In our neighbourhood is a family who have a troubled son. Every now and again (most times late in the evening) there is an explosion of banging, smashing and vile language. Usually, it ends by the youngster storming off and not returning for a while. Peace returns for a period and then it happens again. The last time was Saturday night when at about 9-30pm, an alarming altercation rose to unprecedented heights and ended in an unexpected fashion.
The family called the police. When they arrived, the whole drama was taken onto the street and it was difficult for all the neighbours not to hear. After raised voices and the air being coloured all shades of blue, the offender was unceremoniously dumped in the back of the police van. After kicking and banging, he resorted to a horrendous wail. Not just once, but an ongoing howling lament like one being tortured or in extreme grief. This continued as the police van drove away and it faded into the distance.
I didn’t know what to think. This poor family.
All was quiet on Sunday and then today, the youngster drove up on his motorbike and life continued as if nothing had happened.
So difficult. The neighbours say he’s on drugs. Mike has had a conversation with him and found him very reasonable. We’ll see what happens next.
Talking of what happens next. Last night I insisted Truffles not sleep on my bed. When we finally turned the lights off, she had jumped into Mike’s cupboard and we went sweetly to sleep. I woke in the night to pouring rain, but soon went back to sleep again. A little while later, this drenched kitty crawled in next to me! Two emotions: “Agh shame, Truffles, you got wet and you’re so cold. Arggghhhh, Truffles what the flip are you doing crawling into my bed so wet?!” She soon dried off and slept the remainder of the night quite comfortably. She knows I love her.
I made coffee this morning and then got stuck into work. By the end of the day, I have done 6 hours 38 minutes.
Mike and I went on a hot date. He has never been through a car wash. So we did that.
While looking for the car wash photo, I found this one…warm and fuzzy feeling…Elsie has got so much bigger since this photo was taken.
Another nugget from almost 40 years as a Christian. As I went into my O-Level year, my heart was heavy. I felt I had no friends in my class and did not feel accepted. Some of the girls were very cruel and it was not easy. But the Lord had a plan.
He sent Sandy Simpson!
Sandy was an English girl whose Mom and Stepdad had moved to Harare from the UK. Sandy came to my school and was put in my class. She was immediately extremely popular. Everyone wanted to be Sandy’s friend. She attracted people to her. She was vibrant and bubbly and had a wonderful personality. The teacher asked me, the most unpopular girl in the class, to show Sandy, the new most popular girl in the class, around. I obeyed, simply expecting to fulfil the task and then let her find her spot among the popular girls. But something unexpected happened. Sandy and I became best friends. Throughout my O-Level year, 1981, she and I hung out. She came to my home and I went to hers. We hung out at break and spent time together after school and over the weekends. God bought along a special friend who made me shine. I felt special.
God answers the call of a lonely heart. Best thing of all was that towards the end of that year, Sandy also became a Christian.
Nahum 1:7
The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him.
These are the days.
Keep the smile going.
God bless you.
In His Grip,
Helga xx 🙂
Gym:
- Ran 5km – I’m trying to keep my heart rate below 170bpm so was very slow. 38 minutes 51 seconds.
- 5 minute cool down
- Super circuit – 22 minutes
Braces:
Day 209