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God’s plans or our plans?

The article below reminded me about my discussion with my daughter the other day. She was saying how a music band, BTS was very inspiring when they said that with hard work you can achieve your dreams.

Although I had always subconsciously felt that you can achieve anything through hard work, recently, while reflecting back on my life, I have been feeling that all this running after dreams is futile since life does not work that way.

I’ve seen my daughter work hard for her high school final exams, but was unable to achieve very high grades due to her illness during the last two months before the exams. She has joined a good course at a good college, but it was not what we had planned for. Although now she is happy and feels that this is more suitable for her. This was as per God’s plan for her and we are very grateful to Him.

While looking back at this event and on various aspects of my life from my education, my marriage, my career and even my home, none of these were what I had planned for or even imagined would happen. But they did!

I have moved from my home in Chennai, India where I grew up and never imagined I would leave, to Kuwait and now finally I am settled in Kochi, India where we had bought an apartment a long time ago with no intention to stay. But I am here now!

I do not know what else God has in plan for our lives, but I know it will be the best for me and my family. Or He may use me for someone else’s benefit also. It’s upto him!

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for handling every aspect of my life in your own way. I am leaving it to you take care of even the little things. Thank you so much!

Leave Room For God
But when it pleased God… GALATIANS 1:15
As workers for God we have to learn to make room for God — to give God “elbow room.” We calculate and estimate, and say that this and that will happen, and we forget to make room for God to come in as He chooses. Would we be surprised if God came into our meeting or into our preaching in a way we had never looked for Him to come? Do not look for God to come in any particular way, but look for Him. That is the way to make room for Him. Expect Him to come, but do not expect Him only in a certain way. However much we may know God, the great lesson to learn is that at any minute He may break in. We are apt to over look this element of surprise, yet God never works in any other way. All of a sudden God meets the life — “When it was the good pleasure of God…” (RV).
Keep your life so constant in its contact with God that His surprising power may break out on the right hand and on the left. Always be in a state of expectancy, and see that you leave room for God to come in as He likes.
From My Utmost for His Highest Classic Edition

Beware of isolation; beware of the idea that you have to develop a holy life alone. It is impossible to develop a holy life alone; you will develop into an oddity and a peculiarism, into something utterly unlike what God wants you to be. The only way to develop spiritually is to go into the society of God’s own children, and you will soon find how God alters your set. God does not contradict our social instincts; He alters them
WISDOM FROM OSWALD CHAMBERS

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Step by Step

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
Hebrews 11:1

Many times, when things didn’t go my way, I felt frustrated. My mind kept dwelling on these issues and how I could have changed my reactions, responses and decisions for a better outcome. However, eventually the result would be a good one making me realise that although things seemed negative at that time, it was for the best. God guides me in the right way even if I cannot see the whole picture.

My experience with God shows that taking life forward one step at a time, trusting God to hold me and carry me over any broken step is the right thing to do. Whatever the state of the staircase, God will take us to the top to land at the place ultimately planned and prepared for us by Him. This applies to our worldly life here as well as to our spiritual destination. He will be there guiding us step by step.

Moving forward in life with this faith can give us a sense of peace and well-being.

Saying this, it does not mean that I am able to keep my mind from worrying. I do worry, but then God’s small, inner voice reminds me to leave it to Him. When I entrust it to Him, I am able to get through without over stressing.

Thank You Lord Jesus for guiding me throughout my life. I am sorry for the many instances when I worry unnecessarily. Thank you for getting me back on track each time. I don’t know how I could have gone through life without you. Thank you so much Lord Jesus.

A Time to Think
Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase. –Martin Luther King, Jr.
A Time to Act
Believe in God’s power to transform you and situations around you.
A Time to Pray
Dear Lord, guide me towards Your plan. Help me to take the first step.
Daily Scripture & Reflection

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Time Alone with Him…

It’s been a long time since I wrote.

I have been too busy running and running, trying to finish this and that – so muddled up that even while praying, my mind was distracted with things to do.

Blogging also kept getting postponed.

God has been prompting me during the last week to get things in order. So finally, today I was able to focus. My time with God this morning was more fruitful and helped me analyse my feelings and see the futility of messing up my mind with insignificant concerns. They can wait. Time with and for God are more important. The rest can wait and happen as and when they should.

Surprisingly, the article below that I read today is also about time alone with God and reminded me about my priorities and how more focussed time will help God do His work in me.

When I prayed today, I realised how much I had missed this time with God where my mind was for Him rather than running wild about pending work issues. I used to feel so content every morning after my time with God, assured that He is in charge.

Dear Lord, thank you for reminding me that it's time I got myself back into my well organised life starting with my time with you focussed on you alone so I can listen to your guidance. Thank you for the peace and assurance you give us. Thank you for bearing with me during my quick prayers, during times when my thoughts were elsewhere during prayer time. Thank you for holding on to me when I seemed distant. I don’t know what I would have done if you had just let me go in my own way without your support and prompting. Thank you so much Oh Lord Jesus!

Have You Ever Been Alone With God?
When they were alone, He expounded all things to His disciples. MARK 4:34
Our Solitude with Him. Jesus does not take us alone and expound things to us all the time; He expounds things to us as we can understand them. Other lives are parables. God is making us spell out our own souls. It is slow work, so slow that it takes God all time and eternity to make a man and woman after His own purpose. The only way we can be of use to God is to let Him take us through the crooks and crannies of our own characters. It is astounding how ignorant we are about ourselves! We do not know envy when we see it, or laziness, or pride. Jesus reveals to us all that this body has been harbouring before His grace began to work. How many of us have learned to look in with courage?
We have to get rid of the idea that we understand ourselves, it is the last conceit to go. The only One Who understands us is God. The greatest curse in spiritual life is conceit. If we have ever had a glimpse of what we are like in the sight of God, we shall never say — “Oh, I am so unworthy,” because we shall know we are, beyond the possibility of stating it. As long as we are not quite sure that we are unworthy, God will keep narrowing us in until He gets us alone. Wherever there is any element of pride or of conceit, Jesus cannot expound a thing. He will take us through the disappointment of a wounded pride of intellect, through disappointment of heart. He will reveal inordinate affection — things over which we never thought He would have to get us alone. We listen to many things in classes, but they are not an exposition to us yet. They will be when God gets us alone over them.
From My Utmost for His Highest Classic Edition

It is not what a man does that is of final importance, but what he is in what he does. The atmosphere produced by a man, much more than his activities, has the lasting influence.
Wisdom from Oswald Chambers, From Baffled to Fight Better, 51 L

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Roses or Thorns?

It’s been a long time since I wrote.

Our family has been busy with our move to a different city. Our daughter has joined College at the new place.

Our new location is different. It lacks conveniences of city life, but is quieter. The apartment is an older one and so lacks a few of the conveniences of the previous apartment. However, it has many other positive aspects. Besides, we are the owners. We had bought the apartment many years back as an investment.

Adjusting to the new situation has been a strain for us. With the packing/unpacking, refurbishment work and decisions to be made (with differences in opinion), we tend to lose our patience with each other.

Added to that, our daughter’s online classes have begun and she is going through her own stress having changes at home and college to cope with.

While complaining/arguing about small issues, we keep forgetting about the innumerable positives in our new situation. My daughter’s happy with her online classes. We have furnished our apartment quite well. In many aspects our new place is much better than any of our previous apartments.

Blessings are abundant. God guided us to buy this apartment for just this day. It’s through God’s Grace only that we own such a lovely place when there are so many people who are homeless.

I read the article below just in time so I can remind myself to look at the “roses” and not the “thorns”.

I am sorry Lord Jesus for being so ungrateful. Thank you so much for your abundant mercies and blessings. Thank you for guiding our lives and bringing us to this point in our lives. Thank you for our wonderful home. Thank you for my daughter’s college admission enabling her to do the course that she likes. Thanks a lot, Lord!

Seeing Beauty Instead of Pain
“The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature.” Luke 8:14 (NIV)
My life hasn’t been a bed of roses.
What an odd statement. It’s supposed to mean that I haven’t lived a life without snags and hurt. However, think of an actual bed of roses. Doesn’t it have both thorns and flowers?
My aunt grew roses for years. She’s the one I lived with for almost a year when I was in middle school and my family was falling apart. I remember her telling me not to run through her rose garden. After all, she had what seemed like hundreds of other acres that unfolded in wide open fields. I could run there.
But I didn’t want to.
I only wanted to run through the rose garden. I wanted to spread my arms wide open and run between the rows, brushing my fingertips across all the velvety blooms. I wanted some of the blooms to burst and shower petals all around. Then I could gather the petals and spread them along my path.
As if I could carve a new place in this world lined with beauty and void of adult words like divorce, rejection and hate … I wanted my world to be soft, pink and lovely. I didn’t want to think about my dad leaving our family. My heart couldn’t process how he not only didn’t live with us anymore, but also he was slowly pulling back from participating in our lives altogether.
So, I took a running start with my arms outstretched, only to be shocked with searing pain within the first few steps.
Thorns. Big, mean, vicious thorns. Thorns that ripped my flesh and opened up the flood of tears I’d been so determined to hold back. Suddenly, I hated that bush. I wanted to chop it down and beat it into the ground. But I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t bring myself to destroy something that produced such beauty.
I stood back from the source of my pain and wondered, Should I call it a bush of thorns or a bush of flowers? Really, it could go either way.
Suddenly I wasn’t just staring at a bush. I was staring at my life. My life. Such a bed of roses.
Would I see the hurt, or would I see the beauty?
Luke 8:14 says, “The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature.” The seed being referred to here is the Word of God. Isn’t it interesting that people who are choked by life’s circumstances and never mature are referred to as having thorns in the soil of their soul?
Yes, life sometimes hands us thorns, but we have the choice to park our minds on the thorn or on the beauty it can eventually produce in us, if only we’ll cling tightly to God’s Word. How a person thinks is how they will eventually become.
If we dwell on the negative in life, we’ll become negative, and God’s Word will have a hard time taking root in our souls. If, however, we acknowledge the negative but choose instead to look for the good that can come from it, God’s Word will take root in our souls and produce a lush crop of beauty.
It all comes down to choice. That day in my aunt’s garden, I chose to be aware of the thorns but park my mind on the beautiful roses.
And over the years, I have come to the place in my life where I realize I can focus on the hurt my dad’s absence caused or choose to focus on other things in my life. Beautiful things. To focus on beauty isn’t to deny the pain. It’s just refusing to let it steal anything else from me.
It’s been more than 25 years since I’ve seen my dad. That’s hard on a girl’s heart. But where he fell so short, God has filled in many gaps. I don’t have to be the child of a broken parent the rest of my life; I can be a child of God. Loved. Truly loved.
And that is a beautiful truth I can let flourish in my heart.
Dear Lord, it can be really hard to focus on the petals rather than the thorns of life. But I want the soil of my soul to be healthy and ready to receive Your Word. Will You produce beauty in my life despite the thorns that have hurt me? In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
© 2020 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries

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Entrusting our unknown future to God

Throw all your anxiety onto him, because he cares about you.
1 Peter 5:7

A Time to Think
Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God. –Corrie ten Boom, author
A Time to Act
Rejoice, the future is full of promise.
A Time to Pray
Father I hold tight to Your truth and trust You to work in my life.
Daily Scripture & Reflection, Guideposts

The above message is exactly the assurance I needed today.

With God’s help, my daughter was able to score well in her final school exams although she had not been well for more than two months before her exams.

Now, she has been able to obtain admission for a very good course which she is interested in and will give her a career that she should enjoy.

However, opinions are coming in from many quarters, making us wonder if the college is the right one for her or if the course might be too tough.

Each time we come to a conclusion, after a lot of research and thought, that this is good, something comes up which makes us wonder.

Today’s message to never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God reminds me that we do not need to worry about the future. God has brought us so far. He will take us through. He will not let us venture into anything that is not right for us.

Thank you so much oh Lord Jesus. We trust that you will ensure the best for our daughter, spiritually, emotionally, physically and career-wise. Thank you!

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Amidst pressures and stress…

Sometimes in the midst of pressures and stress, our minds can start spinning out of control. We find ourselves creating problems that don’t even exist, doubt and worry can overwhelm us and take control. Pray that God will help you to take every thought captive in obedience to Christ, that you would choose to set your thoughts on him, that his peace and rest will guard your heart and mind in Christ.
Find Hope in the Storm, Crosswalk.com

For our daughter’s college education, we have taken the decision after a lot of prayer, to move to another city for her to take a course that she is interested in.

Although we have been praying a lot about the decision, I still keep worrying if the course is the right one for her, if the college is good and if staying in the new city would be good.

I keep worrying about the psychological impact on her due to the change especially since she has been struggling a lot emotionally during the last two years.

I even wake up at night in panic.

I wonder where my staunch faith has gone when I never worried about anything.

I wonder when I became so mentally weak.

The above message has come at the right time for me.

Lord Jesus, please keep my thoughts centred in you. Please let your peace and rest guard my heart and mind. Help me not to waver in my belief that all things will work together for good for us since you love us and are taking care of our lives. I submit my daughter, her life and her future entirely into your hands. Guide her and strengthen her spiritually, mentally and physically. Protect and guard her at all times oh Lord. Help me rest assured that she is safe in your hands. Thank you so much oh Lord God, Jesus Christ and Holy Spirit for carrying us through. Thank you so much!

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Taking loved one for granted …

A wise man’s heart guides his mouth.
Proverbs 16:23

I definitely take my husband and child for granted.

I do not consider their feelings and emotions as much as I do for others.

I do not keep adjusting for them as much as I do for others.

I am guilty of “split vision” as they call it.

Outwardly, I am a kind, patient person with a smile on my face. No one can guess the pain and exhaustion that I endure due to my fibromyalgia.

However, when my sister pointed out this character in me, my daughter told me that I am indeed such a person to others, but not so much at home in front of her and my husband.

I was ashamed of myself on hearing this and today’s article reiterates the need for change.

If I am able to be patient with others, I should be able to be patient with my family also.

In saying so, let me say that I am not very nasty or rude at home, but I do need be more patient.

Below is the message that inspired me.

Split Vision
Isn’t it curious how in the midst of a nasty family argument we can shake our bad mood the instant the telephone rings or a neighbor knocks on the door? Have you ever been brought up short by a small voice questioning such a sudden turn to peaches and cream after twenty minutes of fire and brimstone? Sometimes we treat those we love the worst, and kids are quick to recognize this hypocrisy.
Mark Hatfield, a longtime senator from Oregon and the father of four, said his wife once stung him by saying, “I just wish you were as patient with your children as you are with your constituents.” He isn’t alone. We’re all guilty at times of what might be called “split vision”— treating acquaintances with forbearance while losing patience or even heaping contempt on those under our own roof. We assume the worst. We pounce on every shortcoming. We never miss an opportunity to harangue. In the process, we wound the people we care about most.
It’s time we cut one another a little slack at home. If we say our spouses, children, and parents are the most significant people in our lives, we can prove it by showing them the same kindnesses we would bestow on our most honored guests.
Just between us…
Are we as patient with each other at home as we are with guests and strangers?
Why do you think we can be so hard on each other?
How can we encourage each other to avoid this kind of “split vision”?
Father, open our eyes to see one another the way You do. Forgive us for the laziness and selfishness that so easily sour our family relationships. Help us guard our words and actions so that we may be pleasing in Your sight. Amen.
From Night Light For Couples, by Dr. James & Shirley Dobson

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Encouraging each other …

“Let us encourage one another.”
Hebrews 10:25

Reading the below message made me wonder how many times I have failed to encourage my husband or to express my appreciation for his support and encouragement.

There are many instances in my career when his guidance has helped me take wise decisions.

However, I do take his support and advice for granted. In fact, sometimes I even find his instructions a bit nagging.

On the other hand, I have irritated him many times with my opinion in matters that are his responsibility.

This message is a reminder that we both should patiently listen to each other, respect each other’s opinions and take non biased decisions.

I am reminded to stop and consciously work on my thoughts, words and actions to express my gratitude and encouragement to my life partner chosen for me by God.

It’s been said that behind every successful man is a great woman. The wife of one of the most famous names in literature, Nathaniel Hawthorne, was probably one such woman. Sophia Hawthorne secretly set aside a few dollars each week, a savings that eventually grew large enough to support them both for a year. You see, Sophia believed that her husband would one day be a great writer. When Hawthorne came home and announced in disgrace that he’d been fired from his job in a customhouse, Sophia presented him with the money, saying, “Now you can write your book!” Her confidence and encouragement led to one of America’s classic novels, The Scarlet Letter.
Then there was the corporate chief who, while traveling with his wife, pulled their car into a rundown gas station. They discovered that his wife had dated the gas station attendant in high school. “Boy, are you lucky I came along,” bragged the husband after they left. “If you had married him, you would be the wife of a gas station attendant.”
“My dear,” replied the wife, “if I had married him, he would be the chief executive officer, and you would be the gas station attendant.”
It’s certainly true that one spouse has tremendous influence on the success of the other. Jim has supported me in my spiritual life, in the raising of our children, and in so many other areas. Likewise, I have attempted to bolster him however I could and have seen God’s blessing on his work and ministry. And Jim lets me know he appreciates my encouragement. He has said more than once that I believed in him before he believed in himself. Of course, we’ve fallen short of this supportive ideal on more than one occasion—and you probably will, too. But if you consistently strive to bring strong and steady encouragement to your mate, you’ll both reap lasting rewards.
Shirley M Dobson
From Night Light For Couples, by Dr. James & Shirley Dobson

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An all-powerful God is with us

Some of the biggest life blows come in the form of a diagnosis. Cancer. Disease. Chronic illness. Disability. Pain. It can send us spiraling. Yet nothing takes God by surprise, and he reminds us in the midst of bad news, we still don’t have to fear. We can trust him. Pray that God will flood your heart with the assurance that he holds you and will carry you through the toughest times in this life. Thank him in advance for his healing and strength. Believe his Word that assures you he is near to the brokenhearted and saves those whose spirits are crushed.
Find Hope in the Storm, Crosswalk.com

They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the LORD.
Psalm 112:7

Today’s quote reminds me of all the people who are suffering due to the Covid pandemic.

People who have fallen ill.

People whose loved ones have been diagnosed with the disease.

People whose loved ones have passed away.

I pray that God gives them strength and assurance to get through the situation. Only God can give healing. Only God can hold us through these tough times.

The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. The righteous person may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all; he protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken.
Psalm 34:17-20

It is a very scary situation.

Anyone can get infected with the disease at any time.

Prince and Prime Minister, slum dwellers and labourers.

There is no discrimination.

Covid-19 can infect anyone.

All are human.

Whether technologically advanced or uneducated, we are all helpless.

It shows that as human beings, there are issues and situations beyond our power, but God is all powerful. He will carry us through.

Even though I walk through the darkest valley,I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
Psalm 23:4

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Nothing is impossible for Him …

This world can feel dark many days. And in troubling times, that darkness can hover closely. Yet God is still there. And he reminds us that he’s greater than anything we face in this life. His power is the one who can set us free from the pit we sometimes sink down into. Pray for God’s miraculous power to break through the darkness and cover you, lift you up, out of the place you may find yourself in today. Believe that nothing is impossible with him, ask him for his healing and grace to touch the deepest parts of your life.
Find Hope in the Storm, Crosswalk.com

I am very very worried about my daughter’s college admission. To get into a good university for the course of her choice, she needs to score very high grades. She was not able to perform that well.

Her last exam has been postponed due to lock-down in our country due to the Covid situation.

During all the worry about the pandemic and its effects, exams and admissions seem a silly reason to worry.

Still, it is a great concern for us because her future depends on it.

Although I keep saying that I am leaving it to God to guide us, worry and panic keep popping up in between.

For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.
2 Timothy 1:7

Dear Lord, please strengthen my faith and my trust in you to leave my worries into your loving, capable hands. Nothing is impossible for you. You can work wonders and miracles. Please please take care of my daughter’s admission, Lord.

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
Matthew 19:26