Blessed day.
I traveled on four buses today. Similar routes. On one of which I lost my mobile phone – on another, was I stuck in a jam for about the length of one full journey.
I was puzzled as to why these things happened today. But nonetheless, I was thankful for the many other things; spending precious time with a beloved friend for one. Also, being nice to a stranger and getting a smile back in return. These things took my mind off my setbacks.
One thing I learnt was the style of letting go of things into God’s hands. One begrudgingly, betraying a lack of trust; the other, resting in assurance that all things work together for good for the one who loves Him.
When I realized that I was without my phone, I immediately prayed. My prayer was mostly about restoration. I prayed that some kind soul, a person of integrity would find my phone and by the end of the day, it will be returned to me. This was what I had in mind.
Sometimes, the words you hear from the ones you love may discourage you more than others. I take it that my parents love and care for me and hence I will not dwell too much on their words, letting them set me back even further. Again, here it’s not what you do, but the style of which you do it. Parents may love their kids to death but the manner of which they display their affections sometimes just go unappreciated by their children. When my parents conveyed their disappointment that I was careless to lose my phone, it may seem like they valued my phone more than I, or more than they valued me, but of course I chose not to see it that way. I just kind of wished they would not be hard on themselves. Sometimes we think that it is our nagging that get things done. Maybe for the short-term. But anyway, since they probably understand the value of money more than I do, and honestly, all that I have comes from them, I am in no position to be mad at them also. The quickest way I know to avoid the quarrel is to abandon the conversation.
When I’m down and out, ultimately I want someone there to lift me up and out, not come into the pit of depression with me or to dig a greater hole for me. If it is possible, don’t come down to my level, make me rise up to where you are. I believe there is a time for correction, but there should always be much more restoration after. Where I sought no comfort from my parents, I went to my Heavenly Father. I just brought all my emotions to the Lord and told Him to take care of everything for me.
The peace I had was supernatural. If it was me like a long time ago, I would have probably thrown a tantrum at myself, at anyone, and at God for such a horrible day. Thereafter having to face with the guilt that I behaved in such an unbecoming manner. But right now, I feel none of those. And throughout the afternoon, here and there, I knew that it was not the phone I missed but the pictures that were of infinite value to me. Pictures of my beloved cg, my nanny whom I miss so dearly. Pictures of the day that I received. Also, many of which were the goofiest pictures taken of whom I was with today. It’s the memory of those images that I was longing after. But there is nothing intrinsically valuable about those jpegs. Now, more than the shadow, I had the substance, and that was something the Lord reminded me of. More than the past, we have the present. More than anything, I had her friendship. Her very presence this day.
“I still remember how you looked, your hair, your black spectacles, your pinafore, your shoes, and now you’re here in front of me. It’s just strange how we were then and here we are now. How have we changed?” On the outside? Probably some. On the inside, much more. It was just in that flash, ten years of memories encapsulated into a millisecond. “You can always make new memories.” I know she meant what she said. It was she who gave me new memories, in place of the old. Instead of the heartaches, I remember even more distinctly the strength and comfort of a friend. This I wouldn’t want to exchange for any lesser thing.
So, then I changed my prayer and it became a prayer that whoever picks up my phone shall be blessed by it. I cannot imagine in what way, but I know that it will be done. Truthfully, there were more lessons to be learned from this happening, which shall belong to my own reflection.
On the same day, when I was stuck on-board my favourite bus and there were signs of a jam, I thought about many things. Like, “What’s up with today?!” The skies were very nice from my seat, dark clouds. I was listening to Pastor Ben’s sermon and I had time. Although I could have been doing a lot of other things if I reached home early, I had time. So, I told myself to enjoy the delay, and just relax. I prayed for the Lord to clear the jam so that I could be home quickly. I was super hungry and low on sugar so I told Him I wanted to go home so that I could eat. Fifteen minutes later, the bus was still stationary. Some people alighted to find alternative routes. I had no alternative route that would make me better off so I decided to stay on. I prayed again and until this point where I realized that there could have been an accident up ahead. It was then, I changed my prayer again. After all, human lives are most important, are they not? So, I prayed that the persons involved in the accident would not be seriously injured and they’d be fine. Less than 5 minutes later, the bus start moving again and slowly it became clear that a huge travel bus had gotten into quite a serious accident. There were policemen and people around. It was quite a big scene. I was never more thankful to be sitting in a moving bus. There it came to me, that the prayer of the righteous avails much.
I am looking to You, my faithful One. My portion and reward. It’s not a coincidence that I have repeatedly listened to a sermon about Romans 8:28 recently. I know that He is going to use all these things to position me for an even greater blessing ahead.
;
Evening came and went. Instead of exchanging harsh words with my parents in my restlessness earlier today, I spoke with them at home. By God’s grace, everything turned out great. And again, by God’s grace, Mommy even joked with me when she got the hint that this was a good opportunity for me to get a new phone.
Me: They’re having a promotion that ends next month. But I’ll get it only after the 26th June.
Mommy: So, how much is it?
Me: Er… It’s okay, I’ll pay for it with my allowance.
Mommy: Which is coming from me!
Me: You don’t have to pay!
Mommy: Nevermind, who asked me to be your mother?
Me: YAAAAAAAAY.
It was a moment that I cannot explain, but I know that it’s all well. Familiar were moments like these back in school days. So, wait for me a little while more people, Whatsapp I’m coming!!!
I got to witness ‘actions more than words’ today. How a friend would rush out of bed and out of the house in record time, placing your interests before theirs. Just a few days ago I heard exactly the phrase. You can send your words, you can send them from a distance. But when a person is present with you, that makes every difference. In the midst of our conversations today, we recounted our past happiness. We concluded that it wasn’t what we went through, but who we went through with. Details may have been forgotten, but the comfort of companionship was the reason we lived through our days.
Managed to catch the last of Pastor’s webcast tonight. Italian words are still floating around my brain and I feel like eating pasta! But it’s all awesome. What a timely word for me. As our beloved High Priest is, so are we in this world. Praise God! Really, the most blessed day.
