I saw one I once called friend today
Alas, I bowed my head and cried!
I cried not because life was cream and butter
I cried not because it’s been so long a time
I cried because for once I saw how times
Duped my illustrious intentions
I cried so hard because I saw where life
Dumped me and my prodigious efforts.
I’m left behind, so far behind I’m ashamed
To tag along lest I draw them back.
So far behind I’m ashamed
To draw near lest they see yawning gaps
Gratitude and courage cannot hide.
I feel ashamed that all I’ve done
All these while weighs nothing much.
I feel ashamed that I am not better
Than who and what and where I am.
Yet, as blistering tears rolled down
I made a choice, to send up a praise:
Thank You Lord for sparing my life
In a world that death picks in seconds.

Food For Thought: The paths of life are filled with travelers going back and forth, each life a bundle of blessings and lessons that may help us learn how to or how not to travel. We learn when we travel with heart and eyes open. We lose when we weigh ourselves against others and consequently hold back rather than dare out. My dad would say a wise child learns from others’ mistakes. We can only learn when the door is open for wisdom to sail through. We learn when we receive. Wisdom guides us on when and where to open and to close. Bible says a prudent person see trouble coming and quickly gets out of its path but the silly ramble on and are taken out by what they didn’t see coming. Life is full of lessons for the observant who are willing to learn. I may not have turned up where I set out but I have learned so much which I dare to share that others may learn and not miss the things I had, which I shouldn’t have, had I known better. My sister once asked me, “… the way you share your life and experiences, don’t you think people will look at you funny…?” Yes, people can but for me, that is not the point – life is about finding and living it how God would have me. What else is life about? If someone can learn from my mistakes, I have won a soul. If someone can gain from my pains, it’s not a loss after all. If someone can earn laughter from things that made me cry, the tears were not shed in vain. If my failure can make someone wiser, then I am a winner. If someone can see Christ in the rise and fall of my face, hear Him in the varying pitches of my voice, feel Him in my nervous touch and confident strides, perceive Him by my humble presence and obvious absence, then I am a victor not a victim! Yes, when gain is extracted from pain, there is no place for shame. O That we may decrease as He increases, and count all things but loss for the excellency of His name and glory.

Scripture: And the Lord, He is the one who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.” Deuteronomy 31: 8.

Prayer: Dear Lord, when I have done the best I can and have not much to show for it, please guard my heart from losing hope or losing praise, amen.