Christmas is all about trust. Mary trusting God in the face of unimaginable odds. Joseph trusting God in the face of unpalatable facts. The shepherds trusting an angelic choir in the middle of a cold night. And later, the Magi trusting that the star was truly the signal of a royal birth not a figment…
Tag: Thoughts
On The Night Before Christmas
It’s Christmas Eve. All is quiet. Everyone’s asleep; except the baby kicking inside me. I think of all the Christmases that have gone before. And the ones waiting ahead with bated breath. So much to be thankful for, and so much to look forward to. But most of all, remembering that I have a Reason…
The Maternal Instinct
They tore through me suddenly – Rage and fury – refusing to answer mildly To the instigation. Primitive instincts perhaps But nothing to be ashamed of, regardless. It’s a mother’s instinct To protect, shield, keep from harm -even verbal, especially verbal… Even if the abuser is a child That does not excuse the abuse Especially…
A Paean To Friendship
It’s fun to catch up with old friends. And there’s nothing like meeting up during the Christmas season to spread joy and cheer among the festivities. Today we met up with a couple of MD’s oldest friends and their families. It’s such a joy to see how things have changed – increasing broods and widening…
A True Treasure
The little worries which we meet each day May lie as stumbling-blocks across our way, Or we may make them stepping-stones to be Of grace, O Lord, to Thee. -A. E. Hamilton Sometimes, as I pass through days of calm serenity, a sudden jolt—a thought—can set me back apace. One thought leads to another, and…
The Lord’s Remembrancer
I found a lovely little phrase tucked away in something Amy Carmichael wrote, that threw new light on what it means to be an intercessor. She describes how someone far away from home, a missionary perhaps, is filled with a sense of homesickness sometimes, since despair and loneliness are very much a part of working…
My Greatest Desire
Lord, let me be hid in You. Close to Your heart, may I remain. Futilely, I have chased after peace; and admit, finally, that it is found only in You. I do not want a great calling. Teach me to accept both renown and obscurity, with equanimity. May my deepest joy and satisfaction be that…
The Sociable Introvert
They say that one never truly appreciates something until it is no longer there. I would have to agree. Let me explain. I’m an introvert. I love my solitude and guard it jealously. Silence and being alone, replenishes me mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. I do have friends but I do not need them to…
Under Construction
A friend of mine said something simple yet profound yesterday. In the book of Haggai, God says that His temple is in ruins. So my friend asked God what he ought to do to help rebuild the temple. And God replied, “My temple is not a building of stones and brick. It is you.” I…
O Come Let Us Adore Him
**This post first appeared on Indiaanya** It had been sitting on the ‘To-Be-Read’ shelf for more than a year. I’d bought One Wintry Night because I have a thing for collecting books by favourite authors and Ruth Bell Graham is definitely on the top of that list. I knew it was a children’s book, so…
Small Mercies
The weirdest sensation would have to be hoisted on your own petard. Perhaps that’s too drastic a depiction. What I’m trying to describe is the sensation of holding forth virtuously, confident of your own ‘rightness’, only to find that you’ve made an error in judgement. Not a very pleasant place to be, believe me! The…
Finding Peace
I’m not sure if it’s the pregnancy hormones or the fact that I’m now in my third trimester but recently, I’ve been feeling overwhelmed and worried by all that the future holds. I think of all that is going to change in the new year and I’ve just been burdened by a sense of my…
Thoughts on Arriving Mid-Way
It’s Day 25 of the 50-Day Writing Challenge. I can’t believe I’m halfway there already. Seems like I just began writing a week ago! As I consider the last few weeks, I’m glad this writing challenge happened. While there were days I felt I had nothing unique to write about, somehow the challenge to push…
Making Room for Sincere Candidness
“Whoever rebukes a person will in the end gain favour rather than one who has a flattering tongue.” Proverbs 28:23 I’d read an article recently on giving honest criticism and felt it was an area I definitely needed to improve. I know that I prefer to have others think well of me, so my default…
On Rooting Out Discontentment
I’ve been thinking about contentment today. There is an entire worldview crammed into that single word. Roy Castle once asked, “Why don’t people think about what they have instead of what they haven’t?” And that got me wondering – why don’t I think about all that I have, instead of focusing on all that I…
Appreciating The Differences
After marriage, one generally discovers new aspects of one’s spouse. Some are positive, others negative, and still others darn right peculiar! The trick is to learn what to alter and what to leave alone. It’s a fine line, believe me! I have known MD for more than 10 years now, and been married to him…
A Timely Reminder
I experienced a strange sensation today. My daughter, who is currently nursing a terrible cold, was snuggling next to me as I lay on my bed. As I put my arms around her little body and hugged her close, my arms suddenly felt a sense of déjà vu. It was so unusual it stopped me…
On Getting Out of the Boat
I have never been a fan of taking risks, of putting myself out there, open to ridicule or comment, to failure. I’d rather stay safe, hedge my bets, protect myself, my family, my interests. Yet the more I think about self-preservation, I realise what a rather mundane existence that is. It is based, and thrives,…
Who Packed Your Parachute?
Charles Plumb was a navy pilot in Vietnam. After 75 missions his plane was destroyed and he parachuted into enemy territory. He survived six years in a communist prison. Now he lectures on his experiences. One day, a man came up to him and said, ‘You’re Plumb! You flew jet fighters from the aircraft carrier…
On Choosing Godly Wisdom…
It’s easy to compare; To assess and measure. To gauge one’s strengths Against another’s weaknesses. Not so easy to understand. To perceive the silent struggles. To make allowances For the atrocious behaviour. Why should I? The heart demands. Is not my way better? Am I not stronger? Why should I listen To more excuses? Why…
inkhorn 