My heart can only hold so much, my tears can only flow so much and my burden can only carry so much. I believe that everything in life has its limit when we can say enough is enough. This blog is a second segment of “He lifted my burden”(part 1), which refers to a heartfelt weight I was holding on to when I found out, that one of my old-time (best-friend) had a heavy burden in her heart. She shared with me her experience and all I could do is ask Jesus to help me support her and be there for her. The beauty in all of this is that this friend, I met her in 1999, in Markham Toronto, two years after my mother passed away, my father decided to bring my brother and me to live with him, there. That friend happened to be my first friend in this foreign place, I was living at, with one of my brother and our father. She was the closest neighbor I could have because I was living in the basement apartment of her parent’s home. We could only share so much with each other, coming from different cultural backgrounds but a heart sowed with love, waves of laughter, and long-lasting friendship, no matter the distance, culture, and language barriers. Her name is Prabhjot Jyoti Jaura, I loved to say her name teasing( jokingly) her at school but honestly loving the sound of her name as it was unique and intriguing to pronounce. In retrospect, I must say one thing I loved about living in Toronto was the fact that it is multicultural and the school system embraces the differences and nations of others. Nonetheless, Prabhjot and I could not spend a day without hanging out, she would teach me some Punjabi words and also introduced the fine cuisine of her mother’s kitchen. I remember as if it was yesterday; eating the curry chicken with naan bread. I could not stop indulging in some homemade spicy pizza her mother would make; when the smell would travel through the house ventilation system into my nostrils, it was good, I tell you. In return, being only 13yrs old at the time, I made her my homemade poutine with a generous spread of mozzarella cheese mix with hot gravy sauce dripping down the fries and cheese; how unique right!! but she loved it. You can only imagine, how much we shared; lots of good food, waves of laughter, and beautiful cultural traditions. We soon extended our friendship circle with another high school friend of ours named Janelle. We were remembered as the three musketeers or the inseparable. We enjoyed endless movie nights, fun times with each other, and creating lasting memories. I can only recall great things about our young lives sprouting until the time was cut short in March 2001. All of a sudden, I was urgently shifted back to Montreal, where I was residing before my mother passed away. It was a sudden change due to unforeseen circumstances.
In the tornados of my life, I ended up back in Montreal, Quebec in a new high school, a new living environment to which I quickly had to adapt to. Furthermore, Prabjhot and I tried to keep up with our friendship but it was not as easy therefore we lost contact and went about our lives trying as much as possible to keep in touch here in there but we let life carry us through its wave. As time went by, one day I took the opportunity to visit Toronto, I always wondered about all my friends, classmates, and teachers I left behind due to a drastic change. Moreover, I always asked myself where was she? Prabjhot ?, what was she doing?, How was she? , my mind was filtering unanswered questions. Ultimately, I reached out searching through Facebook, and eventually found her. After several discussions on different occasions, I finally told her I was visiting Toronto in January 2018 with my family and told her “I want to pass by see you”. She automatically said “yes sure”, I was surprised after so long, she shared her coordinates with me but honestly, I could not deny that our connection surpassed the doubt and the discomfort of the distance we experienced. Therefore, upon my arrival, I was greeted by the whole family as if I was the “prodigal daughter”, greeted with love, compassion, peace, and remembrance, and guess what; her mother made, my favorite pizza dish; she once did. Nonetheless, Prabhjot and I chatted away and since that visit, and we never stopped connecting and making sure we catch up with each other as much as possible including visiting each other, when she was visiting Montreal or me Toronto. That same year we reunited, we carried over well, to the point that she even kept me informed of her pregnancy development and experiences.
Inner Beauty
The story of a beautiful journey started after a memorable wedding ceremony in Jan 2016, this young couple soon decided to embark on the journey of parenthood to start a family. The “Inner Beauty” is the meaning of her name; Seerat Sadeora a lovely gift from God from the inner parts of her life to the outstanding manifestation of her flourishing life. This baby girl was born on Nov 3rd, 2018 in Ontario Canada being the golden treasure of two loving individuals Prabhjot Jyoti (Jaura) Sadeora and Jaskaran Sadeora . After giving birth to baby Seerat, to their stunning surprise, Seerat was born with a rare and unexpected disease referred to as the “Wieacker Syndrome”. (Click here for more info ) This was shocking news not only to them but the whole medical staff, family, and friends, as they were not understanding what happened or what may have been missed, throughout the medical appointments. Furthermore, I remember when she called me, she was expressing her concerns about Seerat not being able to eat because she was told by doctors that her daughter could not be able to swallow because of her condition therefore she will have a permanent tube feeding. Let us pause here and understand that the word of God says in proverbs 16:1-2 We humans make plans, but the Lord has the final word.We may think we know what is right, but the Lord is the judge of our motives.(To get a clearer understanding, this is derived from the CVE bible version). Besides that, if you recall from my previous post the doctor mentioned something similar under the lines that there will be physical permanency in the body. However, as a believer, I am convinced and have confidence that God has the last say in all things no matter what the medical realities are. Although, you remember, how Prabhjot and I would rave about the food, therefore the burden of her daughter not being able to eat left a heavy toll on her heart as well as mines. The way she described food was something we can connect to, something to be enjoyed and I agreed with her. I kept on thinking about her, more and more, and when the opportunity came up that my husband and I went to Toronto for a church Filipino conference. At that time, it was around April 2019 and Seerat was about 5 months old. Therefore, while I was in Toronto, I told my husband we need to go visit Prabjoht my friend, her husband, and baby Seerat (who I adopted as my Lil niece). I told my husband how it was a burden in my heart, to pray for them especially baby Seerat before we went back to Montreal. While we meet up, we ate and enjoyed each other’s presence, plus it was my first time meeting my Lil baby Seerat, with whom I fell in love at first sight. Nonetheless, as we drove into our conversations, Prabhjot Jyoti told me I quote “Mary you know how painful the feeding tube is? because I tried it and put it in my own nose and it felt terrible, I can only imagine how painful it is for her to receive food with that tube“. Just at that moment, I felt as if I could feel her trembling pain and I felt her burden which became mine also, and immediately I felt a strong leading from God that I needed to ask her if I can pray for Seerat . I felt a spiritual nudge as if God was telling me “Mary do not forget the power I have given you when you received the Holy Ghost”. As we see, in Acts 1: 8 it says “But you will receive power and ability when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses [to tell people about Me] both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and Samaria, and even to the ends of the earth”(AMP). It is also clear in Luke 1:35 “The angel answered and said to her, The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you,…”. As well as in Mark 6:5 “So He could not perform any miracles there, except to lay His hands on a few of the sick and heal them me”. Therefore, I went into her room and my husband and I prayed, laid hands on baby Seerat; declaring her healing and ability to eat in Jesus’s Name. We could feel His presence in the room as we prayed fervently for this beautiful baby. I could see the held tears in my friend’s eyes not wanting to express how she felt, but she sure knew that something was happening. My husband and I left the room with the assurance that Jesus will be doing a miracle in this child’s life continuously. Soon after we left to go back home and we continued to pray for baby Seerat , we left prayer request in our church home fellowship group (HFJ) about the healing process of baby Seerat. A month and a half later, my friend calls me and says “Mary thank you so much , because your Jesus heard your prayer, my daughter can eat solid food now and will never use the tube feeding again” . She later, informed me that the doctors conducted an X-ray test and saw that she was able to swallow therefore able to eat regular food and that the feeding tube will be removed permanently . The joy that overwhelmed my soul could not be explained, I leaped for joy and started praising Jesus for all He has done and will be doing for baby Seerat .
“Carry one another’s burdens and in this way you will fulfill the requirements of the law of Christ [that is, the law of Christian love]”
Galatians 6: 2 (AMP)
Word of encouragement:
I want to encourage someone, to stay faithful to God’s promises because His faithfulness is an assurance in our life. For He is the same God yesterday, today, and tomorrow, still performing miracles. He is the one who gives us the strength each day we wake up therefore we should be thankful for the smallest things and in the end we will appreciate life for the bigger picture. The love of Jesus can overflow in your hearts, that you will not be able to contain your love for others, therefore, you will instantly have compassion and pray for them, talk to them about HIM, bless them with HIS words and love them your action and your words. As a result, you will only show them nothing but love. Let us not get deserted in our minds and forget that we need one another someway somehow. If only, we can show one another more love and, peace of mind; you could only imagine, how things could change. May the believers and non-believers who read this be encouraged to turn to Jesus and trust in the power in HIS Name and allow Him to operate in you to help the nation at large, be sensitive to His calling in your life” You all, have a Purpose and may HIS WILL be done in your life”. In Colossians 3: 17 it says ” Whatever you do [no matter what it is] in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus [and in dependence on Him], giving thanks to God the Father through Him”(AMP). God is limitless and powerful therefore have confidence in Him, be strong and courageous and be confident in your ability in Jesus’s Name. Acts 6: 8 it says “And Stephen (as a christian), full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people” .
In Jesus Name , a Miracle can Still Happen Now!
Inspired Scriptures:
Acts 1: 8, Luke 1:35, Mark 6:5, Galatians 6: 2 , Colossians 3: 17, Acts 6: 8, Psalm 37:23
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, my God my savior, my provider, my present help in time of need, I want to thank you for always showing up at the right time for the right needs we have even more to see. Sometimes we doubt your amazing love and power that we can not fathom your simplicity because we often try to figure things out on our own but the bible clearly says in Psalm 37: 23 that…” The steps of a [good and righteous] man are directed and established by the LORD, And He delights in his way [and blesses his path]” (AMP). I love you, Lord Jesus. May you touch someone today and show them your wonders and power in Jesus’s Name Amen!
And,
P. S Jesus Loves You
Faith Builds You 