Dropping the Bombshell

1-58pm

Tomorrow morning, just after 7am, I will break the news onair. Today you get it first!  For me it’s dropping a bombshell. I have made many big decisions in my life. Handing my life over to God was the best decision I ever made. Coming to Cape Town was a fabulous decision. Marrying Mike, the second best decision I ever made. And after coming to know Christ, each major and some very minor, decisions have been seriously under-girded with prayer.

This is a major life-changing decision for me.

It is frighteningly big! So I needed to be sure that this is what GOD wants me to do. About my role as a presenter as CCFm, I have often said that it is the biggest opportunity I will ever have to impact people’s lives on a daily basis. I have always taken the responsibility seriously and I have sought to do my best with the resources I have been given. But towards the end of March, something began to stir in my spirit. I felt that I was limiting God by saying, ‘this is the biggest opportunity I will have to impact people.’ God is bigger than that. But in my little mind and small ways, I cannot imagine that God will take me further than He has taken with me with the Rise and Shine show. I began to get a stirring in my spirit. Was I clinging to Rise and Shine? I have often said to new presenters at CCFm, ‘ don’t  come here to get rich or famous!’. It is ministry first.

I began to sense it was time to give up Rise and Shine.

The best way for you to know my thinking is for you to read what I wrote as the process was unfolding.

On Thursday 3rd April, I wrote this in my prayer journal, “This morning I prayed about leaving CCFm at the end of May, making Friday 30th May my last working day at CCFm. I had a lot of peace afterwards, but I need to pray more and get some clarity from outside of my own quiet times.”

A day later, “I’m praying about leaving CCFm. It is amazing that suddenly what was once a HUGE thing has become smaller. The idea of resigning from R&S and all it involves was MASSIVE – I just couldn’t see me letting it all go. I will lose blog hits, but that no longer is important. I will miss the ministry side – but I can do that in other areas. I think I will miss most, the listeners….their calls and their stories. They have become part of my life.”

Then on 10th April, “…I go happily with an open door behind me and with gratitude in my heart for all I’ve had there. I have absolutely been richer for the experience.”

Monday 14th April – “Today I asked Pastor Barry for a word and went into his office to speak to him. I told him my time at CCFm was up and that I planned to leave at the end of May. He was shattered. It wasn’t easy. I felt sick and in shock. I came home and sat in my lounge with the cat and drank coffee and I contemplated what had happened. It is almost like feeling the death of a close friend. It’s the end. Let me feel these raw emotions now, so that when the time comes for me to walk out of the studio for the last time, I will not be a wreck! The Lord has continually guided me. “

Friday 2nd May – “I came back to work this week after 2 weeks off. As I sit here, Lord, in the quietness of this morning, I just KNOW deep down inside that I have made the right decision and I have peace with it. I think I felt a mixture of relief and fear when I handed in my notice, but not regret.”

Wednesday 14th May – “It is one month since I handed in my notice. My feelings have been interesting, going from elation to uncertainty. Elation at the idea of sleeping on Sunday afternoons and staying up late. Elation at not needing to leave home at 5am. Uncertainty in big chunks as so much of my significance has come through these sacrifices. “

And so now, it is time to break the news to the listeners. Some already know.  It is a 10 year season that is over for me. A decade of early mornings. 120 months of thinking, planning and preparing Rise and Shine shows.  2400 days of taking hundreds of calls and reading 1000s of smsses. What a blessing and privilege it has been. And now there are 9 shows left. NINE.

It’s been 17 years since I began working as a daily staff member at CCFm.  It’s been 21 years of involvement. No wonder I’m grieving! And yet I KNOW that it is time.

So, everyone is asking, WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO?

I have a few things planned & will wait and see what doors God opens. I’m not looking at the moment. I know what I’m passionate about and will work in that direction. Meantime, some ‘not so early’ mornings lie ahead and some wonderful late nights. Great appreciation for not having to get dressed at 3-35am! 🙂

Another question, WHO IS TAKING OVER RISE AND SHINE FROM YOU?

That I can’t answer just yet. Everyone will know on Monday 2nd June. 🙂

When I was a teenager, I discovered this Bible verse, which I used to quote as I studied & worked. I will continue committing to the Lord everything I do…

Thank you to those of you who have been avid listeners to Rise and Shine. Stay in touch through the blog!

God bless you loads!

In His Grip,

Helga xx 🙂

Gratitude Pic… CCFm a shining light in Cape Town. Thank you Jesus for 21 glorious years! To God be the glory!