[Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Not how long, but how well

Read: Psalm 90:1-17

Meditation verse:

“So, teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12).

I first learnt of the late Jane Marczewski, whose stage name was Nightbirde when I watched her perform her original song titled: ‘It’s OK’ on ‘America’s Got Talent’ (AGT). When asked about the inspiration behind the song, she said it was based on the happenings of her life within the last year. Turns out, this young lady was battling terminal cancer which had spread to her lungs, spine, and liver. And she had been given a two percent chance of survival. I recall weeping as I watched her on that stage.

Jane battled cancer with grace and gratitude. Her sheer positivity in the face of such hopelessnesstaught me a remarkable life lesson. As she stood on that stage looking frail from all that she was going through, she said the following words: “It is important that everyone knows I’m so much more than the bad things that happened to me”. “You can’t wait till life isn’t hard anymore before you decide to be happy”. I have been given a 2% chance of survival, but 2% is not 0%, that is something, and I wish people know how amazing that is”. And she said these words with the most amazing smile. Sadly, she passed on a short while after that appearance.

I recall checking her online after watching the show to learn more about her. I learnt that she had battled cancer for some years now and her husband had left her in the face of her battle with the disease. She was just 31 years old when she died. Her life was short, but she touched millions of people across different continents with her song, courage, and message of faith. I learnt profound lessons from her life and story. Firstly, it’s not how long we live that counts but how we touch the lives of others in our journey through life. Also, there is always something left to hold on to and be grateful for, amid the loss, pain, chaos, or adversity we experience in life. Nightbirde taught us all that there’s always a 2% left that we can be grateful for no matter what life throws at us. And 2% is not 0%, it is something”.

IN HIS PRESENCE is written by Pst (Mrs) Oke Chinye, Founder of The Rock Teaching Ministry (TRTM).

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