Tuesday 7 July 2009

Standing Firm and Letting Go

Today a Valley of Elah like situation surfaced.
Firstly our electricity supply connected to the main power line
came loose and started giving us endless trouble.
I rushed to the power distribution center
and put in my complaint.
The people there were very good to me.
They usually don 't see lady customers
coming in with complaints
because this is supposed to be a man 's job in my country.
The line men came around 3pm and hooked
our supply cable.
I gave them a small
cash gift to show my gratitude.
Secondly , Jagarnath who is our church handy man and does
odd jobs for the church swooped down
on us demanding a salary raise,
threatening to leave.
We are paying him well,
apart from giving him free housing, water and electricity.
He is allowed to pick vegetables and fruit
from the garden for his daily use.
The Pastor 's wife and I frequently give him
food,medicines,clothes and household things.
So it was very unfair of him to try to
exact a pay hike in a bullying, blackmailing kind of way
laced with falsehood.
It almost seemed that Big Foot was about to crush the Lord 's army.
I told my mother to take heart and not despair
as the Lord is on our side
and He would reveal the truth to us.
"Our struggle is not against flesh and blood,but against the rulers,against the authorities,against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil
in the heavenly realms."
Ephesians 6;12
In a miraculous way the Lord led my mother to make
some enquires which gave us helpful information.
In the meanwhile
we kept holding on to the Lord 's assurances
"Therefore take up the full armour of God, that you may be able to
resist in the evil day,
and having done everything to
stand firm."
Ephesians 6;13
(or hang firm)
We made some unyielding decisions
with our Pastor
which led J to see his folly
and concentrate on the advantages he has in working
for us.
It was quite an exhausting exercise
but the sun broke through the clouds.
Jagarnath does not know the Lord
although he recognizes the power of Jesus.
We are praying that he may come to
fully accept the knowledge of the truth.
(this is our winter rose)
"Praise be to the name of God
for ever and ever,wisdom and power
are His...He gives wisdom to the wise
and knowledge to the discerning.
He reveals deep and hidden things"
Daniel 2;20-22 (NIV)

I am reading Charles Swindoll 's book
"The Grace Awakening"
in which I found this
poem which he has quoted.
***************
To Let Go Takes Love
To "let go" does not mean to stop caring; it means I can't do it for someone else.To "let go" is not to cut myself off; it is the realization that I can't control another.To "let go" is not to enable, but to allow learning from natural consequences.To "let go" is to admit powerlessness, which means the outcome is not in my hands.To "let go" is not to try to change or blame another; it is to make the most of myself.To "let go" is not to care for, but to care about.To "let go" is not to "fix", but to be supportive.To "let go" is not to judge, but to allow another to be a human being.To "let go" is not to be in the middle arranging all the outcomes, but to allow others to affect their own destinies.To "let go" is not to be protective; it is to permit another to face reality.To "let go" is not to deny, but to accept.To "let go" is not to nag, scold, or argue, but instead to search out my own shortcomings and to correct them.To "let go" is not to adjust everything to my desires, but to take each day as it comes, and to cherish myself in it.To "let go" is not to criticize and regulate anybody, but to try to become what I dream I can be.To "let go" is not to regret the past, but to grow and to live for the future.To "let go" is to fear less and to love more.

16 Fertilize my soul:

Paresh Palicha said...

'Let go' is just super.

Dick said...

So many subjects in this post.
The handyman's job seems not so bad to me.

Sherri Murphy said...

Loved your little photos for visual effects! It worked nicely.

The Let go words were beautiful.. Great man, isn't he?

madison said...

Hubby was telling me that just recently the decision was made to start building nuclear plants in his part. Will this have any impact on your part or does each part have to decide to do that?

Felisol said...

Dear Amrita,
One of your greatest posts ever. So beautifully illustrated, one can actually feel the elaborate work and deep thoughts behind the words.

How encouraging the that your handyman accepted and understood the situation. How wonderful of you to show Christian indulgence and keep him. Since he is not yet a Christian, it is even more important that he can see Christ through your lives.

I find the Let Go sequence inspiring.
The positive aspects of having to let go. "To let go is to fear less and love more."
God bless you richly.
From Felisol

Kate said...

I am so glad that your caretaker was able to see that he has been benefitting from working for your church I have occasionally been blind-sided in that way, and it is painful.

Olde Dame Penniwig said...

Well I'm an old meanie, I think the church ought to keep an eye out and get someone who will appreciate that job!!!

I enjoyed the mysterious aspects of your post! The fortuitous inquiries your mother made are most intriguing! I am glad she is taking an interest, and I hope that with the rains her appetite perked up!

Pat said...

My goodness, you should put all these post in book form...they are so amazing with all of your illustrations!
I'm glad your power was restored without too much aggrevation and that your church maintenance man "saw the light"!
Great verses to go with each story too!!!!

Mel Avila Alarilla said...

Wow, you got everything. This is a complete spiritual meal served lauriat(Chinese dinner course)style. The quotation from Swindoll was very timely and appropriate indeed. What started out as a near disaster in your church turn out to be an eye opener to your utility man. God moves in mysterious ways to save His children from the wiles of the enemy. Truly you are all Christ centered that's why you overcame the enemy's onslaught. Thanks for the inspiring post. God bless you always.

Terry said...

dear amrita...such a powerful god we have and what a tesimony is your pastor and you and your mama.
even though you are christians you must stand up for yourselves when somebody is treating you so bad and you know what, i just bet that
Jagarnath will see how different the kind christians are and that he will want what they have,
you never know amrita....love terry

Kathryn said...

Sending you hugs & much love. :)

May God's grace shine & in thru you & may you be overwhelmed by his blessings.

Thank you for sharing all of your life, the frustrations as well as the triumphs.

Tikno said...

I feel of your images above, one by one from top like revealing many words.

monsoon dreams said...

letting go is the most difficult thing,amrita,though the result is wonderful.

Sita said...

Hey Genius!
Great post and pics. Your story about Jagarnath sounds so much like what my parents's ministry in a small village church goes through. I love how you showed God can work through any kind of 'fog'...
take care..
Love, Sita

Amrita said...

Dear praying friends, please remember me before the lord as I have to carry out an administrative for my church which is quite burdensome ....Monday.

Tikno said...

Hi Amrita, May God bless you. Doesn't have to worry.