Zacharias — The Lord Remembers

Mr. Sunil & Mrs. Prafulla Vuppula

Over the past fourteen years, as a couple,we lived in three countries, moved five cities, changed seven homes and as a family went through many roller - coaster experiences. Some of those experiences shook us, and some shaped us but one experience that defined us, was the journey of having of our second child, Sahil Zacharias. There were a few times when the gift almost came but, we lost it after some hope. We were racked with sadness, depression, despair, anger, as we slowly began to cope with each loss.We mourned like the Psalmist David inPsalm 13:1, “How long O God? Will you forget me? How long will you hide your face from me? We could not pray for the same blessing because of the cloud of despondency that hung in our home. While it was difficult for us to grapple with repeated miscarriages, it was getting impossible for us to explain to our son who was growing in curiosity. After going through a battery of tests with a bevy of specialist doctors, they gave us the inevitable but unhelpful conclusion. “Medically, there is nothing wrong with you. We cannot explain the repeated mishaps”We were perplexed and devastated but put on a brave facade, for Aman's sake. The biggest challenge was to ensure that we continue to model and train our son in the faith to demonstrate to him, that what we believe, actually works as a practical lifestyle.We shared with him an illustration that God always answers prayers in three words, 1) Yes, 2) No and 3) Wait. Like all restless children, he would pester us “Why is God only answering in “Wait”, why won't he change it to Yes”? By the time 2011 ended,we became distraught and hit rock- bottom. We sat in the sanctuary during the watch-night service at an Indian church in Virginia, and asked the Lord to speak to us. We yearned for him to remind us that he had not forgotten us as we came to a breaking point. That night we felt that we heard Godclearly speak through the sermon titled “The year of Harvest”. We decided to “Be still” and surrender our lives afresh. Shortly after New Year, we discovered that the we were on the journey again. Each day, each week, each appointment with the doctor was like walking on eggshells. As we laid aside our keen desire to have a kid and whole-heartedly invested in JBQ kids who filled our home with laughter, God stepped in. By second trimester, the doctor who was a hopeless cynic was beginning to get optimistic. We drew strength from his word. During the Lent prayer meetings through Rev. Van Der Lain's DVD teaching, we learnt that “God does not expect us to solve tomorrow's problems with today's grace”. Like fresh Manna, we had to depend each day on his strength to cope, to wait and keep moving forward. Shortly after entering the third trimester, in series of quick events, God decided to send home a fragile premature baby, six weeks ahead of schedule.On July 26th Aman was asked by a dear friendwhile driving him to the hospital“ Aman, how do you feel about the news? He said" This is an answer to my prayer after 8 years, I am happy" The name Zacharias means –“The Lord remembers”. Three lessons learnt God is not a bellboy - He is the Sovereign Lord - We learnt how to pray. Even our tears and anguish filled cries did not change his will towards our life. We had to by faith walk in His way. God is not in a hurry- He is a Timekeeper of the Universe - We learnt how to wait. As we waited we learned to serve him, be still and continue to keep praising His name at all times. God is not an avenger - He is love personified - We learnt to live in grace. We had to consciously seek forgiveness and live in peace. God visits his people with good gifts, and life is not the same after he remembers us.