Initial Rush of Excitement?!

I guess it is the 'new-ness' of my owning a blog that's causing such a stir in my life. i seem to be wanting to write and write and write. i think it is the same with most things. the first time always seems so exciting, the first ray of dawn( though my husband will swear I have never woken up that early to see it!...maybe someday I will), the first monsoon showers in a year, the first crush, the first kiss, the first born....there is indeed a beauty in seeing and experiencing something for the first time.
But then being number one, being the first to know...why is it so important to be the First...is it just something in my head or is it really all that important to be the first!
i think the measuring scale of the world and the Kingdom of God are so different. Because whosoever is last here is going to be the First to enter Heaven. So then, what do I do...Give way...obviously..humble myself and give way to the significant other. Hmmm! i am beginning to sound profound.

But it all began with my wondering about my initial excitement on being a first-time owner of my own blog. I hope i am able to keep my promises to you always, dear blog. its great to know that i can 'write' my mind. read what i have written. make changes in my way of thinking. document stuff!!! Bloggie dear, you and i are going to be friends for a long time.

A Few (?) of my Favourite Things

Dear blog, it has been a rather dull day so far, but i thought that writing to you would cheer me up. The Holy Spirit is reminding me that the Joy of the Lord is my strength. But I don't feel any joy and so I don't seem to have any strength.
But i think i am going to tell the Devil to mind his own business and leave me to inculcate joy...yes i am going to plant some seeds of joy, by listing a few of my favourite things. Hmmm! so what's it going to be.

#Memories of Amma waking me up with tea and that familiar call - "Shilpa, shilpa...aye sheeloo...utho...utho"

#Jesus Christ springing up a surprise by leading me to 'Just what I needed to hear.'

#Manu's indulgence of me...he spoils me rotten with his brand of pampering.

#Lasagna from Slice of Italy. Mmm!...Mixed Meat and Chicken MeatSauce Lasagna!!!
#Silver jewellery/ Black metal jewellery
#Block printed salwar-kurtas
#Mirror-worked stuff
#Spicy golgappas and aloo tikki
#Steaming hot, chicken momos from that little Market behind B-2, Safdarjung Enclave.
#Great gospel music from MSS, Khan Market
#Banoffie Pie at Big Chill
#Tuna Sub at Subway
#Razia's home-cooked food

Those were a few of my favourite things! :)

Wisen up...Folks!

Recently, I joined a new workplace and it has been about a month of being here. I am in, what my bosses call ' the honeymoon period'. The 'honey moon period’ for the uninitiated, is a time of professional oblivion, where we are officially engaged for about 3 hours in a given work day and the rest is left to us to utilize according to our wishes. As for me, I read a great deal to occupy myself, be it the newspaper, a paperback or the Bible. In fact it is a great time for me to read from the Word.

However, I am deeply aware of the fact that once the said period is over, I will be expected to have utilized, fruitfully the 7 hours of my so-called bliss.
I am overwhelmed by the whole atmosphere since it is an area completely new to me. I am intrigued, enthralled and amazed and have discovered a new found respect for the computer. For a novice (to computers) like me, where the usage of the computer was limited to email, games and Google search, I am amazed at the limitless possibilities and the endless combinations that can yield results through this current 'object' of my affection. But I had been battling with anxiety about the absolutely new nature of the work, the new terms and all the jargon related to the field of computers and IT.
Last week while I was reading from the Book of Kings, God led me to the story of King Solomon. Solomon, when he took over the reins of his empire was going to head a very large and prosperous nation. Israel was at its zenith under King David, God had showered his favour on King David and the land was reasonably happy during his reign. However, Solomon’s ascendancy to the throne was wrought with in-fighting, jealousy and there was a great deal of bad blood as he took over. There were many who were eyeing the throne and many who wanted to capture power. Yet God in His wonderful plan chose Solomon and circumstances led to David announcing Solomon as King.

Solomon was acutely aware of his unpopularity among his brothers who were plotting against him and wanting to stake claim to his position. Also all of this was new to him, new responsibilities, new position, new expectations....it must have scared him to death too!!

And so when God asked Solomon as to what is the one thing he wanted the most- He could have asked for strength, in fact I think he should have asked for strength to fight all the bad guys but instead he asked for ‘wisdom’ and a ‘discerning heart’. Notice the fact that not only does he ask God for a hitherto unusual gift ever asked by a King, he also wanted to use his heart to take the right decisions for his kingdom. How I wish the leaders of our country, our church and society would seek these gifts too.

More importantly, I realized that this meant that just as Solomon, I too could ASK for Wisdom at my new job. This may be new territory, unfamiliar environs, a new position, with new expectations of me but I could ask for wisdom and continually ask for wisdom to deal with the situation.
The thought swept over me with peace. It was mine for the asking, it felt so real. For God, Solomon and I are loved equally. For Him, my need for wisdom in the IT field is as important as Solomon's need for governing Israel.
The Scripture goes on to state that the Lord was so pleased with Solomon’s choice of gift that He gave him wisdom and wealth and power so there was none like him. Many heard tales of his wisdom and were amazed. Solomon's father, David was known to be passionate about loving God, earning him the epithet of a Man after God's own heart. And yet it was not to David but to Solomon that God gave the privilege of building the Temple for Him.
The greatest lesson I hold on to is that I can ask the Lord for wisdom to understand difficult things rather than to say I cannot learn them. And He will bless me with wisdom and a discerning heart. Are you facing a new situation? Unfamiliar people, unknown areas; be it at your workplace, your relationships, your life...Are you afraid of how you are going to deal with it? Maybe you want to run away. But hang in there and believe that if He has brought you to it, He will bring you through it. So Wisen up, folks and Ask the Lord for Wisdom and He will bless you!!

The First One

Today is an important milestone in my life...I am now the Proud Owner of my very own blog. It may not come as a surprise to you, after all what's the 'big fuss' about owning one's own blog. But I am excited to be able to speak my mind, muse, amuse. Dear blog, You and I are set to create some magic, grow together, add that spice to my mostly mundane life, teach me to live the Abundant Life and who knows...may be we will even create History together. So here's to some eventful and not so eventful days ahead.