Christian living begins with an invitation.

"Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me ; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your soul. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11: 28-30.

This call is directed to those who are burdened with sin. Jesus wants them to find comfort and peace by exchanging their futile labour and load for His way of life.Walking the Christian pathway may prove difficult at times; but with Jesus beside you, there is relief in knowing He shares the load; and He cares.

A wedding invitation signals the intention of a couple to begin a new life together within the confines of marriage. When the invitation arrives, it provides an opportunity to accept it or reject it. Besides being a grand occasion and the perfect time for family reunions, marriage was ordained by God.

"Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh." Genesis 2:24

Choices. People are bombarded each day with choices. Marriage is a long haul until death. God expects Christian living - a faithful union with Him - to last a lifetime and throughout eternity.

Attending a wedding locally demands little costs. Most individuals decide if the date is compatible with other plans. Then they make a decision to accept or decline the invitation. People who accept a wedding invitation consider a gift- usually china, an appliance, an item for the home or even an heirloom. However, the easiest and most convenient gift is money. Currency empowers the couple with scope. Weddings can be costly; and money helps the newlyweds to pay for some of the expenses. Since marriage is honourable, the decision to attend can arise from composite reasons. Some people purchase or make an outfit for the occasion. Nowadays, one can rent an outfit. Guests who attend a wedding, whether locally or abroad, have to make a decision - a conscious choice to be there for the event.

Jesus attended a wedding feast in Cana. During the celebration a problem arose that demanded immediate action. Mary informed Jesus that there was no more wine. Was this circumstance Jesus' business? Yes! Any need of mankind has a solution and concerns Jesus. Ask Jesus and He will help. Changing water into wine, a miracle, astounded the guests.The water- based wine tasted superior to what the guests had been served previously! Who saves the best for last? Jesus does. He interjects the supernatural into ordinary events; and the results exceed human expectations!

My decision to attend a wedding in Fort Lauderdale, Florida recently entailed unexpected problems. In August 2009, my salary was reduced by one hundred dollars. My employer lowered the rent allowance to seven hundred dollars. At the end of September, my salary was severed by one thousand dollars! Of course I informed the Principal, who allowed me to query the deduction by telephone. The person on the other end informed me that the money that was given for rent and the hardship allowance had been removed from my salary. Later, I discovered - by talking to friends and others - that the government 'policy' is to discontinue the rent and hardship allowance after five years in the same district. However, I have been in this locale since August 2006 - a total of three years. Someone had made a gross mistake. Was it deliberate? Records of my service are available; and it does not take long to obtain a file and check it. Why had the information not been checked before the deduction?

When the enemy comes in like a flood, what does God expect from a Christian believer? Lift up the standard of Prince Immanuel - the banner of His Blood!The money that had been removed from my salary was intended for the trip to Florida since my  daughter had paid my rent. Now I was left with a meagre twelve hundred dollars to pay bills and meet monthly expenses of living on a remote island. Here, gasoline sells for five dollars and twenty seven cents a gallon; and a five gallon bottle of water costs seven dollars! A myriad of questions raced through my mind. Was this salary loss an attempt to sabotage the After School HomeWork/ Literacy Program at the Landrail Point Public Library, the only library on the entire island? Three times a week I transport children who participate in the Program to their home. Would I have to cutback on this vital and beneficial activity because I could not afford fuel?

My next thought was whether to return tithe and offering and give the money pledged to assist with a building renovation fund at a church where I play the keyboard regularly. The membership there is small; but the need is great, considering that it is an historic sanctuary. Well, I decided to honour God by returning His tithe and a freewill offering. In addition, I resolved to give the amount I had pledged to the church. In Psalm 37,God invites His people to not fret about the work of evil doers.

"Trust in the Lord and do good; so shall thou dwell in the land and verily thou shalt be fed. Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass." Psalm 37:3-5

God said it; I believe it. Does God fail those who believe and trust in Him? Was it His will for me to attend the wedding and survive the financial storm?

How does one manage in such circumstances? Keep the faith and ask God for guidance. Standing on the promises of God will not break them. They are firm because they have a foundation in the Rock of Ages! God has promised in Malachi 3:10, 11 an overflowing blessing to those who desire to be obedient and prove Him.

Some Christians believe tithing was intended for an agricultural society and not modern times. But, I believe God. I have tested , trusted and tried Him; and His promises are true! Buildings always have more windows than doors; and in my forty one years as a Christian, He has never failed me. He cannot - for Jesus never fails anyone!

Shortly after I returned the tithe and gave the offering I had pledged, I found myself the beneficiary of fruits - a favourite food. One morning I found a box of sugar apples on the kitchen counter! As if that was not enough, this pescatarian was given a big fish, tomatoes and green pepper! God knows how to give good and perfect gifts for He is constant . Who can outgive God? Faith harnesses the invisible; and God manifests according to His will.

As the wedding date in October approached I wondered about the will of God. Was i engaging in wishful thinking; or was it the will of God for me to attend the wedding? Then I discovered that my aunt had been hospitalized. I knew that I had to find a way to travel to see her. Since age fourteen, she has been a mother to me. Through her financial graciousness, I have been able to complete and graduate with a diploma from high school. When I graduated from Teachers' College she was present, providing the outfit. My aunt found sponsors; and I completed my college degree, graduating with honours.

Even as a writer and educator, my aunt and her children have been supportive of me. At ninety, she remains a sentinel and the last survivor of my maternal family. Somehow , I had to attend the wedding and then spend my Mid-Term Break with her. But how? Then God spoke: Be still; He is God.

What happens next?

                                                 Above The Clouds Part II