Can we trust our healthcare system?

 Battling the horrid situation of Covid with a baby growing inside of her, she succumbed to the struggles on Saturday morning at 7. The reason - NO BEDS WITH VENT AVAILABLE.

She lost her father on a Friday morning as he was down with Covid.

The incident I am about to share is a true one. i didn't know the girl directly but my husband did. What happened with her can happen to anyone out there struggling, given the sudden rise in the cases.

When the doctor first asked to admit her, her husband hunted for hospitals but couldn't find a bed for her. He finally found a bed available at a private hospital (Chinchwad). She struggled as her oxygen levels kept saturating. After observing her for one whole day they advised the husband to find a hospital that would get her admitted as she required to be given treatment for Covid post delivering the baby. They said they did not have a bed with vent available. She struggled throughout the day. We contacted as many people as we knew to get a bed for her, but every place we called, the answer was the same. By dusk, as her husband spoke to the doctor, they realised they were related. The doctor apologised for not finding her a bed and stated that he would now give her the treatment that should be given to a relative. I don't how, perhaps only a miracle that they could find a bed with vent when there was none available! She delivered the baby, but sadly couldn't pull through.

We see people at religious gatherings and political rallies being so reckless, while there are people dying and not being given the right treatment. Medications being smuggled, beds being reserved for the VIPs and what not! Has human life deteriorated to being nothing in our country? Sadly, we live in a country where cows are safer than humans, where a surname and faith decides your patriotism and where women still need to pass virginity test to prove they are worthy brides.  We have politicians who enforce curfews and then run huge rallies. People with money and power who trade the lives of the poor for wealth without any conscience. 

In a time where we need to rely on our healthcare system, we are actually being hunted down by it. I'm sure there are many on the frontline who are selflessly dedicated to serving people and give their best. At the same time, there are predators out there who ruin their efforts; all for what? Simply money. 

I am literally shaken by the inhumane healthcare system and the gambles being played by the bigshots. Hoping all of this comes to an end soon.

If any one of you are seeking help or have faced similar incidents, please bring it to light. Trying to stand against the wrong is a way of staying right.

WHO YOU ARE

You are fragile yet strong,

You know that there's nothing you can't take on.

You alone can love in the true sense,

Selfless and without an end.

You are a dove yet you can be

A lioness when you need to be.

You are the fire, the passion and the storm;

You are the comfort, the quiet and the embrace the soul yearns.

The only flaw in you is that,

You know not your worth and succumb to what's not right.

Rise up you brave one and keep soaring high,

Don't put up with lies and evil and all the sly.

Know that you are not the one who relies 

But your entire world on you sets their eyes.

Look in the mirror and reflect,

Upon who you are and what you have become. 

Pick up opportunities coming your way

And pick up the another whom people slay.

Let your charisma and your beauty

Be not defined by the words devastating;

Know that you are much more than what you wear or how you look

You are a survivor and survival for many,

You are the feeder and the courage to keep moving.

In all of this don't you forget,

That part of you which deserves self care.

Live your dreams and build your world

Do you what you want to and never doubt your worth! 

LET ME BE

Take me to a place of tranquil;

Where there's nothing to bind me and nothing to hold,

Where the beauty of solitude floods my soul.

Let me be with nothing to do

Just for a while, let me hear my heart coo

Of all the dreams stored in its room.

Let me know what I am;

Let me be what I can;

Let me sway just a little,

Let me not myself belittle.

Let me know all my worth,

Let me experience the long missed mirth.

So let me wander just for once

In a place of tranquil;

Where there's nothing to bind me and nothing to hold,

Where the beauty of solitude floods my soul.

 

Stop Putting Up With It!

Don't we find ourselves whining about the situations we end up in? I also have my "human phases" of whining about situations I am stuck up in; but there's something I have come to realise - we only end up in situations based on what we put up with.

We face the consequences of decisions we make. There are times we end up paying the brunt for someone else's mistakes, but that is not the case often. The earlier we take responsibility for our actions, the easier our healing process is. We need to understand that it's okay to fail and make mistakes. It's just okay to fall and get hurt. It is important to get up, take rest and then keep moving on. Life is all about making choices and we humans can't be perfect. We need to accept that it's okay to have made a wrong decision, now we need to focus on what lies ahead. It doesn't really take courage to keep crying about our wounds, but it does take courage to walk ahead and keep marching on.

You don't have to keep compromising with things around you and please everyone. Living an uncompromising life will finally bring a sense of peace. It's okay to say no. It's okay to feel sad for a little while than to regret for a longer time. 

What is life if you can't learn? Enjoy the learning process, be reflective and remember: What you put with, you will end up with.

So, keep making choices and keep learning from them, but don't stop. Don't compromise. Don't whine. 

Sit A While With Me

Come, sit a while with me,

Let the silence communicate. 

Maybe, this was not we ever asked for;

But what is life if everything has to go our way?

Who is a soldier without wounds and a rugged armour?

My heart is heavy  my soul sunk,

But these are the moments that pull me up.

I put on my armour and remind myself to fight through,

Take a stand and march right ahead.

I don't know if I can put it across to you in words;

So, come, sit a while with me,

Let the silence communicate. 

Feel my heavy heart and numb soul.

Feel me weak yet strong enough to go.

Pause.

Amidst the chaos all around us, this lockdown has given me plenty of things to be thankful for. It has helped me realise the importance of slow living, something that we overlook during our regular busy days.

Until the lockdown, how many of us really tried to pause and look around all the wonderful reasons to cherish our lives? We devote time to virtual people and we forget to spare some for the ones who really long for us and cherish us.

This 'work from home' phase has surely forced a lot of people to detest screens and taught us to pause. 

Let's use this time to look inside and explore our inner selves. Hold the hands of someone you love, hug someone you cherish, play with your kids, do stuff you love doing which you otherwise couldn't because of your fast life.

Cook, read, talk and laugh. Enjoy the pollution free environment. Look at gleaming stars and enjoy your quiet moments. Talk about past encounters and relive those emotions. Grab all that life has to offer you. Capture the missed smiles and moments with your loved ones. Live slow, live full. Keep your gadgets aside, get out of your virtual world and enjoy the serenity life offers you. Instead of imbibing all the violence, receive peace, love and positive energy by being investing time in building yourself and your familiy. Pray and let go off all your worries. Don't miss out on the silly jokes and simple things in life. 

Live slow, live full.

Pause and look around, because tomorrow everything might be gone.

Ponder.

VOICE

We felt it was wrong,

So we stood against it strong.

We voiced out our unbelief,

In the system they wanted us to believe.

But they tried to shut us down,

Wanting to keep us bound.

We did not tire,

In stead we kindled the fire;

A desire to fight for our beliefs

Even if we stood out from the crowd.

We gird our loins to tell them we're strong;

You can't shut us down,

You can't keep us bound.

Has God Found A Resting Place In You?

David! Nothing else needs to be said about him. He was all out for God; crazy for God & hungry for His presence. This hunger was insatiable. The more he lingered in God's presence, the more he wanted to remain there. 

When he had to find a resting place for the ark, he just was so restless! He wouldn't rest till he didn't find God's ark a place to be kept safely. 

Wherever God's presence is, there is His divine provision & protection; this David was well aware of. There is nothing you can lack if you are with your provider. 

“I absolutely will not enter my house, Nor get into my bed-- I certainly will not permit my eyes to sleep Nor my eyelids to slumber, Until I find a place for the Lord , A dwelling place for the Mighty One of Jacob (Israel).” “This is My resting place forever” [says the Lord ]; “Here will I dwell, for I have desired it. “I will abundantly bless her provisions; I will satisfy her poor with bread. “Her priests also I will clothe with salvation, And her godly ones will shout aloud for joy. “There I will make the horn (strength) of David grow; I have prepared a lamp for My anointed [fulfilling the promises]. “His enemies I will clothe with shame, But upon himself shall his crown shine.”

PSALMS 132:3‭-‬5‭, ‬14‭-‬18 AMP

Today, our body is God's Holy Temple. He resides in our hearts. But, has God really found a resting place in your heart? 

Have a blessed day! 

Calm in the Chaos?

The best comforting feeling is a child resting in the arms of its mother. That is the most secured feeling a child can ever have! 

We panic at times when things don't go the way they're supposed to, when we have plans and desires ruined by someone else, when people don't treat us well and the list can go on. What do we do in times such as these? The Psalmist says:

Surely I have calmed and quieted my soul; Like a weaned child [resting] with his mother, My soul is like a weaned child within me [composed and freed from discontent].

PSALMS 131:2 AMP

Today, in every situation of yours, will you choose to rest in the arms of God like a weaned child, comforted and secured? 

Have a blessed day! 

Keys To Be Fruitful

We all look at being fruitful at our work places and personal life. Ever thought of being fruitful together, as a family? 

For you shall eat the fruit of [the labor of] your hands, You will be happy and blessed and it will be well with you. Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine Within the innermost part of your house; Your children will be like olive plants Around your table.

PSALMS 128:2‭-‬3 AMP

It says:

1. You will be happy, blessed, prosperous & healthy

2. Your wife will be fruitful at the core of your house in every area (being able to comfort, provide a helping hand, strengthening values, etc) 

3. Your kids will add to your inheritance. They will not only enjoy what you are able to provide, but they will also produce (joy, simplicity, humility & a child like heart in you which is pleasing to God) 

How do you become fruitful as a family? 

Psalm 128 gives you the simple keys for the same:

1. Stay connected with the Lord (as a family) 

2. Worship the Lord together 

3. Finally, live a life aligned with the Word of God. 

Remember that, a family that prays together, worships together and communes with the Lord together, will always remain one strong unit the emy can't break. 

Have a blessed day! 

Whose Stronghold Are You Holding On To?

We all go through times in life where we feel stuck in a situation and it takes forever to get out of it. Some days are overwhelming and exhausting, some are low and dull. But, we have a choice to make in days like these.

We can choose to hold on to God's stronghold of faith, love, joy and peace; or we can hold on the Devil's stronghold of hopelessness, hatred, despair and anxiety.

The only difference is that, holding on the Devil's stronghold will keep you bound in his sad and dark situation, but holding on to God's stronghold will pull you out of the pit and surprise you beyond your imagination!

What do you choose today?

When the Lord brought back the captives to Zion (Jerusalem), We were like those who dream [it seemed so unreal]. Then our mouth was filled with laughter And our tongue with joyful shouting; Then they said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.” They who sow in tears shall reap with joyful singing. He who goes back and forth weeping, carrying his bag of seed [for planting], Will indeed come again with a shout of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.
PSALMS 126:1‭-‬2‭, ‬5‭-‬6 AMP

I'll Live Forever

They looked at him with pity;
They told him he had no one to continue his legacy.
He was content with his two,
Knowing they would be strong and beautiful.
He smiled at those who pitied him
And said he didn’t need a son to continue his legacy;
Only carrying forward the family name meant nothing to him.
He said if his daughters grew to be brave and generous,
If they continued to live fully and love freely,
If they stood for and with the just,
If they held on to their integrity,
If they walked uprightly,
He was sure that his legacy would continue forever;
Through them, his daughters, he would live forever.

Stage or Altar?

Most of us have grown up watching and enjoying worship songs by Hillsong, Bob Fitts, Don Moen and many more. We’ve loved their set up and the way they lead their crowd. Deep down, we would have even craved to be where they are. But has their journey been that simple as we see and think of it to be?

Since a long time I’ve been wanting to write this blog. Before completing this blog, I had passed on a questionnaire to a few worship teams; the response I received was overwhelming. I personally learnt a lot from a different perspective.

I had been a part of the worship team for a long time. I’ve seen many leaders and the different ways they lead their team; and I’ve learnt a lot from each one of them. When I got a chance to lead our worship teams, I understood what it actually takes to be a worship leader, or for that matter of fact, even to complete a small responsibility as a part of the worship team. What I learned, helped me get better as a worshipper. I hope my findings may be helpful!

•God has chosen you. You grow and get better where you are because God has chosen you. If not for God’s plan, you would have been a mess. God searches the depths of your heart and gives you the privilege to serve Him. https://www.biblestudytools.com/nlt/john/passage/?q=john+4:23-24
When God has chosen you, He will also give you the skill to glorify Him. https://www.biblestudytools.com/nlt/exodus/passage/?q=exodus+31:1-6 
But that doesn’t mean that you have no work to do. Your role is to remain committed and passionate about your role. One response I received about passion was wonderful. If you have a passion to work for God’s kingdom, you will be ready to take all the pain it requires and make the necessary sacrifices to give God the best in what you do. As I earlier mentioned about Hillsong and other artists, they are where they are because of their passion for God; they spend hours meditating on God’s word and practicing music. That’s how they not only are able to minister to many souls, but also attain perfection.

•The next important thing is to pass on the mantle. Are you preparing someone after you? Moses prepared Joshua to be the next leader. Joshua failed to prepare anyone after him which created chaos for a while. It is always important and good to have a backup in case you are not available. With that attitude you ensure that you would not want the worship team to lack in any area. Preparing someone after you also shows that you are not wanting all the attention; it’s not about you, but it’s all about the work in the Kingdom that must continue. Sharing your knowledge also enriches you and you may end up discovering something new each time. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews%2013:16&version=ESV

•Discipline is one of the most important principles in any person’s life. Being punctual, taking care of your resources, respecting each other, constructive criticism is all important to improve as an individual and as a team. Being disciplined does show how involved you are in your role. I am not talking about following hard and fast rules that don’t provide any space to a person, but reasonable rules that also display honour towards God’s work and maintain a good testimony. You might be elder than your leader, but that doesn’t excuse you from being submissive. https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.biblegateway.com/passage/%3fsearch=Hebrews%2b12:11&version=NIV&interface=amp
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.biblegateway.com/passage/%3fsearch=1%2bTimothy%2b4:12-14&version=HCSB&interface=amp

•Stressed leader? Lack of transperancy, passion and commitment in the team members will lead to a leader being stressed out trying to hold all of them together. A worship team will get better only if each and every individual is passionate about learning and getting better; if they are ready to commit themselves totally for their calling. Rejection of constructive criticism will only lead to stagnancy. Only encouraging or only criticising will bring a stop to all scope of growing. There has to be a balance. Some people say that Church is not place to please people, but I’ve mostly seen such people end up as man pleasers. Honestly speaking, there shouldn't be any place where you please men. We should pelase God in all that we do. The Bible clearly mentions that we must encourage and uplift each other in truth and love.  https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Thessalonians+5%3A11 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Timothy+4%3A2&version=ERV
In order to improve, we need to learn to accept our flaws and work on them. We need to commit our time in practice which may require hours. When I say commitment, I mean both time and money. Without time your skills won’t get better and without money you won’t be able to upgrade yourselves with better equipments. It’s true that the heart matters more to God, but the use of instruments in worship (Zamaars) is mentioned in the Bible. It is not only the responsibility of the church to invest in better equipments, but also an individual responsibility and passion to improvise and get better. When people in the world are so passionate about giving their best, why do we limit ourselves when we worship God? I don’t find anything wrong in getting better equipped as long as your focus is God and worshipping Him and not self-glorification. At the same time, the church also has to be sensitive and supportive to the needs of their worship team and contribute in the investments. It goes hand in hand.

Finally, we need to realise that we are there to serve the people of God by leading them to the altar. It’s not a stage for our personal glorification, but an altar to get the lost and brokenhearted to. It is not the song that is annointed, but you are annointed and you minister to people through worship songs. It isn’t wrong to aspire to be like great worship leaders and worship teams, but it’s wrong to expect that any of it will come to you without any sacrifice. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Corinthians+11:1

Worship is not only singing, but every person in the team playing the instruments, displaying the lyrics, handling the sound, etc are worshipping God by catering to His people with passion in carrying forth the responsibility given to them. Let us focus on getting better for the glory of God and being able to cater to the broken hearted through our worship.

PONDER

Where there is no [wise, intelligent] guidance, the people fall [and go off course like a ship without a helm], But in the abundance of [wise and godly] counselors there is victory.
PROVERBS 11:14 AMP
https://bible.com/bible/1588/pro.11.14.AMP

We often run for help and advice in times of chaos. The matter if concern is, where do we run? The scripture clearly mentions wise and godly counsel.

Human nature is such that it seeks for counsel and accepts only that which makes one feel right and the others at fault. Such counsel doesn't lead to conviction, confession and repentance. Seeking counsel from those wwho don't know the Word, will only lead you astray. The only thing that will keep you from falling, is taking counsel from the right (Spirit-filled) people and the right place (God's presence).

Blessed beyond measure!

Song for the week:
This is a Malayalam song that I've absolutely fallen in love with. I'm also sharing a cover of the song sung in hindi.

https://youtu.be/hfRbEWDdusU

https://youtu.be/Jer0FgPZj6w

New Wine

Song for the week:

https://youtu.be/1ozGKlOzEVc

Love So Amazing!!

Song for the week:

https://youtu.be/jwpsDJOyl0o

And this is a cover of the song I've absolutely fallen in love with :

https://youtu.be/GZLUQMr0ju4

Look up!

Some songs never grow old!
I had been battling with fear, pain and a loss of confidence in the last week. As I waited on the Lord for encouragement, I started humming this song out of no where. I don't remember when I last listened to it, but today, it has made me feel so much better. I hope it ministers to you too.

https://youtu.be/Qc4rJJDw0zk

Show Me Your Face God

The song I'll be sharing today is close to my heart.
This song is a sincere prayer of mine and I sing it everyday. I pray that this song ministers to you like it did to me.

https://youtu.be/Cspue3DQfzU