For A Reason: Getting Left Behind

If you read my first post, you would have realized that I have categories to which I write my article. Something bad turned out wonderful today, and it has inspired me to create the FOR A REASON column. This section will include seemingly bad things that happen either in my or a friends life, but show how God had a plan all along.

So this morning I got left behind by my brother. Yes I was mad, but I definitely decided not to get angry as I am the one that controls the response to any situation. Everyone knows that the first MAJOR event that happens in your day sets the tone for the rest of the day. Devil would have it that I would be angry, but I was not in it with him. As walked down the road I talked to myself and tried to find the most tactful words I could, so if I see my brother I would put him in his place.

I reached the first taxi stop and waited. Two taxis passed, the third one picked me up. It so happened when I reached my stop, I forgot to take the money out. I handed the fare to the driver, he already started to move. So without a word I just allowed it because I could get a bus faster in the town. After reaching the town I went on a coaster filled with music and jammed as usual. I sat beside a woman, who was not too much on the slim side. She was on my right.

We started our journey to Half-Way Tree and it was fare time. The woman to my left gave me her fare, followed by the woman on my right started the “Give all the change to one person” routine. For all those who take the bus, they have a good idea of I am talking about. By the time I realised, I had everyone’s fare in my hand. That was not a problem at all.

On Molynes Road, the heavy traffic started, therefore the bus came to a crawl. People bailed as they deemed it faster route if they walked. The woman on my right turned to me and asked if I knew what bus to take to KPH. I started to wonder, I knew she was on the heavy side but she did not look sick. I told her I did not know what number, but directed her to the bus park.

After getting of the bus, I took it as my obligation to ask the conductor what number bus to take to KPH, for I knew one had to take a bus to Cross Roads, but that is where my knowledge of the commute route stopped. The conductor just bolstered my opinion and offered no help. I decided to help her to the bus stop. As we walked i realised, she was infirmed as she moved rather slow. We passed the transport centre and she paused. I told her to hold to the railing. She bent over the railing in pain and explained that she got referral to KPH from Spanish Hospital. I wanted to hold her hand but was too proud to do it. We eventually made to the park. I told the conductor to take care of her as she was not feeling well; he said the bus was going directly to KPH so I did not have to worry.

I had no idea why I got left behind, but after helping that woman I felt good. This was now the first MAJOR event for the day and it did set the tone for the following hours as well. Doing good really helps. I just wonder what if I did not get left behind. Would someone have helped her? Would she have fainted? It is proven by studies that many a times we are tired and feel like giving up, but because of one person’s presence, all the pressure is somehow softened. I got left behind just to be pushed for forward. Next time you feel angry because you feel you were left behind unjustly, remember everything happens for a reason.

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A Blessing From Me to You: Rain, Grass and Rejuvenation

This one was really a blessing to me, just had to share it. I was going to work one morning and of the most sublime things caught my eye. It is most oft times an overlooked miracle. Many would say a miracle is an event if divine origin that CANT be explained, so what do you say about child’s birth? If you get my drift, miracles can sometimes be explained. The miracle I speak of is the rejuvenation of grass from the rain.

The day before, the grass was really in drought. The most you would want to do with it is excavate and replant some fresh healthy grass. As the Lord would have it, FEW showers fell in the day and night. This is a natural occurrence since its first appearance in Genesis in the antediluvian world. However the result was amazing. The once dry and pedestrian looking leaves now had fresh green lustre. I had to say WOW, amazing. You would have thought this was a novel experience to me.

We oft ask for blessings to come down upon us. We even sing “...showers of blessings we need...” which means we are cognisant of the fact that such a spiritual entity is pertinent in life’s pilgrimage. Do we understand what we a asking for? From the event sited, we realize that the once withered grass had technically become new and refreshed. Pleasant for the eyes again and adding to the geographic aesthetics. The same applies to us. We are asking for a refreshing of our state. We ask for blessings to fortify our famished souls, so that that we may become rejuvenated for God Almighty. Whether the blessing is food, money, garment, health or academics, they are showers/droplets of sent down due to the incense of benedictions. There should never be a time that good omens fall upon us and we are in the same lifeless state.

Note well the next time you ask for a blessing and receive it, it should rejuvenate you and make you feel as new, helping you in one way or the other to further His cause. Let it remind us that our dried souls cane be revived again by droplets sent from above.

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Godly Allusion: Fan vs Mosquito

Rest is needed by all who claim to be humans, and I said claimed because some seem to think they are superhuman. If you live in Jamaica, you can relate to the heat that is felt at nights. One of the best conventional ways to soften the harsh effect of the temperature is to use a fan.

After a hard day’s work, when I come home, most times all I want to do is just sleep. I jump in the shower and say prayers and snuggle under the covers for some well-deserved shut eye (after turning the fan on of course). As I closed my eyes one night, it came to mind that I could save on the electricity bill by not using the fan. I turned the fan off and went under the cover again. It was fine for 3-5 sec, after which the orchestra started (nothing like Beethoven's symphonies). Then it dawned on me that there was another reason I used the fan. THE MOSQUITOES. These are some annoying little pests that can make a night sleep hectic. With their cacophonic wing flaps, they sing with buzzes of annoyance. So I got my arsenal ready, my dear fan. Everything was back to normal again.

Almost everything can be linked to the love, care or protection of God. Don’t believe me, watch this. It hit me; these MOSQUITOES are like Satan and his 1/3 (no pun intended), always pestering to seek their best chance to bite (I know they suck, and again no pun intended). They will never ease until their endeavour is complete. However, the FAN was the protection of God. With its presence, there was no way the pests could touch me. There was an important factor to all this however, the fan could not turn on itself, I had to make the effort to push the power button. It’s the same with God; we NEED to make an effort to ask God for his guidance and protection. If you read 1 John 3:22 you will see that he will grant unto you what you ASK for (provided you follow his commandments). You have to make a purposive effort to reach out to Him, just press that on button on the fan and all will be ok.

Most often than not, fans do come with more than one speed. Some obstacles can easily be rid, but others require diligent prayer and seeking of God. As apprehension builds towards the temptations that may face you and those mosquitoes seem to have strengthened their army, just switch to a higher gear. They will all be blown away in a wink. Sometimes, as you still might wake with bites on your body despite the fan speed. However, it would have been worse if the fan was not there. YOU NEVER HAVE TO FACE THE BATTLE ALONE. This is similar to you digging into the promise bag of God and you earnestly telling God that you need His help to fight the battle.

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