When I was young I had a dream of becoming a lawyer then becoming the first female Chief Justice of Kenya. I was very determined, ok in my words, but my actions were not collaborating with me. You see I am a versatile learner. I get easily bored of doing the same thing over and over. So even though I have an absorbing memory and was able to easily regurgitate in the exams what the teachers had said during the term, I never kept still. If I was not skiving off to buy mandazi through the school fence in Primary school, I was skipping classes in high school and missing evening preps all together.
Death
Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. (John 15:13)
For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:7-8)
The song on my mind this Holy Week is one by Hezeh Ndun’gu– Kuigua Wega
A few months ago we lost an angel in our ‘family’. I say family in quotes because this family is one though we are not related by blood has become more than blood family to me, to us. You know those people you meet and something happens, a connection that you cannot explain that binds you for life – yes – that is my ‘family’. There was a meme doing rounds a few moons back that said if you have been my friend for more than five years, you’re my cousin – you are officially my family. During the mourning period lots of words meant to comfort I presume were being said left right and center. But I felt most of these were not helpful at all, took me back to my loss of children and it would seem some of these phrases are standard – sadly so ???
As happens when a loved one, a friend, a colleague, a parishioner or a neighbor has lost life appropriate words are not easy to come by. Many people feel the urge to break the silence and in so doing end up saying such injurious things to the bereaved that it would have been better if they kept quiet. There is something in us humans that deceives us that we are only consoling the bereaved when we are talking: that was me until I was on the receiving end of such talk. I learnt the hard way, silence is golden!
Here are the 7 things to never tell a grieving parent.
Theme: Faith
Scripture Reading: Hebrews 11
Let us pray
Father, we as you children are gathered here to worship you. The time has come for us to hear your Word. Father speak to us. Teach us, rebuke us, correct us mold us into the image of Your Son Jesus Christ. Open our ears to hear you, open our eyes to see you open our hearts and sow the living seed that is your Word. In Jesus Name we pray. Amen
Introduction
If you reflect with me you can all agree with me that the current and most popular teachings about faith when stripped apart are about having faith in faith or self or the man/woman of God. However, in God’s Word that is not the case. In God’s Word faith stems from God and is about God.
Let all with one accord
May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 15:5-6)
O God of all creation, help us to all be in one accord. The ‘Kiondo’ is one work of art that is well known by Kenyans regardless of their tribe or geographical location. Different tribes have their own unique style of the ‘Kiondo’. One the most outstanding elements of the ‘Kiondo’ is how the cords – be they leather, sisal, plastic bag or woolen strings – come together in one accord to form a beautiful piece of art. These cords are strung tight in cords together and their unity produces the ‘Kiondo’ – on their own each of the cords would really not be called a ‘Kiondo’.
When we sing the Kenya National Anthem and shout aloud the clarion call ‘let all with one accord’ we are still in prayer. It is only God who can bring us into one accord, we cannot possibly be able to do it on our own. And this accord is only found in Christ Jesus, Him who died for us to reconcile us to God. In Him we are united, in Him we stand in one accord: especially when we partake in the Lord’s table, as we eat the bread and drink the wine, we are one! Important to never forget, the one accord for the ultimate glory of God the Father.
Prayer:
O God of all creation, thank you for making a way for us to be in one accord – the gift of your Son Jesus Christ. Who through His life, death and resurrection has made a way to you Father and a way to bring us all as your children into one accord. Father, help your children, especially in this nation of Kenya to be in one accord as you desire. In Jesus Name, Amen
4am – I am not feeling so well anymore, actually I am in acute pain so much pain I am groaning.
Around 4:30am – The pain is too much, I can smell death fast approaching. I struggle out of the hospital bed and kneel down dragging my saline bag holder next to me. I repent of all my sins and ask God to forgive me and take me home.
Immediately I am overwhelmed with so much peace and the pain begins to reduce.