Lockdown 725

Lockdown Day 725-21 March 2022

Today is Human Rights day in our country. So we decided to cash in on the most perfect weather yet and go swimming. Laurette took the plunge into her first ocean swimming experience and actually did incredibly well.

To me it was absolutely fantastic to finally be able to share the feeling and excitement of the open water with one of my core friends.

We topped the experience with a flat white and awesome almond croissant at Remo's Italian.

We lazed through the day resting our ocean-tired limbs and enjoying dinner al fresco on yet another perfect night.

We always tell our visitors about the vicious Bay wind, but have been joking about it ever since Laurette arrived, because she finds it hard to believe what she has been told about this wind, which is so conspicuously absent.

So tonight as I wait for the waning full moon to shine into the garden. I thank God for His Creation and all the little things we aleays just take for granted, like a beautiful day.

#Ggt

Lockdown 724

Lockdown Day 724-20 March 2022

Today we walked along the ragged rocks of Schoenmakerskop just as the mist started to lift. It was a beautiful morning and we decided to go and see what's happening at the beachfront where the SA lifesaving and triathlon championships were held on King's Beach and Hobie Beach respectively.

Although the light breeze was from the East, the water was calm. We had a good view of King's Beach and watched as the lifesaving comnunity fought it out on paddles and boards along a course laid out with buoys. Alongside them were leisure swimmers and surfers also enjoying their splash for the day.

Meanwhile, in Addo Elephant Park a 161 km trail run was being done that lasted over three days. Not for the unfit or faint hearted.

The city was abuzz with sports events with regional swimming champs for high schools as well as a netball tournament at Nelson Mandela University, featuring 11 teams from the Bay and George.

We retire with the new club across from our complex boom-boxing way into the late hours of the evening, grateful I don't live right behind the club, and grateful for another beautiful virtually wind-free day.

#Ggt

Lockdown 723

Lockdown Day 723-19 March 2022

Our walk this morning was a quick one at Schoenmakerskop where we also had coffee at Sacramento before returning home. Much had to be done, because my friend Laurette was on her way to visit for the long weekend!!!

After super excited hellos, we left the airport mid-afternoon, ready for a catch up session of note. We chatted and shared news about our families and kids, retiring after dinner feeling blessed.

I am so grateful for friendship withstanding the test of time and how precious ours had become. As the full moon makes its way to the west, I fall asleep contented and looking forward to what God will bring on this special weekend.

#Ggt

Lockdown 722

Lockdown Day 722-18 March 2022

With the weekend at hand, I motor through house cleaning and diverse work related errands and admin.

The weather is beautiful with a perfect temperature/wind forecast for the SA Triathlon Championship on Sunday.  And with the Ironman happening in a couple of weeks, many athletes are running, biking and swimming all over the Bay.

My O2 year is fast becoming a life giving blessing. Just as oxygen is a life source, God triune is mine, blessing us everyday with His presence.

And with this comes the excitement of what we will see or experience next, learning how to really live one breath at a time, not worrying about the things we have no control over.

Giving God ownership of the things that cause us to fuss and fret, means it is not ours anymore. So why worry? Because God's got this!

Lockdown 721

Lockdown Day 721-17 March 2022

Tonight I share the Passion Translation of Psalm 46, with the heading God on our side.

"God, you’re such a safe and powerful place to find refuge! You’re a proven help in time of trouble— more than enough and always available whenever I need you.

So we will never fear even if every structure of support were to crumble away. We will not fear even when the earth quakes and shakes, moving mountains and casting them into the sea.

For the raging roar of stormy winds and crashing waves cannot erode our faith in you.

Pause in his presence

God has a constantly flowing river whose sparkling streams bring joy and delight to his people. His river flows right through the city of God Most High, into his holy dwelling places.

God is in the midst of his city, secure and never shaken. At daybreak his help will be seen with the appearing of the dawn.

When the nations are in uproar with their tottering kingdoms, God simply raises his voice, and the earth begins to disintegrate before him.

Here he comes! The Commander! The mighty Lord of Angel Armies is on our side! The God of Jacob fights for us!

Pause in his presence

Everyone look! Come and see the breathtaking wonders of our God. For he brings both ruin and revival. He’s the one who makes conflicts end throughout the earth, breaking and burning every weapon of war.

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 "

#Ggt

Lockdown 720

Lockdown Day 720-16 March 2022

I have often wondered what it would feel like to see a large dam filled to the brim while hanging in the water right in the middle of the dam. A sort of flying-fish-eye-view.

This morning we swam towards the harbour wall just behind the swells going in to the beach. Just before we turned, we took a moment to appreciate the sheer vastness of the ocean we were in.

The indigo water was vast as we hung there, peering out into the bay and on to the horizon. With our eyes almost level with the surface, the 360 degree views were as breathtaking as they were impressive.

I felt as if I could stay there forever, "snapping" pictures for my memory bank, not wanting to forget anything. How special it was.

Back on land and dressed warmly, the conversation turned to Mr Prez and the rumours of dropping the state of emergency.

This comes in the wake of Namibia's ruling yesterday abolishing mask wearing and social distancing in public places and raising the number of people allowed at gatherings to 1000 from tomorrow until 15 April.

Tonight I go to sleep with the beautiful pictures my mind's eye took today. And I thank God that He's got this.

Lockdown 719

Lockdown Day 719-15 March 2022

Imagine doing time travel in your area, to say, ten thousand years ago. No cell reception, no technology, no running water or electricity, or a place to stay, only natural habitat. Would you survive?

Watching the news again tonight and seeing the people queueing at the Polish border to get out of Ukraine, some only with the clothes on their back, ignited a prayer of gratitude in my heart.

In both cases, the key word for survival is other people. People with resources and people who were raised up for a time such as this. I ask myself what I can do apart from physically going there, and the answer is PRAY!

This morning I heard the testimony of a young man who became a paraplegic at the age of 24 after reaching for his phone while driving a mere 70 km/h. He said apart from his faith, the single thing that helped him to keep going, were the people who stood by him through it all, and still do.

Man wasn't designed to live alone. Each person has unique qualities, which when put together, can help them survive almost anything. God has designed us that way. That is why our spirit has been pre-loaded with everything it needs to handle whatever comes our way.

So next time when you are confronted with a step back into time, such as coping without a cellphone for 24 hours, look up. Maybe your step back is having no electricity for a week, or nothing left after your home has been bombed to smitherines, just look up to God.

He will send someone. Someone to help and someone to pray. Always.

Because He's got this.

Always.