December Grace

At first, I don’t intend to go over it again and again. That year too, it was beyond an intention or choices that led to it. Yet, I want to pay quick visit of December 14, as the day itself reminded me the grace and horde of things that had happened.

The day was three years ago now. It brings me great sigh of relief to even think about it. Few of my Facebook posts had revealed my prayers the night before, as you see in the picture, which makes me write this.

My head or better called it as my hairs had been shaved off completely, and I looked real clean as never before. Many people had undergone such procedure but it’s different when you are about to face it. I was there in the room waiting for a trolley that would send me to the OT.

A bit of anxious, but I want to wear a smile on my face, however I don’t remember if I did that. It’s crucial as I was happy when they first told me brain surgery could be helpful to me. The sickness was long overdue, which I silently bear it every day for almost a decade.

Although it was unadvisable, I had made some research about my illness in those bygone years. The success rate in different countries, what they are going to do in the head, I’ve even watch some of them. It is a way of knowing yet it cause fear at some level. Yet I don’t want to cause more trouble for my father who’s battling another sickness far in my home state.

There are periods in life where bulk of adversities are catapulted over us. In certain times it’s like pouring down upon us, with very few grace to grab upon, as seen by us.
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In times like this, I am privileged to lean more in the Sovereignty of God; that everything happens under his control. And not only that, he knew it and was by our side in his grace. At the same time, it was tempting to turn otherwise; questioning how could this be happening.

The hospital staffs were cleaning the life supporting machines, some of the latest blood test done; I am ready whenever they call me in. The prayer support from families, friends, and hordes of people becomes my lifeline.

My then eldest yet three-year-old son besides my hospital bed and his sister, a toddler at home, it’s hard to think about them. When my wife silently pulled and asked my state of mind, I had very less thing to say. But we confided in the Lord that all will be well.

Now, I waited eagerly to write this line: God works mysteriously, used all laid hands upon me, and the surgery was done in his grace!

It was such a good experience to feel the love of God and people around us in this lifetime.

Three Years Later:
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Three years has gone by and I’m here fine and healthy, being able to write about the experience, which shows the loving-kindness of God. In these three years, we’ve been to several prayer places, individually or with families.

In our church, we spent a day thanking God and praying for good health. We had also prayed to bless all my medicine intakes placing it before his altar, kneeling on our knees. It was a good experiences, I would say it again, as we could spend good times together as a family.

Here, it is worth mentioning the prayer of my children, even in their bedtime prayer, that I would be doing well without taking more medicine. We are looking forward to a better life than never before, in the abiding grace of God.

Except for some bouts of status epilepticus that occurred, I am doing well. More than that, what satisfies me is having the chance to share what God had done for me and trusting more on the Sovereignty of God.

If in any way, it encourages people I’m happy. Today, I too have a story to tell, a story about the goodness of God in adversities, among people which makes my living worthy.

The Redeemer:
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The other day, I have been directed to read Isaiah 54. Although I would like to go deeper another time soon, it encourages me a lot.

The Lord knows the pain of the barren woman, the abandoned, the deserted, rejected and miserable living. Yet his grace is upon the land. He hid his face but not for long. If the Lord will forever abandon us who will be able to withstand our adversities.

We will look back one day, despite our suffering, praising God for all his promises that will come true.

“For a brief moment I abandoned you, but with deep compassion I will bring you back.
In a surge of anger I hid my face from you for a moment, but with everlasting kindness I will have compassion on you,” says the LORD your Redeemer. (Isaiah 54:7-8)

Grace: Too Big to be Missed:
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When in our life we handle nothing by our might and deeds, it is the grace of God that handles our living. It is in this grace we are still living today; it is in this grace we have a hope of life even after death.

In the rules of the land, we are penalized according to our deeds. Yet for God, we have been saved by grace, living by his grace. Our living is a result of the grace of God. In the grace of God, he supply all our needs but not our ‘wants’. Today, if we look back our life I hope we’d find at least an instance, even if not many, where we felt the grace of God.

We do not know what tomorrow will bring us. Yet we make our plans; if it is not by his grace who would fulfilled our plans. We are sick the other day yet we recovered today. The scar on our body, we can simply wait until it is healed.

They cut our body yet they can’t re-grow it completely. We waited patiently, while taking care, to be back to normal. It is all by the grace of God.

Thank you, Oh Lord
For what you’ve done for us;
Me and my family, although unworthy
Oh Lord, be magnified!