Lockdown 461

Lockdown Day 461- 30 June 2021

The wind in PE (apparently all down the coast south from here) reached speeds of 50km per hour and more last night and today. Some say this brings rain, others reckon it blows the clouds away. Whichever, I refuse to believe the negative and firmly believe this will result in precipitation.

Cape Town and surrounds have wind and rain, and so can the Eastern Cape too. I am calling it. Right here, right now. Walking in this wind this morning had me fighting to stay upright. It felt a little like fighting in the spirit. You feel pressure of an unseen force pushing you forward.

So it is with being in a pandemic. There is this unseen force pushing from all sides. The trick is to have the Spirit of God outweigh everything else. The only way I know how, is to stand fast and firm in faith and believe in the power of the Word. Of the Truth. He is the Way. He is life. And He is the One in control.

So then, let's choose life and let Him in. Tonight, as the wind decides to stop for a while and the Bay settles into curfew for the night, I thank God He did not put man in control. And I offer up a prayer for a misguided human race who think they've got this.

#Godsdefinitelygotthis

Lockdown 460

ockdown Day 460- 29 June 2021

Today I heard on the local radio station, AlgoaFM, the presenters were talking about our new level 4 Lockdown which has been imposed for 14 days. One of the presenters then proceeded to talk about supporting the restaurant industry on purpose. What he meant was in stead of only looking after yourself, take a moment and order a cuppa from your local brew spots. Or maybe a dish or two and skip cooking. Trade your usual cold drink or snack from the supermarket for a takeaway. What a wonderful suggestion.

He also told a story of a restauranteur who, upon hearing of level 4, exclaimed, "God has forgotten me." That really touched my heart, because that rings true for many people.

I suspect all of us have at least once had a conversation with God about this. That is part of the reason why I end all my posts with God's got this, because we should never forget that He will never leave or forsake us.

So tonight I share with you a video to remind you of His unfailing love and unending presence. Be inspired and take this inspiration wherever you go (both physically and online, aka social media, etc.). Do not let the things of the world dim the Light of God, but rather let the Light dim the world's limited perspectives.

https://youtu.be/ywGhQAnkwBY

#Gbwy

#Ggt

Lockdown 459

Lockdown Day 459- 28 June 2021

Dear Mr Prez.

I woke up this morning thinking of you. How you became Prez in a politically turmoiled time. I thought of how you had plans for your beloved country. Being a business man, I would imagine you had it all worked out.

But then the unforseen and unthinkable happened. The world fell prey to an abominable virus of such proportions that we still do not know what hit us.

You were forced onto a trajectory there was no manual for. What a way to have to take over.

For some you became just another prez who doesn't know squat and for others you became their last lifeline. Whatever the case, technically we are in the same boat, driven by a crazy virus, fuelled by the medical and pharmaceutical world.

We are all victims without cause and in a war we did not ask for. The enemy is an invisible madman and our own camouflaged kind has got us by the short and curlies.

And every time I see you addressing the nation, I truly am sorry all you get to do is put out fires and do damage control of something you really have no idea where it is going. I am sorry that you have to walk in the dark without being able to see where your feet are going. And I am sorry that the people of our country don't get to see what a truly clever and passionate man you are and how beautiful your heart really is.

So now I pray for you Mr Prez. For Jesus to shine His light around you, to light up your spirit and your path in this uncertain survival mode you have to operate in. For our people to see that light and use us all, you too, to proclaim His truth. Because He is the only answer. Nothing else. Thank you God for holding Mr Prez in Your hands. Amen.

#Godsgotthis

Lockdown 458

Lockdown Day 458- 27 June 2021

Sunday number 66.

Part 3 of the Sunday series of real life weird, wonderful, magical and funny wildlife photographs:

#Ggt

Lockdown 457

Lockdown Day 457- 26 June 2021

The cold morning started off with a hot breakfast and delicious flat white at Kauai with our Vitality points.

According to SnowReportSA and MyDorpie (see both links to these groups below) on Telegram, snowfall can be expected in two thirds of the country, also in low lying areas.

Also, you can see footage posted as well as various webcams, so go "bos" and have a look at our beautiful country!

We took a drive to the roadhouse at the beach front in Summerstrand. With a peppermint crisp and chocolate shake in hand, we parked facing the sea.

It was high tide and spring tide (when it's full moon) and the water covered the whole beach.

The wind added drama to it all by blowing up the spray from the breaking waves, causing the late afternoon sun to catch those wafting droplets , briefly displaying a rainbow just above the wave.

Although the wind may have botched our planned walk (felt a little like the infamous Cape south-easter), but the ocean more than made up for it.

Again, I briefly felt completely free from the pandemic, the abominable virus and the lockdown.

And God is with me, in the wind, the waves, the rainbows. He is everywhere. More present than the pandemic, more powerful than the virus, more enveloping than a lockdown. His Spirit is the wind, His voice the waves, proving His omnipotent presence in the rainbows.

Yes, He's got this!

Links:

Snow Report SA

https://t.me/SnowReportSAnews

myDorpie News

https://t.me/myDorpieNews

Lockdown 456

Lockdown Day 456- 25 June 2021

More than ever, the present is important. And living in the now is such an important decision we need to make each and every day. 

To focus on the past, i.e "I just want everything to go back to the way it was", is a futile exercise. Focusing on the future is equally futile, because things change faster than we ever can anticipate.

The one time stamp we can be sure of is right now. So why not choose to do positive things to make this stamp beautiful. If you're feeling down and out, dance! 

If you're ill, smile on purpose and watch funny movies. If you're tired, find a beautiful spot to inhale and exhale. Whatever you do, be kind to yourself.

Getting through this pandemic requires a healthy mind. One day we are going to look back from a very different time stamp. Don't regret hijacking your mind with past and future nothings. 

So tonight I pray for everyone I know and for us all to look up and out and trust God for our daily direction and provision. He really has got this.

Lockdown 455

Lockdown Day 455- 24 June 2021

Yesterday, while doing the rounds for the Glühwein, I stopped at a beautiful garden nursery. Parking underneath the tall gum trees already lifted my spirit, but the next moment I stopped in my tracks.

In front of me was a water feature made from an old piano. Yes, you read correctly : a piano. The water was coming out of it, running over where the keys would have been. I went closer. There was an inscription on it saying, "There's music in water, if you stop to listen."

The sun was dancing all over this piano, hidden in a lush little garden of Eden. I thought of the famous August Rush quote, "The music is all around us. All you have to do is listen."

I associate the music with nature and this piano was just the perfect synchronisation between the two. This felt as if God was talking to my heart using His creation.

To look for God's music in everything is a wonderful way of constantly drawing our thoughts back to what's really important, especially now.

I close tonight with another less known quote from August Rush:

" You know what music is? God's little reminder that there is something else besides us in this universe, a harmonic connection between all living beings everywhere, even the stars. " As the full moon lights up the clouds outside my window, I am sure if I listen closely, I will be able to hear the music of Heaven.

#Ggt

Lockdown 454

Lockdown Day 454- 23 June 2021

With a government meeting looming and rumours of hard lockdown going around, I decided to stock up on Glühwein and a few other necessities.

The Glühwein search proved to be a challenge of monumental proportions, as the same stores here as the ones that stock this in Gauteng, do not even know what I'm talking about at the mention of the name. And they are horrified once I tell them it is a red wine with spices you have to heat up🤦🏼‍♀️!

I eventually found Fireside Red at Woolies and my favourite, The Original Glühwein at Tops. Many years ago I tried making it myself, with near disastrous results. Not only did I "burn" the wine, I just couldn't get the spices and the wine to make a homogenous mixture without feeling like chewing cinnamon sticks and green leaves.

So tonight, I retire ready for all kinds of lockdown measures, praying the government will realise the economy cannot handle another shutdown and for them to come up with extraordinary solutions to manage an already out of control virus nobody asked for.

I retire knowing God's got this in a way way we can't begin to imagine.

Lockdown 453

Lockdown Day 453- 22 June 2021

This morning, while I was investigating an advertised retail special, one of the workers busy unpacking stock was singing along with the shop music. And it was the song I shared on Day 448, Way Maker. What a wonderful thing, to hear this in a retail chain store!

Shortly after, my Bestie called to do a virtual coffee. It was telepathy, as I was just considering going to RAAK, another one of my fast growing faves.

Their flat white made from Masterton beans is smooth and aromatic. The decor is a mixture of modern art deco and contemporary with absolutely fabulous confectionery.

Later, the gospel singing worker got me thinking. I wonder how many people heard him. I do know all their spirits had to have been touched.

Those powerful words and a heart of someone worshiping in spirit and truth cannot go unnoticed. Also, the shop itself, playing such music. Both a blessing to any and all. And of course a powerful testimony.

So tonight, I offer up a prayer for all of us in this time to be an unknowing witness of God's goodness and grace, power and omnipotence wherever we go. I pray we showcase God in all His glory by just being who He created us to be. We can beat this because He's got this💪.

Lockdown 452

Lockdown Day 452- 21 June 2021

Winter solstice is from 05:31 today for 24 hours. This means today was the shortest day and tonight the shortest night of the year. It also means the earth's axis in the southern hemisphere is tilted furthest away from the sun. 

In the Northern Hemisphere it is the summer solstice, where the sun will be directly over the tropic of Cancer at noon and the daylight hours the longest.

The solstice is supposed to mark the middle of winter....... ahem.......I think not. For the second week since we have arrived, it has been 27+ degrees and hot enough for summer clothing.

This is like the 30 degrees we had in April in Pretoria. I am wondering if the seasons have moved on an additional month to the one it has already skipped. And if I will ever see puffer-jacket-cold. 

Today is Day 452 of Lockdown. 452 days from now will be 22 September 2022, one day before our spring equinox.

Equinoxes happen in Autumn and spring, and solstices in summer and winter. It is determined by the position of the sun in relation to the axis (solstices) and the equator (equinoxes).

Although these happenings are commemorated by many cultural groups for different reasons,  I for one will definitely do a rain dance for winter. And when the rain and the winter appear!

According to all the weather sites, PE is a summer rain area, although it has rained during the winter at times. To me, winter is the perfect time for rain in this drought stricken area. Because that would just make God's power and existence all the more awesome!!

 Because I firmly believe He can do this. #Ggt

Lockdown 451

Lockdown Day 451- 20 June 2021

Sunday number 65.

Part 2 of the Sunday series of real life weird, wonderful, magical and funny wildlife photographs:

#Ggt

Lockdown 450

Lockdown Day 450- 19 June 2021

On this cloudless and cold Saturday, I set off for an early coffee with two of our longest dearest student friends who are born and bred Bay-people. They have also been a couple since we got to know them at varsity.

I sat listening to their most awesome testimonial of how they both battled this virus, she here at home, and he in Ethiopia, where he was working. I have no words to describe what both of them went through, but specifically him being in a foreign country when he first fell ill.

All the time, I felt as though I was sitting in God's presence, witnessing one of His miracles right in front of me as I listened to their story. What really touched my heart was the part where he actually came to a point of making peace that he wasn't going to make it out alive.

She was going through her own battle home alone, extremely distraught over her husband's apparent demise, while feeling absolutely terrible at the same time. All of us were praying fervently, prayer walking all day, desperately grabbing hold of God to be their vindicator.

And He came through. Against all odds, the company our friend worked for provided the medical assistance needed and evacuated him successfully to a hospital in Gauteng, where he was told he probably would not have survived had he not been evacuated.

God performed a miracle for them, a shining beacon of hope and healing. By doing this He confirmed His all-encompassing power over all and His great love for us. Also, He has confirmed our faith in Him and without a doubt proved He's got this.

"Surrender your anxiety. Be still and realize that I am God. I am God above all the nations, and I am exalted throughout the whole earth. Here He stands! The Commander! The mighty Lord of Angel Armies is on our side! The God of Jacob fights for us! Pause in His presence."  Psalm 46:10‭-‬11

 

Lockdown 449

Lockdown Day 449- 18 June 2021

After my morning walk I picked up a Pretoria friend from the airport. We had a lovely time at Como Caffé, one of my fast growing favourites here in the Bay.

After she left for a weekend on the coast, I noticed the dark promising clouds from early morning had dissipated to make way for the sun. And so the prayer walking for rain continues.

I spent the afternoon finding my way around and trying to find stockists for a couple of personal and household products, seeing as I've decided against another online ordering stint.

Speaking of online, I get that it has pretty much become our find-it-all these days. Being in a new place, I still use Waze or Google Maps to go somewhere. But relying on this has caused me to not be tuned into the environment around me on the way to my destination.

In the same way our sense of reality is distorted by our newly acquired (and dare I say a somewhat forced acquisition) online lifestyle. If this pandemic continues much longer we are going to have to force our brain back to thinking critically and being less machine and more human.

I genuinely believe we need to step into our role as stewards of the life God gifted us with, so we can tap into the heavenly resources available for us to rise above this pandemic. So we can be who God created us to be in a time such as this.

He really does have all the answers and resources we can imagine.... all we need to do is ask!

So tonight, while the waxing moon is casting rays of light onto my bed, I invite God to speak to my spirit and show me how. Because I know He's really got this.