Mother's Day May 12th, 2024 Disparity in the Evangelical cultural Significance/Celebrations

Mother's Day musings.

Disparity in the evangelical cultural significance and celebrations between the Mother's Day and the Father's Day.

Certain congregations prioritize Father's Day more prominently. They not only exhibit the paternal characteristics of God but also personify the patriarchal title, authority, status, and identity through messages and songs that glorify God the Father.

However, Mother's Day is conventionally observed with a primary emphasis on honoring human mothers in the real world or those mentioned in religious texts.

While they acknowledge certain maternal qualities of God, they do not view God as a tangible and equivalent divine Mother in the same way as they do with a Father.

Some of us continue to examine this imbalance in the concepts, theologies, and dogmas of divinity.

While I state this I appreciate every clergy that will honor God as Mother. Thank you

-Kalpana C Sharma Aka KC

Mothers' Day 2017 - Mrs. Kantaben Dineshrai Sharma

Mrs. Kantaben Dineshrai Sharma (Pic of her younger years)

We are thankful to God that in 2017 one of our parents is still alive, that is Bharat's mom, Mrs. Kantaben Dineshrai Sharma. She is Kantaba to most of us and to our kids she is "Daadi India", 

She lives in India. 

The first time I met her in 1989, it was a general greeting time but she saw that her son had chosen a girl to marry. They liked me in the first meeting and considered me very beautiful, ahem!!!  As we got to know about each other, living far away from each other, me in Kenya and she in India, at some point we did have our differences come in between as we both have different religions; she is a strict vegetarian and we are not that strict although we lean more on veggie side. But over the years we have learned to accept and love each other. She says she is happy her son chose me to marry instead of the other girls he knew.

Though a very dedicated and religious strict vegetarian Hindu, Kantaba has been open to other religions. She has gone to temples, mosques and churches to worship as many moderate folks do in India. They are respectful of all religions and faiths. She respected my stand when I told her that I do not have idols in my home and she did not bring any. I continue to pray for her.  

I had informed my in laws that I may not be an ideal daughter in law they expected but I will a good friend to them. Despite our differences, she is a good mom in law. A very talented and a really good cook, and says she treats me the same way she treats her daughter.   She would buy any clothes she thinks I look good in and sends, be it western or eastern type; and has not mandated ever to wear traditional clothing. She has accepted me and girls for who we are. Whenever she or my mom would visit my house, the kitchen cabinets would change as per their liking and I had to learn to adopt to that. They both loved to cook and bless me.

One more thing I am grateful for is her wisdom in cooking especially during pregnancy time. Because I had nausea and vomiting for nearly 3-4 months during the time I expected Narita and frequent heartburn almost all 9 months, I was so scared the second time but Kantaba was wise in that area and gave me food and especially vegetables like zucchini, green gourd, and the likes cooked without oil with dry chapatis without oil and that did the trick. Oh, how relaxing it felt to not feel nauseated or vomit. 

She made sure that Bharat went to college and got a degree. She has been the strong willed, and a disciplinarian in their home. She has been through a lot in life and life has taught her to mellow down and accept things as they are and as they are not.

I know this would be a big deal in some cultures and so I share with joy. Because girls were treated as second class citizens and not welcomed for many decades, I took a stand always and hoped and prayed for girl child/ren so we could be the change we were hoping to see in the society, by accepting a girl child/ren with love and nurturing and caring for as if we would for sons. There would be no difference in how we raised them, both would get equal opportunities and attention. Laddu or pedas would be distributed for girls birth too,  (these are Indian traditional sweets given at good occasions and especially at the birth of the boys).  So after the birth of our first born darling daughter whom we all welcomed with both hands as we had prayed for a girl; so just when I had found out that I was pregnant with the second one, we did not know if that was a boy or a girl, and we did not even want to know; we waited for that surprise from God. At that time, when even some of the dear ones thought and hoped for a boy, I put my foot down that God can give whatever He wants, boy or girl and Bharat had said before he does not mind having even 7 daughters; At that particular time, this understanding mother in law of mine said in Gujarati, "Biji Chhokri hashey ney toh e pehli thi pan vadhaare chadiyaati hashey"= "(If the second one will also be a daughter, she would rank even higher than the first daughter)"! beat that! Ah! What a support and blessing to receive from a mother in law who is of Hindu faith and yet loved having girls,when majority of the people regardless of the religion they follow still hope for only boys, and many in her culture choose not to have girls. This was a huge deal for me. I am ever grateful to God for her this heartfelt solid support. We all welcomed our second born baby girl surprise with both hands as well. Both girls have blessings and excel in all their endeavors. 

We as a family are thankful to God for allowing at least one grand parent Kantaba to live at this time; our children feel happy to know that they still have one grand parent that is alive, and loves them dearly. As we miss those who are not with us, like my mom and dad and Bharat's dad, we are happy for Kantaba to be living. God bless her with good health all the days of her life and provide for her and continue to draw her to Himself in a personal way. 

We wish Kantaba and many more like her a happy Mothers Day. 

Kalpana Christian Sharma, (Mrs.) 

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Watermelon Spiced Pickle (Indian Recipe) Tarbuch Athanu (Tarbuch/Kalinda Achar)

Tarbuch Athanu (Tarbuch/Kalinda Achar) Watermelon spicy pickle

1. Half Watermelon's skin, scrubbed inside, cut into bite-size pieces, and washed.

2. Lemon juice to soak the watermelon pieces (half the bottle) You can also use vinegar but it becomes a lot more sour with vinegar. (if you like more sour taste, by all means try it out)  

4. 1-2 cups of vegetable oil. (When putting in a jar, make it possible so that the pickle pieces will be immersed in the oil, so use discretion as you would know the quantity you would make)

3. Achar Masala pack. (available at any Indian grocery stores) (depending upon your tastes you can use between 2-5 tables spoons to a cup for half watermelon's skin. (less will make it light and more will be spicier, you choose!) 

4. Air tight containers (mason jars)

Few years ago after taking the pulp of the watermelon we used to discard off the skin. It is then that my younger daughter came up with the idea to use the watermelon skin to pickle. I thought, hey! why not try spicy pickled watermelon rinds? So here is the recipe, its simple, inexpensive and delicious.

1. Cut the left over watermelon skin, after scrubbing off the red part of it as much as you can so you are left with the white part inside and keep the top green skin as is. Chop to small edible size pieces. Wash them thoroughly and drain out the excess water.

2. Take a good generous amount of lemon juice, (you can use the 100% concentrate that comes in a bottle or fresh) Note: I used vinegar for number of times but it became more acidic and tangy so I changed to lemon juice. By all means, if you are fond of very acidic or tangy flavor, try out that as well.

3. Keep the watermelon rind pieces soaked in the lemon juice for 2 or 3 days, giving it a good stir every day at least once. You will notice the watermelon pieces becoming tender and taking in the lemon juice. Now its ready to be spiced up! Drain out and discard the lemon juice by using colander (a perforated bowl), it will keep the watermelon pieces well moistened and with sour flavor, while the juice will drain out. You will notice it is good and dry enough to coat with the spices. 

4. You can either make your own Achar masala, (as my aunt and many women did it for years and years) or you can buy ready made Achar Masala pack available in any Indian grocery store. My MIL has been sending me Apex Achar masala from India.

5. Heat a generous amount of oil in a pan. You want the pieces to be almost immersed in the oil so use your discretion. (Do not worry, if you used less oil; in a day or so after you can warm up some oil to be lukewarm and add! not a problem!) When the oil is heated, let it be slightly lukewarm.

6. Take  2-3 table spoons of the Achar Masala and add to the soured watermelon pieces (as per your taste and quantity, I have tried from 2-3 cups to almost a cup to make it more spicier!) and mix each piece well; then add the lukewarm oil.

OR (if you are like my daughters who like a "smoked" BBQ type flavor in their food, you can add the Achar masala to the heating oil and heat it up a bit! When you smell the BBQ smoked smell turn off immediately and take it down or add straight to the watermelon pieces.)

Mix it well.

7. Transfer into mason jars/air tight containers and leave it for 2-3 days. Keep shaking the jar once a day so it is mixed well. You can then keep it in a fridge and enjoy with your meals as a condiment, a tea spoon or two at at time.

When I was growing up it was said that the spiced up Indian Athanu, aka Achar, (spiced pickle) whether mango, or any other usually is made to last a year. It does last for a year or even more if you keep it refrigerated. But if you enjoy it so much, I doubt if it will last even a month! Well, the good thing is the season is here to get watermelons, eat the pulp which is good for this season, and use the skin to pickle, it is easy, and inexpensive to make many jars and refrigerate to enjoy or bless your friends and family as well, like we do. with every blessing, Happy pickling!  

© Stuti Sharma (Ms.) and Kalpana Christian Sharma (Mrs.) 

Mothers' Day 2015 - Honoring late Savita Thakorbhai Brahmbhatt (Bharat's aunt)

On this Mother's Day Bharat and I would like to honor Bharat's maternal aunt who is no more; Her name is the late Savitaben Brahmbhatt!~

  the late Mrs. Savitaben Thakorbhai Brahmbhatt
"She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness." Proverbs31:26

She was Bharat's materal uncle's wife. A loving, gentle, good, warm and kind-natured aunt as Bharat describes her. She had her own kids but also loved all the nieces and nephews in the same manner. It is this mothering instinct in the extended families that play a deep role in our nurturing and upbringing and so we appreciate the roles such generous aunts play in our lives.

In his own words, Bharat says: "In our childhood every summer holiday we looked forward to going to the village of Davol in India from the big city of Bombay especially because of my caring uncle and loving aunt's winsome and welcoming nature.

During our summer visits to Davol, she had always been accommodating and sweet. We were not restricted to having access to Indian spices to go along with raw mangoes. I used to admire her skill to make Rotla (Millet flour chapatis) over log fire, and churning the butter milk in those huge clay pots. Although of a petite frame, she was a woman of strength. She wore saris like all Indian women wore but as a growing child, I had this wild fantasy to one day make her wear jeans and take her for bike ride; my way of making her day!

Her motherly attractive nature was so magnetic and inviting that at the age of three I wanted to marry her. While attending a relative's wedding ceremony, I observed the bride and the groom holding hands and doing the "pheras" (going around seven times) as part of the Hindu wedding rituals; I thought it was a pretty cool game that they were playing so I insisted that my auntie Savita should do that and go around doing the "pheras" with me. I was explained that this was a serious thing about getting married, but at that young age I really threw tantrum, I wanted to marry her!"  She did not know what to do. But her husband, that is my dear uncle also loved me equally. He used to carry me on his back and take me to visit fields! So taking me as their favorite little baby nephew he insistently allowed me to do the pheras with her. Ah, the joy!! In some ways"

They all joked about it till the day she passed way! How we thank God that such gracious aunt has had a positive impact on Bharat's life.

Many years later, after our own marriage, I got an opportunity to meet her in person, in her home, while visiting India. I found her to be just as Bharat had recounted to me. A warm-hearted, kind and loving soul, welcoming me and our baby girl Narita with both arms open wide. I thoroughly enjoyed her home cooked meal, eating in an ancient Indian village manner by sitting on the floor, something that I luxuriate in and admire, and relished fellowship with her, taking in a little bit of that goodness from her life. Kindness does attract. The world is beautiful because of such sweet people that God allows to come our way and so today we honor Bharat's favorite aunt, the late Mrs. Savitaben Thakorbhai Brahmbhatt, by thanking God for her life and her loving nature.

Happy Mothers' Day to all moms and such motherly figures for the great contribution you bestow on the kids that God puts in your life. We appreciate and bless you.

Bharat and Kalpana Sharma

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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

 

Mothering Sunday 2013 - thoughts of my dear aunt Shanta-mami

I have been thinking and praying about whom I want to honor on my blog for this Mothering Sunday.

I keep getting my maternal aunt Shanta-mami's name in my thoughts. (Mami is maternal auntie, the wife of mom's brother in Indian language). So, lets talk about Shanta mami. (Shanti means peace)

My mom had only one brother, Uncle John, and Shanta-mami was his wife. She was born in India, and she lived and died in India as well. All her sisters' names started with S. Shanta mami was the oldest of all and so more of a motherly figure. She is survived by 4 kids of her own. She was a very pretty, good looking and a gracious, kind woman. A Sister Nurse-in-charge by profession, dedicated to her work; she had a passion for cooking yummy-licious Indian food and loved her God, her work, her husband, her children, her family, her nieces and nephews; and people in general.

Shanta-mami was one of the best cooks, and her dishes were famous among the family and friends. Her mango pickles used to be the best. Back home in India, during my childhood, I remember every year in summer vacation she would come home and make mango pickles for us to last us a whole entire year. Her Christmas sweets were the best and her Chapatis - what can I say! She knew and taught me many kinds of Indian flat breads (Chapati) and their sub-divisions: What is Kori Rolti, Fulka, Bhakhri, Chopda, Paratha, Thepla, Puri, Dhebera, Vedhmi (sweet chapati) etc.. Despite her full-time job as a full-trained midwife, she would try every new recipe. She made scrumptious Handva (an Indian version of spicy corn bread), ice-cream, etc. I have fond memories of big feasts held in her home on Resurrection Day and Christmas Day celebrations, and then we would be taken out for a picnic or outings in general.

Together with my two older siblings, I was privileged to be housed by her for a couple of years when my parents were away in Nairobi, Kenya. Even though she had 4 kids of her own she took my sister, brother, and me in and looked after us, loved us, and trained us. I remember the good times we have shared with her in Pij. I was the youngest of all the kids, so she showered extra love on me. My Mom and Shanta-mami had a good understanding between them. Early in life, during her sickness, my mom breastfed one of her kids and during the time my parents were away, Shanta mami looked after us. My uncle and aunt would play games with us kids in the backyard after meals during summer's bright late evenings.

My special memory of her is when she used to occasionally take me with her on her public health visits to the people in the village. Everyone in Pij town knew Shanta mami  and respected her as "Bahen" the only Nurse back then who loved and cared for them, not only while they were sick, but otherwise, as she was a friendly person. She was called "Ben," endearing term meaning "Sister." And every one knew I was her youngest bhaani (niece). On those visits while passing through the market place, I would be pampered by these dear lovely people, the market place businessmen and women, i.e. the fruit sellers, the grocers, the vegetable vendors; they handed me seasonal goodies and candies! Mami was kind and sweet to me and taught me many good things.

I admired curly hair more as I have very straight hair, so after washing my hair, she would plait 7 chotlis (braids) for me and let it dry for sometime; when it was opened, it was all curly like Goldilocks. During the drying time of those braids,(ah! you know what waiting means to a kid)! So to keep me calm and forget about it for a while, she would let me to go and play with other kids on the slide and swings in the play plot near the bus station that was a stone-throw away from the hospital premise where we lived. In Biblical terminology, it would be almost like at the entrance of the city gate!

She introduced me to the little library that the hospital had and allowed me to read almost all the kids' books, the biographies of the Indian freedom fighters, and other famous diligent and good people. It helped build character in me. Mami would cover her head while praying, and, at night, reading the Bible and praying in my uncle and her household was a must - something I am thankful to God for helping me learn.

Regardless of what the elders in the extended families argued about or even as cousin brothers and sisters, we had our own games and arguments, my uncle and aunt did not treated us differently. They loved us and showered affection on all of us. During afternoon naps or sleeping at night, she would gently stroke my hair with her fingers. Yes, that was my dear aunt (Shanta-mami)

On this Mothering Sunday, I want to honor and remember that I am thankful to God for my Shanta mami and her sister youngest sister Sunanda. Sunanda masi (ma-si means ma-like) was like an elder sister to me in my early teen years, talking to me, listening to me, and helping me cope with teen age life. I am thankful for both of these dear ladies and their presence in my life when I needed it most.

A few years ago, Shanta-mami died due to illness; medical condition of fighting cancer in her body. On this mothering Sunday, I miss her, and I am sure her children and grandchildren miss her too. The world is a better place because there are godly aunties present who are truly mothers to all. They fulfill a high calling of the sacred role of motherhood.

She is resting in peace for now and I hope to see her on the Resurrection Day at the feet of Jesus and hear God say "Well done! my faithful servant" to her for looking after us, loving me and for doing His will for her life well. Here is Shanti-mami:

Copyright © Kalpana Christian Sharma (Mrs.)

2012 Mothers' Day thoughts

It is 2012 Mothers Day Eve. Tomorrow the Mothers' Day will be celebrated - largely in USA. As I am treated to a delicious yummy tasting Spicy Jambalaya Rice made by my dear husband Bharat, as a special treat for me for this evening, i am relishing each grain as I write this.

Well, what am i thinking? God choosing Bharat to make me a mother to our two precious girls.  This year our sweet Narita (Prarthna) "our prayer" graduates from our own home school with Honors diploma certificate. She has been a straight A student, a recipient of solid many years' literature achievement awards and an outstanding character award as well. When it comes to obedience we can count on her. She does it from her heart and so does her sister as well.

They remind me so much of the young Timothy to whom Paul wrong letters to reminding him of how his mother and grand mother had taught scriptures from his infancy. This is what God has enabled me to with my girls. Along with Timothy, I also read in the Bible of how young Joash was raised by his dear aunt, under ground until he became a king. My favourite is Elizabeth, John the Baptist's mother who raised a fine son, who chose to live in the desert, and honored Christ. While some people in the world put their kids in front, at times God calls us to shield our children, nurture them, and teach them what He puts on our hearts. We must be obedient to do His bidding!

10years ago both our girls prayed, hoped and then requested me to resign from my air travel job because they had already short listed and employed me full time to be their home schooling mom! God was at work thru Stuti the younger one, on being adamant that I must resign and home school them personally.

Just only a few days before I realized while Stuti for sometime will still be taught by me, that this is Narita's last quarter to be my high school senior student, even though she chooses to continue to stay home with us, I had tears and cried. It has been a life time- one of a kind and a special honorable experience that I am grateful for! It is a joy and honor to be their teacher mommie, mentor and a Biblical counselor. Praying, reading and memorizing Bible,  Studying, learning, playing, driving, walking, talking, discussing, cooking, knitting, cleaning, snow shoveling, landscaping, leaves raking, and enjoying shopping as well field trips, facing hardships crying, encouraging, and hoping together; and being resourceful, we have been so part of each others' lives. I enjoy being with them and they enjoy being with us 24/7. This has been revolutionary for us as we come from a career minded world where women are recognized sadly and only by their out-of-home- profession; unfortunately, they do not consider that parenting, mothering and mentoring is a sacred call on our lives from the Creator Himself! and for us home schooling moms it is an added advantage to be a positive influence in their lives.

Additionally it has been an equal pleasure to learn from them as well. I remember earlier when on the express highways, girls would look at a sign of a speed limit and then look at the speedometer and ask what do those numbers mean, and when I would explain, they would gently and softly tell me that i might be over speeding. (Smile) see how God teaches us thru them? another high light was every time they find something that is not theirs, be it an extra toy at Micky D's restaurant or a coin found in the toy machine, they would responsibly and joyfully go and give it back stating it is not theirs. It was a thankful moment when those managers would so appreciate their truthfulness and honesty, and our upbringing. When someone bullied them, they bowed down and prayed for the bully. Those are special moments that comes only when Jesus  rules the hearts.

When they were little girls, they used to request me to take them in our car and drive them to buy gifts for me and Bharat for birthdays, Christmas and other holidays like Mother's Day and Father's Day, and today, as they drive, as we sit in the car! its a joyful and tearful moment both, bittersweet!

It is a blessing when your children look upto you, know your strengths and weaknesses as you do theirs, and honor you, learn from you and want to continue to revere you! to Jesus alone be the glory for that!

As a mother I wish my 'dream-come-true-girl', will do well in any discipline and classes she chooses to take for further studies. I know that her eyes are on Lord Jesus and His ears are towards her. She rests knowing that God has a plan for her life and HE will lead her all the way to choose that which is good; all she has to do is trust and obey. In that Bharat and I rejoice that she is walking close with Jesus; my prayers as a mother has always been that my daughters will continue to walk with JESUS all the days of their lives and honor Him in all their beings, thinking, sayings and doings!

Thank you Narita, my dream, and Stuti, my praise, for loving me, appreciating my cooking, honoring me and employing me full time to be your home schooling mom and learning from me! I love my job and vocation! I thank God for giving me this privilege raise you up.I also thank God for Bharat for supporting and co-parenting with me.

In closing, we thank God for Bharat's strong, caring and very concerned mom who lives in India, and my late mom, strong, nursing and courageous who lives in paradise now; I also thank God for my sister, and his sister and all our relatives and dear friends, all those who honor motherhood and continue to be good moms!

Happy Mothers' Day to all of you.

Copyrighted, by Kalpana Christian Sharma (Mrs.)

Mothers' Day 2011 - thoughts on my Mom - the late Mrs. Germana N Christian

Each year different celebrations come and go and we enjoy the days, the family gatherings, and of course the food with fellowship.

Mother's Day is special because it reminds us of the special person who has taken a lot of pain to bring us into this world. We would not be here unless it was for her. So we are indebted to her for a lifetime.

Some mothers are strong, hardworking, disciplinarian, and caring. This year my mom is not alive as she passed away 3 months ago so today's tribute is to her. Her name is the late Germana Nandubhai Christian. People fondly called her Jayaben. 

She was born in a Piplag village in India some 85 years ago. Born to a nurse midwife mom, she lost her Dad before her 2nd birthday. So, life was tough for the widowed granny with two children that is my mom, and her only sibling her brother John. My mom married my Dad the late Nandubhai Christian who also died in a tragic road accident leaving her to be a widow in 1984 with four children, though we were old enough. Dinu my elder brother lives in India, and three of us siblings, my sister Kundan, my brother Rajoo, and I who lived in Nairobi saw her live her widowhood with dignity and hard work, trusting GOD to be her companion.

Mom also chose to be a nurse just like her mother. She truly was a blessing in her nursing career and looked after her patients from the age of 16 to 76 as if she were a missionary serving the Lord. Many people remember Mom in their memory as just being in a nurse's dress that she mostly wore. I am thankful that she had a serving heart.

I remember as a child; my mom had to do late night duties or day duties and she would come when we as kids had already gone to sleep. She would put sweets in our mouths that she had brought for us as many babies were born and it was customary in India to give sweets to people to rejoice over the new birth. yes, she loved working in the maternity ward and many kids are grateful for her presence. The sweets that she put in our mouths. yum. it was a treat, my sister and brother and I, we loved it.

The birth of our own daughter in 1995 was also special as my mom was the 1st one to spot the umbilical cord wrapped wrongly around her neck and immediately asked the doctor to cut it loose so Narita could breathe. Narita is thankful for Grandma's presence during her birth. Stuti remembers her grandma as looking after her before we found a full-time nanny. Bharat my husband shares her joys for watching Indian movies.

During her nursing career, even though she had to attend to many different operations in the Operation Theatre she saved the lives of so many infants as a midwife as well as of adults. As a fully trained nurse. On occasions, she had to pay from her own pocket for the ambulance to transport the tiny babies to a bigger hospital and she willingly did it. Things go differently in Africa where some of the greedy business/hospital owners won't foot the bill, so she ended up giving up her whole salary to pay for the ambulance. I know God will reward her in eternity for this generous act.

I remember she would be in an operating theatre assisting doctors with operations and yet praying, "Lord, look after my kids I am looking after one of yours!" that was a real deep heartfelt prayer.

I have witnessed while on duty, whenever mom took over from a nurse on the previous shift on duty, she would personally go and greet each patient in her ward and find out how they were feeling. That was so special. I am so glad Mom did her job well with passion.

She prepared a special breakfast on Sundays for us to know it was special because it was the Lord's day, something I try to do for my children even today.

She loved me making 'Thepla', a spicy Indian whole wheat flat bread, shallow fried in a pan. Due to her diabetic condition, she had to be careful with her diet so I had to make whole wheat flat breads for her every day. As a teenager, I felt bored making chapatis (flat bread) as a mundane life task but a believer friend once prayed with me and showed me this gesture as a loving discipline from the LORD. she said something like, "Kalpna, don't make chapatis for your mom, make it for Jesus as if he were coming home to eat it every day." This perspective changed my whole outlook. Yes, you guessed it right, from then on, I did it with joy and I became really good at making chapatis (Indian whole wheat flatbread) that families take pride in when their daughters become daughters-in-law. Thank God through Mom for that discipline.

Wait hold on, I have not yet told you that she was a good cook. In my childhood, I remember my cousins loved her lentil soup called 'Daal' and later in years, oh! I loved her vegetarian spicy rice (Mutter Bhaat) with yogurt curry that goes either with whole eggplants stuffed with caraway seeds and spices or Okra. (The recipe for the whole eggplant stuffed with caraway seeds and spices has been in our family from her side for the last 4 generations) and my girls cherish it when I make it just like hers. oh, I could die for that. I always told her if I died before her, she would make the vegetarian spicy rice, curry, and eggplant and put it in my coffin. (smile). My Dad loved her long bean veggies fried with fenugreek seeds and mutter ringer (Garden peas with eggplant) veggie with Indian spices.

Mom was a strict disciplinarian and would not accept no-nonsense. She would discipline us at any cost, my brother and I still remember her spankings. 

She was widowed in 1984 when Dad died in a tragic fatal road accident, so for 26 years till her death, she lived depending on the Lord, even as a full-time nurse by career. I am sure it was not easy for her to have all the responsibilities on her shoulders but she managed well. 

She told us after the birth of her firstborn, our elder brother Dinu, she contracted Typhoid and so due to that sickness she was forced to send Dinu to our grandparents at the village farmhouse. Dinu grew up there as the grandparents did not return him to his mom. They were happy to have a grandkid in their old age that brought joy to them and would joke with mom, "You took our only son who survived out of all 13 kids as your husband, and so we take the only son Dinu (by then) the firstborn to us in return." Mom missed him but due to her full-time work, she probably found relief knowing he was in the care of his grandparents. Whenever we visited the farmhouse, she would make sure to do her best to let him know that she loved him. She bought him toys, clothes, and everything that was needed. 

Being the youngest of the 4 kids, I always wanted to be close to her, in my years apart from her in my childhood I missed her a lot. From my mid-teen years to nearly in late 20s, I was able to reconnect more closely. I became a close companion of her, especially after my Dad died in 1984. She could lean on me. I owe my air travel career to her, she had introduced me to the air travel industry. During the years I was able to spend with my parents when they were alive, we made the most of it. God allowed me to put a big smile on my parents' faces when I would do unusual things for their birthdays, Christmases, and special occasions. God in his mercy and grace allows these times and I don't take it for granted.

I had the honor of sharing the gospel and leading her to say the salvation prayer and transfer her trust in Christ for her salvation, although she believed in Christ and was faithful in her work all her life. She shared with us that when she was young, she grew up as a Methodist, and to study further she had to accept Catholicism so I had a burden to share the importance of personal relationship with Christ. Isn't that amazing to hear your mom say the sinner's prayer? Her grandma was an evangelist, so wow, single women faced life as widows in 3 generations in my family.

This is personal and I have tears as I remember this and write. When she was a small child, and this is going back to the 1930s, in India. As a little girl's mom was asked to do some chores for an elderly neighbor. She enthusiastically helped but, after which, she was falsely accused of taking some coins, which mom had no idea about. The neighbor's daughter had tricked mom into this just to have fun. They told Mom, they had to put real hot coals from the kitchen (burning charcoals) on her hand, if she had not taken the money, her hands would not burn, but if she had, her hands would burn. My mom, as an innocent child agreed for the hot red burning charcoals to be put on her hand as she had not taken any coins!!!!! and oh dear, they held her tiny hands and put the coals! She willingly held not knowing what mess she was into. In a few seconds, her hands were severely burnt, so she threw away the coals with screams. She was so scared to show her burnt hands to anyone, that instead of going home to be further punished by her mom, in fear she ran to the common lake in the village, soaking her burnt hands to be soothed. oh! how can people be so cruel? Mom was rescued later by her mom who believed she had not taken any money. My mom refused to go and said unless they promised not to punish her further, she would otherwise she would stay put at the village pond overnight as long as she could. Her mom promised she would not beat her. Isn't this heartbreaking?

When I went witnessing for Christ, in my early 20s Mom loved it and encouraged me to do more. Once an Indian religious mother came home to abuse me as I had introduced her son to Christ, and given him some books to read. She came home charging, looking for me, but I was not yet home from work, so she abused Mom and humiliated her in front of our neighbors throwing Bible and Christian books at her. when I returned, I felt so embarrassed for Mom and was angry and said how sorry I was; especially since she as a widow had to endure this in her old age, yet my mom with a smile on her face said to me, "Hasn't the Lord told us that we will have to suffer persecution for His Name sake?" oh my, I had tears and I thanked God for giving me a believing, brave and bold Christian Mom who was willing to take the blows in my place for the sake of the kingdom of righteousness.

My mom is in heaven today and I am thankful for her life. Many people wrote on her death day and shared how blessed they were to know Mom. She always smiled and loved humor. She had a lot of burdens on her shoulders trying to balance her career, home, walk with the Lord, social life, standing up to patriarchy in the village, in society, and at work plus other responsibilities, yet did it joyfully. She believed and said, "If life gives you bitter pills you've got to take it, you've got to live the life." A growing neighborhood girl actually shared that she was inspired as a small 5-year-old child to become a doctor and doctor she did become; she shared, she owed it to my mom, for that inspiration.

Mom chose to live her retired life in India at her own house, with our elder brother Dinu who looked after her from 1998 to 2011. It seems like they made up living together that they had missed for all those years, the lost time of the growing years when she was forced to give him up to the grandparents due to her Typhoid sickness when he was barely a few months old. Isn't God great to restore the years locusts eat up?  Due to the distance and circumstances, I was not able to see her for more than a decade; she had suffered much but I am glad in the last 4 months of her life she was able to travel to Nairobi and be looked after by my elder sister (who also chose to be a nurse), her husband and her daughter. I am so thankful to my brother Dinu and my sister Kundan and her family for looking after Mom while I have been away. I also am thankful to GOD that in the years that I was given to spend with her, we had the best of times. I have good memories of spending meaningful joyous times, tears of crying about life's painful phases, and trusting GOD through it all.

I rejoice for Mom's dedication to her job, to her service, and to her LORD.
I look forward to seeing her in heaven when I go there in eternity at the feet of Jesus.

May these few life story lessons from my mom's life encourage you deeply.

Copyrighted © by Kalpna C Sharma, May 2011

Mothers' Day 2010

In USA Mothers' Day is celebrated in the month of May while in the UK it is in March. Whatever the month, mother is a special person in everyone's lives.

Mother gives us birth and right from the word go, our 1st touch, 1st language, 1st relationship, 1st nourishment, our life comes from God through a mother and a father.

While I write this, I want to say that many folks share with me about how good their relationship is with their mother or how bad it is. There are many in between as well. I pray that those who read this will read with an open mind. Regardless of how we have been treated in our lives, our mothers chose to give birth to us. If for nothing else, let us be thankful for that. The very life that we live, the bones we have, and the flesh and blood that runs through our veins, were formed by the Creator in her womb. God chose for whatever reason for our mom to be our mom. Like Margaret, a coach at a Landmark Forum said, "You need to be grateful for and to your mother for giving you birth! Anything else that comes more than that is a bonus" (1997, Landmark Forum, Nairobi, Kenya). 

I pray that the world will give more honor to mothers and assist mothers to be moms, instead of just offering adoption options, even within the Christian circle. Let us not just encourage women to give birth only, but truly empower them to be real moms; provide and assist them with tools to be one! I know kids and real moms in the longer run will be more blessed by that than taking away their God-given role and God-ordained tie unless the parent is no more in the world. Motherhood is something sacred, anyone can give birth but it is a long deep delightful commitment to be a mom. (Note: I am not totally against adoptions. There are cases where the parents are either not present, dead, or severely incapacitated, or no safe relatives are around or kids are abandoned, adoption is sacred. But I am opposed to the easy way out kind of adoption, a multimillion-dollar industry, or snatching kids from less developed countries. Hey, the economic aspect is important but you can support the good biological parents through financial assistance rather than taking kids from their good parents, culture, language, and customs. If you are financially blessed you can empower these less privileged parents and let them raise their own kids.)

In the Bible, God is portrayed as gentle as a mother and good as a father. God has both characteristics which is why God can empower us to be the moms that God knows best that our kids need.

Rejoicing with you in being a mom to the precious kids God has put in our laps, thanking God for them and for our husbands whom God used to make us moms. 

To all dedicated moms, happy and blessed is your calling: Happy Mothers' Day!

Kalpana Christian Sharma (Mrs.) ©copyright 2010

My notes on Mothers' Day of 2006

Dear fellow earth dwellers, 

These are my notes on this Mother's Day and I share them with you! May 12, 2006

Mother's Day is widely celebrated in the USA in May and in England in March. I salute many moms in the world and also in the Bible. Each one who loves God, and what difference they make in the lives of their child/ren. The one that particularly caught my attention was the Canaanite woman.

Do you know she came to the Lord Jesus and Jesus answered her not a WORD! not that, even his disciples had to tell him, "Lord, please send her away, she is really disturbing!" (to put it in today's language, "She is really being a pain!") and guess what! Jesus did not seem to pay any attention to her!

She kept pleading and we read that Jesus seems to shut her, "I was not sent to the gentiles but to the lost sheep of Israel." (dare I,  rephrase it, "to the 'Faithless' lost sheep").

She kept pleading... now notice, what Jesus says to her, "It is not right to take the meat from the children and give it to dogs!!" (OUCH!!) I know it feels so condescending, humiliating, and belittling, but hold on; let me disclose something here! All my life, before, i got this insight just a few months back, I too had kept questioning this radical answer but the minute I realized some truth about GOD, my eyes saw an amazing fact! 

First not as a mom or even as a gentile, but as a child of God, I realized God is never WRONG ever!! the Word of God can NOT be wrong! and Jesus can NOT be wrong! so I prayed, "Lord, forgive my little understanding of mind and in your own time you show me your truth!" aha! guess what I learned!

He had made that woman, and he knew her inside out, just as He knows each of us, be it Canaanite, gentile or Jew, Christians or non-Christians!! Even before Pharisees spoke, He knew their thoughts, Jesus knew this lady's faith was GREAT, greater than the faith of the Jews to whom HE was sent first!! (generally speaking!) and by no means he was belittling her! He knew a MOTHER'S HEART because He is our Heavenly Father and Mother. "Can a mother forget her child? even if she does, I will never forget you! (Isa49:15)

So he knew he was talking to a persistent, consistent, unstoppable, and persuading parent and her faith was not willing to take anything less than what she had come for! from the ONE who ALONE can give her WHAT she needed, what she came for!! she was not going to take a NO for an answer! Jesus was drawing out the words from her, words that would leave an impression on the listeners' hearts for generations to come!

So she replied; and dear one! I want you to picture this humble experience, she said, "Lord, even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from the kids' table!" and JESUS said, "GREAT is your FAITH, let it be to you as you desire" and we read, "Instantly her daughter was healed!"

Now unlike the centurion, a gentile as well, whose "servant" was sick; note not his child but his servant! and Jesus knew he was not talking to a father but a human boss! And Jesus offered to go to his house saying, "I will come to your house." Now notice because the Jews and Canaanites did NOT share any deep relationship so for that lady to come to a JEW was a big thing! This was a Roman soldier, but he also humbled and said, "Lord, I am not worthy that you should come under my roof, speak a word and I know it will be done as I am a man under authority!" wow! Jesus said, "TRULY I have NOT seen THIS FAITH in Israel."

These folks displayed humility that was accompanied or pushed by faith (faith is the gift of God, we cannot work for it). My missionary cousin, shared with me a few years back that "Every time disciples asked, 'Lord, increase our faith,' He kept emphasizing "BE humble!"

"By grace, we are saved through faith! even that is not our own, it's a gift of GOD!" Eph. 2:8-9

Would you and I humble ourselves before this GREAT ONE and take anything that comes into our lives to help us be God's faithful children, to be the kind of parent, mom, or dad that God wants us to be!!!!! not our dreams but as per divine plans! It may seem like God is pushing you at times, rejecting you, or closing the door on you, but at that time let's remember this persistent, persuasive, unstoppable Canaanite mother and see who God wants to impact through our reactions! 

I pray that this God who knows us inside out will make a difference in our lives to be such parents!

Happy Mother's Day to all those faithful moms!

Honoring faithful moms from the mother of our Lord Jesus to this Canaanite woman, to Hannah, to Susanna Wesley to Mother Teresa to any unknown mom that we have not yet heard of, and to some of us who are in the middle somewhere!

Kalpana Christian Sharma (Mrs.)
Copyright © KC's writings 2010