Lockdown 63

Lockdown Day 63 - 28 May 2020

Just as I predicted, the icy morning of the Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner finally arrived. In 6.5 kilometres I only encountered one runner, one cyclist and two carers at the end of my walk at 07:30. As far as I walked, the frost in every garden twinkled under the glow of the street lights. I just LOVED it! 

The sky painted a rainbow-like hue as dawn announced a new day. Day sixty-three. Another day in Lockdown. And as it looks also one of the last of level 4. And for me this day signals the end of my first ever 'bipolar' week. Earlier today I saw a quote which said, " Life's beauty is inseparable from its fragility." So being fragile (tantrums included) isn't wrong, but for it to have value, it needs to point to the beauty and resilience of life (we are survivors!). 

One thing about living here is the clear distinction between the four seasons. You don't wonder which season it is, because it is in your face. 28 Years ago I used to work for a chicken farm's laboratory with Izabeth, who managed the lab. Every Monday we would go to the farm which was out of town. And especially during winter Izabeth always said, "This is why I love the Free State. You can see and feel the seasons." Her words were imprinted in my memory forever. And they are truer than true. 

The seasons all look like the pictures in a children's book. Winter is freezing, with leafless trees, yellow grass, frost and snow on the Lesotho mountains and in some towns too. Summer is hot and dry, autumn is cool and orange with the last of the rain and bottle green foliage and spring is fresh and ultra green, with remnants of winter's temperatures. 

In many ways our bodies actually need to breathe with the seasons, embracing rest and restoration in winter, new life in spring, growth in summer and storing up resources in autumn. So tonight I shall allow myself to be restored in the perfect peace of God that removes all fear. A peace He gives freely and unconditionally because He's got this.