we reach a new level, he will pour out all the blessings we can handle at that maturity level (much more than I could pour out soft toys or pens).

Problems, detestable though they may be, take us to the next level. So actually problems should make us happier that we are getting to the next level and we are getting ready to receive more blessings.

I read this book ‘Hind Feet on High Places’ and to help a girl reach the top of the mountain which is called the heavenly places, the good shepherd gives her two companions and guess who they were… They were Sorrow and Suffering!!!

Job lost everything. EVERYTHING. His spouse is not supportive and just wants him to die. His friends are out to prove he’s wrong. He goes through terrible grief, sitting in a corner like a beggar scratching his wounds. But when his problems are over, he is directly gone to the level where he is now ready to handle immense blessings, which is a double of everything he previously had. Some of us want to be blessed like Job. But are we ready to face problems that will take us to the level where we are ready to handle such blessings.

Remember if God blesses us beyond what we can handle, it will prove to be our undoing. God loves us too much to let that happen to us. He will bless us only when we are ready for it. Problems get us ready and make us mature to handle blessings.

Joseph was sold by his brothers, worked as a slave, accused of rape, thrown into the prison… I mean, could it get any worse??!! Then from the prison, he is directly lifted to a position which is next to Pharaoh himself. All the problems worked to make him mature to handle an entire nation, save them from famine, save his family and forgive his brothers.

The best part is we don’t have to go through the problems on our own. God promises to be there every step of the way.

In Genesis 15: 1, God says not to be afraid and that He himself will be our shield and protect us through the storm and He will compensate for everything you lose and He will reward you in an exceedingly great way. In John 16:33, God says that no matter what tribulation and frustration and distress and trials may come your way, be confident and undaunted and in perfect peace for God has conquered the world and has deprived it of its power to harm you!! Wow!! How amazing is that!!

1 Corinthians 10:13 says God can be trusted to not let you face anything which is beyond your ability and strength. He will also provide you a way out. Romans 5:3,4 says Suffering (Pressure, Affliction, Hardship) produces Perseverance (Patience, Unswerving endurance), Perseverance produces maturity of Character and Character produces Hope (the habit of joyful and confident hope of eternal salvation). 2 Corinthians 9:8 says that God will give us Grace in abundance in all circumstances for every good work.

So when Problems come our way, let’s just face it head on. It’s okay to sometimes feel sad or overwhelmed but don’t just sit there feeling like that. Get up and Get going!! Remember to remain in God (pray, sing, read God's word, meditate on it). Keep pushing forward reminding ourselves that we are reaching the next level of spiritual maturity and Big Things are coming our way!!!

Genesis 15:1 - AFTER THESE things, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram, I am your Shield, your abundant compensation, and your reward shall be exceedingly great. (AMP)

John 16:33 - I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.] (AMP)

1 Corinthians 10:13 - For no temptation (no trial regarded as enticing to sin), [no matter how it comes or where it leads] has overtaken you and laid hold on you that is not common to man [that is, no temptation or trial has come to you that is beyond human resistance and that is not adjusted and adapted and belonging to human experience, and such as man can bear]. But God is faithful [to His Word and to His compassionate nature], and He [can be trusted] not to let you be tempted and tried and assayed beyond your ability and strength of resistance and power to endure, but with the temptation He will [always] also provide the way out (the means of escape to a landing place), that you may be capable and strong and powerful to bear up under it patiently. (AMP)

Romans 5:3,4 - Moreover [let us also be full of joy now!] let us exult and triumph in our troubles and rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that pressure and affliction and hardship produce patient and unswerving endurance. And endurance (fortitude) develops maturity of character (approved faith and tried integrity). And character [of this sort] produces [the habit of] joyful and confident hope of eternal salvation. (AMP)

2 Corinthians 9:8 - And God is able to make all grace (every favor and earthly blessing) come to you in abundance, so that you may always and under all circumstances and whatever the need be self-sufficient [possessing enough to require no aid or support and furnished in abundance for every good work and charitable donation]. (AMP)

2 Corinthians 12:9 - But He said to me, My grace (My favor and loving-kindness and mercy) is enough for you [sufficient against any danger and enables you to bear the trouble manfully]; for My strength and power are made perfect (fulfilled and completed) and show themselves most effective in [your] weakness. Therefore, I will all the more gladly glory in my weaknesses and infirmities, that the strength and power of Christ (the Messiah) may rest (yes, may pitch a tent over and dwell) upon me! (AMP)

TO MY VALENTINE...

I love you for the times you wake up in the morning before me and sneak out of bed so silently… just so that I won’t wake up from sleep…

I love you for the times you fix your own breakfast if I’m too tired or sleepy…

I love you for making sure you spend some time with baby in the mornings even when you’re getting ready hurriedly to leave for work…

I love you for the way you say ‘bye’ to baby (the game you play with her at the stair case) just so that she does not feel sad when you leave for work…

I love you for calling me up on your way to work and speaking to me on the way…

I love you for praying with me and for me, especially during times when I’m down and unable to pray…

I love you for listening to me as I share with you what God speaks to me. I love you for the interest you show and for the encouragement. I love you for putting in your feedback and views too…

I love you for always pushing and encouraging me to write and for believing in me…

I love you for being my prayer partner and spiritual mentor…

I love you for calling/ emailing/ smsing me during your day to let me know you’re thinking of me…

I love you for making me smile even when you’re not around…

I love you for calling me up on your way back from work…

I love you for sharing with me about your day…

I love you for listening to all my stories…

I love you for laughing at my silly mistakes and not getting angry or upset…

I love you for laughing when I am angry so that I end up laughing too…

I love you for listening to me when I am upset about something and talk about it with you. I love you for understanding…

I love you for knowing what to say when I am upset to bring me back…

I love you for changing from national geography/ animal planet/ history/ action movies etc. to something I would like to watch, when I join you on the couch to watch TV…

I love you for letting me have my ‘me’ time and relax, while you take over baby/ phone calls/ door bells during that time…

I love you being secure in yourself…

I love you for being respectful…

I love you for explaining things to me without being condescending. I love you for keeping up with me…

I love you being so mature and yet being so childish sometimes…

I love you for being faithful and loyal…

I love you for standing up for me…

I love you for all the ways you make our baby laugh...

I love you for all the ways you make me laugh…

I love you for the look on her face when she sees you’re back from work…

I love you for being so good at changing her diapers, putting her to sleep, feeding her, cleaning her up…

I love you for hanging out with my friends…

I love you for hanging out with my family and loving them and praying for and being supportive of them.

I love you for your amazing family (some of my best friends are from there and I do enjoy talking to them)…

I love you for being encouraging and appreciative about my cooking…

I love you for the times you’ve been patient when I try out new recipes that sometimes turn out bad…

I love you for cooking for me…

I love you for taking me out for dinners/ lunches…

I love you that whenever you find I’m tired you order for dinner outside…

I love you for the back/ foot/ sole massages when I’m tired…

I love you for taking care of me when I’m unwell, for pushing me to take medicines or see a doc…

I love you for being patient with me when I am unreasonably fussy and nervous at the hospital/ dentist…

I love you for being so good at everything…

I love you that you can fix everything in the house and we don’t need an electrician, plumber, technician or whoever else…

I love you for knowing your flaws and admitting when you’re wrong and being secure enough to apologise…

I love you for knowing my flaws and yet accepting me as I am and not being judgemental or boasting and for forgiving and letting go…

I love you for the appreciations, the compliments...

I love you for all the I love yous…

I love you for all the shopping…

I love you for all the trips and vacations…

I love you for having the most beautiful eyes…

I love you for being such an amazing father to our baby…

I love you for being such an amazing husband, a wonderful friend, my prayer partner, my spiritual mentor…

You absolutely complete me !!!

Happy Valentine's Day !!!

1 Peter 3:7 - Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.

Ephesians 5:25 - Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her

Ephesians 5:28, 29 - Even so husbands should love their wives as [being in a sense] their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself. For no man ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and carefully protects and cherishes it, as Christ does the church,

THE ‘NO REASON HUGS’

My baby is 9 months now. Wow, does time fly !!! She makes every day beautiful with her smile and laughter and giggles and squeals. Oh and she talks so much. There was a time I would tell her stories, read her stories… but now, when I take out a story book, before I can start, she starts off… turning the pages, pulling at the book and at the same time saying so much… I really wish I could understand all that she says. She sounds so wonderful and definitely what she says must be wonderful too. She’s such an amazing gift from God… such an amazing amazing gift from God.

She sometimes gives her own version of hugs and kisses. She would hold our necks tight with both her hands – that’s her hug. And if she is really excited or happy, her hug would be accompanied with a happy sound that goes ‘oooo’ J. And she would put her mouth on our cheeks for about two seconds or so, covering our whole cheeks with her drool – and that’s her kiss. Ain’t that the best feeling in the whole wide world!!!

There are times when she’s playing or just sitting on my lap and doing something or just busy in her own world and she turns around and gives me a hug. I like to call these hugs the ‘no reason hugs’. And sometimes these are totally unexpected. I would think she’s probably busy playing or investigating (she’s a very curious baby!!) or whatever stuff babies do, and suddenly she’d turn around to give a hug or a kiss. And the feeling that such hugs and kisses give me is indescribable. They give such a warm, happy, beautiful feeling.

These ‘no reason hugs’ my baby gives actually do not have a reason. It’s not because I have just fed her or because I am playing with her or because I am telling her a story or whatever. These are when she’s busy in her own world and suddenly decides to look at me and give me her hug or kiss. And then mostly she just goes back to whatever she was at, while I am feeling all gooey and mushy.

There was this day when she was looking at my face. I didn’t realise that and just continued with whatever I was doing. She then lifted her small cute hand and touched my face with the palm of her hands. I turned to look at her and saw her looking at me with those big beautiful eyes. She looked at me for probably a second or two and then went back to whatever she was at. My eyes just teared up looking at this small beautiful baby and the love she has for me.

I remember thinking today about my baby’s ‘no reason hugs’ while on the way back from church and that set me thinking about God. He is my parent and loves me as a parent and a lot more than I could ever love my baby. He would be excited just as I was if I gave him my ‘no reason hugs’. Have I ever given Him a ‘no reason hug’? I mean, not because you blessed my day and solved my problems and forgave all my sins. But just like tht – for no reason at all. I am going to start giving God my ‘no reason hugs’ just to say I love Him. I know that’s going to make Him feel really really happy and maybe all gooey and mushy too. Because His love is so much much more than I could ever love my baby.

It probably wouldn’t take much time. It takes my baby just 5 seconds or more to give me a hug or a kiss or even just a smile. But even after she returns to her play, I still feel on top of the world. That’s how I imagine God would feel too. I am going to take time throughout my day to look up at his face and smile at him and tell him I am thinking of Him and I remember Him not for any reason as such but just to say I love Him. I think God would value that oh so much and that would just warm his heart. J It would be amazing to make an Amazing God feel that way !!!

Hebrew 3: 1 - …fix your thoughts on Jesus…

Jeremiah 12: 3 - …O LORD; you see me and test my thoughts about you…