There was a man by name Mr. Clark in Scotland. He had a nice wife and nine lively children. Both of them worked in a factory and they had a dream of going to United States of America with his entire family for holidays. They worked hard several years and saved money for the trip. They heard of the dream liner, the famous Titanic Ship will be leaving from United Kingdom to United States of America.

As the money required for the trip was ready they got the passports and reserved the tickets for the trip. The entire family was filled with anticipation and excitement about their travel and the holidays in U.S.A. However, seven days before this departure, a mad dog bit the youngest son. They took the boy to the doctor and the doctor said the boy has to receive injections for 15 days and his behavior has to be watched for another fifteen days. They had to cancel their travel and the holidays for a month.

The dream of the entire family was shattered. They would not be able to make a trip to U.S.A as they had planned. The dream liner Titanic left the dock in the year 1912 April 10th Mr. Clark went to the dock to see the Titanic leaving U.K without Mr. Clark’s family. He was filled with anger and disappointment. He shed tears of dejection and cursed both his son and God for their misfortune. Five days later, the tragic news spread throughout Scotland – the mighty Titanic hit an ice berg and sunk on 14-15th April 1912 between 23.40 – 02.20 hours. The unsinkable ship had sunk, taking more than 1500 lives with it. Mr. Clark’s family was to have been on that ship, but because of a dog’s bit, they were left behind in Scotland. When Mr. Clark heard the news, he hugged his son and thanked him for saving the entire family. He and all his family members thanked God for saving their lives and turning what they had felt was a tragedy into a blessing.

We, human beings are limited knowledge and we are not able to see things beyond certain limits. We must recognize our limitations and be humble and open to God’s ways. Our limitations are such that we are not able to see all the intricate details of the Divine Master plan. Thus, whenever something seems to be going contrary to our dreams and schemes, aspiration and expectations, we are frustrated even to the extent of cursing God and blaming others. We must realize all things happen for a reason and for our good, though we may not always understand them now.

Job realizing this truth at the end of all his tribulations says, “I know that you can do all things and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted. ….. therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes” (Job. 42/1-2, 6). Hence the Psalmist invites us to trust in the Lord always, “The Lord is your keeper, the Lord is your shade at your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day nor the moon by night” (Ps. 121/5-6).

Most Rev. Dr. M. Devadass Ambrose

Bishop of Thanjavur