Lockdown 663

Lockdown Day 663- 18 January 2022

Today I set off to go and do my first ocean swim, but the moment I saw the swells I knew it couldn't happen. Finding a rhythm in such swells is difficult enough without having to deal with possible vertigo effects.

So I walked to the beach and took a long walk in the shallow water. There were many people on the beach and in the water, enjoying the cool breeze in what seemed to become another sticky hot and humid day.

I saw a jellyfish that had washed up on the sand, approximately 30cm in diameter, surrounded by many small molluscs.

I also found a pretty white feather lying in the sand on my way out, and a little further another.

By the time I reached the surf shop, my feet were dry as the heat of the day set in. It was barely 9am. Deline, the surf shop owner was busy setting up her rental bikes outside the shop, getting ready for the day. After helping her with her advertising banners, I headed home.

The feathers of this morning were something I have never encountered on the beach, to me a sign God was right there. So tonight I acknowledge Him as my omniscient Saviour who knows exactly what I need and when. And I rest in the knowledge of His all powerful presence.

#Godsgotthis

Lockdown 662

Lockdown Day 662- 17 January 2022

We are in week 94 in a pandemic that seems to be waning in our country, but wreaking havoc in the Northern hemisphere. Am I the only one still feeling I’m on the sideline of the world's biography playing out in front of me like some surreal movie?

This morning I had to take my car for a check, so I waited in the designated waiting area. Two ladies came into the area chatting away about the abominable virus. After 20 minutes of being subjected to the most depressing fear-filled conversation about the abominable virus, I left to find a quiet spot in the showroom.

Thinking about the conversation, there was not one single thing either of the ladies said that was positive. Later, as I headed home, I resolved to really be vigilant of my thoughts and words, especially in public spaces.

It seems the surrealistic nature of this extended period of the pandemic calls people to either pick themselves up, or find themselves joining the rubble. And the ensuing battle between positive and negative becomes a coping skill with which we navigate our journey.

So tonight I find solace in the Word of God, the source of life and all the fruits of the Spirit. In the fact that nothing can separate me from the everlasting love God has for me! Yes, He's really got me. And He's most definitely got this.

Lockdown 661

Lockdown Day 661- 16 January 2022

Sunday number 94.

Today's image focus is on amazing (non-photoshopped) pictures taken around the world.

One thousandth of a second- perfect timing:

Levels of a sunset:

Aeroplane shadow on a rainy day:

Man feeding swans in the snow:

Confusing perspective:

Mammatus clouds:

Two peacocks:

Antarctica - 4 shades of blue:

This ray of sunlight looks just like lava. It is called the Yosemite Firefall and lasts only about 10 minutes. It happens only 1-2 weeks near the end of February provided there is enough snow and semi clear sunset:

Under a wave:

Gold-capped peak:

The Pit - a diving site in Tulum, Mexico:

Train Station in Denmark:

Under the Icebergs:

Sheep going through San Boldo Pass, Italy:

Eruption of Mount Ararat:

Zhangye Danxia Landform in Gansu, China:

The Gulf of Alaska, where two oceans meet but do not mix:

Northern Ontario Light Pillars:

Sunset seen from above the clouds:

Salar de Uyuni, the world's largest salt flat in Bolivia:

#Ggt

Lockdown 660

Lockdown Day 660- 15 January 2022

Today was the hottest day since we arrived in #theBay with a temperature of 30°C and high humidity factor.

We started off with a short walk along the promenade before joining André and Riëtte for breakfst at Indulge.

There was a dense fog hanging over the sea. Ships waiting their turn to enter the harbour were barely visible in the fog.

And then, just like that, the fog vanished and there, slowly making its way to the harbour, was a huge passenger ship! What an incredible sight it was.

Watching the MSC Orchestra manoeuvring around the harbour wall and gliding into it's mooring bay captivated us all. It seemed effortless, as if the helmsman was controlling a toy.

This docking procedure seemed all the more impressive after discovering the ship weighs just over a hefty 92 tons, carries between 3013 passengers and almost 1000 crew.

In pandemic terms this is a big thing, celebrating the resilience of man and dogged determination to survive no matter what.

This was an unexpected glimmer of hope of things to come, even though lockdown is far from over. And another momemt for my memory bank I will treasure for a long time.

Here is a video, made in 2021 when MSC started up the Orchestra again:

https://youtube.com/watch?v=Cz_pYyhmOA8&feature=share

#Godsgotthis

Lockdown 659

Lockdown Day 659- 14 January 2022

This new year is a lot like a new harbour. It is expected to work well and be calm, keeping the wild ocean out there at bay.

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary the word harbour means, " a part of the ocean, lake, etc. that is next to land and that is protected and deep enough to provide safety for ships" and, " a place of safety and comfort" and, "provide refuge and port facilities".

In many ways this is how we want this year to be. We need safe refuge from storms, hoping the port facilities will be accommodating. A place to duck when the waves are huge.

So tonight I appoint God triune as my harbour Master. Letting me in so He can protect me, but also letting me out when the waves have passed. 

Leaving the place of safety, stocked and ready to take on the open ocean to go do what I need to do, knowing He is my refuge when I need Him. And yes, He's got 2022 too.

Lockdown 658

Lockdown Day 658- 13 January 2022

After a forecast of warm cloudy conditions with no rain, we woke to an early strong drizzle which turned into enough rain to wet the roads.

Deciding to drive to the promenade to see if Roxy and I could go walking, we were surprised to see only light cloud cover, dry roads and no rain.

Our walk took us to the boardwalk pier where we stopped a while to watch a little sailboat heading for the harbour on choppy water.

Ships were docking, life guards were setting up on the beaches, shops were gearing up for the day.

All the sights and sounds almost made me feel life is as it was. For a moment I forgot about masks and sanitizer, drinking in the salty air and feeling "normal" again. I silently resolve to keep this memory alive, recognising why I love the ocean so much. Especially now in a time such as this.

So tonight I breathe a silent prayer of thanks for a snippet of normal. And a kugel full of peace. A gentle touch all the way from heaven. I know for sure God's got this.

Lockdown 657

Lockdown Day 657- 12 January 2022

So today I have to say my two cents about people who think they are entitled and better, who do not have any respect for other people's lives which they have no knowledge of.

Worse still, is when health care professionals act in this reprehensible manner toward patients seeking help. Being talked down to when you are vulnerable is the lowest blow you can get.

So someone I know well and have tons of respect for and, as a professional treats other professional people with respect, went to see a health care professional for a consultation.

The health care professional did not act as a professional at all, telling the patient all the patient cares about is money and how uninformed the patient is in the most condescending way.

Does this person even realise the things people are going through because of this pandemic, struggling to make ends meet? Speaking to someone older than you in a respectful manner costs nothing. This person knows squat about the life and battle "outside" and how to run a business.

One thing I know for sure is that the Lord's vindication is just and all we need to do as believers is try to stay true to what the Word teaches us and to act accordingly even though we have a right to retaliate.

So tonight I offer up a prayer for every person rendering some kind of care or service and everyone receiving that service and care.

For understanding under pressure and empathy with excellence. Our reward is not in clients, money or the like, but in whether we conduct ourselves a witnesses of the Most High whose salvation is the seal we carry like a billboard. 

#Ggt