1-12pm
The dichotomy of life – the vastness of contrasts, the intimacy of similarity. I started thinking about this today as I was driving to and from Somerset West. It began when I was listening to Focus on the Family on CCFm this morning – the topic was Love Languages in Children – There are 5 – Physical Touch, Time, Words of Affirmation, Receiving Gifts, Acts of Service. As I pondered them, I thought of Granny and her need for Love. Which, I wondered was her ‘love language?’ Last night, she was not well. I worried about her. She looked sick, she didn’t finish dinner. She was trembling as I put her to bed earlier than usual. She could hardly stand. She was a bit emotional and in some pain. The reality of Granny facing death came home to me. I was horrified. I had not washed her hair! That’s one of the things I really want to make sure I do. I want Granny to be comfortable. If I treat every day as her last; if I treat her with exceeding kindness every day, then when her last day comes, it will be okay. And so my thoughts on how different we are and yet how the same unfolded. Regardless of how young or how old, we want to feel comfortable.
I went to a catalogue launch and saw a snippet of a DVD of the early life of Josh McDowell. Who would have believed that he was sexually abused from aged 6-13? He grew up with an abusive alcoholic father. On his Wiki profile, it says “he was an agnostic at college when he decided to prepare a paper that would examine the historical evidence of the Christian faith in order to disprove it. However, he converted to Christianity, after, as he says, he found evidence for it, not against it.”
Also at the catalogue launch was Loyiso Bala, who grew up in what could have been the poorest township of the poorest town (Uitenhage) of the poorest province (Eastern Cape) of South Africa. Left to be raised by a heroic 19 year old cousin, who, he says was voted the best petrol attendant in the country, he got a scholarship to the Drakensberg Boys Choir and his music career was born.
Dichotomy – a 74 year old American 68 years ago abused on a farm, beaten by an alcoholic father. A 32 year old South African, 26 years ago, abandoned, parentless, left with a distant cousin. Both insecure, uncertain, no future. Different, but the same. The uniting factor – Jesus Christ. They met Him. He saved them. He changed them. He gave them a life, a future, a hope, good plans.
Loyiso & me…
I look at Granny – very old. I look at the beautiful 5 month old baby girl at the launch today – 87 years younger than Granny. Different, but the same. Both needing physical touch, time, gifts, acts of service, words of affirmation.
Khayelitsha…
Constantia…
Wherever we live, whatever our backgrounds, whatever our culture, whatever our age, whatever our gender, we are all crying out for love & acceptance, kindness, respect, peace, provision. Jesus comes. He meets us as our point of need. He saves us. He changes us. He gives us a life, a future, a hope, good plans. Let’s embrace His purpose for our life in loving others & reaching out to them with acceptance.
Jeremiah 29:11: For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
YaY for Joy Mag Ladies -Jacky & Jenny from Joy Mag…
When I got home today, I’m pleased to say Granny is MUCH better & even did a jig for me! As soon as this is posted, I’ll go and wash her hair! 🙂
For Fun…
LoL! 🙂 That would be a cool way of repairing a break!
This blog is going up really early! God bless you and have a fab evening!
In His Grip,
Helga x 🙂