A cry for mercy

A meditation on Luke 7:11-17 (story of the widow of Nain)

Oh Jesus, you heard the silent cry of the widow of Nain as she went off to bury her only son.
Hear my cry as I turn once more to you with my dead hopes, dreams, plans and desires.
Hear my cry as I run to the shadow of your throne.
Hear my plaintive cries for I am weak and have suffered long.
Turn to me and have mercy.
Bring back to life my dead dreams and hopes.
Revive my weak spirit and show me mercy.
There are so many times when I wonder if I am under punishment from you.
I cry to you all day long yet you seem not to hear.
And now all my hopes are dead.
Oh Jesus, have mercy on me.
I have been in this pit for too long.
Have mercy and turn to me.
Show your power. Bring me back to life.

Angela Azumah Alu, 19/09/17

Image from: http://lavistachurchofchrist.org/Pictures/Standard%20Bible%20Story%20Readers,%20Book%20Six/target36.html

Happy birthday Esther!

 So this is an excited me writing this!!!!!!!!

Well, since it’s a special celebration going on for a year….it’s not belated.

Happy birthday again and again!!!!

There’s so much to say that I wonder where to even start.

I celebrate the awesome woman you were, are and will be.

I rejoice at the lady who has been through so much and yet always comes out standing tall…like a cat you always land on your feet.

Maybe our worries might seem like “21^st century troubles” but they’re real all the same and I always admire the way you handle what life throws at you.

For me, you’ve been there…….as a study partner, a voice of reason, a sounding board, a ready ear and many other things too numerous to count and I celebrate you. Thank you. We pray for many more years of love, laughter and joy to come.

And I see you do so well with others as well…..as Esther you are very loyal, generous and the practical friend who is always handy to have around because she always knows what to do.

I pray that you continue to grow into the woman our Creator made you to be and that He keeps taking you from height to height.

May He wipe every tear and fill you with joy unspeakable every day of your life.

May your times of sorrow only serve as a means to emphasize your times of joy and laughter.

May you fulfil every word He has spoken about you and may you continue to be a blessing!

Cheers! The best is yet to be!

Angela Azumah Alu, Legon

Happy fathers' Day!

Happy fathers’ day!

We’ve had our ups and downs but you’re the best father a girl could ask for.

Your dedication to work is legendary and I remember all the open days you didn’t come for…lol.

Yet I also remember that painful and lengthy trek to Akwatia every term for visiting day.

You have always challenged me to be all I can be, to be a well rounded woman and to be a good big sister.

Thank you…for every sacrifice you have made and continue to make just so we can achieve our dreams and live that comfortable life you didn’t have as a child.

Thank you for all of that.

Your way has always been to do your best with what you are given…and you have lived that out everyday. 

Your faith shines out in all you do.

You have indeed set the bar high and we pray we are able to live up and even exceed your laurels.

There’s so much I want to say…but thank you and thank you again!

Happy fathers’ day to the one and only Uncle P!

Angela Azumah Alu, 17/06/17, Accra

I will forget

The memories may seem never ending

The pain may seem unbearable

The questions may be too many

But one day I will forget.

One day, I will forget the pain you caused,

The memories will blur

My soul will be at peace

And one day I will forget.

One day, I will laugh out loud when I have to tell this story.

I will laugh at myself

And wonder why it was such a big deal.

One day I will forget.

One day, you and I will sit together and reminisce

About those days when we were young.

And about the feelings that grew and had to die.

One day I will forget.

Even if we never do,

And I never get an explanation for why you ghosted me,

And it stays awkward forever,

The memories will fade and I will forget.

One day soon, I will thank God for what has happened now.

And praise Him as I am already doing

Because every plan of His is perfect.

One day I will rejoice because I have forgotten.

Angela Azumah Alu

13:04, Legon

11/6/17

image from:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GrLj1g1zvoI

Easter

40 days seems like a long time, 

Yet Lent is over soon.

And at Easter there is joy again.

How like life that seems. 

Deep sorrow and pain we encounter at various times

Which precede the times of great joy in our life

Reminding us that weeping may endure for a night but His joy comes with the morning. 

Yes Indeed! 

Keep hope alive and keep pressing. 

God is with you!

Happy Easter!

 

Angela Azumah Alu

Lord I believe; help my unbelief!-A meditation on Luke 9:14-29

When I feel like I’ve prayed and yet you have not heard,

When in spite of all your promises, it seems like you take better care of the sparrows,

When my heart is broken and my spirit is crushed and you seem not to care.

Lord I believe; help my unbelief!

When I have wrestled with the same challenges for only you know how long,

And almost seem to be wondering around in the wilderness,

And wonder if I will ever reach the promised land.

Lord I believe; help my unbelief!

When your prophets and messengers seem unable to help me,

And it almost feels there must be something wrong,

And you seem very very far away.

Lord I believe; help my unbelief!

You say nothing is impossible for the one who believes.

Stretch forth you hand in power.

Only you can do this. Have mercy Lord, and help me.

Lord I believe; help my unbelief!

Angela Azumah Alu, 22/2/17

image courtesy of: http://www.flyinginthespirit.cuttys.net/2016/07/10/help-my-unbelief/

Reflection on the Presentation of the Lord

Reflections on Malachi 3:1-4; Heb 2:14-18: Luke 2:22-40

 (2nd February 2014; Feast of the Presentation of the Lord)

Background:

The feast of the Presentation of the Lord is celebrated on the 2nd of February every year. This year, it fell on a Sunday. The Presentation celebrates baby Jesus being presented by his parents in the temple. This was in obedience to an ancient regulation where God asked all Israelite parents to 'redeem' their first born sons from Him. It was in remembrance of God saving the first born sons of the Israelites during the passover in Egypt.

The first reading is from Malachi and speaks of the Lord suddenly appearing in the temple and purifying His people so they make offerings in righteousness to the Lord.

The second reading, from Hebrews, speaks of Christ the High priest who became like us in every way to save us and thus is able to help us when we are tempted.

The Gospel presents the Presentation narrative.

Honestly, it was the first time I'd ever really thought of the Presentation. And it occurred to me that although God required a physical circumcision and purification in the past, He requires spiritual circumcision and purification of us. And He is the one to do it. That's where the prayer/poem came from. I pray it's a blessing. 

Purify me LORD!

Circumcise me,

through and through,

Cleanse me wholly,

that I may be yours 

and yours alone.

That, as your temple, 

I may offer

pleasing and acceptable sacrifices

to you.

Circumcise me, high priest,

Purify me; circumcise me

that I may be clean and reflect you only.

Angela Azumah Alu (February, 2014)

Image courtesy of: http://www.womenofgrace.com/blog/?p=19086