One Day at a Time

In every darkness, there's light at the end

Growing up, we used to watch Family TV a great deal. I got to absolutely look forward to experiencing the big crusades the world over by Benny Hinn. On Saturday mornings though, it was always a tussle between me and small sister who couldn’t afford to miss the Colby Kids’ Clubhouse show while I would prefer the likes of Powerpuff Girls and Courage 60 on Nation TV, before it was rebranded to NTV.  The trick on which station to watch was to entice small brother to be on your side. Democracy was instilled years ago. Our mother-who had veto power, would insist we watch Family TV though. She used to love a show that was hosted by an old but friendly looking woman who would sing amidst nuggets of wisdom and encouragements. Her best tune was titled ‘One Day at a Time’. For some reason, I have never gotten the tune nor the lyrics out of my head. Later on, I learnt her name is Cristy Lane.

One day at a time, sweet Jesus

That's all I'm asking from You

Just give me the strength to do everyday

What I have to do

Yesterday's gone, sweet Jesus

And tomorrow may never be mine

Lord, help me today, show me the way

One day at a time…

The Pursuit of Happiness is a Journey

It’s easy to sing a song, recall a great quote or even memorize a Bible verse. But most times, it’s harder to apply them in our day to day life. The storms that we face from time to time can almost shatter us. Earlier this year, it was a bleak time for me. I remember at church on New Year’s eve, I couldn’t even pray for the situation I found myself in seemed hopeless. But as it’s said, a testimony is preceded by a test and so the days wore on. In moments like those, it’s easy to despair, rebel or wallow in pity. Thankfully, God’s ways aren’t like ours and all along, He had a great plan for me.

Sometimes, we find ourselves on the brink of giving up. That’s why suicide is such a rude reality. But what if we decided to live a day at a time; trusting God to see us through to a better day. Because eventually, we will die. And when that happens, our titles will automatically change to ‘body’. They will say our bodies are preserved in a particular place, our bodies will be ferried to our eventual place of burial and our bodies will be lowered down back into the earth. Soil to soil. Silence.

Before that happens though, why can’t we all accept and embrace life! The world is just but a big stage, we are the characters of a play called life. It’s true that we never chose what place to be born in, but still, we have the ability to make an impact.  There will never be another time on Earth for anyone, so don’t hold back living to the fullest, just do it! A time will come, when our teeth are gone and what we will cherish most are memories. So, what will your memories be? Live it today, and smile tomorrow. I watched an Emirates Airlines ad featuring two football greats-Edson Arantes do Nascimento, better known as Pelé who dazzled the world four decades ago and Cristiano Ronaldo, a modern day legend. In the ad, some two guys are speaking behind the latter’s back and he has a big smirk written all over his face but gets a tad embarrassed to realize that they are in awe of the former as he approaches. Then, another guy asks Pele to take a photo as he poses with Ronaldo. The guy doesn’t even know how highly esteemed Pele is held by those who bore testament to his exploits. And it ends with the two legends in an embrace, the hourglass is at par. Life really is a cycle and there’s nothing new under the sun (Ecclesiastes 1:9).

Everyone has what they consider success. Whether it is personal, corporate, social or even as a nation. We really need to come to terms with what true success is. It would be foolhardy to chase life for the ultimate glory and collapse right at the very end. Each day should be lived such that regrets and disillusionment don’t cloud our happiness. But if having fun will last a day, and happiness last for a season, what is eternal is the joy of the Lord. Seek it and you’ll never be caught up in the viciousness and vanity of this life. As some friends of mine summed up the life of man in a song titled ‘Vanity’,

Maisha haya yatoweka,

Mchangani tutakuweka

Mali yako, hautabeba,

Itakwishia dunia...

Indeed, as Jesus said in various accounts of the Gospel, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.” (Matthew 24:35, Luke 21:33, Mark 13:31). Let us trust In Him, but also remember this: You only have one life, so live it right. Do what your heart desires and go for that one thing in the world that will truly make you happy.

I did. And I’m loving it J

Wild & Free