The Way Forward
17/03/2013 16:46
Words that bless; Joy that refreshes
The first Chapter of this year’s “Exciting Foot Adventure” was successfully concluded when I went for my 6 week check up recently. I was asked to first have an X-ray taken of my foot. So on a wet gray summer afternoon last week, I hobbled forth as instructed by my surgeon, to the Radiology department attached to the Memorial Hospital in Adelaide. A competent receptionist took down my details. I was half an hour early for my 1.30 p.m. appointment but was called in at once. The X-rays were taken by 1.15 p.m. – fifteen whole minutes before my appointment time. Talk of efficiency!
"Do not be wise in your own eyes." I like to think I know it all. Don't you?
Sometimes, I lean on my own wisdom and I find it isn't enough. It's then that I realise how much I need His wisdom to help me maneuver myself through life’s intricate maze. If I try to walk through a closed door I will bang my head on it and might even fall down. Perhaps I should heed God’s whispers instead. His whispers might come through circumstances, through His word or through His soft voice within my heart. I should take a few steps back, lean on God, waiting expectantly and prayerfully for the right door to open at the right time.
That is of course if I haven’t bored you already.
In January 1999, my own little family migrated to Australia, leaving our then war torn country for a more secure future. The past 14 years have sped by on eagle’s wings and we haven’t looked back. When we arrived in this special Land Down Under, our son Asela was only 8 years old – an excited exuberant little boy with most of his boyhood ahead of him. Now, he’s 22 years old – a tall quiet, handsome, young man sporting a beard and studying for a degree in Computer science. Where has the time gone?
As Christians, we have a dual responsibility. To live with integrity and courage in this fallen world; but not to be tainted by its erroneous philosophies. To bear the name of Christian; but to act for the good of all mankind. To follow our Risen Saviour; but to live in a culture that has forgotten their Saviour.
I’ve just spent two days experiencing much kindness at the hands of complete strangers. Two days in hospital – being totally dependent on others for all of my needs; not even able to get to the toilet on my own or to pick up a wandering hairbrush when it fell off my hospital bed. The doctors and nurses were very good to me. Yes, I had to stop my active life for awhile and stay flat on my back. Yes, I experienced much pain and discomfort. But I was operated on by a skilful surgeon, enjoyed a comfortable stay in a good hospital; had healthy, delicious meals served me regularly. Most important of all, was the expert care I received from trained nurses. They came very willingly to help me whenever I summoned them by the ringing of a bell. My time in hospital would not have been the same if not for the kind Abbies and Kristens, Cynthias and Annettes who were around to help me with a ready smile; with hands and feet that tapped to the beat of a special drum – that of helping those who were sick and helpless. And so two very difficult days in the life and times of Anusha Chandrika Atukorala were turned into days filled with much blessing.
Have you discovered how much power there is in kindness?
Have you discovered how much power there is in community?
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