From the time we are born there is one thing that is certain. It is that we will all die one day. But, how do we win over death. How do you finish a race run well ? You pass on in such a fashion that even after 6 years of preparation, your loved ones still feel a level of sorrow that is unfathomable. Today I witnessed my grandmother's passing away. As I reflect on her life and try to look at how she finished her race, I can summarize her life in 2 steps:
1. Christ centered life.
2. Efficiency in pursuit of this that is honed over years.
Christ Centered life: Right from the time I knew her, everything in her life revolved around her commitments towards the church. She did this with amazing focus. Back in 2004, we had a get together around new year, where every one of us were reflecting on the blessings from the previous year. While almost all of us were reflecting on our material blessings and blessings related to our souls, my grandmother was all about her work for the church. Her aspirations and dreams were all centered around God's work. She did all this with a child like joy & innocence. It would amaze us how she would be filled with joy, when surrounded by her grandkids who would make fun of her excess use of talcum powder or the skin color difference between her and my grandfather or her english skills. I had written an earlier blog about the "Fear of God", she lived her life as an example of how a fear of Lord, removes fear of all other things. She was never afraid of the rowdy on the street, including one instance where she caught hold of a theif who was trying to snatch her chain.
Anybody who knows my Grandmother, would attest for her routines, schedule and her sense of punctuality. She knew how to harness her energy. Every morning she had her route of visiting different peoples houses, she would maintain it whether there is rain or sun. I remember once when the area around her house was flooded, she climbed the backside wall so that she could maintain her routine. I think I need to remember this, whenever I struggle to get a run in the morning. She always would serve food to her grandkids in a certain order, there was a menu for everyday of the week which she would follow diligently. There was an order in everything she did. She was also punctual almost to a crime. She would always get up from her bed only at 4 AM, no matter what time she is awake. All this made her very efficient and effective.
As we look at her life, she was able to convert a God centered vision into action very efficiently. She has touched countless lives, raised money to build churches, support missionaries. She was able to pray for so many people and see change in their lives. We all long for a life like hers where we are prepared for this day all the time.
1. Christ centered life.
2. Efficiency in pursuit of this that is honed over years.
Christ Centered life: Right from the time I knew her, everything in her life revolved around her commitments towards the church. She did this with amazing focus. Back in 2004, we had a get together around new year, where every one of us were reflecting on the blessings from the previous year. While almost all of us were reflecting on our material blessings and blessings related to our souls, my grandmother was all about her work for the church. Her aspirations and dreams were all centered around God's work. She did all this with a child like joy & innocence. It would amaze us how she would be filled with joy, when surrounded by her grandkids who would make fun of her excess use of talcum powder or the skin color difference between her and my grandfather or her english skills. I had written an earlier blog about the "Fear of God", she lived her life as an example of how a fear of Lord, removes fear of all other things. She was never afraid of the rowdy on the street, including one instance where she caught hold of a theif who was trying to snatch her chain.
Anybody who knows my Grandmother, would attest for her routines, schedule and her sense of punctuality. She knew how to harness her energy. Every morning she had her route of visiting different peoples houses, she would maintain it whether there is rain or sun. I remember once when the area around her house was flooded, she climbed the backside wall so that she could maintain her routine. I think I need to remember this, whenever I struggle to get a run in the morning. She always would serve food to her grandkids in a certain order, there was a menu for everyday of the week which she would follow diligently. There was an order in everything she did. She was also punctual almost to a crime. She would always get up from her bed only at 4 AM, no matter what time she is awake. All this made her very efficient and effective.
As we look at her life, she was able to convert a God centered vision into action very efficiently. She has touched countless lives, raised money to build churches, support missionaries. She was able to pray for so many people and see change in their lives. We all long for a life like hers where we are prepared for this day all the time.
