Writing!

I love to write! But I will not conclude that my writings are cool. But there is a joy that comes to my heart when I am able to express certain things clearly through the medium of writing.

All of us are gifted in some way or the other. Some in the field of music, some in the arena of art, whereas some in the area of befriending people! Isn't that wonderful? I am always amazed to see the creativity that flows in the lives of people. There are some who are highly gifted- the extreme!! I am excited to see and know how people pursue the gifts they possess!

What are your gifts?? And how do you express yourself through those gifts?? I'd love to hear from you!

Getting Ready

Time to bring out the decorations....

What my Cancelled Tickets Taught me...

After much deliberation and thinking, my sister and I had made plans to visit a new city as a part of our vacation. We managed to get the tickets as the trip was scheduled during the festive season. My sister made the itinerary of the different holiday spots we were to visit, places of historical importance and places to shop. Days were already blocked in our calendars and leaves from our respective workplaces were sanctioned. 

But what we did not see coming was all that we had planned was about to disintegrate....totally!! We had to cancel our trip as the situation in the city of our holidaying was a bit tense. One by one, we had to undo what we had planned and it began with cancelling of our tickets!

Few lessons that I learned:

1. Things don’t go as planned. No matter how water-tight my plans may be, I am not in control.
2.  It exposed my weakness on a whole new dimension. I am a creature and I am dependent on my Creator for all things. God is powerful, since what He plans always comes to pass. “I know that You can do all things and that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.” Job 42:2
3. When things don’t go as planned, I should be content and not dwell upon ‘What ifs’. “I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. “ Philippians 4:11b
4. Trust God, especially in these situations. I should recall in these times that He is worthy of my trust. God is good and that every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. (James 1:17)  
5. Enjoy!!! Yes, I am learning to make the most of my time enjoying and doing what I did not plan!

Of Transitions and Change

" Any change, even a change for the better, is always accompanied by drawbacks and discomforts." said the novelist, Arnold Bennett. I couldn’t agree more! There is something about ‘Change’ that makes me weary. I can see adjustments, lots of adjustments and so much to give up in the process of reaching that ‘Change’. 

Where am I going with this? I have just emerged from a lot of change in my work life.  Change in my office campus and new work timings–it all felt too hard to bear.  Initially, I felt strange to the new campus despite the buzz of being in a new office setup. And to top it all, the change in the work timings, which I must confess was a blessing in disguise. 

And, now that I have quite settled in the ‘Change’, I kinda like it. It was a bit tedious getting adjusted to a new place but now that this has been scaled, I am grateful to God for the change. Maybe, on second thoughts, change is not that bad as I imagined, because it was an adventure and deep down, I enjoyed it!! 

Like someone rightly said, "If nothing ever changed, there'd be no butterflies."        

Happy Monday!

Here's to a good start!! :)

Thank You, Marvel Comics!

I watched ‘Captain America’ last week. I must confess, I was a bit reluctant whether I would actually sit through the entire film, but sit I did! I enjoyed it immensely. All throughout the movie, I kept thinking, “How does this guy end up in the 21^st century and become a part of “The Avengers” as this film was set in the 1940’s?? 

Well, for those who haven’t watched this movie, I won’t be a spoil sport. Now, that the last installment of Marvel Studios is complete, I am eagerly waiting for the release of “The Avengers”.  It’s an upcoming superhero film produced by ‘Marvel Studios’ and based on Marvel Comics of the same name!

The team includes, Iron Man, Hulk, Thor, and Captain America to name a few. So, I have much to thank Marvel Comics for this treat, for creating such characters to maintain peace and avenge the earth!

Restless Pursuit

We are in a constant state of pursuit. We are never at ease, always in constant search of that one thing that will truly satisfy or that perfect relationship that will bring true happiness. In reality, it is like grasping for the wind that is nothing more than an illusion.

Why is this so?? The moment I get that job, I find myself complaining or grumbling stating that, ‘If only I had that…would have I been completely satisfied??” Am I missing something? Why is it that I am never satisfied? Or is it because I am seeking satisfaction in the wrong place or in the wrong thing/person/situations??

This search of understanding leads me to ask the basic question, “Why was I created and what is my ultimate goal in life? For that I need to look to the One who created me, the Creator who alone knows the reason for my existence!!

I love the definition given by Westminster Shorter Catechism.

Question: What is the chief end of man? 

 Answer: Man's chief end is to glorify God, and enjoy Him for forever.

Wow!! The reason for my constant state of restlessness and discontentment is that I seek my purpose and satisfaction in creation and not in my Creator. No wonder, I am so discontent. But, no matter how much I disagree or deflect from this truth, it is God alone who will satisfy me.

That’s why He sent His Son, Jesus Christ to show us the way and how to live that life, finding joy in God. “I have come that they may have life and have it abundantly. (John 10:10 b).  It is abundant life that Jesus is talking about. He also says, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”(John 14:6)

To be continued…..

My Favorite Scene

Everyone has a favorite scene from a particular movie they would love to watch over and over again. My favorite scene would be from the beginning of the movie, ‘Iron Man’. I love the way the movie begins; the desert scene, the music, the Hummers riding in a line throwing dust along the way. What could be more adrenaline pumping than this?? 

But the reason why this scene is such a favorite of mine is because of the character played by Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark. Here he is, sitting in a hummer, enjoying his drink and being admired by the military soldiers, throwing wise cracks and the next minute, attacked by an Afghan terrorist group. 

This scene is so pivotal to the entire movie because, what we know as Iron Man emerged only after he was captured by these militants and kept prisoner for 3 months. Talk about a life-changing experience!!

What’s your favorite scene from a movie that you would love to recapture??

Humor...The Best Medicine!

Caught a Bug

All in Good Time!-2

Continuing with the thought I mentioned in my previous post about God making all things beautiful in His time, I felt the need to expand more.

 I have realised waiting is such a part of our lives.But how do we wait? Expectantly or reluctantly?? Unfortunately, we live in a world of instant gratification where everything, practically everything is available to us with the press of a button. Please hear me out! I am not against technology or the blessings it has brought to humankind, but I can’t fail to notice the downfall of it either.

Where is the sense of waiting expectantly for a letter or the joy of cooking that involves time and labor? I guess, in this world of mad rush and the constant noise we have engulfed ourselves in, it is good to wait joyfully! And in that joyous wait to actually see how God makes all things beautiful in His time.

Yes, this is what I want to talk about; to be able to observe in that wait how He makes all things beautiful. Dear friends, we live in a world that appears mundane in appearance. We follow the same routine every day and yet in the midst of this, by God’s grace we can be enlightened to see the beauty of how our Creator orchestras all events to accomplish His perfect will.  “I know that You can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.” Says the book of Job (Bible)

Waiting

 “Men trust God by risking rejection. Women trust God by waiting.”
― Carolyn McCulley

All in Good Time!

I just need to look at the world around me and I am moved to write :). I always marvel how God allows or brings certain people to cross paths at a particular time in history. And it’s not just about the timing, it’s also about the circumstances in which they meet and what has traversed in their lives before they meet.

I firmly believe that indulging in ‘what if’s’ is a man’s foolish attempt to escape reality!! It is but a gift of faith to believe that God is in control of all things, including time and space and that He alone knows the end from the beginning. We as earthly creatures who live within the bounds of time and space are not in a position to fathom this truth in its entirety. Some things are better accepted than dissected. This will only preserve our sanity!  

So, coming back to what I was saying at the beginning of this post is this:" For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven" says the bible. Let’s be patient and wait expectantly for whatever God has called upon us to wait, for "He has made everything beautiful in its time.” (Ecclesiastes 3:11a-Bible)