On the day she arrived, she was at my doorstep!
“Hi aunty”
“Oh Mala, how are you?”
She shook my hand so long and hard that it ached, and planted a kiss on my cheek - so unusual of her.
“Why didn’t you write aunty?”
“Oh, I knew you’d be coming soon. So I thought we could share everything in person.”
She bubbled over with enthusiasm as the words poured out in a high-pitched excited hyperbole. I listened, amazed at the incredible speed and volume of her chatter.
“Malu! Cut down the volume. I’m not deaf. Talk softly. You are taxing my system.”
It was no use. So I just listened until we reached the story of Subhashini and her incomparable fiance.
“Aunty, it’s wrong, isn’t it? It seems he doesn’t smoke, doesn’t go to movies, has no bad habits, never misses church services, minds his own business... Subhashini says that he’s much better than many other “believers.” It doesn’t make sense to me but I don’t know how to convince her.”
“Need I tell you Mala? Good men and bad men cannot be compared to believers and unbelievers. Our goodness is all compared to filthy rags. A believer is one who robes himself in God’s righteousness (Isa 64:6). Subhashini is a believer, but he is an unbeliever, though a good man. What do they have in common? Nothing that can bond their union firmly. Look at 2 Corinthians 6:14-18. The Word of God takes a very clear stand on this issue. A donkey and an ox cannot be yoked together! It never works.”
“But how can I help Subhashini to know the will of God in her life?”
There are three ways of finding out the will of God.
1. The teaching of the Bible.
On the basis of the Bible one can say “No” to a proposal for alliance with an unbeliever. There is no need to consent out of fear even to the so called “prophets” who thrive in the marriage market. The Word of God should be your guide, not only in the matter of marriage but in all other issues in your life.
2. The leading of the Spirit.
When we wait on the Lord, His Spirit will speak to us in our hearts and guide us and fill us with His peace and serenity. He is not a God of confusion.
3. The evidence of Circumstances.
Psa 37:4,5 says, “Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, trust in Him and He will do this.” God arranges the circumstances and we are to obey His Word and the Holy Spirit’s leading. He will normally make circumstances favourable for us.
Take Rebekah and Isaac for an example. Was it not God who turned circumstances in their favour? Rebekah lived among unbelievers and her parents didn’t go looking for a suitable partner. Abraham, Isaac and Eliezer had never ever heard of her. If Isaac and Rebekah, separated by miles and miles of desert could be brought together, what wonders can we not expect from God when it comes to marriage?”
“I want to ask you something aunty, promise not to bluff...”
“I think I know what’s coming! Fire away!”
“How did you marry uncle?”
“That was another miracle. My parents were looking for a doctor. But God had other plans for me. And His ways are far higher and greater than what can be conceived by our finite minds. My sister’s husband was employed in a harbour. He’s an engineer. Uncle went there for a training. My brother-in-law was impressed by the way uncle preached in a house group. He told my parents that he had found the ideal companion for me...Soon, the marriage was arranged.
“Looking back, I am convinced that those years of waiting and trustful expectation were worth it! There were storms and thunders. But the outcome was a rainbow. Today, I thank God from the bottom of my heart for my husband.”
Mala grinned impishly. “Really?! I thought you were a love-match.”
“Of course, you would, you little crook!”
I eyed Mala who sat collapsed like a rag-doll on the sofa.
“I hate to offend you Mala. But before you leave for college I want to point out some city styles that you have to unlearn - that is if you don’t mind.”
“You are a bore aunty. Even on interesting days you spoil my mood.”
“You should not allow your mood to sour so easily. Some bad habits may be difficult to kick later on.”
“What bad habit did you notice in this short while?”
“First of all you must sit like a lady.”
“How do ladies sit?”
“Knees together. Sit straight. Don’t slouch. Even while standing, don’t stand feet apart with hands on your hip. That’s a manly posture. The modern world may not accept this view. But a woman should be a woman.”
Mala slowly corrected her posture.
“Thank you for saying that aunty. Anytime please feel free to correct me.”
I could see the maturity in her face and without a hitch we chatted on, till the time of her departure.
Dr. Lilian Stanley
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91 9843511943
lilianstanley@gmail.com
Blessing Youth Mission
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91-416-2242943, +91-416-2248943
hq@bymonline.org
www.bymonline.org
Click here for more options
To buy books written by Dr. Lilian Stanley, kindly reach to us in the follwing address
Blessing Literature Centre
21/11 West Coovam River Road,
Chintadripet,
Chennai 600 002, India.
+91-44-28450411, 8806270699
blc@bymonline.org
On the day she arrived, she was at my doorstep!
“Hi aunty”
“Oh Mala, how are you?”
She shook my hand so long and hard that it ached, and planted a kiss on my cheek - so unusual of her.
“Why didn’t you write aunty?”
“Oh, I knew you’d be coming soon. So I thought we could share everything in person.”
She bubbled over with enthusiasm as the words poured out in a high-pitched excited hyperbole. I listened, amazed at the incredible speed and volume of her chatter.
“Malu! Cut down the volume. I’m not deaf. Talk softly. You are taxing my system.”
It was no use. So I just listened until we reached the story of Subhashini and her incomparable fiance.
“Aunty, it’s wrong, isn’t it? It seems he doesn’t smoke, doesn’t go to movies, has no bad habits, never misses church services, minds his own business... Subhashini says that he’s much better than many other “believers.” It doesn’t make sense to me but I don’t know how to convince her.”
“Need I tell you Mala? Good men and bad men cannot be compared to believers and unbelievers. Our goodness is all compared to filthy rags. A believer is one who robes himself in God’s righteousness (Isa 64:6). Subhashini is a believer, but he is an unbeliever, though a good man. What do they have in common? Nothing that can bond their union firmly. Look at 2 Corinthians 6:14-18. The Word of God takes a very clear stand on this issue. A donkey and an ox cannot be yoked together! It never works.”
“But how can I help Subhashini to know the will of God in her life?”
There are three ways of finding out the will of God.
1. The teaching of the Bible.
On the basis of the Bible one can say “No” to a proposal for alliance with an unbeliever. There is no need to consent out of fear even to the so called “prophets” who thrive in the marriage market. The Word of God should be your guide, not only in the matter of marriage but in all other issues in your life.
2. The leading of the Spirit.
When we wait on the Lord, His Spirit will speak to us in our hearts and guide us and fill us with His peace and serenity. He is not a God of confusion.
3. The evidence of Circumstances.
Psa 37:4,5 says, “Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, trust in Him and He will do this.” God arranges the circumstances and we are to obey His Word and the Holy Spirit’s leading. He will normally make circumstances favourable for us.
Take Rebekah and Isaac for an example. Was it not God who turned circumstances in their favour? Rebekah lived among unbelievers and her parents didn’t go looking for a suitable partner. Abraham, Isaac and Eliezer had never ever heard of her. If Isaac and Rebekah, separated by miles and miles of desert could be brought together, what wonders can we not expect from God when it comes to marriage?”
“I want to ask you something aunty, promise not to bluff...”
“I think I know what’s coming! Fire away!”
“How did you marry uncle?”
“That was another miracle. My parents were looking for a doctor. But God had other plans for me. And His ways are far higher and greater than what can be conceived by our finite minds. My sister’s husband was employed in a harbour. He’s an engineer. Uncle went there for a training. My brother-in-law was impressed by the way uncle preached in a house group. He told my parents that he had found the ideal companion for me...Soon, the marriage was arranged.
“Looking back, I am convinced that those years of waiting and trustful expectation were worth it! There were storms and thunders. But the outcome was a rainbow. Today, I thank God from the bottom of my heart for my husband.”
Mala grinned impishly. “Really?! I thought you were a love-match.”
“Of course, you would, you little crook!”
I eyed Mala who sat collapsed like a rag-doll on the sofa.
“I hate to offend you Mala. But before you leave for college I want to point out some city styles that you have to unlearn - that is if you don’t mind.”
“You are a bore aunty. Even on interesting days you spoil my mood.”
“You should not allow your mood to sour so easily. Some bad habits may be difficult to kick later on.”
“What bad habit did you notice in this short while?”
“First of all you must sit like a lady.”
“How do ladies sit?”
“Knees together. Sit straight. Don’t slouch. Even while standing, don’t stand feet apart with hands on your hip. That’s a manly posture. The modern world may not accept this view. But a woman should be a woman.”
Mala slowly corrected her posture.
“Thank you for saying that aunty. Anytime please feel free to correct me.”
I could see the maturity in her face and without a hitch we chatted on, till the time of her departure.
Dr. Lilian Stanley
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91 9843511943
lilianstanley@gmail.com
Blessing Youth Mission
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91-416-2242943, +91-416-2248943
hq@bymonline.org
www.bymonline.org
Click here for more options
To buy books written by Dr. Lilian Stanley, kindly reach to us in the follwing address
Blessing Literature Centre
21/11 West Coovam River Road,
Chintadripet,
Chennai 600 002, India.
+91-44-28450411, Mob:8806270699
blc@bymonline.org
