GOD, YOU ARE STILL GOOD

If your life story was ever written as a book, what would the theme be? I read these themes in an article — “Family faces financial crisis,” “Doctors declare incurable disease,” “Anxiety and fear become crippling,” whatever it is you’re going through — it’s not over.  Be encouraged today that, whatever you may be facing today is temporary! God is waiting to be good to you!

If my life story was to be given a theme, it would be, "Goodness of God"! I can boldly testify saying that my life has been full of Goodness of God in every season. I may be in the fire or furnace, mountain or a valley, I could see His Goodness in every way. Even if the answer is not what I want, God is still good!

When we are faced with a problem, there are three questions we can ask ourselves:

Do you see? 
Can you see the goodness of God in your life, despite the bad? Take a moment to find evidence of His goodness.

Do you hear? 
If you can’t see the goodness of God, can you hear what He’s saying to you about your situation?

Do you remember? 
If you can’t see God’s goodness, and you can’t hear what He’s saying, you can always remember what He has done for you in the past. Take a moment and reflect on all that God has done for you in the past months or years. Celebrate His goodness! You will realize that God's goodness runs after you in every season!

The song, Goodness of God" hit me so hard. It rings so true in my heart. While listening, I was holding my baby in my arms. I was thrown in an sea of memories, it has been always been amazing how God remained soooo faithful to me all my life. But this fact have never been so clearer, after a swelled heart, tears started running down my cheeks, I held my little one tight, kissed him and remembered that: he is the biggest GOODNESS OF GOD IN MY LIFE. I declare this song upon his dear life. That just as the goodness of God has been upon his mama, that the same goodness be upon him.

If at all one song that speaks my life, it is this one. The lyrics are so beautifully written:

Verse 1

I love You Lord

Oh Your mercy never fails me

All my days

I’ve been held in Your hands

From the moment that I wake up

Until I lay my head

I will sing of the goodness of God

Chorus

All my life You have been faithful

All my life You have been so, so good

With every breath that I am able

I will sing of the goodness of God

Verse 2

I love Your voice

You have led me through the fire

In darkest nights

You are close like no other

I’ve known You as a father

I’ve known You as a friend

I have lived in the goodness of God

Bridge

Your goodness is running after, it’s running after me

Your goodness is running after, it’s running after me

With my life laid down, I’m surrendered now, I give You everything

Your goodness is running after, it’s running after me

My anthem this year. What a priceless reminder that God has been there every moment and I have always and will always live in His goodness!  Hope this song blesses you as it has blessed me!

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THE BUMPY JOURNEY

My month by month bumpy shots :)

Well, it ’s taken me few days, on and off to compile all my bump shots, and considering I have a little gentleman who loves to snuggle, I’d say I’m finally here to post my story. It’s crazy looking back at my belly month by month and realizing that was our little Jaden growing in there. It boggles my mind how life can grow inside a belly so small. The Creator is excellent at His creation!

I’m so glad I have this to look back at one day and show Jaden these (if he’s interested). Of course, he will have to listen to his mom's 11-hour labor story for the rest of his life :)

Like few mothers, I was dreading about the labor pain that I had heard about. I always used to think what if I die during the labor? Who will look after the baby and all kinds of questions kept popping in my mind? Until one night I dreamt like someone was telling me, "Don't panic. I'm with you. There's no need to fear for I'm your God. I'll give you strength. I'll help you. I'll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you.". When I woke up, I googled and found out that it's from Isaiah 41:10. And that week, dad also spoke about this verse in a random sermon. Later, I saw this verse on someone's facebook wall. It was like a confirmation that God was saying, I am with you. So I decided that I will embrace every uncomfortable position, every heartburn, every contraction, every hip pain, back pain, all the tossing and turnings, sleepless nights and all that comes with being pregnant. As it is worth it!

As I type, I am reminded of all women who would give the world to be in my place. Who perhaps couldn't get to full term, who maybe haven't been able to get pregnant, who are aching at every pregnancy photo they see. THIS IS FOR YOU:

“SOMETIMES WHEN YOU ARE IN A DARK PLACE, YOU THINK YOU HAVE BEEN BURIED, BUT ACTUALLY YOU HAVE BEEN PLANTED.”

Although I had a very hard journey of conceiving and super painful labor, God was with me throughout this journey. God wanted me to go through this to encourage someone going through a similar bumpy journey as mine. Like I always say, His promise still stands!

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THANK YOU FOR PRAYING FOR ME

I know it been a while since I posted anything. I have been so so so in awe of what God has been doing in my life. My heart is so full. My eyes are swelled with happy tears. I have no words to express how good God has been to me.

I have had many posts about God being silent, my failing health condition and when prayers are unanswered. But this post is going to be about God who actually answers prayers. Yes, I have never experienced God so real in my life. He actually hears every single prayer and He answers in His time and according to His will.

As some of you know that we have been praying for months together for my ill health. I had been to the hospital several times with bad reports but this time, the doctor said I'm perfectly fine! God miraculously answered my prayers. When God does it, He does so perfectly. To Him be all glory!

After I shared it with few of my family members and friends, they told me how much they prayed for my health condition.

Here is the list I made about a few people who told me they prayed for me:

- My dad and mom - Dad's every day constant prayer
- Solo - He kept congratulating me that my health was fine even before I got the health report
- Glory - She told me I will get a breakthrough before she gets married (it actually happened)
- My fil & mil - My fil was constantly praying for me and my mil too went for a retreat and prayed.
- Serah - She told me that she had a dream that my breakthrough will happen on 25th December
- Sushma Akka - She was more confident than I was that my prayers will be answered.
- Persis & Vittal - They called and prayed over the phone for me on the last day of fasting.
- Freeda & Charles - They told me they were praying for me in their family prayer
- Hannah - Was constantly praying for my health condition
- Bency - Was constantly praying for my health condition
- Ravi uncle & aunty - They said there were fervently praying for my health
- Sangee & aunty - They said there were fervently praying for me
- Rosy aunty - She said she was praying for my health
- Sukanya aunty - She said she was praying for my health
- Pinky Akka - She said she was praying for my health
- Dodamma (Mom's sister) - She said she was praying for my health
- Jeeva aunty - She said she was praying for my health
- Abi - He said he was praying for my health
-Many unnamed friends...
- And so many of my friends who said, "Grace, I really wish you get well." or "I have been praying for you"

I am so thankful that so many people prayed for me. Dedicating this wonderful song called "Somebody's Praying For Me"  by Don Moen!

I was lost in a desert land 

So dry and thirsty 

But God was there where He’d always been 

Giving grace and mercy

So hard to sing and hard to pray 

Yet I knew His Word was true 

And then one day my faith returned 

And suddenly I knew

Somebody’s praying for me 

Somebody’s knocking on Heaven’s door 

Somebody’s praying for me 

Somebody’s lifting me up to the Lord 

I knew it had to be 

Somebody down on their knees 

Somebody praying for me

I’ve been spared by so many prayers 

How many times I could not say 

What a difference a prayer can make 

When it’s offered up in faith

God has always made a way 

When I didn’t know what to do 

Just when I needed a miracle 

That’s when your prayers broke through

Somebody’s praying for me 

Somebody’s knocking on Heaven’s door 

Somebody’s praying for me 

Somebody’s lifting me up to the Lord 

Well I knew it had to be 

Somebody down on their knees 

Somebody praying for me

Now I know that friend was you 

You were the gift God gave me 

’Cuz when you prayed His love broke through 

It was your prayer that saved me

Thank you for praying for me 

Thank you for knocking on Heaven’s door 

Thank you for praying for me 

Thank you for lifting me up to the Lord 

Now I can clearly see 

That you were the one on your knees 

So thank you for praying for me

Somebody’s praying for me 

Somebody’s knocking on Heaven’s door 

Somebody’s praying for me 

Somebody’s lifting me up to the Lord 

Well I knew it had to be 

Somebody down on their knees 

Somebody praying for me

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HIS PROMISE STILL STANDS

“Not one of all the Lord’s good promises to Israel failed;
everyone was fulfilled”
-Joshua 21:45

Whattttttt? Reaaallllly? When I read this verse, something within me just lifted my spirit. Can you believe that every promise God made to Israel was fulfilled? I am so happy that there is a promise like this promise!

Every time I listen to the song- “Do it again” by Elevation Worship, one line in the song goes on to say, “Your promise still stands, great is your faithfulness…” I question myself, “Do you believe that God is faithful to bring about those promises in your life? Do you believe the promise still stands?”

And that’s when I realized, part of me had stopped believing and trusting in God’s faithfulness and promises in my life. The promises God had spoken over my life seemed impossible to me so I had conveniently tucked them away.

The past one month has been a journey where God has been pushing me to rejoice in His promise- to rejoice like one who finds a great treasure, to get excited for what he is going to do because he is a faithful God. I actually have been at rest after a very long time.

Like the psalmist says, “I rejoice in your promise like one who finds great treasure”- Psalms 119:162, I want to rejoice in the promises of God.

God has probably spoken something into your life and it may seem impossible when you look at it today. But remember, God is faithful and He is a God of the impossible.

Leaving behind this verse for you: “For no matter how many promises God has made, they are ‘Yes’ in Christ.” (2 Corinthians1:20)

God’s promise still stands! Do you believe it?

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GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS

If there is anyone who still follows my blog and actually reads my posts, please don't get bugged! I’m actually posting here for the first time in over a month. Okay, I plan to bit more customary in my obligations to blog. 

Well, last week I got surprise from my better half with air tickets to celebrate my birthday in Goa. We had a lovely time on the private beach resort that he had booked (pictures on my Instagram). As I was pondering and relaxing, I asked God for a word for my birthday. When I returned back home mom handed over to me a birthday card from my church which had a scripture verse from Lamentations 3:22-24 which reads:

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for Him.”

I kept thinking how God has been faithful all these years. Later that day we had a small get together at home where we sang the hymn, “Great is Thy faithfulness”. The lyrics meant so much to me. Especially the line where it says, “All I have needed Thy hand hath provided, Great is Thy Faithfulness, Lord unto me!” This is so true in my life; God has provided me everything I need and more than that. I’m truly blessed beyond words. 

After we had sang that song, Dad presented 3 point sermon on “FAITHFULNESS”. Faithfulness is full of faith. When Jeremiah wrote the book of Lamentation in the midst of sorrow he writes about the faithfulness of God.

3 THINGS TO BE FAITHFUL FROM LUKE 16:10-12

1. FAITHFUL IN LITTLE THINGS

Verse 10 says, “If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities.”

Example: Little things like food should not be wasted because it is God who provides it.

2. FAITHFUL IN WORLDLY THINGS

Verse 11 says, And if you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven?

Example: Worldly thing like money should not be wasted because it is God who provides it.

3. FAITHFUL IN OTHERS THINGS

Verse 12 says, And if you are not faithful with other people’s things, why should you be trusted with things of your own?

Example: Others things which we borrow should always be returned as soon as possible. Even payment to a maid/laborer should be settled before dawn.

My prayer is that as you read this blog, and you listen to the wonderful version of “Great is Thy Faithfulness” by Jordan Smith, you will be reminded, as I have been, of the faithfulness of God to you and your family through the years. Of how He has never let you down, and no matter how dark the circumstances you face, He will never leave you nor forsake you. Indeed, Great is His Faithfulness!

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THE HAND OF GOD

It's been a really busy start to the first quarter of this year. I feel so guilty that I haven't been able to blog as much as I should. A lot has been going on. God has been showing himself more evident than ever this year. How I wish I could tell you everything that He does everyday. All I can say is that He is real and He is alive. Over the past few weeks I have seen the hand of God so clearly in the 3 major things that happened.

1. Trip to Sweden

My manager called me and said, "Grace you will have to travel to Sweden for our Project". I was like thinking how is it that out of all the experienced people in my team, I had been chosen. I can boldly say It was purely the favor of God. He took me places I haven't dreamt off. His hand lead me. To add to it, God surprised me with snowfall. It was the most beautiful thing I have ever seen in my life.

2. Healing my brother

It was a shocking to hear that my cousin was suffering from a brain hemorrhage two weeks ago. It was in a life or death experience in the ICU. While the Doctors gave up hope, God had not given up hope. With His great love and mercy he restored back life to my brother. I believe the hand of God touched Him. Although it was critical, I knew God was in control. He is sovereign. He indeed is a healer.

3. Favor at work

For more than 8 years I have been working, I have never ever been recognized or appreciated for any work I do. This year I have been working harder than ever, while everyone does 8 hours of work I have worked for more than 12 hours. Last weekend I worked straight for 18 hours and was super exhausted emotionally and physically. But God's hand upheld me. The next day I got an email from the Head of the Department appreciating my work. That was all I needed. It was like God saying well done my child.

An apt verse for this post, from Ecclesiastes 2:24 where King Solomon says, "So I decided there is nothing better than to enjoy food and drink and to find satisfaction in work. Then I realized that these pleasures are from the hand of God."

Indeed it's THE HAND OF GOD!

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FAITH + PATIENCE = PROMISE

Beginning of this year, I received a promise from God. I thought the promise would be fulfilled in January, but nothing happened. I waited for February, March, April….and so on…and now it’s almost September, there is no sign of the promise! I started wring down my frustrated feelings in my journal. I was being honest. "God, it’s been 8 long months of waiting, I am disappointed. Why aren’t my prayers being answered? I have been hoping, trusting and believing you for this promise and nothing seems to happen. Is something wrong with me? Please let me know. Is there anything in my life that is keeping me from receiving the promise? How long must I wait, God?" I have been battling with God to speak to me why His promises aren’t being fulfilled in my life.

I am so guilty of being impatient. I have probably asked the question, “How long must I wait,” so much that God wants to personally come down and tell me to hush child. I’m like the kid on a road trip that ask over and over, “how much longer” or “are we there yet!” Yes, I was that kid and I still am.

But, have you ever experienced such with waiting on God’s timing. Have you ever asked or wondered, God, how long must I wait?
How long must I wait until I get the job?
How long must I wait until I get married?
How long must I wait until my health takes a turn for the better?
How long must I wait until this storm passes?
How long must I wait for this miracle?

One verse that I was often being reminded was from Hebrews 6:12 that reads “…through faith and patience we inherit the promises.” Yesterday, I heard 2 sermons and the preacher quoted the exact same verse in both the sermons. I began to meditate on it. It came to me afresh. I knew that God was trying to speak to me through this verse. God wanted to teach me faith and patience. I so need faith and patience to wait for God’s timing.

4 KEY THINGS TO PONDER

FAITH
Faith is all about believing, you don’t know how it will happen, but you know it will. Faith, it seems, does not operate only in the realm of the immediate, the here and now. In fact, the faith that the Bible often highlights and celebrates is the faith that has to wait – yet keep believing.

PATIENCE
Patience is not the ability to wait, but the ability to keep a good attitude while waiting. Patience grows when we patiently wait. Hebrews 6:15 – “after he patiently endured, he obtained the promise.” Key words here – patiently endured. The promise didn’t come immediately, it took time.

NOT GIVE UP
If we give up, we break the promise. Galatians 6:9 –Your prayer request will manifest at the right time, “if” you will be patient AND not give up while you continue going about the Lords business. While you are taking care of His business, behind the scenes He’s taking care of your business.

TIMING
 Lastly, Habakkuk 2:3 also encourages us to wait for God’s timing: “For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.”

I believe the promise will surely come to pass in His time when we trust Him with faith and patience. For He who has promised is faithful even till the end!!!

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HOPE, AGAINST ALL HOPE

If we all got vulnerable, we would all admit that there are times in our lives that hopelessness begins to set in. Maybe for some of us it is more than we would like to admit and for others it may be just once in a while. No matter how often one experiences that hopelessness it is a very real thing.

I have been there. I have been in many hopeless situations. I knew humanly it was impossible for me to get that. There can even be a lot of good things going on at the same time. It is like the sun is up but the dark black clouds are moving in. We all know how difficult it is to keep our focus on the sun when the clouds are moving in. And once the clouds are there the sun can’t be seen though it is still there. So, what does one do when in one of these moments?

I have been meditating on Romans 4:18 which says, “Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations.” Abraham must have had at least one of these moments. God had promised Abraham so much: God would bless Abraham and Abraham would be a blessing to the nations; Abraham’s offspring would outnumber the stars in the sky. But Abraham was as good as dead he was so old and so was Sarah his wife.

This was impossible. But the Bible tells us Abraham against all hope still hoped and believed. In verses 20 and 21 it says this: “Yet he (Abraham) did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.” So here are a few things we can do when facing a moment of hopelessness:

3 HOPES, AGAINST ALL HOPE

Remember the promises

Recognize the lies and speak the truth. Remember the promises of God over your life and claim these promises. Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful.

Keep the Faith

Move Forward – take steps of faith that move you forward toward the promises. Faith is mostly tested in the most impossible moments of life. Humanly it may be impossible, but with God all things are possible.

Worship God

Know who God is and His power to do what He says He will do and worship Him and give Him thanks. Give Him the glory in the mountains or the valleys. Who am I that He is mindful of me? That He cares for me.

One more thing that might bring a little encouragement. We don’t have to be perfect at this. Abraham messed up royally and even acted out of unbelief when he took Hagar and had Ishmael. He even lived with that unbelief for quite some time but finally repented and sent Hagar and Ismael (unbelief) away. The key is when the revelation comes that we are living out of unbelief we repent and move back to faith and belief.

A lil prayer:

Dear God. Thank You that nothing is too hard for You. Forgive me when I have wasted time and energy worrying about problems I could not solve; and when I have refused to do what You have commanded because I could not see how it might be done. Please help me to believe what You say and to keep trusting You even when all hope is gone. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

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GOD HEARS! GOD ANSWERS!

 

"I STILL REMEMBER THE DAYS I PRAYED FOR THE THINGS I HAVE NOW".

I read this quote somewhere and couldn’t help but ponder on how true this has been in my own life. When I see how far I have reached, I reflect on those heart felt prayers where I'd ask God for some specific things in life. God is a prayer answering God. HE HEARS. HE ANSWERS. He is alive! There have been season of silence from God where I have thought to myself if God has even heard my prayers. But now I’m 100% sure that he hears every one of them. He even knows that small desire in my heart.

I remember praying for my prince charming for a very long time. I know the number of times I cried out to God that I want someone who will love me. And when I see how loving my husband is, I feel so in awe of how good God is to me.

I also remember praying for a job in a good company. As I joined Ericsson, last week I see how God has been so faithful to me in providing me a great job in this awesome company. He is a provider. He longs to surprise His children with blessings!

Even the smallest desire of my heart has been heard by God. Few months ago, I wanted to buy an iPhone for my dad. But it was just beyond my budget. When I nearly forgot about it, God didn't. Last month someone gifted my dad an iPhone 6 plus! Wow! Can you imagine that!  I could never think of buying such an expensive phone for my dad but I did have the desire. God fulfilled my desire! He is just so awesome!

AND NOW I STILL REMEMBER THE PRAYERS I PRAYED FOR THE THINGS I HAVE NOW...

HE STILL HEARS...HE STILL ANSWERS!

What have you been praying for?

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