Wednesday
We have followed the cricket world cup with half an eye. South Africa’s early losses soon put paid to any hope of being in the final four. We rejoiced as we beat Australia in what would be a dead rubber, but it was a satisfying win none the less, ending our campaign on a high. That win also meant that India played New Zealand in the first semi final while Australia will face England in the second. Rain interrupted the India/NZ match and it was concluded today with New Zealand putting on a relatively easy target of 239. India had 240 to win which should have been achievable for such a strong and dynamic side. Except the top three batsman including top performing captain, Virat Kohli were out for 1 each, leaving India reeling on something like 5 for the loss of 3 wickets. It was always going to be hard to recover, yet towards the end they looked as if they could make a charge. In the end, New Zealand won by 18 runs.
Tonight there are 1.3 Billion disappointed Indians.
We were so grateful to not be emotionally invested in the game!
This evening, Bafana Bafana are playing against Nigeria in the African Cup of Nations QF. They beat Egypt to go through to the quarter finals. Quite an achievement!
It’s been a good work day. Half way through the morning, we went to Echo to get an update on the pavement extension. Here’s Werner showing his worker how he wants it to look…
Nugget from my journey: this one, I’ve written about before a number of times. It remains so special to me.
It was Friday 30th September 2011. I woke early and went downstairs to have my prayer time. But I was not happy. Overwhelmed by an unexplained sadness, I just didn’t feel up to the day. I wasn’t sick. I felt well in my body but extremely melancholy in my spirit. Emotional, probably hormonal, I plonked myself down in my ‘prayer chair’ and thought of the day ahead. It was Friday. Fabulous, funfilled Friday! Every Friday was a good day. Usually, I would enthusiastically bounce off to work, a spring in my step and a smile on my face. With extra fanfare I would present the Rise and Shine show…after all it was Friday – the weekend!
But on this day, I couldn’t do it. There was nothing particular wrong. I was just miserable! “Oh! Lord,” I lamented. “I can’t do it! How can I go and do the show all happy and joyful when I’m feeling like this? I can’t do it! What am I to do? I’m feeling so terrible. I’m so miserable. I’m so unhappy. The last thing I feel is fabulous and funfilled. I can’t do it. Please help!”
And then something absolutely remarkable happened. I got a thought. It went through my head in a clear and concise manner. There was no doubting it. It was as clear as crystal “Go to the Psalm of your age.”
That was strange…the Psalm of my age. Just over a month later, I would turn 47, so I started paging in my Bible to Psalm 47. There was the ‘thought’ again – “No, you are not 47. You are 46. Go to Psalm 46”.
Go to Psalm 46. Ah, “Be still and know that I am God.” That verse is in Psalm 46. I thought that was where I was headed. I got to Psalm 46 and I started reading…it’s a wonderful psalm. Starting with “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble”, I carefully read each sentence, wondering which one God had for me.
I got to verse 5 (I’m born on the 5th) and what I read made me dissolve into tears.
“God is within her – she will not fall – God will help her at the break of day.”
Never before and not since, have I had God speak to me so clearly. His Holy Spirit whispered in my mind and gave this verse to me at the moment I needed it most. I dissolved into tears, but instead of tears of sadness or frustration, they were tears of wonder and of joy.
Job 23, 8, 10
Look, I go forward, but He is not there, and backward, but I cannot perceive Him. But He knows the way I take; when He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold.
These are the days.
Keep the smile going.
God bless you.
In His Grip,
Helga xx 🙂
Gym:
- On the treadmill for an hour with 5 minute cooldown. 8km
Braces:
Day 239