Ka Ipu o Lono shares weekly devotionals to provide spiritual enrichment to members of the Kamehameha Schools ‘ohana. For more inspiration, visit the KS “Our faith” website.
Heluhelu Baibala
No ka mea, ʻo wau ʻo Iēhova, ʻo kou Akua, ka mea i hoʻopaʻa i kou lima ʻākau,
Ka mea ʻōlelo aku iā ʻoe, Mai makaʻu; ʻo wau nō kou mea nāna e kōkua.
– ‘Isaia 41:13
For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand,
Who says to you, ‘Do not fear, I will help you.’
– Isaiah 41:13
He manaʻo o ke kahu
How many of you are living in fear? This pandemic, especially with the pervasiveness of the Omicron variant, has us on edge. I know I consciously keep an eye on my contact with students and others, how much time and distance I maintain, while still trying to provide a quality lesson. High school seniors are going through their own time of anxiety as they anxiously look at their future. What can one say to put them at ease as they ponder what university they should go to, how they (or their parents) are going to pay for it, or what if they don’t know anyone there? What can you say to relieve their fears? Jameson Sato KSH ’18, pondered these thoughts on a trip to Kalaupapa. Little did he know that he would get the answer from one of the patients.
Like the other participants, Sato poured himself into cleaning the church and patients’ yards, helping lead the Sunday worship, and singing joyfully as we made friendly visits to the patients’ homes or the hospital. The challenges of life seemed to fade away as he gave his all to the needs of others. One afternoon, we sat in Auntie Winnie’s patio, and listened intently as she shared about her life in the settlement, what it was like being a teenager, her career, and her life with her beloved husband Paul. In his reflection, Jameson captures what he experienced during that time:
“I have to say one of my favorite moments here was talking to one of the patients, Auntie Winnie,” said Sato. “I had asked her, ‘If there was one big take away you would want us all to remember, what would that be?’ And she replied with, ‘There’s no need to be afraid anymore.’
“Initially it seemed she was talking about the disease and its effects, but just by saying those words she was also able to evoke a spiritual connection within me. Simply put, with our Lord and Savior, what is there to be afraid about in this world. He will always be there watching over us and guiding us.”
May we find a peace that tells us, “there’s no need to be afraid anymore,” because ke Akua has taken hold of our right hand, assuring us that he will never let go. May the wisdom of Auntie Winnie, who trusted in ke Akua to guide her along her life’s journey, be an anchor for you in your times of trial. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
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