New

I love the sound of waterfalls. Years ago, I adored the sound of water so much that I brought a little waterfall fountain home one day and stuck it in a corner in my room.

The gushing flow of water is unapologetic and obnoxiously free. Living a life of freedom embodies flowing forward gracefully. But how does one do so with such gusto and force?

Is it possible to produce such fervent passion so consistently? Or is it really stirring up fresh vision to illuminate what may already exist?

Water brings new life. Perhaps, our souls can be revived to newness with holistic grace.Water brings new life. Perhaps, our souls can be revived to newness with holistic grace. Click To Tweet

Water cleanses and quenches; it is complex in function yet simple in chemical composition. Water is a source of life and brings the newness of life where present as does the Spirit of God.  In scriptures, water is often mentioned. The Word can cleanse and bring life as does water.

May your new year be crowned with words and fresh memories that are life giving. May you savor the words that bring your soul to life. May you rediscover the awe of the life you have been given and experience the abundance that is already yours, for in the newness, abundance is found. Copyright © 2019 Shelley Singh

I don’t know about you, but I grew up resisting every big change that presented itself. I had my life planned out.; I would remain in Canada and branching out was never on the radar screen of my plans.

When I heard my parents had decided to move me to India in high school, I lamented to my music teacher. He was sympathetic and was offered the music room as an alternative living space. At the time, to my 13- year- old self, that seemed highly feasible. Unbeknownst to me, this move would begin to pry open the closed chambers of my heart. I wrestled with this change just like Jacob to shed and embrace new identity.

Jacob wrestled with an angel as he wrestled to receive an inheritance as he vehemently struggled with his old identity. Ultimately, we must shed the old to release the treasure within each of us the world desperately needs.

So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak. -Genesis 32:24

Transformation is defined as the process of changing into something new.

Each change brings the opportunity to transform into a deeper, fresher and more authentic version of self if we respond correctly and in tune with the Holy Spirit.

Changing seasons bring new colors, fresh fragrance and the promise of new hope is painted amidst the inevitable metamorphosis.

Our hearts need to be encouraged during change since we long for stability, comfort and semblances of familiarity.

Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? -Isaiah 43:18

Newness of life is always seen when a stark contrast manifests distinctly from the previous season. A change has occurred that cannot be denied; it is blaringly evident and declares its presence in full volume.

The stages of transformation are not always seamless, and the newly formed beauty does not always effervesce yet but may float to the surface gradually and quietly. This unravelling of beauty calmly presents itself in a way that provokes us to displace and shed scales of previous assumptions and embrace the increasing glory of fresh, confident truth.

Do not be discouraged if spots show spots from your previous seasons.; release grace over yourself and look forward with wonder to the loveliness of grace to be revealed.

When I embrace grace, I can leave behind my resistance and hesitations until all that remains is a left is a tryst with transformation— for romance was always the greater portion. Copyright © 2019 Shelley Singh

In your arms

I am undone

Attenuated whispers

Serenity overtakes my being

In your arms

I succumb to peace

Where passion and poetic prowess collide

The tenderness of romance

Held by an unspoken gazes

Where eyes speak

And sighs abound

Words exist among the silent spaces

In your arms

I find my song complete

9/11/19

Today marks the 18^th anniversary of the horrific terror attacks on the USA. The twin towers were targeted by planes besieged by terrorists and the pentagon as well on a fateful day in 2001.

Most of us can recall where we were that day and I reflect on my whereabouts each year as well. I stepped out of my statistics class which was held in a brand-new state of the art auditorium on my Canadian university campus only to behold live coverage of the tragedy on televisions outside the auditorium.

The flames, the dark smoke seemed to speak of a very dark reality that I could not comprehend. For a few moments I surmised that this must be some kind of mistake.

As I frantically looked around, the reactions around me told me otherwise.  Some of my classmates were grasping for breath and others wailing; the harsh truth was slowly setting in. I felt dazed and confused; I struggled to process emotions let alone the enormity of grief caused by a major tragedy. I responded like I did with most trauma I felt; defensive numbness.

I had not yet discovered the lens of grace.  I wish I had the comfort of the psalms or gentle whispers of the Holy Spirit that time but I could not perceive God’s presence those days and for years to come.

At that time, I had friends from different religious backgrounds and cultures, and I enjoyed the kaleidoscope of diversity.

However, I did not understand the nuances of religious extremism in other religions.

The only other terror attack I was aware of that involved a plane was the Air India bombing in 1985. This deadly terror attack was carried out by Sikh terrorists and was known as the largest aviation terror attack prior to September 11 killing hundreds of Canadians.

Was this an accident? How could this be happening?

18 years later, my understanding of world events has changed. I do not view events superficially as I once did.

God does not leave us to process our pain alone; He is with us and promises to walk in nearness, cajoling our fragile hearts to reflect a more peaceful reality.

I have a Heavenly Father who comforts me as He does with all his children, releasing glimpses of grace amidst the rubble, debris and broken hearts. I hope you choose to hold your loved ones closer and follow the way of grace, where redemption has the final word.

 “If we learn nothing else from this tragedy, we learn that life is short and there is no time for hate.” -Sandy Dahl, wife of Flight 93 pilot Jason Dahl

              As I pondered all the ways I disobeyed the Lord, I am reminded of a tender Father in Luke chapter 15 whose arms remain open. My faith feels raw, discordant, jagged. The words that describe me affectionately in this love letter by my Father, I do not recognize. The fight remains to stay and believe; to wrestle with my own powerlessness that eventually yields under the strength of relentless affection.

In Andrew Bauman’s book, stumbling toward wholeness, “Scripture in general and the parable of the prodigal in particular-informs us that all redemptive change begins when we see ourselves accurately through God’s eyes.” 

In Luke chapter 15, both sons need a revelation of grace. The younger son pursued a life of pleasure and wanted to discover who he was in his independence. The younger son needed to know the love of his father brought out his identity and was not a barrier, as loving connections help us find our path to purpose.

The dutiful older son felt resentful towards the younger son who was celebrated despite his defiant wayward choices. The older son needed a revelation he was celebrated and always adored by his Father, yet he did not see it. His identity was defined by his performance rather than a son who received his fathers love despite his father’s daily presence.

Thus, mere proximity does not automatically equate to intimacy.  Grace flows through a posture of an open and receptive heart. The decision to receive love begins by opening the heart to the concept that love does exist.

Both relationships needed revelation of the real intimacy available to them to partake in the grace that was lavished upon them. Perhaps, both sons were prodigals shielding their hearts from affection that could set them free.

If I am honest, then I have to say my life growing up looked like a pendulum between the lives represented by the two sons. If I am honest, I am and have been perfectly prodigal and this, all the reason more, to revel in grace. 

What times in your life have you hid behind wanton pleasure or dutiful performance to find your identity?

I encourage you to come back to the Father’s open arms for you, a warm and tender embrace that will never turn you away, precious prodigal. Come back to the place where true security is not only found but celebrates you every moment.

Luke 15: 20 So he got up and came to his [own] father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was moved with pity and tenderness [for him]; and he ran and embraced him and kissed him fervently.