Sarah Alexander
Tata Consultancy Services, Chennai
God made a wonderful mother and a wonderful father, and He gave those dear parents to me… They were Gods channels of love to me. It is their life that led me to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. They took a stand for God, even when it involved walking the narrow path with none else to support them. They struggled to love us while they extended their love to many others who had not tasted such love. They were always ready to sacrifice their personal interests for the sake of ministry. They were worked hard for long hours without rest and burned the midnight oil, remaining always diligent students of the Word of God. Whatever they preached, they practiced. How fortunate I am to be their daughter!
The beauty of my parents is not in their looks, clothes, or status; it is in their steadfast love. Many times I have failed to reach to their expectations. Many times I have upset them. But my poor performance or my mistakes have never caused my parents to love me less. Their love has been unconditional, full of deep devotion, sacrifice and labour. They have scolded me and advised me to the extent that I sometimes felt they were nagging me; but now I realize that what I am today is because of their painstaking care and concern. They had always sought my highest good. Acknowledging their imperfections, my parents pointed me to the Perfect Heavenly Father who is the only ideal parent, who accepts me as I am and loves me with an everlasting love, who would never leave me or forsake me, who disciplines me for my highest good and walks with me even when my parents would not be able to do so.
It often challenges me to think of how our perfect Lord Jesus Christ submitted to His imperfect earthly parents when He was on this earthly pilgrimage, while He related to His perfect heavenly Father.
I have not been a perfect daughter to my parents either. When I came into the world, they held me in their arms; I cried all night. They taught me to walk; I ran away when they called. They made my meals with love; I refused to eat. They bathed and dressed me up; I slipped into the mud pool. They gave me crayons; I wrote graffiti on the walls. They bought me a ball; I smashed the neighbor's window. They uploaded me into the school van; I yelled "I'M NOT GOING!" They carried my heavy bag to school; I said good-bye outside the gate so I wouldn’t be embarrassed in front of my friends. They told me to comb my hair, I left it unkempt. I went for the camp; I forgot to call and say, “I reached safe”. They suggested certain careers for my future; I said "I don't want to be like you." When I was away on study tour, they called to inquire if I was safe; I asked them to call me later. They asked me to avoid certain things; I told them "times have changed”. When I return from college, they are there ...to listen to my woes and my vain boasting. Yet I never had time to listen them. When my tummy hurts, I need them right away; but when their legs ache, I am not to be seen…
