I feel overwhelmed. So much has happened in the last two months that I have not even had the energy or time to process or document. Combining full-time studies as an MBA student with family life as a father and husband while volunteering actively with a student organization has been a big ask of myself, especially considering that my wife works a full time job and my babies constantly need attention. I feel like I need to be kinder to myself – to breathe, relax, pray and play some more, and find more quiet time – I have no quiet time right now. But I hear Jesus calling to me…

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls (Matthew 11:28-29)

I continue to revise my understanding of my capabilities as I observe how I respond to life events. I guess I am not as strong as I thought I was. Or maybe I was, but am weaker now. I cannot tell. Either way, what’s more important is my self-awareness. As winter grudgingly draws to a close in Edmonton and temperatures oscillate above and below zero, the hope of new life springing forth brings some renewed strength. And with the end of the winter semester looming in the distance (roughly a month away), it brings with it the double-edged sword of several outstanding deliverables and final relief when the semester ends. Still, I have a living hope…

Because the Sovereign LORD helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore have I set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame (Isaiah 50:7)

Sometimes I feel like a soldier, like a veteran who has not experienced great victories but has learned great endurance – one who has learnt through experience to persevere and stick it out through difficult seasons. I have endured worse. Or have I? It doesn’t matter. At times like this, the significance of my faith in Jesus Christ comes into full view as I lean on God’s eternal strength to carry me through and past this finish line into new territories and new challenges. I am the man who walks with God.

The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms (Deut. 33:27a)

They say today, March 20, is Spring Equinox. It does feel a bit “springy” but the snow isn’t giving way fully just yet. We will have to wait a little longer for that. While we wait, I can look forward with hope and upward with faith, knowing that the Father of our spirits who dwells in unapproachable light will strengthen my spirit and renew my soul. All I have to do is ask and keep asking. I have experienced the power of prayers offered in faith, and I will experience it again and again in my lifetime, just because I believe.

I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living (Psalm 27:13)

Final thoughts: I had the most unexpected experience on Sunday. We were home in the morning when we suddenly experienced a power cut. My friend who’s lived here for 11 years told me he’s experienced that only three times. Well, I have now experienced one just within eight months of living in Canada. Power was out for about forty minutes altogether. My older son’s confusion when it happened kept me amused all through. He kept flipping the switches all around the house as though the switches were to blame for the absence of electricity. We spent most of the time talking about shadows as the sunlight we let in through the windows cast long shadows of us, and now my younger son calls every dark thing a “shadow”. But who’s afraid of shadows? Not me!

The Lord is my light and my salvation — whom shall I fear? (Psalm 27:1)

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me (Psalm 23:4)

As I wrapped up this post, I saw an email notification that the last of the grades from the three midterm exams I wrote in late February has been posted. Just like the other two, the results were great! This one was even better than I expected given how clumsy how I was in that exam. This is one of those little reminders that God is with me through it all. Through it all!

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble (Psalm 46:10)

Thank you for reading! Come by again soon!