Rudyard Kipling's - IF

After getting straight A's in 9 courses, I stumbled with a score of 67 in Econometric Statistics. Harvard Blues!!! Now that's humbling, but at the same time I don't want to beat up on myself for not doing so good. I need to take wins and losses the same and I am just again reminded of Rudyard Kipling's poem 'IF'. I have kept this poem in my Bible for couple of years now its been like Psalm encouraging and renewing fresher starts for life. I want to pen this down here again and may you also take encouragement reading it.

IF

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yoursefl when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too,
If you can wait and not be tried of waiting,
Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated dont't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, not talk too wise.

If you can dream - and not make dreams your master.
If you can thik - and not make thoughts your aim.
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster,
And treat those two imposters just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to broken,
And stoop and build'em up with worn out tools.

If you can make one heap of all your winnings,
And risk it one one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your begninnings,
And never breathe a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew,
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you,
Except the Will which says to them, "Hold On!"

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings - nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much,
If you can fill the unforgiving minute,
With sixty seconds of distance run.
Yours is the earth and everything thats in it,
And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son!

- Rudyard Kipling

My Son Is Born

Wow its two days now. Isaac Samuel Kurien my son was born on Friday 7:25 pm after a short two hour labor. It was a miracle seeing him come into the world full of promises, hopes, dreams and it was like a new spiritual birthing within me. Just before he came into the world God told me he was to be like the son of promise and I am to teach him all the ways of the Lord God of Israel, the God of Jacob. He also told me he will have ten times the spirit of Elijah and that he will be bring health to many.

When Hannah was born I had posted a blessing for her. I go through the same emotions again reminiscing again that it was just like yesterday "Isaac- You were in mommy’s tummy and I can’t believe you are here sleeping sound in my hands. Again I am overwhlemed with emotion knowing what a treasure I hold with fearful heart...it is a wonder that God could/and would trust me again with you for such a time as this".

You are our joy and watching your complete dependence on us is a pure delight. A reminder of how my dependence is on Yahaweh-Yirah. And again at the same time I know its for a season that you will be with us, then there will be a time to ochestrate the reason of your life, to do the mighty things God has for you.

The Bible says in Ecclesiastes 11:5 “As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things.” But this we know that what our God has done in our lives bringing you to us is marvelous work in our eyes. God named you ‘Isaac’ because Yehovah has now bestwoed on me a life of laughter and joy for me.

My Prayers will be up every day for you that you as God promised (ten times Elijah's spirit), you will go out and do great things for him, may you seize the gates of your enemies as a true descendant of Abraham, and may your path be that of kindness, showing grace and mercy to the weak. May you feed the hungry, and heal many in Jesus's name.

I pray again: "Yivarechicha Adonai V’yishmirecha, Ya-Ayr Adonai panav Aylecha v’yichunecha; Yee saw Adonai panav Aylecha v’ya-saym l’cha shalom.” meaning: May the Lord Bless you and keep you, The Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; The Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you His Shalom.

Mystery & Adventure

Living
There are many higher themes to live for in this life. If we don’t we are pretty much not living…might as well as be dead. There are many adventures that we must take, voyages that we must travel, fight the dangerous beasts and dragons, cross the seven seas, find a hidden map, discover a secret cove, come across a hidden treasure. Travel lands that are far and away, rescue the damsel in distress, talk to talking trees, fly on a bird, meet up with strange creatures and all along the way make memories and great friends.

I am beginning to think life is not all about waking up, going to an 8 to 5 job, coming back sip a coffee or wait in a line with umpteen cars ahead of you in a star bucks drive thru or even coming home and tending to endless bills, solving issues and problems and going about tit and tat, aunty may and uncle pape. Yet it is a reality that most of us live in. There is something higher the human soul yearns for… a friend once said "I would die if life was all about this…and my soul yearns the need to be wrapped in an adventure" .

Last night I saw the movie “Bridge to Tereabithia” and boy some sensitive chords were strummed and hence this post. It’s a story about a boy and a girl who become friends. Jess the boy is pretty much an introvert and different as he likes art, he is treated almost as an outcast by a father who does not relate to his passion. At school he is picked on by other children but he has something in him that has spark & zeal for life and the desire to chase for an adventure within him. In comes the girl Leslie to his world…they become friends and is responsible for pretty much making up this imaginary world called ‘Tereabithia’ and she invites Jess to be in that adventure…soon reality for Jess turns... as they travel into this mythical land. Endless possibilities and stories begin! as he keeps his mind’s eye open. Together they journey through adventures, fighting trolls, monster vultures, and ugly beasts all agents of the dark master of the land. They set up their tree house (imaginary castle) and reign as King and Queen of Tereabithia who have to come to free the land from tyranny and injustice. The story has many underlying themes but the one that I want to pick up is the call for living for a higher theme, living and being wrapped up as my friend said in the adventure and allowing yourself time and space every day /whenever you can just escape to that imaginary place and live those adventures that you are really made for. Rustling of the trees and shaky leaves do becon a call to those who await that adventure. Oh sure when they come back they will be better persons, filled with self esteem, courage, kindness, gratitude and love for everyone around especially for those who cannot go to those mysterious lands.