When Love Overwrites your Pain
One Saturday afternoon, my husband and I were having our lunch in our dining area, when I caught a glimpse of pink, flashing past our garden hedges and moving towards our front door. It was my dear friend Manjila, carrying a large beautifully wrapped gift in her arms. She smiled as I opened the door, and deposited her present into my own.
"Why, thank you!" I exclaimed, my eyes widening in astonishment! In fact, I was so surprised by the her gift that I forgot to invite her in. After she waved goodbye, I went inside to open it. A number of beauties caught my attention ... Christmas had arrived six months early. Thank you Manjila! How can I thank you enough? There was a gold notebook and two pretty pink pens! Stationary is on top of my list of favourite things ... how did she know? In addition, there was a cute little soft toy (ah!) and a pretty porcelain plant holder (wow!) I shook my head in amazement!
Manjila had said to me that she'd told her husband:
'This is so Anusha, isn't it?" and her husband had agreed. I wondered at the time what she'd meant.
On the plant holder were these words:
"When it rains, look for rainbows.
When it's dark, look for stars."
How encouraging that she thought they sounded like me! Especially now!
As I wrote in my last blog, harsh words had been spoken over me by those I went to for healing prayer. The lady there had told me I wasn't grateful enough, scolding me for not being more thankful for my home! How little she knew me! Not a day has passed in the 4 plus years since we moved here, that I haven't thanked God multiple times in 24 hours for our home. Every morning I thank God for it when I wake up. Each time my car speeds down our street, I thank God for bringing us here and for our home and neighbourhood. Every time I sit in my den, I thank God for a God space where I can dream and pray and write and worship in. Each day I sit out in our backyard I do the same.
Yes, it is true! I do look for rainbows on a rainy day and for stars on a dark night, both literally and metaphorically speaking! I was thrilled that Manjila knew me well, unlike those who had judged me. So the words on the jar coupled by Manjila's love, overwrote the harsh ones uttered over me. How interesting too that my difficult encounter had been exactly a month ago - so the timing of her gift was perfect. She'd listened to God and God sent me the comfort I needed through her!
Recently, a friend asked me if I was still feeling the negative effects of the prayer ministry. I thought for a moment, then realised with joy that no, I was fine. Really and truly fine! I had struggled for a few weeks, but not anymore. Not since Manjila surprised me with her loving act and endearing words. A few days ago, as I sought God - He exposed a lie I'd believed in for many years. I knew then with clarity, that circumstances and people do not have the ultimate power over my life. Jesus is over all. I've always known it of course, but this was a God-revelation ... like finding a colour-splashed rainbow on a dreary evening or a lost gold wedding band in my pocket by accident!
If I could always see life through God's lenses, I'd find that what I consider as tough challenges are really minute moments in the story of God. I'd not allow other people and difficult circumstances to steal my joy. I'd be able to sing through every season, knowing how powerful and mighty He is and that He has my best interests at heart. Always.
How glad I am that nothing happens to me without His knowledge! How blessed I am that as I yield to Him and trust Him, He promises to use every circumstance and every person in my life to bring about His kingdom on earth as it is in heaven. How wonderful that a friend's love can overwrite pain and that our God of compassion pens all our stories with His faithful Hand of beauty, grace and truth!
Dear Reader, whatever tough situation you are facing right now, may God overwrite your sadness with His loving kindness. And perhaps He'll send you a friend (as He did me) to paint hope-filled vistas over your story and help transform the canvas of your life into a stunning masterpiece.
"My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you." John 15:12
"Carry each others burdens and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ." Galatians 6:2