He Smiled, and I Believed Again

Today, as I stood before Lord Ayyappan at the sacred Sabarimala temple Kerala, a deep peace settled within me. The long journey, the chants, the fragrance of incense, and most of all, His divine smile touched something in my soul. I felt something shift, something heal. In that moment, I remembered the lines from John Henry Newman’s timeless poem, “Lead, Kindly Light.”

Newman’s verses were born out of personal despair during his travels, yet they echo a universal longing for light, guidance, and faith. “Lead, kindly Light, amid the encircling gloom, Lead Thou me on!” These opening lines resonate with anyone who has ever walked through uncertainty. Like Newman, I too have felt lost in life, unsure of the next step, but today at Sabarimala, I felt as though the Light has finally begun to lead me again.

The poem doesn’t promise a sudden end to struggles. Instead, it assures us that we don’t need to see the whole path just the next step is enough. This message mirrored my own reflection as I bowed before the deity. I don’t have all the answers, but I now believe that everything is going to be okay. The divine presence I felt reminded me that I’m not alone and that guidance is always near if I’m willing to trust.

Newman’s “Lead, Kindly Light” is not just a poem. It’s a prayer. A quiet, powerful reminder that even in life’s darkness, there’s a light that leads us gently forward. Today, I saw that Light at Sabarimala.

And now, I’m ready to begin again.

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