A Memorable Encounter

This incident took place during my recent class trip to Kodaikanal and Munnar. It was the third and final day of the trip and we had halted the previous evening at this place (I think it’s pronounced Malaiyoor or something like that) which is in Idukki district of Kerala close to the TN border behind Munnar.  The motley crew of students – my classmates did have a great time at the camp fire held the previous night. But I choose to spend some time in the quiet that evening with a friend after a short time of wild dancing around the camp fire which I was told was a memorable one since it is not always that I broke loose.

I got up quite early in the morning at 4.45 AM and being the final day of the trip I wanted to make the most of the morning. At 5.30 after a bath and a shave I got ready to head out into the village. I asked the resort manager directions to the nearest church and that I was not very particular about the denomination. He directed me to a church which was about 10 mins walking distance from the resort. It was a relatively new CSI church which was on a small hill. The main gate was closed as it was early in the morning, but I did find out a way to enter the premises and made my way up to the main door of the church which was closed. On reaching there I knelt down and began my prayers. Time passed I think it was almost half an hour before I heard a voice in an accent saying “You look troubled son”.  I looked back wondering who it might be and saw this old man and his wife coming from behind the church. He introduced himself as John and his wife as Helen. They were from Colorado Springs, USA and were in India on a holiday. They too had come to church quite early in the morning for their prayers. I introduced myself and we got talking.

I then shared with them some dilemmas and recent incidents which were actually testing my character and patience. Some of these were just immediate grievances against people; others were just disappointments in life and dreams which were not fulfilled. As I concluded I just told him that these were trials in life which God has sent for my own good. (Something my old man, my dad always told me about). John looked at me and said “Son, are you familiar with the verse from Luke 9:23 from the bible”. “Yes I do”, I said. I had committed this verse to memory sometime back. I recited the verse which was as follows - And Jesus said “If any man wants to come after me, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily and follow me”. John then said “So Ashwin now that you know this verse and have memorized it, what’s that problem? Your dreams in life did not come true and you did not want to deny yourself that dream and so when it did not happen you got disappointed.  If you had truly denied yourself those dreams you would have indeed been taking up your cross daily and following God and what you called disappointments now turn out to be God’s pruning, so that you depend on Him.” This statement got me thinking and I was remembered of another verse in the Bible – 2 Corinthians 1: 8-9 which had a similar idea.

Helen who was listening to me with keenness said, “Son”, Lamentations 3:32 in the bible tells us that God lets both good things and bad things happen”. “And in all this from the sparrows example in Mathew 10: 29.30 we know that God is in control and that he is in control when he gives us happiness and sadness”. “And do you know why it happens?”. I knew the answer to this question and I quoted James 1:2 and Romans 5:3-5 from memory which tells us how sufferings develops patience in us, build our character, gives us hope, polishes us and refines to be people God intend us to be. This was the answer she was looking for.

John then said, “Now let’s talk about grievances you have against people”. He quoted another verse from the Bible – Roman 5:8 “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us”. “Now that you know what Christ did, you know what to do. You need to forgive them as many times they hurt you and accept them in your life no matter the number of time they hurt you. Yes, you might consider keeping a little distance from such people to protect yourself from getting hurt but never them outside you sight. Ask God for this gift and grace”. His advice made perfect sense to me as I had firmly believed in another verse in the Bible Ephesians 5:1 which has been my benchmark for all my life situations and the reactions to them.

We were now walking down the church as we reached to this point in the conversation we reached a coffee shop which was quiet far from my resort and also from the church. We ordered for coffee which was served steaming hot. While sipping coffee the couple gave me many more insights into life from their own life experiences and I too shared with them things I have told only a very few people.  I soon realized that I was getting late it was 7 and I had to get back to my room to pick my bag and load it in the bus. We exchanged emails and as we were parting John asked me since I had a habit of memorizing scriptures did I know Proverbs 3: 5-6. I replied saying “yes”. “My dad taught me those years ago when I was battling a crisis as an undergraduate student”. He said that it was a good idea to study that word to word and reflect upon it.  I thanked him for this advice and promised that I would do so. As I bid farewell to the old couple and made my way to the resort to gather my bags to load it in the bus I could not help but quote that verse (Proverbs 3: 5-6) in my mind and peace soon returned to me. -  “Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Lean not onto your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your path straight”.

I was filled with peace in my heart which has since remained.