I was looking back at one year ago, i was writing my blog around this time of the night, just minutes before I was turning 29. And I realise, today finally marks that I have survived in a foreign country for exactly 1 year.

I was looking back, recounting all the things that the Lord has done for me so far. I remembered all the resolve and plans i had for myself. How I asked God for relief throughout the darkest period of my trial.

In fact, one year from that night where I was in Kota Kinabalu writing using the same blogging software many events whizzed pass, there are happy ones, there are sad ones, there are some tingling with disappointments, there are some I thank God for, there are some that I have learnt the hard way.

Personally, life had gradually stabilised, I have a little humble dwelling (though its far from complete) , and I have finally found courage to drive around. But there are also many situations where I wish God would have delivered me from. But my trials are far from ended. I have just learnt to live with what God has provided so far.

At this instance, I recalled the beautiful story from Mary Stevenson, which I am sure many Christians are well aware of.

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Footprints
By : Mary Stevenson (1936)
Margaret Fishback Powers (1964)
Carolyn Carty (1963)

One night a man had a dream. He dreamt
he was walking along the beach with the LORD.
Across the sky flashed scenes from his life.
For each scene he noticed two sets of
footprints in the sand: one belonging
to him, and the other to the LORD.

When the last scene of his life flashed before him,
he looked back at the footprints in the sand.
He noticed that many times along the path of
his life there was only one set of footprints.
He also noticed that it happened at the very
lowest and saddest times in his life.

This really bothered him and he
questioned the LORD about it:

“LORD, you said that once I decided to follow
you, you’d walk with me all the way.
But I have noticed that during the most
troublesome times in my life,
there is only one set of footprints.
I don’t understand why when
I needed you most you would leave me.”

The LORD replied:
“My son, my precious child,
I love you and I would never leave you.
During your times of trial and suffering,
when you see only one set of footprints,
it was then that I carried you.”
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Perhaps it is true that there are many plans that went haywire, there are many things that did not materialised. Like all military operations, things never goes according to plan. Yet throughout the pain and disappointment, we can see the hands of God that has protected and guide us. Therefore, we must learn to thank God for everything, even for things that did not go according to plan.

This reminded me too of a hymn written by August Ludvig Storm in 1891. He wrote it based on the 24 reasons for thanksgiving. 8 years after writing this hymn, he was struck with a crippling back problem. He did not allow the problem to affect his faith but rather it gave him depth in his teaching and writing.

God strength is shown in our weakness, therefore, we must constantly get comfort from Gods words and to give thanks, in whatever situation we are in.

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Title :Thanks to God
Lyrics: August Ludvig Storm

Thanks to God for my Redeemer,
Thanks for all Thou dost provide!
Thanks for times now but a memory,
Thanks for Jesus by my side!
Thanks for pleasant, balmy springtime,
Thanks for dark and stormy fall!
Thanks for tears by now forgotten,
Thanks for peace within my soul!

Thanks for prayers that Thou hast answered,
Thanks for what Thou dost deny!
Thanks for storms that I have weathered,
Thanks for all Thou dost supply!
Thanks for pain, and thanks for pleasure,
Thanks for comfort in despair!
Thanks for grace that none can measure,
Thanks for love beyond compare!

Thanks for roses by the wayside,
Thanks for thorns their stems contain!
Thanks for home and thanks for fireside,
Thanks for hope, that sweet refrain!
Thanks for joy and thanks for sorrow,
Thanks for heav’nly peace with Thee!
Thanks for hope in the tomorrow,
Thanks through all eternity!

Lets sing it together