Submitted by Jan on Tue, 15/10/2013 – 10:14
Year C (2012-2013)
Bible Book: Luke / Lukas
Chapter: 18
Verse: 1 – 8

October is an important month for me, a month that my faith and prayers bore fruit. After years of hoping and almost giving up, somehow gliding through with as little faith as the mustard seed: My precious son was born. Strong and healthy to a HIV positive mother. Being able to contribute to the HIV Free Generation.

The parable of the persistent widow makes me reflect on the period before he was born. I had constantly asked God to make my life with illness a meaningful life; to give me a reason to wake up every morning and face the challenges that lay ahead. I believe that to bring up another life is one of the greatest responsibilities and I thank God that he entrusted it to me. When my body feels weak, my will power becomes stronger, for I do not live only for myself. I also remember the text in Isa 40:31 “but for those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

In many societies a widow is poor and powerless, she is also discriminated against. This is no different to many people living with HIV, the bulk being women. However, the Lord sets a different example, by defending the cause of orphans and widows. Many people affected by HIV give up, because there is no support and someone to guide them with life giving information. HIV positive people are only as strong as their support system, like in Exodus 17:12 when Moses grew weary and needed Aaron and Hur to support him.

As Christians we need to continue having faith in God, for it’s by faith that we believe in healing. A friend once told me that I should pray so that HIV is completely eradicated in my body, but I told her I was already healed. This came as a surprise to her. Healing is given in different forms; physical, psychological, economical and so on. We only have to open our eyes to see and our hearts to receive it.

To think about: Have we lost our faith and given up on people living with and affected by HIV?

Written by: Ann Mary Gathigia, Kenya, Churches Channels of Hope Facilitator.

Author: Gathigia A M (Ms)
Language: English