When God Comforts You

Many things happen in our life that are beyond our expectations. Sadness, joy, pain, laughter, and tears, always come and go. However, we must accept it with gratitude to Allah SWT. Because by always being grateful, we will always be strong when facing difficult conditions and not forget ourselves when happy.

Whether we realize it or not, in the sadness and happiness we experience there are always very valuable life lessons that we can take.
A week ago, after we experienced the ordeal of losing our three-month-old child to a miscarriage, another week of happiness came to us, especially my wife. Even if it can't replace what's missing.

On Thursday, January 27, 2022, my wife was entrusted to serve as Secretary of the Center for Research and Community Service at STAIN Teungku Dirundeng Meulaboh. I don't know if this is a blessing or a "disaster" (in another sense). Because I don't agree with the job offer. Besides my wife having just miscarried and needed a lot of time to rest, I'm also worried that the burden of responsibility she's taking on will make her vulnerable to stress. Of course, I didn't expect that.

My wife at the inauguration

As a husband, I want my wife to feel comfortable, without any pressure. Moreover, he did not want the position and had raised objections when the position was offered. But it couldn't be helped, the leadership wanted my wife to fill the position until she was at a loss for words to make excuses about it.

Because of respect and appreciation for the trust that has been given by the leadership, my wife agreed to the offer. I can only support his decision and wish him the best.

A day later, happiness came back to us. My wife received good news from the 2021 Jakarta Arts Council (DKJ) Novel Contest Committee, that the awarding night will be held on Friday, January 28, 2022, online.

“You will be the best of the contestants out there, my dear,” I said while kissing her forehead gently.

For some reason, suddenly a great hope and enthusiasm filled my mind. I really hope that my wife will win the 2021 DKJ Novel Contest.

The original plan was that the awarding night was scheduled for December 2021. However, due to various obstacles, including the number of participants reaching 448 people from 28 provinces in Indonesia and four participants from abroad, with 325 manuscripts received.

Last night, I enthusiastically accompanied my wife to the awarding night for the 2021 DKJ Novel Contest, even though I was just sitting in front of the computer.

Before the announcement of the winners, the activity began with an opening performance featuring the Papermoon Puppet Theater with the title MARACOSA.

Then, the judges presented the advantages and disadvantages of each participant's work one by one: Bagus Takwin, Manneke Budiman, and Ziggy Zesyazeovienazabriskie.

After that, the jury began to read the title of the script that caught the jury's attention.

"Congratulations dear...!!" I said when I heard my wife's name being called by the Judges. The novel entitled "RAPAI & JAZZ" became one of the scripts that attracted the attention of the judges.

Although there is a bit of disappointment because I expected my wife's script to be one of the winners (first place, two or three). But I am still grateful because he has been able to make his name in the ranks of top national and international writers. Moreover, he had dreamed of registering for the DKJ Contest for years, but only last year was he able to take part in the grandest literary performance in Indonesia.

"It's okay, it's still amazing that I made it to the judging stage. I didn't even think that RAPAI & JAZZ would become the judges' favorite,” my wife said with a big smile as if she understood the change in my facial expression.

According to my wife, from the beginning, she realized the weakness of the script because it was done in a very short time.

I was amazed by the passion he showed. He said that from this initial experience he got a lot of knowledge about good literary works, and he will try to improve the quality of his writing step by step. Once again, acceptance and sincerity play a role in our lives.

I have always believed that nothing lasts forever in this world, including happiness and sadness. Sometimes, sadness comes amid the happiness we celebrate. Likewise, happiness always goes hand in hand with the sadness we experience.

Two special moments this week, opened my mind once again, that God is deliberately comforting us because God doesn't want us to be sad for too long.

Feeling enough, sincere, and grateful for what we have.
Dhikr, Thoughts and Good Deeds