As I sit here today reflecting on my life's journey, I am reminded of the numberless blessings that God has bestowed to me and the great life lessons I have got to learn that have shaped me to who I am today. Born in an adventist family, I was raised by my grandmother (to whom I shower all my blessings), who instilled in me great values that I will forever be grateful for including but not limited to faith, love, patience, humility, kindness, integrity,compassion, among others. Mungu ana mipango mizuri kwa kila binadamu translated to God has a good plan for everyone, were my grandmother's words that have been imprinted in my memory since my formative years. In this blog, I will take you through my spiritual journey while highlighting moments that have played a vital role in my spiritual growth. Growing up, my grandmother will wake my sister and I every sabbath morning, while singing the sweet hymns that instilled the love for hymns in me.
I vividly remember her singing the Kisii hymn "Nyasae Nintare naye, buna Enock atarete, Mbwate okoboko kwane inkwane naye boronge, Nintarora enchera buya Yeso ntare amono naye- O let me walk with Thee my God, as Enoch walked in days of old; place Thou my trembling hand in Thine, And sweet communion with me hold; Even though the path I may not see, Yet, Jesus, let me walk with Thee." Hymn 554. This song formed in us a firm foundation in Christ and always reminded us about the holy life that Enock lived during his time on earth and that we too could even where there seemed to be no way or when doubts assailed. She always narrated about her victories and how she faced doubts, and overcame challenges. One thing that impressed me most, is how she included God in everything. She instilled a sense of curiosity in me and I'm glad she answered all questions even the most stupid questions that a kid could ask. (Shout out to all parents who have developed this kind of patience 🙏 - for it's at these moments that children learn to differentiate between good and bad). One of the favorite memory was when my grandmother taught us how to pray. She started from the most simple prayer. (For food 😋 - Nyasae Osesenie endagera, tonyerie amo naye, ase erieta ria Yeso Okiristo oyore omotoria oito, Amina- May the LORD bless this meal, as we take it, in Jesus name, Amen.) OH! How she was happy when we could say this prayer offhead. (I learnt about gratitude even in small things and achievements during this juncture. On a serious note, when I grow up, I will like to be the woman my grandmother is.😃)
Moving swiftly, after we mastered this, she began teaching us the LORD's prayer bit by bit. Oh! How I looked forward to those mornings and evenings when we knelt beside her bed. You could for sure feel the presence of God. We repeated every part of the prayer until we could subconciusly say it. It was during these times that I learnt to fully depend on the LORD and learnt to take everything to Him in prayer. In the introductory of the LORD'S prayer, I learnt that there was a God in heaven. As we prayed, "Your will be done," I learnt to submit everything to God's perfect will even when I did not fully comprehend it. This surrender has helped me for as long as I have lived more so in those great moments of doubts and in the things I cannot control. It's really a feel good experience to know that God's in control and will do according to will when the time is right. "On earth as it is in heaven," I always imagined what heaven looks like and I knew it was the best place one could ever dream to be. I remember when I was in Adventurer's, beginner club and our Sabbath School teachers could show us the pictures of heaven. They taught us about the tree that yields different kind of fruits each month and always culminated the teachings with a "Mbinguni kuna raha na furaha na raha tutapata Yesu anaporudi (In heaven there's so much joy) and you will not want to miss it," phrase. I could not fathom of this beautiful place, where sin, sorrow, death, pain and suffering will be unheard of having encountered with most of them almost in a daily basis while exploring or living this wild thing called life. This made me to love God so much even if He was unseen.
I remember how my face lighted with joy the day I came across Hebrews 11, quoting from KJV "NOW faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." I was compelled to shun away from selfishness. That's, not doing things because I want to guarantee myself a place in heaven, but because I love Him. I mean, is He not worth to be loved? He first loved us, why shouldn't we make a choice to reciprocate this love so precious? A lot ponder on. To be continued..... 😊😊
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