Lockdown 158

Lockdown Day 158 - 31 August 2020

Saturday I had lunch with the 'Wednesday coffee girls' at a restaurant we were at the day before Lockdown started. We vowed to go back when it re-opened, which was Friday. Just over 5 months since Lockdown started. We never thought it would be that long. 

A lovely Gin cocktail, stunning views and catching up on what everyone was up to, made the two hours fly. Hopefully it won't be too long before we resume our regular early Wednesday coffee date.

Today, while having a conversation with a close friend (also remembering how good it felt Saturday to have face to face conversations) I realised how lockdown emphasised the importance of human contact and interaction. I believe we were not created to be isolated from each other. And the artificial intelligence (AI) trying to take over this basic human need is now deemed as the next big thing. 

What we don't realise is a solitary style of living is just as dangerous as an abominable virus.  People may not contract the virus, but depression, anxiety and solitary insanity are taking over the world, as many studies are now showing more and more.

So it's up to ourselves to find a viable way to integrate these lifestyle changes without becoming robots. Talking to people helps of course, and talking to professionals also helps. But neither the professionals nor the people we talk to can do for us what we need to do for ourselves. 

And that is to choose to stay human according to our design, not denying the opportunity to be perfect in our imperfection. Because to God, we are exactly how He wants us, perfected in His eyes by the blood Yeshua shed so we can be free of condemnation and guilt. We blame ourselves easily in stead of accept Who we were designed by and accept that all we need to do is show up. He will be waiting and do the rest, because He's got this.

Lockdown 157

Lockdown Day 157 - 30 August 2020

This morning I decided Sunday lunch would be Woollies Roast Chicken. While at the square, there was a hive of activity with a little kiddies train, driving everywhere. The first time I passed the train on my way in, it was playing the famous Let it Go from the movie Frozen. 

I was mildly amused, partly because we should all let the baggage go that Lockdown loaded on us, and partly because I remember the movie scene really touched my heart. 

On my way out, chicken in hand, the train passed me again, this time playing one of my all-time favourites as far as animation goes, called Under the Sea from the movie The Little Mermaid.

As I climbed the stairs to my car, I suddenly thought about this little coincidence. Both these songs are about my two of my  favourite things: Winter and the Ocean! In Let it Go, Elsa sings of the cold that never bothered her, and in Under the Sea, Sebastian the crab tries to convince Ariel the mermaid not to go to the world outside the ocean, or as he calls it, 'up there', singing about life that is better under the sea. That's how I feel, cold never bothered me and life under the sea is indeed better! What's more, both songs contain lockdown and life elements.

The words from Let it Go resonate with much of what we all experienced throughout lockdown:

"It's funny how some distance makes everything seem small. And the fears that once controlled me can't get to me at all.

It's time to see what I can do. To test the limits and break through. My power flurries through the air into the ground.

My soul is spiraling in frozen fractals all around. And one thought crystallizes like an icy blast:

I'm never going back, the past is in the past. Let it go. The cold never bothered me anyway."

Under the Sea highlights the life issues all generations have to cope with, especially not being satisfied with our own world:

"The human world, it's a mess. Life under the sea is better than anything they've got up there.

The seaweed is always greener, in somebody else's lake. You dream about going up there, but that is a big mistake.

Just look at the world around you, right here on the ocean floor. Such wonderful things surround you, what more is you lookin' for? (Sebastian is french, so his English isn't the best 😉 )

Under the sea, under the sea. Darling it's better down where it's wetter, take it from me."

Cold or wet, water is life. The life we have been given by our Creator. We are not made up of 70% water for nothing. Because He created us, He knows what's good for us, therefore He's got this. I share both songs below, so enjoy!

https://youtu.be/moSFlvxnbgk

https://youtu.be/GC_mV1IpjWA

Lockdown 156

Lockdown Day 156 - 29 August 2020

Another cold day, I feel spoilt! After an early 6km walk and a couple of house chores, I had my tea in the green room. 

Later in the afternoon I was a guest at one of my wonderful friends' wedding 💒 online, a Zoom wedding! 

Their story is one of finding their destined love in each other as 18 year olds, followed by a break up, leading different lives with great losses many years later, from life partners to ruined friendships. Many years later, their paths crossed again, and this time their love was too strong to ignore. 

But the greatest part of their story begins when they decide to betrothe themselves to God before tying the knot. What an amazing journey of two amazing people, blessed by our amazing Creator.

The ceremony was very special, true to Hebrew tradition, for believers in Jesus, with all the blessings that accompany it. When it came to their own vows, I had to fight back tears as he sang (out of tune, with a youtube video) All of You to her. And she gave him a Talith (a Hebrew prayer/priest shawl) which she made by hand. Wow. 

Their union today is a big bright shiny beacon of hope in a time such as this. And eternal proof that all odds can be beaten when the Lion of Judah bears the consequences of our obedience to His Word. 

Their undying and visible 

commitment  to God is a flame that ignites the most feeble heart. 

So tonight I offer up a prayer for all those of feeble heart, to see the Lion of Judah standing behind us, to take courage, "because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. " (1John 4:4b)

Lockdown 155

Lockdown Day 155 - 28 August 2020

Early this morning, on my way back from a wonderful walk in the last of the winter cold, a few trucks 

delivering building supplies drove past me. I thought of the challenges and pressure on all kinds of relationships during building or renovating a home. 

When I have the time, I enjoy watching a TV program called Grand Designs, where couples take on challenging and difficult builds in order to have their dream family home become a reality. 

What they don't always realise, is their relationship also becomes a growth project putting an enormous amount of stress on the build and their family. And a fair number of them got divorced during or after the building was completed. 

Just like a house build is dependent on funds, a good architect and an even better foundation, a relationship is dependent on time/effort, trust and love. Both will cave in or come to a standstill if those requirements are not met. 

So it is with our relationship with God. We need to believe he is our Rock, our only foundation, love Him for saving us and trust that His Word will sustain us. Without Him, our eternal existence is but a dream. One we cannot afford to lose. 

So tonight, step into His realm and accept His design plan. Because this is how your life build will grant you access to eternity. Because He is the ultimate builder Who will finish the job. Stick with Him, because He's got this.

Lockdown 154

Lockdown Day 154 - 27 August 2020

The one thing this Lockdown has changed, is our future vision. We have forgotten to find the stars among the dust that blew in with Lockdown. 

One of the things I wondered during my insomniac 2¼ hours, was what if this time was meant for us to find our eternity button so we can turn it on and start preparing for eternity! 

I saw a quote about this that said, "We often hear, Life is short, better enjoy it. 

How about, Eternity is long, better prepare for it ?! "

Eternity is letting the stars back in, forcing us to look further than the present. Looking back at lockdown should shape the future in stead of robbing it from the numerous positives we can take forward out of this. 

Positives such as developing new skills, spending money wiser and getting to spend more time with our closest (albeit on video calls). Finding humankind is nicer than we think and learning new things on the internet. 

Discovering the myriad of benefits of walking and getting sun on our skin. Most of all, the therapeutic genius of green and quiet time with God. And I am sure there will be many more as we enter a different future. 

So tonight I wish for you to find your stars and pick them up out of the dust. I pray that your different future will produce the reality you have dreamed of. Because God is writing it as we speak. And yes, He's got this. 

Enjoy this song of Michael W Smith with me called A Million Lights :

https://youtu.be/4BRTCJFgwcg

Lockdown 153

Lockdown Day 153 - 26 August 2020

I have a confession to make and a story to tell. First, the story. After posting last night's blog, I slept like a baby until 03h00. I got up and went to the kitchen for a sip of water. Upon turning the corner I thought, why is everything so dark (duh, 3 in the morning is always dark!) ?

We have an inverter system with batteries that power our lights and a few charging points for when we have load shedding. We also have a very bright green light on top of the fridge which goes off when Eskom power is off. It is so bright at night, it lights up the kitchen/living area. And this morning at 3 it was off.

I wondered how we missed that on the load shedding schedule. But after having my water, my eye caught the street lamp as well as the house opposite the street's lights - both were on! Now I was awake as can be, went to the DB board and saw the trip switch had not tripped. Then I went out through the front door to see whether our matchbox street's lamps were off and found everyone's was on except ours. 

By this time I had hubby awake too, worried that something else was wrong; the recently burnt down house still fresh in our memory. After visiting the DB board again, my eye caught our prepaid meter: 0 units left! With a sinking feeling I chastised myself for letting this slip. Normally I am on it. Needless to say, I lay awake untill 05h30 and fell asleep for a fitful 45 minutes. 

I awoke with a jump wondering if I could buy electricity on the estate's app, got my glasses and saw I could! After 3 minutes I had power! So I have to confess I was a real blonde on this one. Not only did I forget to reload, but I didn't know the app had that feature! We use the app daily to enter and exit the estate with a QR code, but  never bothered to look further. 

I could've saved myself the insomnia and reloaded at 3 am. No mess no fuss. But those 2¼ hours flew, because I thought of a quote that says, when awake at night, ask God what it is He wants to talk to you about. So I started to pray, and soon I felt His presence bringing a calm I knew I needed. I realised I just had to put my feet on the Rock, so He could steady my hold. 

"My being is satisfied as with marrow and fat, And my mouth praises You with singing lips.

When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You in the night watches." Psalm 63:5-6. Ggt.

Lockdown 152

Lockdown Day 152 - 25 August 2020

Today I decided that laughter is the amazing medicine we don't use enough. So today, while the August wind is blowing outside, while we are trying to stand up straight and look life in the eyes, enjoy this short slideshow of funnies. And then walk around with a smile for as long as you can, and when it fades, read the funnies again or find new ones! Be blessed, and remember, God is the supplier of your joy, and He's got this!