Mothering Sunday- 2014

Mothering goes beyond giving birth.

Today I want to share a blissful spiritual mothering experience that God in His divine mercy has allowed me to experience. And so, this year's Mothers Day page is dedicated to a special lady in my life who divinely came along side my parents, and in more than one way has raised me spiritually - Yes, spiritually nurtured me in my teen and early growing years.

We could call her a "spiritual mother"-or a discipler- the one who teaches you truths about God, understands the struggles of your growing years, offers hope, time, help and encouragement and above all, herself.  She is like an elder sister, mother, friend and a teacher! You can count on her anytime, anywhere. In speech, she opens her mouth with wisdom and there is a law of kindness on her tongue.(Pro31:26)

Few of us are privileged to have such 'spiritual mentors' in our lives and for me, her name happens to be Mrs. Patricia Madhu Sheth whom I affectionately call Madhuben. (sister Madhu) or as her husband called her,  Madh, a short form; and also in Gujarati Madh= honey. I and many others have witnessed that this special lady has been a godly mother to her own children in their growing years too.

Allow me introduce Mrs. Patricia Madhu Sheth to you.

Madh, for few years now, is a godly widow;  she lives in Nairobi, Kenya, and works there too.Born, and raised in Meru, she has resided most of her life in Kenya; has grown up kids who are married, and so now she happens to be a granny.

On the spiritual front, Madh comes from a Hindu family. She came to faith in Christ in her high school years and has been a strong believer in Jesus Christ, living faithfully by His grace and by Biblical truths. She would explain to me the deep truth about Christ, how we as human beings are like small 'kidi'(ant), and if God came to talk to us in all His majesty, we would not be able to withstand His vast, enormous, magnanimous greatness, so God Himself, became a type of a 'kidi' (an ant) to communicate His love to us. (This is the gospel of Jesus Christ!)

34 years ago, I met Madhuben in Nairobi, when I had migrated to Kenya, at the age of 15; just a little later after I had chosen to 'get saved' in Christian terms. But I had a long way to go in my faith. She was already married by then, had two sweet lovely kids and worked in the banking industry when God intersected our paths. Instantly she took liking to me, and God drew me close to her too. My parents entrusted me to her care, either spending a weekend at her place or walking from college or office to her home from where I would be later picked up by Dad.  For many years in our careers, we also worked in the buildings next to each other's workplaces, something which we both felt was 'GOD ordained!' (my first, second and third job) I have enjoyed joining her family on day tours, weekend holidays, and have also had a privilege of staying at her home for few months.

She modeled for me and helped me know Jesus in a very personal and intimate way. At some points in life my faith resembled hers. Now I see, over the years God helped me personalize my faith from an extension of hers. But what a beautiful extension has that been!

We would study Bible in her home, sing songs, attend the same church, evangelize together, walk and talk of issues in life and discuss whys and why-nots of the world!

Allow me to let out a little secret! One of the reasons I had not wanted to become a dedicated Christian in my early years was because I loved watching Indian movies and sing movie songs and at that time in India if you got 'saved,' you would have to give up watching movies, as it was categorized as an 'ungodly' entertainment. Well, after coming to Kenya, I shared this troubling thought with Madhuben. She immediately understood and said, "Kalpna, what does the Bible say, does it say stop watching movies and you will be saved? NO! the Bible says, "Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved and your household also."  "As you put your faith in Christ, His Holy Spirit comes to live in you, and helps you become a new person who now enjoys God's presence and work, more than the movies or anything for that matter." She assisted in seeing movies from a Christian perspective, calling what is sin, a sin and what would be good that God could use to teach us! That brought a huge positive change in my thinking.

Also I was young, dealing with a lot of ungodly anger. I had negative ideas and notions on many things.  God used this dear woman to help me let go off and overcome my built up anger towards abusive, controlling men. God intervened and I learned to be kind and gentle.  She was patient with me. She listened, understood, and introduced me to number of Christian books that taught me the right perspective on healthy relationships; showing me how GOD views men and women and how Jesus treated women; tenderly, with love and compassion. I was able to differentiate the world's standard of men and women, and Jesus' holy standard. The books such as Walter and Ingrid Trobisch's, "The Joy of Being a Woman" "I Loved a Girl" "I Married You" etc. For spiritual growth there were Brother Andrew's "God's Smuggler," Corrie Ten Boom's, "Hiding Place," and " "Prison to Praise" by Marlene Carothers and many others. She helped me grow spiritually, and to have a right Biblical view of God, people, about myself, and towards my circumstances; The sum of it all helped me mature in this area. I was able to let go of my anger and experience healing.

She also taught me to dress modestly like a nice girl. I had a tom boyish attitude and behavior. I was able to see my identity as a woman of God, purchased by Jesus' blood and be happy without comparing myself to any man or any one for that matter.

Be it in the business world, social life, spiritual sphere or personal home front, Madh was Proverbs31 woman I saw at that time, juggling many roles: being a humble child of God, wife, mother, a successful banker and a precious mother to her own kids, and an understanding friend to so many kids like me.

Not only me, but Christians and non-Christian teens, neighbors, staff, clients, and people respected her as Madhuben. As she always blessed, spoke softly, prayed for people with faith and loved deeply. Even in her banking industry, when she was unable to approve a loan for any client, she would still not send them 'empty handed' but pray with them, assuring God had a better plan for their lives. Whether she agreed or not, whether she consented or not, any person was welcomed to seek an audience with her and talk. She was home to be with, whether she rolled her chapatis (Indian flat breads) in the kitchen, walked with us, taught the Bible lesson, was working in the office, or drove. She listened and encouraged. While she had high moral and biblical standards, she was sympathetic towards those who struggled with them, and taught with much grace. Her truth, as someone has said,  "was laced with grace" and her love had a backbone of Biblical truth. She is not perfect and neither is anyone. I have seen her like David, humble before God, like Deborah, standing up for her loved ones, like Habakkuk, thanking GOD even when the walls surrounding her newly bought home had come down; praising God in all situations, even dire ones, where one would have given up long ago, she stuck by like an oak tree. At times as she shared: she would tell God, "I am holding onto the hem of your dress, Lord, the minute I let go of it, I will fall," and then immediately authenticate how God would remind her, "Madhu, it is not you hanging on to the hem of my dress, I am holding you with my righteous right hand and would NEVER let go off you, my child!" She always thanked God that she was a Christian(!) that showed much 'self-controlled' life.

One book she loves is Psalms, even today she blesses me in every email quoting a Psalm.

She taught her children to love Jesus, to pray for anything, and memorize and recite Bible verses and thank God for all answers.  Her tiny kids were sweet and well behaved. We would often baby sit them when Madh and her husband would go on a weekly date. She spiritually educated her kids well. When I saw her kids, I took a mental note that, should God some day bless me with a family, that is exactly how I was going to raise my kids, teaching to learn to love Jesus, pray for everything, thank Him for answering, memorize and recite Bible verses and try to live by them. Yes! they would learn to pray for big or even tiniest things. They will learn to thank God in ALL circumstances. One thing that used to floor me is whenever life threw a curve ball at her, and she was caught in a dire situation, not knowing what would be the next blow, she would first thank GOD and then turn and direct her children and me stating, "These are some of the things to say 'thank you, Jesus for"! ouch! I have watched her sail thru life thanking Jesus in ALL circumstances. I guess that is why she is more on grace side.  She directed me to thank JESUS in ALL circumstances, and by seeing her do devotions with, and teaching her kids the Bible verses I have been able to be a better spiritual mom to my kids doing the similar things. I so appreciate that;

In my family, we grew up away from our parents most of our early years, so we lacked parental upbringing, nurture and discipline! She helped us see the difference of heart issues vs. legalistic rituals, or on Fasting, and other religious practices: the difference of responsible freedom vs. abused one, and acts of service out of love vs. must do attitude. These truths were rather important at that age. 

Her solid Biblical wise advise that "Kalpna, don't fill in the amount on a cheque (check) and do not ask GOD to sign it, but rather leave it blank and allow God to fill it, trust GOD to give you His best," aided me in giving up two immature relationships. I was not only able to get over my early teenage pre-matured entanglement that I had before I knew Christ, but was also able to get over my then "infatuation". Catch this: When that person said "Kalpna, I like everything about you, except your Christianity!" she guided me that, "Kalpna, that way you are disqualified kabisa (completely), what ever you are, and I am, it is ONLY because of Christ!" Thank God, for her for understanding, and not dealing harshly with me, like Paul says, "we were gentle among you like a mother!"  

She taught me to respect myself, and not give in to any temptation; especially physically or emotionally to anyone before marriage; told me stories of girls who chose to keep themselves pure. She always emphasized to me and many other girls "To remember the importance of taking the parents' blessings for marriage, no matter what the situation, else it shall not be blessed."  My own parents trusted her to be my guardian, both mom and dad trusted her to teach me right things. She taught me to respect elders regardless of whether I agreed or disagreed with them, and exhibit for me to answer with a respectful Indian term 'Jee'. 

Madh wore a sari in a beautiful, modest way that commanded respect. I followed her in that area. Her seamstress, a sweet Shah widow became my seamstress too, who sewed for us both the same simple blouses;  and we had the same cobbler also who custom made our shoes. When we watched movies we particularly watched for a new yet conservative style in sari blouses and then we would explain to our seamstress who would watch the movie and stitch for us the similar stuff.  

Madh carried "The Godly Woman" book by Navigators in her bag at all times; and I imitated!

Her food:

American: In those days when home made hamburgers were unheard of, in that part of the world. She and her husband demonstrated to us how to make and assemble hamburgers at home, plus bake  pizza and apple pie. Her husband loved her apple pie,and her chocolate cake was a relish we consumed well as they indicated to eat with vanilla ice-cream! And oh! yes! we would never eat hot dogs, so she is responsible to introduce me to such classy "junk food". (smiles)

Kenyan: I enjoyed her chips, Mahamri (sweet bread), Mbaazi wa Naazi (beans in coconut milk),  Banana Sandwich, Chai-latte with bread-butter sandwich and chapos.

Indian: Punjabi: Buttered Paratha, maa-di daal, lightly fried cabbage.

Gujarati: Rice, Rotli, Mixed Daal-bhajia (fried lentil fritters), raw pawpaw chili pickle, and posho (French beans & potato). Her Puris were the best, "melts as soon as you put in your mouth," attested an elderly auntie Suman.

Chinese: Deep fried chicken, Veg fried rice.

Dessert: Chocolate cake with vanilla ice-cream and Apple pie.

Her the then best restaurants:

Norfolk hotel: for Christmas luncheon.

Steak house: for Steak, yum!

Railway Royal: for Blanket Chicken

Her Bible verses: "One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple." (Psalm27:4)

"I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked. Psa84:10

"Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved and your household." Acts 16:31

"Everything works together for good to them that love God and are called according to His purpose." Roms 8:28

"Even a fool is considered wise, when he is silent." Proverbs 17:28.

"When a man’s ways please the LORD, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him." Prov16:7

1 Tim 2:5-6 "There is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people.

John15, "Jesus said, "You did not choose me but I chose you.""

A great verse that she shared with me with much passion, while walking from Tom Mboya st. thru Kijabe St. round about onto Ngara,  "Kalpna, God says in His Word, even your hair will grow white and yet I will care for you."   

Her best Hymn line: "Hidden in the hallow of His blessed Hand, never foe can follow, never traitor stand, Stayed upon Jehovah, hearts are fully blessed, finding as He promised, perfect peace and rest."

Her famous line: "God never makes a mistake." (She even has this framed in her living room.)

Her kids affirmed that mom has taught, "Freedom means responsibility."

She reminded time and again, "Kalpna, if ever you find yourself asking, "God, where are you?" remember that time, that HE is right where you left Him, so just go back where you left Him and you will find Him there."

Some know when life throws me a curve ball, I get rather worked up just too soon in the moment and then I hear her say,  "Take it easy, Kalpna, GOD has not left His throne, God is still on the throne."  

She used to say, "You can only be silent when you are confident."-This was so evident in how she lived.  

There were times she would say, "Kalpna, before you sleep, concentrate on three short sentences, "Jesus I love you, I need you and I thank you." I would do just that and then I wrote a song about it; check out my CD, "Reach out" to hear.

She would converse with GOD so as a matter of fact: While driving would ask "God, did you know it was going to rain?" 

She sampled for me a super great example of what it means to be "Clothed in HIS righteousness alone" by displaying her sari on me and walking ahead and then turned back to look at me and showed me "the Lord Jesus covers us like that with His love, and then when He looks back, He sees His own love that He covered us with!" 

I often said, if ever I committed a crime, one person I will come and confess is Patricia Madhu Sheth! I have seen Christ and His love in her and like my cousin  said, "Kalpna,  Madhuben is many miles ahead of us in her walk with the LORD, that, that is where, we actually want to be!" I can communicate sharply at times, yet she knows and has told me, "Kalpna you think too much, you talk too much" but her attitude has been graceful towards me.

I think "getting saved" is one thing but having mentors to help one grow and "stay saved," in all walks of life, from spiritual, personal, social to business world is quite another. That is in fact more challenging. Getting saved is easy, staying on the narrow path and having someone to guide, solidifying Biblical truths is so very vitally crucial. GOD provided Madhuben for me. That is why the then senior Pastor John Gichinga of Nairobi Baptist church said, "In the land where you are going, they have everything but NO Patricias and Kalpnas!" so true!

I believe it is good to tell a person all the good things while we can and while they can hear and feel. I remind people, tell others you love them while they are alive, because there is no point in giving a great eulogy when someone is no more! so, this my tribute to her!

Precious Father God,  Thank you for blessing my friendship with Madhuben. I am so grateful that just at a time when I needed,  you divinely chose and brought me all the way form India to Madhuben in Kenya! Thank you for touching my life and my world thru her. Thank you for helping her model for me early in life what it means to be a godly woman in that culture, and in that day and age. Thank you for guiding, teaching, and standing by us thru thick and thin. At that time she was a "Jesus with skin on" for me. The world particularly needs more godly spirited women like Madhuben to teach, pray, guide, model after and look up to. 

Thank you, Madh,  for loving me, for taking me to be as your own flesh and blood. Thank you for teaching me, guiding me, rebuking me, nurturing me. Thank you for being obedient to HIS call on your life in little and big tasks He asked you to do, and doing it with love and grace! God impacts lives thru you, you matter to so many of us! In those younger years, you were the best coach and role model anyone can dream of. I am very grateful to God for you, and for saving you, and for your presence in my life.  I thank God for you, and for your faith. I  love you, pray for you, honor you and look forward to the big day when King Jesus will put a crown with jewels on your head, and say, "Well done, my faithful servant, Patricia Madhu Sheth, come and enter into the joy of your Master." Madh, I know along with me so many others will also be there to cheer you, to whistle, shout and clap. So many will say, "Madhuben, I made it to heaven because of your obedience to Jesus. Thank you for investing in our lives." What a blessed eternity at the feet of Christ, with you will that be? Rejoicing over your life and wishing blessings upon you and yours always! It is my prayer that I will walk in your footsteps in this area and go beyond to be a spiritual mom, and a mentor to many who need a Madhuben in their lives. Have a happy and blessed Mothers' Day 2014. - Kalpna

Patricia with my Mom, Germana Christian                                       Patricia Madhu Sheth-my mentor