The Road to Emmaus

Even a perfunctory reading of this account recorded in the Gospel of Luke gives me goose bumps. It started as a journey of two people to a place called Emmaus about 7 miles from Jerusalem, which soon turned into a journey of three. Here the risen Lord is labeled as a "Stranger". There are several meanings for the word "stranger" but here I would like to define it as a person who you are not familiar with or a person unknown to you.

As a kid I was taught to avoid strangers like every other kid. I still avoid strangers like every other grown up. We almost always keep a distance from strangers. We almost never walk side by side to a stranger. In the account by Luke, we read that "Jesus himself drew near and went with them." This stranger was not like any other stranger but unique. For the two, the Road to Emmaus was infact a Road to Uncertainty which soon turned into Road to Redemption with the presence of the "Stranger". The stranger they encountered during this road-trip became their Savior.

Again, Luke records in the Acts of the Apostles about another road trip, where Saul journeys to Damascus. During his road-trip he encounters the Lord who once was a stranger to him. His Road to Perdition turned into Road to Redemption. In Acts 9:5, we see Saul asking this crucial question, "Who are you, Lord?". This was the start of the relationship where Saul inquires about the stranger he met. Saul fell flat to the ground only to rise up as Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ who was a defender and follower of his Savior until the end.

"Emmaus experience" happens in our lives as well. It is when we encounter the Savior and the path of redemption. It's when we are not afraid to say that He was once a stranger and now my Savior.

Opening Lines

Once a stranger now my Savior is a series of posts about a journey, more like a road-trip where we encounter freeways and highways, hills and valleys, smooth roads and rugged paths, sand and rocks, desert and springs, snow and rain, and many more. In addition, there are road blocks, detours, U-turns, traffic lights, yield signs, stop signs, and others which add life to this journey. How strange that I used a simple word life rather than excitement, thrill or even adventure! Simply LIFE! That one word LIFE encompasses a million others.

Take a look at the Genesis 2: 7 where it says "the Lord God formed a man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of LIFE; and man became a living being".

Today, sitting in front of my laptop in Reno, NV, I am simply trying to search for words to write and striving to be as expressive as possible. Why the doubt and uncertainty, I am not certain at this point. I honestly know that if God is in control, my fingertips will continue typing my thoughts regardless of my feelings of inadequacy as a writer.

A Day at Gilroy- Aug 21, 2009

Perhaps it was the brochure with a 5-year old which instigated our trip to Gilroy Gardens. When we look back, we have no regrets about spending 6 hours of our day at a theme park for kids ages 2-7. At the ticket booth, we were a little embarrassed to be the only couple buying tickets without kids. Perhaps we also felt uncomfortable since we had coupons for half off the ticket prices. Like our parents always say, “when there is a deal- take it, use it & enjoy it.”

Gilroy Gardens is known for its Circus Trees. These awesome looking trees were grown by a man who never shared his secret with anyone. After years of research horticulturist are still unable to replicate what this man did in the 1920’s. They are amazing wonders in botany.

Though our initial plan was to just see the circus trees, we were quite surprised at the parks’ ambience. At a theme park geared towards kids, we saw kids – a lot of them. One of the things, we are both fond of is watching kids. You are right; we just watch them and enjoy their innocent conversations, dramatic actions, and unpredictable tempter tantrums. To make a long story short, we saw it all at Gilroy Gardens.

We roamed around the park for awhile and then we decided to go on a ride. Oh yes, I was not going to walk out of a theme park without going on a ride. I quickly glanced through the brochure trying to decide on a ride which could accommodate two adults. The rides were rated on a scale of 1-3 on the intensity of difficulty. Most of the rides allowed a parent chaperon to accompany the children. As we walked, we ended up in a small lake where we saw paddle boats for two. They were shaped like a swan or a duck. We immediately got on the line after inquiring if two adults can go on them. The lady at the front had to ask her boss since that wasn’t a frequent question she encountered. We were a little embarrassed when we heard him saying “TWO ADULTS!” and then “yea sure”. The ride was rated 2 on a difficulty scale and we wore our life vests and hoped on the line. Still I am not sure if the life vest Ajo wore was a kid’s life vest or an adult’s life vest. Even if it was an adult one, I am questioning if that floatation device would do its job on a 200 plus pound guy. I am glad we never had a find out the answer to the question. We started to paddle with much confidence and pride but within a short time we realized that this was no easy task. It was quite rigorous to paddle our way through the lake and back. Though I was tired and furious from paddling, we chuckled at our adventure filled ride.

Ajo would describe Gilroy Gardens as a “brat fest”. Perhaps it is an ideal description for the place, and the brat fest did make our day entertaining and amusing. Parents would wait in line with their kids, the kids would watch the ride and back out at the last minute and hop on a more appeasing and less strenuous ride like a carousel. How funny!

As I look back to that one day, I can honestly say that I truly enjoyed the park and I would go back in a heartbeat. Next time, neither the circus trees will amaze me nor the rides will entertain me but the children at Gilroy will both amaze and entertain me.

Sky is the Limit

Today, we went to the Reno Air Race held in Stead, NV which is about 8 miles north of Reno. I was not quite sure as to what to expect at this event and that is precisely the reason we felt the need to join others who are the so called “air race fans.”The name of the event precisely conveys what it is all about – Racing of aircrafts. What is interesting is that we hardly hear racing and aircraft put together. We are familiar with land and water racing but not air racing.

This year, the US Navy “Blue Angels” did an Air Show for an hour or so. It was simply breath-taking, adventurous, and entertaining. It was a good treat for us. My husband took some catchy snaps. I sat on the bleachers with many others while I gaped at the limitless sky as I watched the aerial acrobatics of six aircrafts. Applause and cheering by spectators dominated the general ambience of the crowd. Their “graceful maneuvers” gave me goose bumps more than merriment as I continued to pray for safety for all. I wondered if it is possible to not have a tinge of fear as aircrafts performs acrobatics over your head and at times even less than a mile away from you. Perhaps, a seasoned viewer has surpassed the stage fear and all I need is time.

I have to say that I enjoyed the event. I admire the pilots and their performances, and the hundreds who worked back stage for a safe air show this year. Today when 29 young citizens got recruited to the US Navy for training, their oath ended like this “………help us God.” Let us always have those three words linger in our words, in our hearts and in our lives today and always.

O ye of little faith

A phrase used by Jesus during his ministry on earth. Perhaps, a phrase that still resounds in the heart of many a believer. Surely, it is a phrase that resonates in my life from time to time.

Yesterday, while flipping through my husband’s Bible I came across a few verses in the Gospel of Matthew that was marked by him with a note that says, “1/21/08 –These verses protected us…”

On January 21, 2008, we were on our return flight from India after spending about three weeks among family and loved ones. Everything was a blessing up until we felt some low to moderate turbulence in the plane when we were close to home. Our laughter turned into fear and we contemplated the unthinkable as we held on to the hand rest when the flight went through some rocking moments.

Occasionally, my in-laws who sat two rows ahead glanced to look at us. My Brother in-law who sat next to me continued to flip through magazines. I could hear passengers praying, and chanting as we went through those moments of uncertainty.

Suddenly,I remembered about the stormy sea and the sleeping Jesus. As I meditated on the event in the Gospel, I realized that we were the wavering disciples in the storm while Jesus was onboard. The sequel of events from the Gospel strengthened both of us but we did not utter a word in the plane. The turbulence dwindled after about half an hour and 5 hours later we landed safely at JFK airport.

In retrospect, I would like to reword the phrase in bold to this- Everything was a blessing including when we felt…

Our story of life continues with events like these which reminds us constantly about our faith.

Charles Spurgeon once said "Many a believer lives in the cottage of doubt when he might live in the mansion of faith."

The Mass Ascension

Why do people come back year after year to see the same sight? Hot air balloons look the same, the numbers remain pretty much unchanged, and an amateur photographer will probably have similar snaps year after year. Then why the return of the massive crowd to the Rancho San Rafael Park in Reno, NV?.

Today, we woke up at 5am to go to the “The Great Reno Balloon Race”, a yearly event enjoyed by the young and the old. This year was our second year attending yet it looked anew to us. Perhaps that is the sole reason people return year after year to see the same site.

An event like this is not plausible in many areas of US but yet among the few places in US, Reno happens to be one, about 3 minutes away from where we reside. We did stand in awe seeing the beauty when 100 hot air balloons launched last year. Today, once again we stood in awe like a first-timer. Pictures, movies, or words can never fully express the beauty and uniqueness felt by first-hand spectators. You have to there in person to see it for yourself and you will never regret it.

The Great Awakening -9/11/01

The world once again mourns today. Perhaps, it is more appropriate to say that the world still mourns today. Eight years ago, this day, one of the most horrendous acts of terrorism happened when four commercial air crafts crashed in New York City, Washington DC and Pennsylvania. Thousands lost their lives, ten-thousands grieve the loss of a family member/a friend/a co-worker, and millions still has shock and disbelief in their hearts.

I still remember that day in September though for many reasons (despite the obvious one), I prefer not to. One of among the few regrets I have is not able to see the WTC buildings prior to its collapse even after living in New York for 5 years.

Fear, disbelief, grief, anger were among the several emotions stirred in the hearts of many that Tuesday morning. A day overwhelmed by emotions would be a more ideal way to describe the day. More than any emotions felt that day; perhaps REGRET was the most significant. Regrets about unresolved conflicts, unspoken words, unexpressed love, among a few to mention crushed the heart of many. Simple words unsaid like “Thank-you”, “Sorry”, “Good-Job” would still have to remain that way. Effortless act of emotions like a hug, a smile or a kiss would have no second chances. Life is short and for many including myself it took a day like 9/11 to recognize it.

Though it was a day filled with sorrow and grief, for some it was a day of joy and praise. Few called in sick, few missed their trains, and few had canceled appointments/interview dates which initially may have aggravated them, yet now when they look back it was truly a blessing in disguise.

Hope, faith and love still remains in our hearts today as we share our joy with the survivors and mourn with the families who lost their loved ones. Today wherever you are, say a word of prayer for the broken and say a word of prayer for our nation.

Why Reno? From New York!

Why Reno? From New York - a frequently asked question during first encounters with the people in this city. Every time I answered that question – a sigh preceded my equivocal explanation of the scenario which led us to Reno.

Psalm 121 Verse 1& 2 says “I will lift up my eyes to the hills—From whence comes my help? My help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth.” A verse which we embraced during our travel and a verse we still hold close to our hearts.

Reno is famous for the popular slogan “The Biggest Little City in the World”. However, a lot of people in NY hardly ever heard of this city in Nevada, a few have read about Reno or has vague acquaintances about the city.

The day after we got to Reno, while shopping at Best Buy, we noticed customers and even few employees rushing to the door. Curious about what was happening we followed them. As we gazed outside the glass entrance we witnessed a great downpour. I heard someone next to me say –"It hasn’t rained in Reno for 3 months" - and this was in mid-July. Perhaps, even in NY, a huge downpour is infrequent or perhaps rain is taken for granted and no one notices them anymore. I stared at the huge torrent of water and shared the joy with Reno residents that day. The heavy rain lasted 20-30 minutes and when we left the store, the sun was back out again.

I still sit and wonder what the huge downpour meant to “us”. It was our 1^st day in a strange city, uncertain about our future, with fear of the unknown. My heart was blazing and perhaps the downpour that day calmed our hearts and gave us hope and life. That is exactly what rain brings, hope for the desert and life for the dry.

Matthew 5:43 says “for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.”

The population of Reno is about the same as the suburban Yonkers we used to reside in. Reno is less diverse, quiet, and slow-paced compared to Yonkers. With mountains on all four sides, Reno looks really beautiful year around. People in Reno enjoy the weather though we find it unpredictable most days. Where is the fun in life if everything was predictable?

Finding spirituality and religion in one of the most unchurched cities in the US seemed a challenge in the beginning. Perhaps it was our culture we grew up in and our associations with home churches in NY, we were confronted with fear about religion and spirituality. We were most certain that Reno did not have enough malayalees or Indians to form a church. Honestly, we doubted the existence of even one malayalee family. Once again, we were wrong about our assumptions. We were thrilled to be wrong. It was like an answered prayer when we were able to join a local malayalee prayer fellowship in Reno.

It was July 22, 2008, one of my happiest days in Reno. Singing songs, reading the Bible and praying with a small community of believers who we met for the first time was truly an experience. Perhaps, that is how the initial church started and Gospel reached to others. I started appreciating our small blessings in life like being able to pray at a prayer meeting. What a blessing! and most often we take them for granted or even let an opportunity slide saying these popular words “next time”. I am guilty myself for the missed opportunities but this was different. My shyness or sitting next to someone who I met minutes ago did not stop me from praying aloud. The spirit led me and I was able to do it.

We church shopped like every other Christian to find a place we felt right. During those weeks, we heard repeatedly about “Grace” from our local churches and radio preachers. Grace! What a powerful word! We all have experienced it and continue to experience it day by day. Yet many times we forget what the word really means. Our search of a church somewhat ended when we found “Grace” Church.

Reno has taught us a lot in a relatively short time. I recollect a statement by one of my patients at my hospital about Reno, “Reno is a small city – You will either love it or hate it – There is no in-between.”After over a year in this place, I am thrilled to share that I am truly loving it.

Why Reno? From New York! still continues to be conversation starters during first encounters with the people in this city. Now, my answer has changed to simply this - “It was God’s doing.”