Lockdown 202

Lockdown Day 202 - 14 October 2020

A story of hope Part 4.

The present.

Standing on a veranda of her small 8th floor apartment, Ellie breathes in the sea air and takes a sip of freshly brewed local coffee. Her thoughts are far away in the past. 

It has been 3 years since the day Ellie drove into town to 4 Hill street. She still remembers it vividly. When she turned onto Hill street, she saw the tail end of Guy's pick-up in the driveway. She parked in front of the street's last house. The owner, assuming she was coming to see her, walked out to ask if she can help, inviting Ellie in for a cup of tea. Ellie willingly accepted hoping to get some answers. 

Introducing herself as Tina, she told Ellie that Amy had moved in approximately 3 years ago. Tina had seen Guy's pickup pull up for more than 2 years now, but never saw who it was. Her house told Ellie she was a bit of a recluse, and knew it was God who brought her there. 

That night Guy never came home, Ellie packed her things and left for Vancouver, from where she filed for a divorce without ever speaking to Guy or Amy. Guy never contested anything and Ellie became a part of a ministry team where she discovered her true identity in Christ. She became whole and got through the storm, a stronger and more courageous woman. 

But her great test was yet to follow. The ministry announced a tour to 13 US states where they would be ministering to small groups who signed up online. 

Turning from her spectacular sea view, she goes to her small desk, opens and quickly scans the venues. She spots Candice's tea garden. Inhaling sharply she knocks back the last sip of coffee. 

Praying to God daily to war this last test with her, she prepared for the tour. She wasn't going to back off, believing this is how God works and trusting Him to perfect her faith and trust in Him. 

Candice's tea garden was on the first leg of the tour, and the team members were taking turns to drive the little van through the mountains. Ellie's turn was on the last 80km into town. It was her idea, much to everyone's surprise, but they all supported her prayerfully, anointing her as she took the wheel. 

With more than 200km already behind them, the members nodded off one by one, untill it was only Ellie and her close friend Patsy who were awake. They drove in silence. As they approached the turn-off to the farm, Ellie felt her heart wanting to run away again. Surprised by this reaction she chastised herself for letting it get to her, loudly saying to herself, "It is done and dealt with. You are loosed. " Patsy "mmmm'ed" in agreement. The 47km felt like 470 and Ellie braced herself as the entered the town she knew all too well. 

Time was of the essence and Ellie drove straight to Candice's garden so they could set-up for the first session that evenng. They would have another morning session the following day, concluding the ministry the next evening with deliverance, prayer and supper together. 

Ellie was relieved to hear Candice had sold the tea garden to new owners. They had developed a conference facility but kept the garden. 

Steeling herself, she took a walk a couple of hours later into the nook of the garden where her life changed irrevocably. 

Sitting down, she deeply inhaled and exhaled, allowing herself one more replay. And just like that, she felt an unfathomable peace come over her. Standing in this place strengthened her spirit for her ultimate release.

To be continued.........(sidenote: as this story is writing itself, there is too much to be said. This is why there will be a Part 5.)

#Ggt.

Lockdown 201

Lockdown Day 201 - 13 October 2020

A Story of hope Part 3. 

Ellie sensed the Spirit was preparing her for a rough time ahead. She bowed her head and softly prayed, "Your will in my life Lord, I shall follow You through the fire." Just then, she felt the breeze brush her hair aside, and she knew He was there.  She was just about to ask for the bill when another patron was ushered into the nook just in front of Ellie. They couldn't see her, nor she them, but she heard the waitron speaking softly and leaving to get whatever order was taken. 

A cellphone rang softly and she heard a barely audible female voice answer , "Hi my love, where are you?" Something clicked in Ellie's Spirit, realising it has been 3 years since she and Guy have spoken to each other in that way. She found herself straining to hear the rest of the conversation. The woman was saying something about missing the person on the other side of the phone and suddenly something else clicked very deep in Ellie's soul and she foud herself thinking, "No....can it be?" 

After listening some more she got very excited and was just about to jump up to greet a friend from the past, when she heard her say, "Oh Guy, I can't believe I won't see you today, can't you invent a reason to come to town so Ellie won't suspect anything?" 

It was as if Ellie was pushed back into her chair  by an unseen hand. She was blinded with shock and horror, completely numb and her tongue felt like a rubber spatula too big for her mouth. Her heart felt like it was a runaway train and she saw her hands shaking uncontrollably.  

The last thing she thought was "Can it really be her?, before she lost consciousness, slipping into a hot air balloon, drifting through the sky.......when suddenly she was awake, lying on a bed in the tea garden's office. Before the waitron could call Candice, the owner, Ellie found the strength to jump up and ran into the garden nook where the woman was. 

The waitron followed her, Ellie spun around upon seeing no-one, grabbed the waitron at the shoulders, asking, "Where is she? The woman who sat here?" "She left an hour ago, when we found you passed out in your chair! You told us you would call us!" , she exclaimed.  Ellie inhaled deeply and asked the waitron if they got her name. She said yes, she would write it down for her. Ellie gathered her things and wet to pay for her tea. The waitron softly put a folded post-it note into the palm of Ellie's hand and ushered her to her car.

Ellie drove to the grocer with the note clutched in her hand, stuffed it into a secret pouch in her bag. 15 Minutes later she was on her way home. She felt as if someone else was driving. Her mind went wild.  It was her. Amy. The woman who lost her husband. The woman they supported before moving to another state. She picked up her phone as she passed the 20km sign to their turnoff, and dialled the only person she knew she could trust. "Dave, hello. Look, I don't have a lot of time. Please see if you can find the address for Amy Lane. But don't text or call, I'll call you for details, and don't tell anyone. And Dave, it's important."

Driving into the barn to park her car, Ellie noticed Guy's pick-up was gone. She breathed a sigh of relief, unpacked the produce in the kitchen. She walked to her cupboard to put away her things. Then she pulled out the folded post-it, walked out to the garden swing, sat down and looked up. "Oh God, let me be wrong, please." Ellie opened the post-it. Staring back at her was a name. Amy Lane. 

She felt her heart starting to run away again, but something inside of her got up and she rose, a completely determined woman. She went to their study and called Dave again. "4 Hill street", he said and hung up. She then called Guy. When he eventually answered she said, "Where are you?" He said, "Sorry Ellie, I saw you come in from the turnoff, but a pipe broke at the mountain hut and decided to drive straight to town for a replacement." "Liar", she thought, but said, "Okay, what time will you be back?" "Don't wait up for me, we have a farmer's meeting at the Ox Table I have forgotten about." 

Ellie looked at the clock. It was 15h30. She grabbed her keys, called out to the farm hand who was fixing the water pump that she would be back soon. She pushed the car past the speed limit, knowing she had to keep it together. 

To be continued....

#Ggt.

Lockdown 200

Lockdown Day 200 - 12 October 2020

A story of hope Part 2.

The farm life suited the whole family, from where the remaining 3 boys finished school and left home one by one in search of their own destiny. By then Guy had realised his dream of an adventure venue where young kids could come for summer camp to experience nature and learn to do life. Ellie, a qualified nurse, studied counseling online and took over the pastoral part of the adventure camps. 

Before long they were almost fully booked for summer, spring and half of autumn, closing down for winter and much needed maintenance. They had already spent 3 hard working years of preparing countless groups of young people for the life ahead of them.  Only thing was, they talked less often and shared even less. 

Ellie tried prayer time in the morning before work, but Guy would have more and more early errands to run in town, leaving the camp in her hands. Before long she was praying alone and Guy was on the road for daily camp needs. The additions to the adventure course made things worse, because this part of the course required fresh daily stock from the local green grocer, prolonging Guy's time away from home.  

Ellie struggled to cope. She slowly withdrew mentally, though still prayerful in the spirit. Then, on a quiet autumn day when the bookings wound down in anticipation of the coming winter, she woke up very early, dressed quietly and left a note for Guy on the kitchen table. She grabbed her car keys and slowly headed for town. 

With dawn breaking over the Mountains and the new sunlight spilling into the valley, Ellie gradually felt the tension release as she put the 47 kilometres between their farm and town.  She looked forward to a quiet morning in Candice's tea garden, just her and God. And after having tea with God she would pick up all the produce needed. She hoped this would revitalise her enough for the last group intake who were due in two days. 

Guy woke with a jolt, realising he had overslept. Stumbling into the kitchen, he headed for the percolator to pour his usual fix for the day. He sat down at the table, wiped the sleep from his eyes and saw the note from Ellie, "Guy. Just had to get out. Took the shopping list. Call if you need anything else. Just need time on my own in a quiet spot. Love you still. E." He exhaled slowly, thinking how Ellie had never mentioned she needed time on her own. As he walked to the shed to start preparations for the last group's arrival, he shrugged and decided to let it go. 

Ellie walked into the garden at Candice's, headed straight for the secluded corner she hadn't seen for almost 8 months. The autumn leaves covered the path, making for a golden hue accentuated by the sun. She dropped her shoulders and inhaled the fresh mountain air and dropped into the armchair next to the pond. "Ellies corner", she whispered, followed by, "Hello God." 

She felt the Spirit prompt her to read Isaiah 43:1b-3a&4a, “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will  be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you. For I am the Lord your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Saviour.....Since you were precious in My sight, You have been honored, And I have loved you;"

To be continued.......(Parts 3 and 4 will wrap it up)

#Ggt

Lockdown 199

Lockdown Day 199 - 11 October 2020

A story of hope Part 1.

Tonight I want to share a story of redemption, release and impeccable timing. 

A girl, whom I will name Ellie, once married a man, whom I will name Guy. They got married after dating for approximately 8 years. 

They were the perfect couple, the talk of the town. They had 4 beautiful boys who were loved by everyone in the conmunity. But then disaster struck as the youngest got involved in a drug cartel and after 3 years of trying to get him out of the cartel, he was killed by a rival cartel drive-by shooting. 

Ellie was broken and shocked to the core about her "baby". All she wanted to do was talk to everyone about what a sunshine kid he was, keeping his memory alive. Guy, who stood by her side through it all, grieved in his own way and conquered the grief by immersing himself in his job. 

But he was also working to realise a lifetime dream which involved him changing careers. 

Together they started working to make this dream a reality. 

She, because she so loved and adored her husband and wanted to see him free and happy after the harrowing time he endured being in the underworld of drugs while trying to save his son. And he, because he couldn't talk about his son, but rather wanted to create a legacy in his honour. 

Guy was never really one for words and couldn't express emotions in a tangible way, thinking provision is what his family needed. Because of this he lost contact with Ellie's needs and with the one Person he needed most: God. 

When disaster struck one of the couple's friends' home, which left a mother and children without their husband and father, Guy and Ellie jumped in to rescue and support where they could. 

As the years passed, the mother and children picked up their lives, every now and again requesting Guy to assist with 'man jobs' in and around the house. 8 years later, Guy and Ellie moved to another state, in search of rural life away from the city. 

To be continued.......... 

#Ggt

Lockdown 198

Lockdown Day 198 - 10 October 2020

Tree hugging #4 and Wedding #3. 

Just when we thought summer had arrived, Winter came back.... again. We shivered through the day with our summery outfits draped with blankets, pashminas and jackets. 

After the bride arrived in a Mustang, the wedding ceremony got underway, dotted with humerous happenings. The minister had a coughing fit halfway through, and one of the bridesmaids too. And after saying her vows the bride wanted to say "I now declare you legally married" 😅. 

The minister nearly forgot to give the bridegroom permission to kiss his bride. Luckily the sister of the bridegroom reminded him and the kiss happened under a roar of applause from the guests. 

The rest of the evening had all the traditional things of a wedding and we laughed and danced well into the icy cold night. 

As I got in bed, thinking about the wedding and the love shared by the happy couple, their family and friends, I was reminded of a story I recently read about tree hugging. The city of Melbourne, Australia, wants to take care of its trees—so much so that in 2013, they assigned each one an email address so that the public could report any problems such as dangerous branches. 

However, instead of sending messages about issues, people began writing love letters to the trees. "My dearest Ulmus," one note began, "Today I was struck, not by a branch, but by your radiant beauty. You must get these messages all the time. You're such an attractive tree." 💛

So tonight I contemplate the ways of love and praise the Source of it. God ís love. And He displayed the greatest love of them all. 

Jesus said in John 15:12-13, “This is My command, that you love one another, as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this: that one should lay down his life for his friends." That is why I know for sure He's got this.

 

Lockdown 197

Lockdown Day 197 - 9 October 2020

Tree hugging #3 and Wedding #2. 

This morning, after sharing girl talk and coffee with rusks, I walked out on the patio and met a stunning oak tree, gracing the patio with its majestic presence and wow, the green was overwhelming. The leaves were softly rustled by the gentle breeze coming in from the dam. 

Later I met a willow. Actually a few. Next to the river at the venue. It felt as if I was surrounded by "old souls" telling river stories of the past decade. 

The wedding venue setting was a wonderful surprise. Just downstream from the dam wall, set on the banks of the river is a shed called "Rivierskuur". 

We joined the buzzing lively team of young friends of the bridal couple, busying ourselves with cutlery, serviettes, drapes and the like. In no time 48 places were set and the place was transformed. 

With a rustic chic theme boasting grey-green foliage, crispy white linen and a touch of matted gold with fairy lights everywhere, everyone was feeling the excitement in anticipation of the big moment only 24 hours away. 

The day was wrapped up with a dinner with my friend's family that had arrived earlier from far away places. It was good to see them all again, and to catch up. Tonight I offer up a prayer of thanks for the blessing of family and the support they give in times such as these. 

Oh, I almost forgot to say the oak asked for a hug late afternoon. I remembered God's Word speaks of us being oaks of righteousness and thanked Him for giving us this privilege. 

And that He's got this.

Lockdown 196

Lockdown Day 196 - 8 October 2020

Tree hugging #2 and Wedding #1. 

Today I met a mophead. My Bestie and I are in Vanderkloof for her son's wedding and after a wild day of visiting all the friends I retired without finishing my post.

The mophead stands planted in the garden of M. She is a kindred spirit in Christ, who carries the presence of the Lord. Upon our arrival the tree asked for a hug, and I complied. 

And sitting under that mophead in the lukewarm breeze the tree spoke of the wonders of God. My need for green was fed and my spirit felt the anointing of the Spirit of God. It was a moment in time that will be fixed in my spirit forever. 

At one of our stops, H blessed us with a fresh lunch overlooking the impressive Vanderkloof dam in her guesthouse called Waterfront. 

The rest of the afternoon was spent with 6 of my Bestie's other close friends. Weddings are for this: rekindling of friendships and strengthening of spiritual bonds. 

One of those bonds I also share with Maretha and her new love Pierre. What a wonderful evening we had, picking up where we left off and singing the praises of our Creator for the paths he took us on and how we have cone out as shining lights in His kingdom. 

I look forward to the rest of this wedding weekend and can't wait to see what is in store for us! God's definitely got this.