Joel 1v7-9

A friend of mine passed away last month, just two weeks after her thirty-third birthday. A shock to all who knew her. She left a young husband and a newborn baby girl fighting for her life in an incubator. Up until now it seems unreal. Up until now her mother can't believe it. I glance at her photo on my laptop and feel the ache within my heart. She was so beautiful inside and out; so full of life and energy; so gentle and graceful. I miss her dearly and mourn her deeply.

Joel says that the enemy ruined the vine and the fig tree. He stripped them bare and threw them out, laying them to waste. Lament oh people of God for this is how the enemy treats God's children. He who comes but to steal, kill and destroy. Lament & mourn... feel the pain of loss, the loss of a loved one and imagine God's pain at the loss of His beloved children whom He fearfully and wonderfully made. The loss of His children who choose to turn away from their creator and live a life outside of Him.

With the vine and fig tree ruined, the priests mourn the loss of wine and fruit that should have been produced. So also the Lord mourns the loss of our productivity. Any one who does not bear fruit is greatly lacking and shall be pruned or cut down. He is the vine and we are the branches [John 12v5-6]. Our purpose in life is to bear good fruit. Know ye the fruit of the Holy Spirit- love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness & self-control. By your fruit shall you be known, both here on earth (as others emulate your character and lifestyle) as well as in heaven (by God who sees all and His angels who continue to rejoice over all sinners who repent unto salvation).

Yesterday is gone... gone forever, and tomorrow might never come. So live life to the fullest today. Rejoice for this is the day that the Lord has made. Today is a gift from God and that is why it is called The Present. Turn to God before it is too late, while He can still be found.

Song: The past is past our mending now, the future's yet to be [KCP School Song]


NB. I wrote this segment in 2007 and yet the pain of her loss remains fresh in my heart. She was like my sister. We grew up together and stayed in touch all the while I was away at Boarding school. Then we lost touch when I came to America for college. After about fourteen years we reconnected again when we met up in an Accra hotel room in September 2004. Then I spent a few days with her in October on my way back from leave. We spoke several times after that but I never saw her again. A raw wound still in the process of healing. A year and half has gone by since her death and it still feels unreal. Here's a poem I wrote soon after I heard the news. It is a rough cut (i.e.unedited).

Our Baby Girl

So innocent when one saw her, demure et tres gentille

Full of mischief when one knew her, up to every childhood scheme

She was really beautiful, both inside and out

Brightened any room she entered, a burst of summer delight

With a smile that touched everyone, even passers-by

A laughter deep and rich with a sparkle in her eyes

Who remembered she was sick? She never let it show

Who was there through her pain? Her family to be sure

From French school to college, then back home to stay

Off to London a new bride, and a baby on the way

She'd been there, had done that, our good-looking girl

Traveled the world with us, shared our joys and tears

Though life threw us apart, like our heartbeat she was there

Hence the disbelief when we heard that her heart no longer stirred

The eerie silence in my head and the numbing of my senses

We miss our baby girl & sister, and the tears just won't end

Au revoir ma cherie, wish that we'd see in heaven

Your lovely smile and beautiful face, full of life and grace

Au revoir