Worst case scenarios

I've made a habit of cooking it up. Say I call someone, and nobody picks up, it could either be
1. the person is not interested in talking, the person ignores my call. No return calls, or remorse for a missed call. Too busy with more important things.
2. The battery was down. or The phone was in the other room. The phone was in silent mode. There is some problem with the phone. Was in a middle of an important meeting or call.There was no signal. or worst case, the phone was stolen.

We always think. But if we train ourself to justify the other person action as in point 2, it is a sea of difference. We can apply this daily to any situations when someone is late, someone hasn't replied your emails, messages, calls, or be it someone did not return your smile, or 'good morning'. Saves a lot of disappointments.

I've practiced it for few years now, and am still learning. Couple of us go to work in car pool. My friend, whom I have known for nearly 2 yrs, is ALWAYS punctual. When I say punctual, he is dot on time. Not a minute late. For him, 1 minute late is VERY late. Being the opposite, I have learnt to be early most of the time when going with him. In all these days, only once he was late. Just once. For 30 mins. It was cold windy day. Standing in the parking lot, I lost all my nerve. I was mad. Had I put into practice my WCS theory, I could have kept my cool. Well, his boss had called and he couldn't inform he was late. But the anger that boiled inside me was so enormous and though it had a lid on it.. I don't think it was worth it. WCS theory... I guess I still have a long way to go.

Finaly it drills down to this secret. To expect from God and not on men.

I hate cooking!

Just like my mom. Yes, you heard it right. The first time she ever cooked, was after marriage, when she made upuma without salt. Dad always exclaims, wonderful, marvelous to whatever you cook, and that turned her into a marvelous cook, I had ever known.

Mom cooks quick and tasty. Her idlis,sambar, chicken, putu, biriyani, paayasam.. whew they were mouth watering. I started cooking, for the love of mom. I loved to surprise her. She sure was surprised, by my burnt rice, burnt chicken, burnt milk ( oh yeah) and burnt everything. Ask my brothers, they even have a name for all my messed up food.

As I look back, its been 12 yrs of my stint with kitchen! I cook the essentials. I had resolved only to cook for mom.. But these days I cook for dad. Nothing beats the happiness you get, when you get nothing to eat( no leftovers), since it tasted so good! :) My friend says you can leave everything, anything, do anything, for the love of your life! How lovely!

Huh, now it makes me wonder, what I do for 'THE love' of my life? The least I can do is spend some quiet time every morning.. For all the things he has done for me... and to know that all he asked for was one tenth.. yickes.. that means 2.4hrs/day :(

Sea of faces!

The place where I work houses nearly 9000 employees. Unfortunately, everytime I have to reach my building, I have to cross the Food Court. Lunch time can be so overwhelming. The place is so loud and overflowing, that you wish no one was there.

It is quite irritating. But these days, I just let myself loose into the crowd. The sea of faces I see all around me. Lean face, Stout face, square, oval. Bushy eyebrows, thin, scanty ones. Eyes that seek, speak, eyes that are lifeless. Long straight nose,blunt small ones. Scowling face, smiling and frowning ones or plain blank ones. Tall ones, short ones. differently abled folks. Short hair, curly and straight ones.

Such a variety of faces, and definitely distinct behavior and voices! Strange, how not one of them resemble another. All are so very different! Yet we are, so oblivious of that fact, and move around like machines, trying to avoid eachother with a straight face! Nowadays, I dont get irritated, it leaves me in awe, at how amazing we have all been created!

I am fearfully and wonderfully made!

Getting along!

Have you wondered why we get along SO well with few people? Though they are a world different in their character and ideas from us, there are few with whom, we feel easily comfortable. I've got friends, who compliment my character. Their simple hi would pep me up, when I am down. Or when I am so hyper, up in the sky, they bring me down instantly, and ensure I don’t break my bones.

We need not explain much to them. They just understand. They know what to say when. They could be your roommates, teammates, your manager, your siblings, your parent , spouse or other family member or a schoolmate, collegemate, a colleague or just a friend in chat!

But many a times, we don’t get such person around. Mostly. People turn us off. Irritate,discourage you, push and hurt you so badly. Always misunderstand, and disagree! We either avoid such person, or bite our teeth and play along for the sake of it. But the challenge I guess, is in understanding that complex character, and getting along with that person.

Romans 12:18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
1 John 3:11 This is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another

99 years!

Last week, my bro and I standing on mom's tombstone, listened to the caretaker saying that road that led there, was on lease only for 99 years. Up propped the question on our heads, 'what after that?' He seemed to have read our thoughts. He said, 'You aren't going to be here, neither am I. None of us here! '

Isn't strange, that all that we have, all that we are, all that we work for,isn't going to be here '99 years'. My lyricist bro, started singing out a song. My bank balances, my house, my car, my education, all my dresses, my shoes, my family, my friends... huh ho.. Nothing is gonna be here for 99 years! I wont be here, neither will you.

I Corin 7:29-31
What I mean, brothers, is that the time is short.... From now on those who mourn, should live as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep; those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away

Why not?

'Why' me? 'Why' now? 'Why' cant they understand? ' Why' should I? 'Why' cant I? WHY is something that blows our mind quite often.

I heard somewhere, that whenever you feel the urge to ask Why, ask yourself Why-not?

Why-not is way too difficult. To ask ' Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated? ICorin 6:7 as in the Bible, is to fight your own self head on.

Be it money as small as 5 Bucks or 5 lakhs, or be it in any relationship - a friend, a spouse, a parent, the feeling of being wronged, cheated, used up, taken for granted, just lets the steam rise, anger overflows, hatred boils up, mouth goes foul and bitterness spreads.

The only answer to this, is to be wrapped up in Christ's love. The way he let himself get beaten up, wronged and hung on the cross. I'll go take a dip.

Dew aint enough..

Mom loved the bright colorful flowers, and our garden always used to burst with red, yellow, blue, orange flowers. She loved each plant, that she used to even talk to them. Bunch of yellow flowers in our garden caught my attention last Sunday. It brought a smile to my face, and a big frown as I then noticed a wilting plant next to it. I turned around to see, the entire garden lifeless, and wilting. ( Guess the yellow was just to get my attention)

Wasn't the past entire month cold in Chennai? There was dew on the plants every morning, and I had thought it would be sufficient, which apparantly wasn't.

I realise, what I read hurriedly from the Bible, a quick prayer everymorning aint enough either, just like the dew which dint reach the roots.

I am gonna ensure the garden gets watered everyday.

IF...

Watched 10,000 BC on TV today. Weird they put it on Christmas day. But found something similar. A prophesy being fulfilled in the hero of the story, who saves many tribes.

Now, back to the hero of Christmas, what IF we did not have Christ? No hope of eternal life, no joy, no love, no saviour. God would have been a distant mighty force or energy, angry and so very remote.

But with the birth of Jesus, things changed. For he has given us the authority to call GOD, the Almighty God 'the FATHER', to understand His fatherly love for us. In Jesus, we have the priviledge to relate to Him, in our pain, sorrow, loneliness, failure and betrayal. Through his Spirit, he just dwells with us!

What a wonderful gift! The FREE gift, which gives us the freedom to live abundantly! Yipppee!

The woman of my life

I wrote this in 2006, for the Women's day Contest in my prior office. It won a Rs 200, gift voucher and 2 tickets to any movie, I wanted to. (I never redeemed it. :( )

She is my love
We share same flesh and blood
She is my strength
My power unleashed
I am proud she is mine

She can feel my pain
My joy, anger and strength
She can speak my thoughts
My secrets, likes and dislikes
I am proud she is mine

She understands my feelings
My frustration, excitement
She knows my dreams
My wants and passion
I am proud she is mine

Beautiful is her hair
I shall always admire
Sweet is her smile
I'll try to imitate
Yup! she’s my mom

I’ve seen her work tirelessly
From sunrise to sunset
Without resentment or bitterness

I’ve seen her fight back her tears
Shoulder responsibility
Care for neighbors

I’ve seen her inner strength
To fight terminal disease
To undergo pain and hardship

I’ve seen her love unconditionally
To love others more than herself
To sacrifice and to forgive

I’ve seen her give relentlessly
Hope, joy and strength
Freedom and love.

Now, I see that she has built in me
A good handwriting,
A good character!

I am proud I am hers!

Mom loved every word of it, and pestered Dad so much, to get it framed! She took pride in showing it off to every single person, who visited home, to such an extent, that I felt awkward the moment she turned her attention to the framed pic. But now am glad, really glad, that I wrote what I felt then.

Thank you!

I know, we are well past the Thanksgiving, so I was as intrigued as you, when a friend of mine posed this question after work today. 'When do you say thanks?' . We replied, that it was when we are happy, or when we have got something/some favor.

He then asked us, when did Jesus say thanks. When did Jesus say thanks? Did he say it? Yes, he did. He thanked for every food, for 5 loaves- 2 fishes, he thanked when Lazurus was in the tomb.

Strange isn't it? He has thanked BEFORE the big events. Not after. We do after. What made him say thanks well before? He knew for sure, what was going to happen.

How much faith do we have on what's gonna happen in 2010? Do we have the same assurance and faith to say thanks well beforehand?


1Thess 5:18give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
Phil 4:6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God