After 25 years of flight, the jet had landed soft and smoothly today with great ovation. Finally, the day had come for us to say goodbye to Oprah show. Because it was too painful for her say goodbye to her audience, Oprah avoided saying those farewell words. Instead, she scooped both her palms in the 'namasthe ' fashion, bowed low gracefully and said, " Until we meet again. To God be the glory!" and turned around and left the stage.
For the last twenty five years and 4, 561 days on set, Oprah had entertained mostly women not only in US, but across the globe, from Africa to Australia and India to England in her unique and captivating manner. Race, religion, gender stood no barrier in her path nor in her eyes.
She was no one when she was born a black baby girl somewhere in Mississippi, born out of wedlock, result of two teenagers act of puppy love. No one knew, but God who knitted her in her mother's womb knew then and there, that little bundle named Orpah would one day turn out to be the Oprah to rock the world.
Even before this little girl could spell the word "Dream" God had a big dream for her. But for her to become what He wanted to make of her, He had to allow her to go through rocky paths, painful experiences, rejections and abandonment. Otherwise, how could she become that person to relate and sympathize with those whom she's going to have in her Oprah show one day. Yes, God knew what that little black girl, who didn't even have a doll or a toy for show and tell in her class be one day someone who is going to bless thousands by her generosity.
It's God's grace that what she is and what she has become and that's what her Steadman, her bou told at the star-studded spectacular event at the United Center in Chicago two days back. Today, Oprah has the power and influence no other person in the entertainment world or business world has. She has money in abundance, houses, ranches, dogs, plane and so forth. There are many equivalent in wealth and position like her. But what they lack and she has - a generous big heart to help the needy and hurting. The more she gets blessed, the more she gives. That's her motto. And that's her signature.
The secret to her success?
" My team and Jesus!" she unjokingly replies.
What made her farewell Gala at United Center in the last two days and at Oprah show today were her genuine love for her audience and her display of faith in God. It was as if we were watching a Christian event when the choir sang Amazing Grace along with the golden voice of Aretha Franklin followed by O Happy Day sung by Usher.
I liked the glamor, the glitter and stars that shined and surrounded Oprah on the stage at United Center. But what I loved and admired most was the fact God was not left out in the celebration. He was honored above all the achievements. Oprah displayed it loud and clear. Steadman told it point blankly. Those who sang acknowledged His grace for Oprah's success.
Even today at the final Oprah show, that was the theme and message from Oprah. She talked about the whisper she gets from God. She talks about how she waits still to hear His whisper before she takes any decision. She also said how she offers a prayer of gratitude in the elevator at the end of every show, on her way home. It's a miracle, she said, how from a simple and painful beginning she had come to see this day, with so much of love and admiration from people from all background.-from celebrities to unknown housewives in some corner of a city.
Yes, she worked very hard to get where she's now and her appreciation and respect towards her employees earned her a loyal team that loves her and serves her well.
But, is God's Amazing Grace that had been the wind at the back to propel Oprah to great height and unlike many other famous celebrities, Oprah broadly declares acknowledges that fact and openly offers God the glory. That shows her humility, faith and obedience.
I have watched Oprah for many years and I have come to love her for the good deeds she does for humanity. Especially helping the poor and educating those who have no means to get any education. Personally she had impacted and empowered me to see and do things better. At times, she had made me t o look from another angle to understand those whom I normally couldn't understand. She made me to be aware of many social issues and other times made me to laugh and have fun too. Yes, I'm going to miss her shows terribly at 4pms. But I know she will not and cannot be too far away from us. She'll come to us through her OWN network, O magazine and who knows, what else is in the horizon?
May God bless Oprah more and more, and keep her happy and healthy for another twenty years the least. I feel sorry for those who missed the opportunity of watching her shows on important social issues, health, family and financial matter because of their misjudgement of her and her shows. It brings me chuckles when some of women at Bible study feel uneasy to let others to know they watch Oprah. -
Some even display pride in saying they never watch Oprah as if its' something unchristian to watch her show.
I wish they've seen at least today's final show for them to know who she's really and how she waits on Jesus for each of her decision. I wonder whether those who judge her wait on God or give glory to Him as she did today.
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