By Wangari Murathe

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge will award me on that day – and not only to me but also to all who have longed for his appearing.”    2 Timothy 4:7-8.

In the last issue, we featured Nelius Wanjeri, an inspiring blind gospel singer. Born in 1985, she became totally blind in 1998. She battled with acceptance of her condition but later came to testify that, “disability is not inability”.

She put to use her God given talent of singing and by the end of 2009, had produced three albums. This type of resolution is a wake up call to all those who feel they are disadvantaged in one way or another. There is always hope that when one door closes, God will open another door.

Setbacks are also opportunities for one to inspire others on reliance on God’s providence. Sometimes it is God’s will that you serve Him with that “thorn in your flesh”.

Just like Paul in 2 Corinthians 7- 10, we need to learn that God’s grace is sufficient and His power is made perfect in weakness. And like Hellen Keller (who was blind like Wanjeri) said, “if the blind put their hands in God’s, they will find their way more surely than those that see but have no faith or purpose”.

Irrespective of our circumstances and inabilities, God will give us “peace that knows no understanding" and will provide all that we need in life to fulfil our purpose.

Nelius went to be with the Lord on the 24^th January 2010. She had ovarian cancer. The early symptoms of ovarian cancer are vague and common with other conditions which mean that many cases such as hers are diagnosed in advanced stages. She was 24 years old when she died and was buried on the 4^th of February 2010, the International Cancer Day.

“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His Saints”. (Psalms 116:15).

Parable of Immortality

I am standing by the seashore.
A ship at my side spreads her white sails to the morning breeze
and starts for the blue ocean.
She is an object of beauty and strength,
and I stand and watch until at last she hangs like a peck of white cloud
just where the sun and sky come down to mingle with each other.
Then someone at my side says:
- 'There she goes!

Gone where?

Gone from my sight - that is all.

She is just as large in mast and hull and spar
as she was when she left my side
and just as able to bear her load of living freight
to the places of destination.
Her diminished size is in me, not in her.

And just at the moment when someone at my side says:
- 'There she goes! ',
there are other eyes watching her coming,
and other voices ready to take up the glad shout - 'Here she comes!'

Henry Van Dyke 1852 – 1933

This article first appeared in the March – April  2010 issue of Woman of Faith magazine.

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