If Love is the gift, ho! ho! ho!

      There has not been a post in a bit and while I feel guilty about it, there is a little relief from the fact that maybe I’m not as narcissistic as I thought I was. Yay! So here I am, trying to have at least 3 blogs in the month of November.

      As could be inferred from my opening, the past couple of weeks has been especially introspective for me—Am I narcissistic? Selfish? What kind of person am I?—Then again, isn’t every day? Well, I guess it’s been more intense lately because I may have stumbled on one of the most important adjustments that, in my opinion, could be made to my personality.

Give love.

On every turn, no matter what, to everyone, give love.

      In order to be the person God has made us to be, to be the best “Me”, all imperfections considered; I would have to drip love from every pore and core of my being. Not just be a nice person but to really embody compassion, and kindness and patience. This after all is the greatest commandment ever given to man; to love. To love God with our whole heart and soul and to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. Have a smile ready all the time—you never know who needs it—and cultivate a heart so big and wide open that whether anyone likes it or not, they would get caught in its gravitational pull.

     

This of course is not to say I don’t already give love, this just means, in the same way I have made a conscious effort to eat right, exercise and whatever else it is I do with myself, I will also become more sensitive to opportunities to give love especially when it doesn’t come easy.

      I will pray for compassion and empathy as I would normally pray for a new couch—to replace the current one which I just want to take an axe to. I intend to not be so entitled, shrink the ego, forgive freely, forget quickly, laugh it off, see the good in everyone even if I have to use binoculars and in essence be more like God. God is love, right?

      Hopefully, I’ll improve relations with those around me, be considered more amiable and of course change a life or two in the process.

     

P.S: Really looking forward to Christmas usual, hoping for a strong ending to what has been quite the decade (idea for next blog...what exactly did I do with the past 10 years?).

Welcome to Narnia

I have been reading the compilation of C.S Lewis books about the magic kingdom of Narnia; Chronicles of Narnia. It’s an awesome read about adventure and magic and it is difficult to miss the Christian parallels and metaphors even though the author denies intentionally embedding a Christian agenda in the books.

I am surprised at how much of an effect the lessons, sentiments and most of all the rendering of Aslan (Jesus) has had on me considering the book isn’t tagged religious text. There is so much about the human nature, the wickedness that can often be the human heart, the heartache we cause ourselves and others when our lack of faith or our pride prevents us from enjoying and extending the fullness of God’s love to ourselves and those around us. Most of all, the interactions with Aslan, the dialogue, his wisdom, his personality and characteristics were mind blowing. I do feel a little weird ascribing such significance to a fictional children’s book but I can’t help it.

In my opinion, the writer as best as he could have, testifies to the Majesty of God, how much love God has for us, His just nature and His expectations of us. The way God would like us to behave, the responsibilities He has placed upon us and His understanding of our limitations. He would never leave us stranded, He is always there for us and He will show up whenever we need him. The books shows how what we think we want is not necessarily good for us and how what we want may not always be what God wants and it is indeed up to God to bless us with whatever he chooses and trust that he is all knowing and embodies the greatest love there is.

The books emphasize the importance of obedience and a constant fellowship with God. The funny thing is the book also makes it okay. Reading the book, at first I feel like a petulant child stamping my foot but when Aslan reprimands and scolds, I totally get it. I’m contrite, repentant and determined to be better. There is so much insight into the character of God and I believe it.

All in all, reading the book I think, has improved my character as a child of God, it has sort of been a reminder to me to be thankful, to be full of love, to be focused on my responsibilities as a child of God, to never complain, to be content in all things and most of all…ask myself, would "Aslan" approve?

Be still and Know that I am God

The good book says God is love and I know no one could ever really love me as my God could. So why is it so hard to surrender my will? So easy to take matters into my own hands? I don't even know what this very next second holds so why am I so proud as to think I could possibly take charge and succeed? Why don’t I just decrease so that God may increase in my life? Even considering the number of times I’ve been wrong, considering the number of times I’ve had to take it back, you would think I have learned.

I pray for the ability to trust God to show up. I pray that I may wait regardless of how desperate I have made myself. I pray for strength to let go and let God. I pray that I always look to the face of my creator. I trust you O God, to take care of me because you love me and you are Love.