OCTOBER 2024: CHOOSE VICTORY OVER PAIN

This is the day that God has made, we shall rejoice and be glad in it. 

Fifteen days down the road, October continues to be the month where we count every blessing, one day at a time. We continue to be grateful for each breath that we take.

It is not that I am starting another sermon… But even if I were to preach, I see number of members who are willing to attend and listen in. Praise God! God is good? All the time. And, all the time? God is good and that is His nature, wow! At this point, we are requested to give God a standing ovation. God is worthy of all the praise and honor.

Friends,

God is really good and faithful to us. A few of us can testify to this with every breath of our lives. Other people will probably understand our testimony in the moments that shall follow.

We have come this far not by our own might of strength; not by our own wisdom or power, but by the Spirit and loving grace of God.

Have you experienced some pain, however little or small? Have you gone through a painful experience of late? If yes, fine; if not, fine! What I can tell you is that at the conclusion of pain is victory. In one way or another, discomfort must lead to comfort, unless you have deliberately chosen the path of misery and suffering.

I take this opportunity to thank God for sustaining my younger brother, Simon Peter Talemwa Atwooki. We have seen him in the worst of situations where all that was left was to send out notifications to family and friends that the end had come but while at the edge, God restored him to breath and to life. Today we see him becoming better and stronger, a man. He is a victor.

I thank God for Mom, brother Wensi Turinawe; immediate family members; Relatives; Friends; Faith based institutions and their leadership and; well-wishers. Thank you very much for standing in for Simon. Thank you for being there each day. Thank you for visiting, praying, encouraging and moving this journey with the Musana family. Thank you for the financial deposits and support. We could never have come this far on our own.

I am also grateful for and to the leadership, management, staff and medical team at TAL Medical and Rescue (TMR) International for the work you are doing to see that we get a smile on our faces. 

Before one gets into the realities of life, they can take it for granted. But I have learnt over the years, especially between 2011 and today, that there is a very thin line between life and death; a very thin line between pain and victory. It means, therefore, that every moment counts, every second is worth valuing and celebrating.

As we continue in the month of October, we may have these insights to reflect upon:

1. People will be there some times, not all the time. Each of us has a personal life to live. We have one or more things bothering us. When someone decides to share a portion of their life and time with you, it is worth appreciating. Much more appreciation should go to that person who spends over thirty minutes with you when they choose to see you. Beyond thirty minutes is gold.
2. Respect a mother when you have one. In many cases, it is only a mother than can stick to her child(ren) from beginning to end.
3. We cannot and we might never be sure of what is coming ahead of us. We can only hope and pray that something good shall come our way; that peace and tranquility shall prevail.
4. There is no reward in talking too loudly or too much. Rather, we should reflect a little more on who we are, on what we want to do and how we wish to do it. But if talking loudly and arguing a lot shall save you from certain conditions in life, we will appreciate you and all you have to tell us.
5. Look for avenues to make and sustain money. Do not be deceived. Everyone is waking up each day to look for money and sustenance. No one (not even yourself) will understand you for not having money or for not being able to meet the basics of life. Eat when you wish to, work out when you wish to. Go where you want to go when you wish to. Do all you want to do when you wish to. Be independent as much as you can. If you may think of it, each hand fits very well in "its own pocket."
6. Treat everyone with dignity and respect. You might never know the person before you right now. It is common for people to despise others because they are young or somewhat incapacitated. One forgets that the person they despise today could turn out to be the one that saves their day tomorrow or many years later. Be kind, be nice. Be open minded. Not everyone is bad, after all. Yes, someone might have treated you so badly a few seconds, minutes, hours, days, months, years ago. That is in the past. The person before you must be given a benefit of the doubt.

Robert Mugisa Abwooli Reflection 21 of 2024