Mumbai fish market by dawn

I was invited to speak in Mumbai (India) at a Christen business leaders conference. I decided to invite Anita to join me and then extend our trip to also visit the Taj Mahal and some other places.

During our Mumbai city tour we also visit some gardens near the ‘Towers of Silence.’ They form part of a death ritual carried out by the Parsis, a small but prosperous community in India that “sky bury”  their dead for centuries. According to their faith, as soon as we die, our bodies become contaminated with evil. And this evil must not, under any circumstance, make contact with the sacred elements of fire, water, and earth. Instead, the corpse bearers will place the body atop one of these Towers. Then they wait for the vultures to come. Today there are very few vultures left so the crows devour the corpses.

Near the Towers of Silence Anita slipped in an Indian toilet (hole in the ground), fell and broke three ribs. The hotel staff could not do enough for us and doctors, X-rays, medicine, icepacks, and crutches were soon delivered to our room.

The doctor advised that we return to SA and not continue with our tour. Fortunately, we could get a flight back to SA the same evening after my talks. We were bitterly disappointed.

While sitting on the plane early morning, I was having my quiet time and again bemoaned my lot to the Lord. Why Anita Lord? We have been looking forward to this trip very much and now this! This can’t possibly be your will!

My daily devotional reading that morning on my phone was from Streams in the Desert (1 February)

“Life’s disappointments are veiled love’s appointments.” —Rev. C. A. Fox

My child, I have a message for you today; let me whisper it in your ear, so that any storm clouds that may arise will shine with glory, and the rough places you may have to walk will be made smooth. It is only four words, but let them sink into your inner most being, and use them as a pillow upon which to rest your weary head. “This is My doing”  (1 Kings 12:24)

Have you ever realized what concerns you concerns Me too? “For whoever touches you touches the apple of [My] eye” (Zech. 2:8). You are precious and honoured in My sight” (Isa. 43:4) Therefore, it is My special delight to teach you.

I want you to learn when temptations attack you, and the enemy comes in “like a pent-up flood” (Is 59:19), that “this is My doing”  and that your weakness needs My strength, and your safety lies in letting Me fight for you.

Are you in difficult circumstances, surrounded by people who do not understand you, who never ask your opinion, and always push you aside? “This is My doing.” I am the God of circumstances. You did not come to this place by accident – you are exactly where I meant for you to be.

The moment I read this, “Peace that transcends all understanding” (Philippians 4:7) filled my heart because our situation was His doing and I must accept it and embrace it. One day I will understand.

I realised that through the powerful weapon of prayer (even with me bemoaning my lot) God said, “This is My doing” and that God’s way for me is always best.