Courage in the midst of pain

Lunch is always delicious at school and more so as we chat over meals with my colleagues.

It was chilly and cold as I wrapped my overcoat around my neck and walked down the path towards the Primary Building. Then I saw him. One of my former students was sitting alone on the wooden bench, his face covered in sadness.

"Hello how is everything alright?"
"No"
"What happened, you seem very sad."
"My grandfather died!"

"Oh I 'm so sorry to hear this. You must have loved him very much."
"Yes"
"Where you very close to him?"
"Yes"

"Was he your Mum or your Dad´s Father?"
"My Mum's"
"When did he die?"
"This morning."

"But hasn't your family come to fetch you?"
"No, I wanted to come to school, because if I stay home its worse."
"Oh, I understand. It is so hard to lose someone we love."

My heart went out to him. I saw a very brave young man. He was not a child anymore. He decided to come to school in spite of his pain and he bore it bravely. The bell rang and it was time to work.

 As we headed back to the main building we talked of our loses and the grief process. We remembered that the more we grieve the more valuable the person we lost is so that we can also be very thankful for the times we spent together. What a gift to have had someone to love and to be loved in return!

May his blessing and peace be yours!

May his blessing and peace be yours
sent from his heavenly throne.
How we praise our Father and LORD
who has blessed us with every blessing
because we belong
to his dearly and beloved one!

Long, long ago, even before he made the world,
God chose us to be his very own,
through what he would do for us;
He decided then to make us holy in his eyes,
without a single fault
because we stand covered in his love!

Like the mellowing sun

Drinking from the fountain

I got up to stretch.

It was almost sunset,

the time for our appointment.

I almost missed it

but I had come.

 I climed the ladder

way over the trees.

Warmth settled in

like the mellowing sun;

because you were near

I found perfect peace.

Only You could still

the hunger of my soul.

By your side I want to be

your purpose to fulfill.

Oh, to know such perfect bliss

as the blending of our souls;

to cherish and behold

the One who made us His!

Our covenant promise

Golden harvest, 

fruit of the vine

 Flower's perfume,
 love's delight

 Covenant promise,
 light divine!

Keep on keeping on

Along life’s road are obstacles

Our choice becomes a test;

Let’s seek wisdom to know our way

That we might choose what is best!

Keep on keeping on

Do not give in to stress

Take it one step at a time

Until you’ve gained success!

Practicing hospitality

The greatest love is shown when a person

 lays down his life for his friends.

I have been reading about a people who show 
 outstanding hospitality to their guests,
offering protection and great kindness towards them.
 There is so much joy in sharing with a friend!

There were two sisters and a brother

 who loved to have their friend over.
 They would sit for hours on end
 to chat or go for walks
 and think deep thoughts.

One day one of them was so busy fixing dinner
while the other sister simply sat at her Rabi's feet
 to listen to Him.
This caused the busy one to complain
 and she asked her friend to scold her sister
 and tell her to help with the chores.
 "Martha, Martha,  you are so worked up
 and fretting  but your sister has chosen the best part
 and I will not take it from her!".

The best part of our day is listening to our Teacher,

 the one we love, the one who is our guest!

We can still go about our chores,
 getting busy and all
but we do not need to fret!

The more we work together,
 the happier we will be.

We are never alone
when our hearts are tuned to Him!

Loving one another

Dear brothers,
I am not writing a new rule for you to obey,
for it is an old one you have always had,
right form the start.
You have heard it all before
yet it is always new,
and it works for you
just as it did in the past;
and as we obey this commandment
to love one another,
the darkness in our lives dissapears
and the new light of life shines in!