Rejected

I saw them all

Rejected people....

In big numbers

Babies, children...

Old people...

All unwanted.

I saw hearts

Full of pain

Unwhole identities.

All craved for love

Attention...

Hungry for goodness.

I wonder

If their being rejected

Is a statement about this society.

Is it their fault

They were rejected

Or is it the fault of this society?

I don't believe

In human refuse

No human can be thrown away

 

Every single human

Is a timeless soul

Meant to live for eternity.

I hate this use and throw culture

That sees so many humans

As worthless!

~ Henrietta Decruz

P.S: No claim of copyright is made for the photographs. The credits belong to the Photographer only. 

A Beautiful Mosaic

Today I was picking up the pieces

Fragments of my life

That I had sealed and put away.

I unpacked them and found

To my great joy

They still fitted into their original place!

I unlocked many memories

Of things I had accomplished

But had pushed into a corner somewhere.

As the pieces came together

I found it became a beautiful mosaic

As the rays of light shone through.

I was afraid to open the boxes

But now I realized

In opening them I released myself at last!

Nothing comes into our lives

Without a purpose

Everything has a nugget of gold in them. 

~ Henrietta Decruz

P.S: No copyright is claimed for the photographs. Credits belong only to the photographer. 

Sometimes

Sometimes in the journey of my life

I turn around to see

If someone cares enough to walk along.

There are moments in my life

When more than the hustle and bustle

I need the quiet assurance of love.

Sometimes I talk to people

Who do not respond

In the hope that someday they will.

Sometimes I get weary of waiting

Just to know I matter to them

When I have given them a pedestal in my heart.

Sometimes I wonder

Why the world is full of walls

While I try my best to build bridges!

~ Henrietta Decruz

Seeking Answers

I seek release

From the heart crushers

The news that kill

My joy and hope.

There is so much

Of evil happening

In the world today

I wonder if I belong.

I hear of people

Slaughtered

Losing their lives

For no reason.

I hang my head

In shame

When I think

This is my kind.

How do I face

Life tomorrow

As things only get darker

And evil prevails?

I realize

I have to answer

Only for my deeds

I gather myself.

I can speak

I can protest

I can stand up

For truth and justice.

But beyond that

I can do more

I can be positive and spread light

Live a life that inspires.

Disappointed

I am disappointed

With words spoken

Without meaning

Promises made

That are empty.

Why speak hollow words

And give someone

A reason to believe

That you will be fair

And just to them?

Why project an image

Of being a good person

If there is no goodness

Within too

Why pretend?

I’m tired of giving my best

To people

Who have no respect

For what I give

And who I am.

I’m tired of waiting

To be counted

After having made sacrifices

and giving when

it hurt to give.

In this dismal scene

It is so refreshing

To meet someone

Who means what they say

And cares, simply cares!

No Rainbow

Where is the rainbow?

After a life of storms

I sat and searched the sky for a rainbow

My eyes strained…

But there was no color to greet my eyes

Another shower came by

And as in cue

The thunder and lightning too

Made their presence felt

I strained my neck… still no rainbow!

Feeling tired of chasing rainbows

I decided to give up

Find a better pastime…

As I was musing over it

I felt a breeze brush past me.

Sure enough the wind was teasing me

It pushed away some stray leaves

Making them dance and twirl

What a way to catch my attention!

I smiled to myself.

My friend the wind knew just what to do

To make me come alive

He would caress my skin and play with my hair

And tug at my dress from time to time

Just to let me know he’s there.

After a while of this romancing

I didn’t even notice one day

After a heavy downpour of rain

There stood a proud rainbow

Beckoning at me, “Here I am!”

I looked at the rainbow and said, ‘Wow!’

Just then my friend the wind whistled near my ear

And caught my attention yet again

I realized it is not the fleeting things we live for 

But those simple things that make our lives meaningful.

~ Henrietta Decruz

Wounded Soldier

Wounded soldier soldier

Just come home from the fight

Feeling no one wants you 

So confused of wrong and right

Wondering how it is going to be

Now that life has changed so much

Wondering if you’re equal

To challenges in sight!

Wounded soldier soldier

You still have to fight

Wounded soldier soldier

This war of life!

Things have changed

They no longer look the same

Yesterday you were strong

Today it is just a memory

Longing for that feeling

The feeling it’s alright!

Crying out in pain and misery

For wounds you cannot see

Wondering if you’ll get well

If you can move on in life!

Wounded soldier soldier

You’re still a hero deep inside

Come on and hold your pride!

Times are changing they say

The war raises questions

Leave no answers behind

You’re still facing the burdens

Ever since that day…

How can you ever forget

The journey to the war

The prodding and the pruning

To sharpen your reflex

And when that moment came

And you were down

Wounded soldier soldier

You still wear the crown

For standing and believing 
It’s right to fight for a just cause!

~ Written and composed by Henrietta Decruz

The Turnaround

Tough times

Tough lessons…

Experiences to lock away forever

To learn from

To relate to

To become wiser.

Maybe you are facing

A difficult crossroad in life

Maybe you have no strength

Left to go on

I’ve been through this

I got through it.

Yes you will make it too

You are not a statistic

You were born for a purpose

You are not here by chance

You were created

Specially handcrafted by His hands.

Don’t let anyone tell you

You don’t matter

You do!

It they think they are trash

It is their choice

You were created for glory!

I was empty broken and bruised

When I met Him!

He comforted me

Gave me hope

Led me through darkness

Into the Light!

Today I stand here

An overcomer, wiser

Who knows her worth

For the King stood up for me!

He holds out His hand to you

Will you reach out for Him?

My version of the song "Hallelujah!"

I was listening to the various versions of the song 'Hallelujah' by Leonard Cohen. The true meaning of the word Hallelujah is 'Praise the Lord!' I couldn't help realize that very few of the versions really were about God. I felt deep in my heart the need to write a version that was centered on HIM for whom the praise really was.

Moreover, even I have been far away from God and was able to know Him closely only through His mercy and forgiveness. So here is my version... a song of a person who was brought back into close fellowship with God by His love and mercy and how she/he feels about this relationship in the now and for the future.

I hope this song's lyrics will touch a chord in every heart so they would themselves seek to know the Truth about the real true God. No, any of us don't need to take someone else's word for it... if you are a truly a Seeker, you will find Him! Keep on seeking... and you will find Him, His love, His truth and His Peace more than anything else!!!

I have done a rough recording of this version and put it up in Sound Cloud.com. Here is the link to the song...  https://soundcloud.com/henrietta-decruz/hallelujah-by-henrietta-decruz

I don't claim to be a great singer... I have just a simple voice and an ability to sing which I think is a gift from God Himself. I am thankful for it! So here is my offering to the Lord GOD Who saved my life many times and in many ways! Anything I do cannot repay Him for His love, His forgiveness, His protection and provision! 

Glory to God!!! Amen!

https://soundcloud.com/henrietta-decruz/hallelujah-by-henrietta-decruz

Here are the lyrics of my version of 'Hallelujah!'

I know there is a secret place

Where we do meet face to face

I thrive in every moment, Hallelujah!

No nothing else can take Your place

No! No one else could match Your grace

I celebrate Your glory, Hallelujah!!!

Chorus:      Hallelujah!

Hallelujah!

Hallelujah!

Hallelujah!

No, I was not so close to You

There was a time when I hated You

I blamed You for my sins, Hallelujah!

I was wrong I realized

When You came down opened my eyes

And I could see my truth, Hallelujah!                 Chorus

It took many years to reach the truth

To know Your love, Your loving heart

And Oh! How much it hurt me, Hallelujah!

That I did wrong and grieved Your heart

Yet You stood strong endured my part

You didn’t give up on me, Hallelujah!                Chorus

I’m standing here, all healed made whole

You filled my heart, filled every hole

You gave me a new life, Hallelujah!

I cannot bear to hear them say

The words that curse and tear You down

You never did deserve it, Hallelujah!                  Chorus

Yes, this is a world that turns its back

On everything You did for them

When I speak up for You, they will hate me

They spat on You, they tore Your clothes,

Humiliated You, gave You a cross

So how can I think that they will love me?                Chorus

Lord Jesus let me die for You

You’re the only One who is ever true

It’s a privilege I will have Hallelujah!

I wait for the day when this life is done

This race is over, the victory won

And I can run into Your arms, Hallelujah!          Chorus

Written by Henrietta Decruz

Based on the tune of “Hallelujah!’ by Leonard Cohen 

Love and Protect Your Self

No matter what anyone thinks... there are times when we have to draw the line and make a boundary to protect ourselves from encroachers who rob us of our peace!

When Jesus said, "Love your neighbor..." He said "as yourself." The standard of loving the other was the way you first love yourself. When we love ourselves we need to see to our safety and constantly be aware of who is with us and who is working against us.

Sometimes we refuse to see the truth about someone because we love them, we think they are important to us... etc etc. But the truth is we came into this world 'alone' and alone we will leave it! It is better to put aside the notion that someone else is the cornerstone of our life! And if someone has to be important in our life it is better we let them earn our trust!

Don't give away your love or trust to anyone on a platter! Nobody is worthy of it... those who care for us, who treat us right, who go out of the way to do something good for us... who pray for us... they are worthy! Leave the others into a lower priority list... for that is where they truly belong!

Song: Walk to Freedom

This is a song I specially wrote to a tune composed by George Antony. 

He sang it for the first time on 3rd of May 2015 during his performance at Cafe Papaya in Kochi. 

Song:  Walk to Freedom

I left my old life far behind

I left that hole to chase my dreams

Little did I know where it’ll lead me

Little did I know the pain is more!

Chorus:   I will walk in the sunshine

     I will walk in the light

     I have decided to do right

     I have decided to ride!

     

All of the blues they will not hold me

All my setbacks I leave behind

I’m looking forward to the future

I’m leaving all the hatred behind!

Chorus

Come on let’s welcome the morning

Come on and dance here with me

Open your eyes see the freedom

The night is over can’t you see?

Chorus 

Wake Up My Sister! - A song by Henrietta Decruz

This is a song that I specially wrote and composed on the occasion of the Bicentenary Celebrations of the Daughters of the Heart of Mary, the group that runs the College of Social Work. It was in 1990.

The background music is by Leon D'Souza and the voice in this track belongs to Aarti Rao. It was my first time in a sound studio then! An unforgettable experience.

The song can be heard at this link...
Wake Up My Sister! - A song by Henrietta Decruz

This is the link to the song on soundcloud.com
https://soundcloud.com/henrietta-decruz/wake-up-my-sister-henrietta-decruz

Love that frees

In all the days of my life

Never have I seen

Love that encompasses me

And yet sets me free.

Such amazing love

That affords me the privilege

To grow, to live, to breathe and thrive

Can only come from God!

Your love O Lord

Has made me strong

Given me strength

To overcome wrong!

You condescend

You touch me

A lowly soul made of dust

You made great.

When I am lonely

When I cry in pain

I lean on Your loving arms

You comfort me.

Why would I ever trade

Our special love

With any lowly thing on earth?

Wouldn't it be crazy?

Matchless

Priceless

Too precious for words

Infinitely beautiful and endless

Your love is my life

I couldn't live without it

You are the air I breathe

You are my very life.

~ Henrietta 

Pointing fingers at Mother Teresa?

Jesus said, ""Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends." - John 15:13

‪#‎MotherTeresa‬ exemplified this in her life. She came from Albania but chose to spend her life among the poor, the downtrodden, those cast away by their own families to die on the streets. She laid down her life for them. She did it because she loved Jesus so much that she wanted to obey His command of loving others as He loved her. She never asked the dying what their religion was before she accepted them. She just treated them all with the same love and dignity as her Lord wanted her to treat them.

How many Indians have done this for other Indians? Our country has the distinction of having the caste system through which millions of people were and are still being ill-treated and treated as less than human because they were born in a 'low caste.' Even today we get reports of 'untouchability' being practiced in different parts of the country! Think about all the atrocities that were and are still being committed in the name of this. What a shame!

Today there are so many people picking up the broom to be a part of the #‎SwachchBharat‬ Campaign and taking pictures with it. Some decades ago only the 'lower castes' were made to do all these things. In fact they were forced to do the most menial things that others didn't want to have anything to do with such as clean human refuse. Would any of our esteemed RSS leaders want to trade places with them? Would those who look down and question the motives of people who have done life long service to humanity trade places and accept the lowliest place that was thrust upon millions of people for no fault of theirs?

‪

Mother Teresa didn't flinch when she cleaned up the dying who were found in gutters... she didn't see the dirt and muck on them... she saw their humanity... she saw her Lord who said, 'Whatever you do for the least of My brothers that you do unto Me!' She lived for Him and died for Him. Her life is her testimony. No one has the right to stain it. 

[Context: Questioning a lifetime of service? - RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Monday said that the prime motive behind Mother Teresa's service to the destitute was converting them to Christianity] 

The BEST from the Worst!!!

Victory over Adversity

Sometimes the worst thing that happened

Can turn out to be the best thing!

Think back…

Before the troubles in your life began…

Did you know yourself so well?

No!

There is no mentor like adversity

No teacher who can teach you how to face life better!

The more troubles you have…

The more you learn the wiser you get!!!

Thank God for adversity!

I am a better person than I was before.

I know I have a better future

Because I have learned from the lessons of the past!

I must thank those unwitting people

Whether purposely or not they helped me a lot!

They became instruments in this process of learning

Without them it would not have been possible!

Today I stand in a very good place

A place where I have learned to appreciate myself

Treat myself with value, worth and respect

I have learned to take me and my dreams seriously.

I thank God most of all

Who took the worst that was dealt to me

And turned them all around into the biggest blessing!

Ah! The joy of knowing nothing can hold you down again.

Girl resurfaces...

She decided one day...
it was time to bring back to life
all the dreams she left behind.

Somewhere deep in the clefts
of time and memories
a little girl was hiding.

It was time to bring her out
and let her play
and let the wind brush through her hair again.

~ Henrietta

My Jesus is worth dying for! - A Song

Song:       My Jesus is worth dying for!

                                Written and composed by Henrietta Decruz

Chorus:           Yes my Jesus is

Worth dying for… (2)

Because He came and died for me!

Yes my Jesus is

Worth living for… (2)

Because He came and lived for me!

1.    He didn’t have to come

 And leave His throne

 Become a man

 And take on human flesh!

 He chose to do it knowing

 I’m a fallen man

 Who can’t be saved

 From my sins!

           He came down from the throne

           He left His very own

           He chose to walk the path

           That only brought Him pain!!!                 

Chorus

2.    Yes I have sinned

 And done many things

 I shouldn’t have done

 In my life!

 I now repent

 For all my wrongs

 No matter what

 I can’t make them right!

           He was sinless yet He died

           Humiliated, paid the price

           He let them rob Him of His dignity

           For me!!!

Chorus

3.    Now when they ask me

 To disown this Jesus

 Why would I ever do it

 Knowing His love for me!

 If they had only known

 How much He loved them

 How much He paid for them

 Wouldn’t they be free!!!

           He came and died for all

           He gave His every breath

           To make sure we who sinned

           Would never perish!!!

Chorus

Repeat…

~ Henrietta Decruz

Christian What is Your Stand?

As we see images and videos of Christians being beheaded and killed by the ISIS in Iraq and hear of increasing instances of persecution against Christians in other places, it becomes necessary for every believer to sit and think about what he or she would do if faced with a similar situation. Would you still stand for Christ or would you betray what you believed in and agree to what your persecutors say? 

I believe it is a privilege to die for Christ! We know where we will go when we die, when we die in the Lord... so it should be with peace that we accept the verdict of death because when we sleep the sleep of death in this world we wake up in heaven with the Lord in the next!  

I believe it is important that we believers affirm our faith in God and our willingness to suffer for Him so that He is glorified on earth as in heaven! Let's not give the perpetrators of crimes against Christians any credit or glory... Glory belongs to our Lord Jesus alone!!! 

Here is a song I wrote and composed that affirms our stand to live for Jesus and die for Him too! 

SONG: To Live and Die for Him!

I am blessed to know the Lord!

To know the wonders of His love

To see the love He pours on me

Amazing grace that set me free!

Chorus:

I believe! Yes I believe!

That He is God of all that is!

His power runs the universe

He is the One and Only God!

He who came to save the world

Died on the cross to set me free

He is worthy of my love

My everything!                              Chorus

The time has come to take a stand

To live for Him and die for Him

Why should I hold back when

He even gave His life for me!         Chorus

When that day comes into my life

May I be strong in faith and will

To boldly stand and take it all

In Jesus Name!                              Chorus

When I’ve breathed the very last

I know I’ll see my blessed LORD!

I’ll cross this shore and go to Him

Who is the anchor of my soul!        Chorus

~ Henrietta Decruz

(Pictures - courtesy various sources from the Internet)

Life

Life

Choices
They make you
or break you
they bring lessons
consequences in our life
things we cannot run away from
things that later define our life.

Experiences
they shape us
and we shape them too
Someone else's actions
and our reactions
our actions
and other's reactions.

Words
they add or take away
meaning and purpose from us
Words thrown at others
hurt wound lacerate
Words spoken softly
heal rebuild and comfort.

Memories
the good and bad of life
living inside our being
fighting a battle to own us
We can live in the past
or learn from the past
and throw away the shards.

Wisdom
knowing what to take
and what to leave
from the myriad experiences
thrown at us
Learning not just from our lives
but from the mistakes of others.

Life
a string of
choices,
experiences,
words,
memories and
wisdom gained.

Unwanted and Unknown

Alone

Facing indifference

Unwanted

Not on anyone’s list

Not cared for…

Not counted.

Wondering if there is value

Wondering if there is love

Wondering if someone would respect

Or care…

Just because I’m human

Just because I am.

Struggling to make ends meet

Working hard to make a mark

Giving more than ever received

In the hope

Of being counted

Of being accepted.

Yet all I see is disappointing

People obsessed with themselves

Who have no time to notice

Or care about the needs of another

If God Himself came again

They would overlook Him.

 

I can hear the silent screams

Of hearts who are pushed aside

From the walkway of life

Away from the merry-go-round

This world has become

Some dead walking with hopelessness.

Empty relationships

Empty conversations

It’s all pretense

When they say, ‘How are you?’

Do they really care?

My heart mocks me.

 

I find meaning and purpose

In knowing I was created

Not to be degraded

Not as a valueless person

But an equal of everyone

Regardless of possessions or bloodline.

Yes you and I have value

Whether anyone gives it to us or not 

They may pretend wealth is important

They may glorify the famous tyrant

They may give importance to just a few

But they cannot take what is within us.

I am wanted

That is why God created me

I am known

He knew me before I was born

I have a purpose 

That is why I breathe.