God of the Hurting.

There are situations in life that leave one thinking, did God actually allow this to happen? The answer usually appears so far-off in such instances. It looks all so gloomy and surely there cannot be a way out of it. One wonders if the sun will shine again.

I have seen different situations where a person is dealing with loss. I saw it when I went to counsel with a mother whose baby had just passed on at the hospital. At such times I lack words for the person. I will be there, listen to the person and cry with them. I cry a lot both for myself and others.

It cannot be easy trying to reassure a person who is hurting that all will be well again. That God cares. At that point that person needs to have a feel of a caring God that only those around can extend. But at times God actually reaches out and hugs the person with heavenly comfort.

So much suffering in the world. And we are loosing the art of comforting each other. We are all getting so busy that we do not have time to even listen out to each other. And so in the midst of us there are those that are hurting silently. It takes a heart yielded to God to notice such a person.

Given, the human touch is very important. We crave it even more when times are hard. I once went for a visit at the childrens' cancer ward. I saw so many sick children but one caught my eye. There was this one little child. The face looked too old for his age. And soon I was looking down at his little face. Then his frail little hand reached out to me. It must have been so much effort for him to stretch out for a touch. But he did. That has remained with me forever. I realised then the importance of the human touch. How much more for the hurting!

Look around. If you look more keenly you will notice someone who needs some encouragement. Someone who has been hurt by one they loved. Or a parent struggling with a difficult child. Another is trying to cope with the lose of someone they loved. All of us are fighting one battle or the other in this life. That is why we need to be sensitive to one another.

There is nothing as gratifying as seeing the face of one light up when we go out of our way to lighten their burden. It is the essence of being human. It makes ones step light and puts a spring to their walk. We are created to help one another. In both small and big ways. The burdens of the world are lighter when we all play our part.

Recently we lost some young people to flash floods in the Rift. Christian youth gone out to seek fellowship with their maker. Gone too soon. They will be laid to rest today. Their parents are hurting. But all I can do is pray for them and hope that they have enough support from caregivers to help them cope with the lose. That those around them will provide the hand of comfort that they need.

But in some instances only God understands. Because some hurts go so deep and are so hidden that only he knows. It is in that young girl who has suffered more hate than love. Or that orphaned mother who is struggling to make ends meet for her large family. Could be that family with a sick relative that has no funds to cater for the beloved. Their cry goes deep inside to the places that only God can hear. And he understands.

As Christians we are the balm of the world. We need to reach out to those around us who yearn for confirmation that God cares in the midst of the storm. And since they are among us it is our God given duty to seek them out and extend God's love to them. We need to represent God well in the way we extend care to those that need it most. For that, is our mission here on earth. And God is watching. Always.

This weekend I travelled some. It was a welcome getaway from the fast city life. The slow pace of the country side always leaves me thinking life is easier that way. No alarm to get you hopping out of bed at those ungodly hours. No traffic snarl-ups to contend with. Waking up to the melodies of bird song makes it something to keep going back to. Never mind that dog that has invented a game chasing my chickens all round.I dont mind the endless cups of tea we guzzle with the village women sitting out in the shade sharing experiences in the journey of life. The warmth is simply incomparable.


But something else made this last weekend special. I had the pleasure of sitting in a sermon with one very humorous pastor. I love pastors with a sense of humour. And so he was talking about making use of the different gifts that God has given us. He told the story of a man that had the least expected gift. The man stammered. And like Moses this man could have thought to himself, now how do I make something of myself and yet I stammer. But he didnt. He decided to use that which he had to make something of himself. He went into marketing.


This guy got a job selling Bibles. At first those on the panel were hesitant to hire him but he pleaded for a chance to prove his worth. Prove he did! You see, this man would walk up to an office. He would then beg for a minute of your time. He would then start by explaining that he sold Bibles. That explanation would take like five minutes. By the time he was through introducing himself, one would already have found out his speed of speech. And so if yours was a busy office you would want to get through with him as soon as you could and get back to work. But it is his next statement that takes the cake. He would then go on and tell you that if you did not want to buy a Bible he could read one to you!

Of course noone would want him standing there reading out the Bible and so most people would opt to buy the Bible and get on with their work. And so this man used what might have held back many to sell the highest number of Bibles in the company! Much to the surprise of all! This guys must have had a sense of humour. To even think up something like that! And make money out of it.

Most of us go through life with so much untapped potential. Many focus on what they do not have other than how they might use what it is in their hand. God always uses what it is that is at hand to lift us up. It might be someone who has the gift of the garb and uses it to cheer others up. Or that person who has such a  calm look around them that goes to reassure others around them.What ever God has bestowed upon each one of us could be used for some good if we set our mind to it. And just like in the Bible days, God does not use perfect people. He uses people like stammering Moses. Or bad tempered Peter.

And so what it is we cast aside as not important may just be the greatest gift we got. And we may not even know. Up until someone else recognises our gift or someone else brings it out for us. It is those less likely ones that God uses and all for his glory. Because God uses not the obvious but what is available to him. Even if it is the least attractive he will repackage it and use it for his glory. Only if we yield it to him.

Attitude is everything.

I was taking a walk just last week. Not in a hurry, just walking to the shops. Just alongside the pathway were two men walking. I heard them before I took notice of them.

One man was pushing a wheelbarrow. And he was talking with his colleague who was walking behind him with a spade. It was evident that these two were casual labourers off to some work someplace. Not the best of work but these two were simply exceptional. It made me realise how much we tell of ourselves to the world even without uttering a word.

They were in high spirits. That I could tell from the excitement in their voices. Then the way they were moving along too. It was two guys, full of purpose off for the day's work. Never mind the kind of work. But what they were saying is what caught my attention and made me ponder.

One of them was speaking. I heard him say how happy he was for the opportunity he had to work. He mentioned that it was a priviledge for him to be up early and in good health. Then he said what has not left my mind since then. Tugging his wheelbarrow along I heard him say that deep in his heart he knows that God knows what it is that he desires. That he believes that someday God would come through for him. It was the way he said it with so much conviction, that made the difference given his circumstances. And his colleague was in full agreement with him.

It made me think of how much we go about this life focused more on what it is we do not have. Oh how difficult life is and cry out to God to come change our circumstances. Little do we stop to think of the motive of what we ask. Neither do we find time to just engage God in a talk on his goodness. Just sit somewhere and savor his faithfulness. Much less testify of how much he has done for us.

You see, those two gentlemen ministered to me right there on the footpath. Just walking by holding a quiet conversation, they did. Made me think how much I needed to find time every once in a while to give thanks. No requests, just to give thanks for God's blessings. That was a  timely reminder.

It is all around us. God's goodness is all around. If we would just take time to notice we'd appreciate him for the good he has done for us. It is in the friends we have. Our good health too. Even in our ability to make wealth. We need to be grateful for even the most little things. Nothing for granted. This is as should be.

It is amazing how God speaks to us in modern day. Even in the midst of a busy day he will find a way to minister to our hearts. He understands us better than we do ourselves and knows the most effective way to speak to us. Ooh to listen for his voice in this rushed life! To stop every once in a while and embrace the goodness of him who loves us with a love everlasting.

It seems God ministers to me in the least expected places. And his timing is perfect too. Reminds me of a favorite story of the greatness of God. It makes a difference who is walking this life with you. A story is told of a mouse that needed to cross a bridge. And so he climbed up the ear of his friend the elephant. As they trudged along the bridge, it shook and swayed with the weight. Getting to the other side the mouse was heard bragging how he and the elephant had shaken the bridge together.

It matters who is carrying us through the seasons of life. If he is big enough to take us through. At the end of it all as we celebrate the achievements, we should remember to save the glory for him. With a thankful heart remember to thank God for going with us in lifes' journey. Just like the two gentlemen I met last week.

Dont we just love pointing fingers!

It has happened again. Someone famous is in the limelight. For all the wrong reasons. He is getting a lot of bashing for it. So many people are out to express their disgust at him. I would too, if I didnt know better. Not to say that I agree one bit with what he has done. But I am not worthy to condemn. Really. Let me explain.

In the journey of life, we have been to places that we should not have gone to. Done things we should not have done. And it might not have seemed such a big deal to us when we did that. Perhaps we did not mean to go as far as we did. But it happened.

We are all quick to point fingers at others. I believe it is the human way to try and justify that we are not as bad. It is our way of shifting attention from ourselves. Surely our faults cant be as bad. And so we go ahead and condemn others. That one is a drunkard. Or a liar. Or of loose morals. Forgeting that placing a label on another has a lasting negative effect on them. And that most of us are no better. It is just that we got a second chance to better our lives.

I believe that noone desires to be of bad or evil repute. We all desire to be good. And that is why so many try to camouflage their bad side. But when it does come out like all evil does, then the reaction that comes with it will either make or break us. Acceptance and seeking a way forward often helps. So does trying to get to the root of the issue. Or better still involving a higher power. God.

Someone once told me the Henry Ford story. Once there was this man whose truck broke down. In the worst of places. And so he was standing out in that lonely place when this old man drives up to him and inquires of the problem. He was reluctant to let him in on the issue wondering what this old man could do afterall. But he tells him anyway. Not realising that he was speaking to the maker of the truck. How I wish we would all take life's problems to the author  of life. He will fix it all for us.

Most issues in our lives do not have a justifiable reason. They just happen. We make wrong choices not because of wrong upbringing or lack of else. Or we go ahead and flirt with something seemingly so harmless that lands us in the worst corner we can find ourselves in. All the ways of life.

I find that the way we live our lives is based on who it is that is with us in the journey. Because we tend to conform to the authority in our lives. There are those that are bent on the ways of the world. Anything goes, as long as noone gets hurt. Or finds out. Then there are those of us that conform to Christ. And accept his leading. Yes we do commit sin. And go off the way sometimes. But we are quick to seek to repair our relationship with God and continue in his leading.

And so I do not jump to judge. Because that person who made that grievious mistake is deserving of Mercy just like all of us. Rather than throw sticks and stones at him, I try to hear him out. Though not literally. What it is that could have led him to do what he did. And then I condemn that act of course. But I will not dwell on it. Rub it in. None of this helps.

Many people have had a turnaround of their lives from bad to good. I believe noone would bother trying to patch up their lives when all around him are crying foul. Those of us that did a turnaround did so because someone believed in us enough to see some good even when all others were baying out. That person who bandaged our wounds and set us on our feet again.

If we took time to help a brother up after a fall it would bring much change to the situation. Even the most hardened of hearts is moved by love. And so we might try showing more love to those who do not deserve of it. That way bring them to a point of remorse that might be their turning point. Might not work always but it is worth a try. Afterall when you think of it, which one of us does not have a dark closet. Which one of us is not deserving of mercy? Let the one who has not sinned cast the first stone. I rest my case.

It happened when I saw you smile,

Your eyes looked into mine,

I've loved you dearly since that day,

Please be my valentine.

These were the words of my very first valentine card. From my hubby. That was so many years ago. Those words touched the very core of my heart. I took them to memory and until this day they remain in my heart. My very own treasure to cherish.

Lovers' day is just around the corner and I will most probably get another huge card with some loving words. But it is the words of that first card that linger. Said to a young heart they held so much meaning much as they do now.

I will forever be grateful for finding true love. For finding that one person who believed in me enough to fight for my love. To pursue my heart so artfully. I will forever celebrate the vows made before God and man. To Love, to cherish and to hold.

Everyone needs love. We all seek to find that one person who will love us endlessly without fail. One that we are willing to committ our lives to. Given, this search for love is as diverse as they come. Some have found love on the internet while others have met their beloved on the job. Different methods, same result.

More often than not those in love make time to be together. To get to know each other better. It has been said that a person struck by love is never the same again. And that one cannot hide the fact. Love has a way of showing through. In the least expected places. It is in the way Lovers touch. And the way they look at each other. Also in the way they are able to communicate their feelings, no words needed. Love is indeed divine.

Something so beautiful must be of God. As such it is meant to last forever. But many are the times when that sudden flutter of the heart is taken to mean that love has found us. Or when a physical attraction makes us think that we are meant to be. Love takes time. If it is the real thing it will stay. And so there is no need to fight for love.

Times have changed and what we see is the search for love in so many new ways. Gone are the days when boy met girl and took time and effort to get to know her better. Even dug up some info about her. What we are seeing nowadays is boy friends girl on facebook, they chat every minute of the day that is available offering details of their lives. Some false. Then with time they arrange a meeting and decide to formalise their love. Just like that.

I feel for all the people who miss out on the fun of dating. When a girl had to steal out to go meet a boy. And when they did meet it was not obvious that the boy would get more than a handshake. Those were the days. When a man sweated it out trying to win his girl. And when he did, it was well worth it.

While I have no qualms about the new way of things, I only wish that those seeking love would take more time to know each other. That the girls would not be so available at the slightest signal. After all, come easy goes easy. It is well worth the wait the time spent learning more of each other. The heart is too delicate to mess around with. Once broken, some do not recover. The effort is daunting.

And so I take this time to wish you all a very happy valentine's day. For all those who have found true love, hold dear. And to all those out there looking to find that special person I wish you well. Above all I wish you would involve the author of love in your search. He knows your needs and will let you find love if you involve him.

Happy valentines you all!