Vandag se skrifvers is eenvoudig, kort en kragtig. Dawid het gesê wanneer hy vrees, vertrou hy net op die Here. Net dit. So maklik soos dit. So hoekom, in ons hedendaagse lewe, spartel ons rond as ons vrees? Hoekom kry ons angsaanvalle, of voel oorweldig, of wonder wat regtig aan die gang is met ons liggame? Dit alles terwyl ons net moet vertrou op die Here.
Did you know that NOTHING that you try to do out of your own power, will change anything about the situation around you? It is more than likely to create more fear, uncertainty, panic, you name it, you will feel it. Fear leads to worry, and worry leads to illness. So why do we fear and worry, when God has got this?
Soos wat ek hier sit en tik, kan ek nie steeds help om te wonder wat regtig aan die gang is in my liggaam nie? Is alles regtig soos dit moet wees? Wat gaan hulle bevind wanneer die knop uitgesny gaan word? Het die chemo sy werk ten volle gedoen? Ek weet en besef hierdie is alles vrae en leuens van die vyand af, iets wat ek daagliks moet afweer, want ek WEET ek is genees. My hoop en vertroue is in God. Wanneer ek hierdie tipe gedagtes kry, is dit dan wanneer vandag se skrifvers in werking kom. Ek kan toelaat dat vrees my lewe oorneem, of, ek kan op die Here vertrou. Ek kies om aan te hou hoop en glo en te vertrou op God.
The healing is not in the medicine or any surgery. The healing comes from God, the medicine and surgery are the tools that we are given to receive healing, but ultimately, it is God who gives us healing. So why do we fear and not trust God for everything in our lives? Hashtag Just saying…. hashtag I will trust God…. hashtag God is our healer.
Wow, I cannot begin to describe how it feels to not feel terrible and ill and to be able to function a bit more like I used to! I am so grateful for each and every moment that God gives to me during this process when I do not feel ill. That just helps to bring gratitude to the table more frequently you know? I used to take many things for granted (I did have gratitude for all that I had), and since 15 September 2023, I have learnt that NOTHING is to be taken for granted and this just deepened my attitude of gratitude even more….
Terug by vandag se vers. Ek hou baie van die Amplified weergawe, soos jy seker al agter gekom het. Die addisionele beskrywende woorde, veral in Engels, is net vir my so mooi. Nou dit begin om te sê ons moet weet, en dan in hakkies, sonder ENIGE TWYFEL….nou twyfel is ‘n ding wat nie van God af kom nie, so hier probeer die Here ons net weer gemoedsrus gee om te sê HOU OP TWYFEL en weet wat jy moet weet.
The other describing word in brackets is steadfast, which means it is stable, does not fluctuate (this is my own meaning and not something from a dictionary). This is exactly how God is. If you had to draw a graph, like you do in Maths, God’s line is a straight, consistent one. Ours, on the other hand, goes up and down and fluctuates. So God is steadfast in all that He does – He is faithful, keeps His covenant, has lovingkindness towards thousands of generations of those who love Him and obey Him.
Nou het jy al ooit gedink aan hoe baie duisende generasies is? Ek vertel net die ander dag vir my kinders van my ouma grootjie. Min mense het die voorreg om ‘n ouma grootjie persoonlik te ken. Dit beteken dit was 4 generasies vir my. So ‘n groot ouderdomsverskil, soveel mense in net 4 generasies. Hoe lyk duisende generasies dan? Maar is dit nie wonderlik om te weet, dat, dit wat ons nou doen, ons nageslag affekteer nie? As ons die Here lief het en vir Hom luister, dan sal die Here tot in die duisendse geslag Sy liefde betoon. Wow. Wat ek nou doen, beinvloed my klein kinders en agter klein kinders en hul kinders se kinders se kinders se kinders.
So what are we waiting for? Receiving God’s favour and lovingkindness has not been easier! Just love Him and obey Him. As simple as that. And that is not hard to do! 💪 let’s do this day! ™
Laat ek die daaglikse inskrywings weer probeer. Liewe genade, mens se wêreld word omtrent omver gegooi as siekte besluit om met jou paaie te kruis. Maar dank die Here, ek voel vandag weer beter na behandeling laas week. Elke dag gaan nou weer beter en beter gaan.
So today’s scripture is short and sweet. Simple to read and easy to follow. Turn away from evil, do good and seek peace. I cannot help but think of Miss Congeniality, the movie, where each contestant always answers the rhetorical question they get asked of what their true desire is. The answer? World peace.
Dis in God se woord – gaan soek vrede, en nie hoe nie. Jy moet dit najaag (persue in Engels). Om iets na te jaag, beteken, jy doen dit dag in en dag uit. En dis wragties wat ek probeer doen. Dis nie aldag maklik nie. Veral as jy nie gesond voel nie en medisyne wat soos gif is, deur jou are kry nie. Maar, ek probeer!
So here we are, my first official entry for 2024. What are you going to persue? World peace as they say in the pageants? 💪 let’s do this day! ™
Het jy al ooit gewonder waar kom wysheid vandaan? Dink jy dis jy of iets anders? Ek weet wysheid kom van God af. Hierdie vers bevestig dit, dat Sy woord in ons moet woon in ALLE wysheid.
Not partial wisdom or 10% wisdom. No in ALL wisdom which to me implies 100% wisdom….we are also instructed to teach each other and to correct each other with psalms and praises. Not by shouting, yelling or out of own insight.
Dawid het meeste van Psalms geskryf (daar was een wat deur Moses geskryf was sover ek weet en iets wat ek onlangs geleer het). Nou Dawid het sy hart oopgemaak teenoor die Here. As hy gewonder het waar sy hulp vandaan kom, of as hy angstig was.
There is a reason the writer of this verse refers to Psalms in this scripture and I think it is to remind us that we are only human. If we were perfect we would not need Jesus, but we strive to become more holy and like Christ on a daily basis.
Wanneer jy Psalms lees sien jy so te sê al Dawid se emosies. Tog draai hy heeltyd terug na God toe. As hy angstig gevoel het, soek hy sy hulp by God. As hy teneergedruk was – soek hy God. So kan ek deur al die emosies gaan.
Then this scripture talks about singing praises and showing gratitude towards God. And those praises are also written in Psalms….wow, how wonderful is it not to know that even if you feel at your lowest low, you can turn to God. He is always there for you no matter how blue you feel.
Die belangrikste van alles is om dankbaar te wees vir alles. En om God te eer altyd. Dis wat ek probeer doen. Ongeag my omstandighede, ongeag hoe ek voel wanneer ek behandeling kry. Ek weet ek kan altyd na God draai, Hom loof en prys met dankbaarheid.
Elke keer wanneer ek die bybelversie lees, kan ek nie help om te dink aan Jenna-Leigh Bilong van ENCA nuus nie. Sy het altyd afgesluit met die woorde Goedheid en guns. Toe praat sy eendag in ons kerk en verduidelik dat dit haar manier was om God se woord te versprei in ‘n omgewing waar jy nie regtig enige tipe geloof mag bevorder of bevoordeel nie….
And what a wonderful way it was not to do something as small and subtle like this? Because it stuck with me and she was actually blessing people with her words. Because is that not what we all want? Blessings of favour and goodness from God?
So wonderlik om te dink dat Goedheid en Guns my volg. Nie langs my stap of doer ver voor my nie, maar wel agter my. So asof dit soos voetspore is wat agter gelaat word… So wonderlik om ook te weet dat ek ook in die huis van die Here sal bly in lengte van dae. Ek wonder wat bedoel Dawid hier? Lengte van dae op aarde of die ewigheid of beide?
Either way, it is a very good place to dwell in. The house of the Lord. That is what we all want, because that is the safest place that we can be in! I want to bless you with the words – Goodness and Favour – may these follow you every day while you are on earth and may you dwell in the house of the Lord throughout all your days and experience God’s presence like never before!
Vandag se bybelvers in die Afrikaanse weergawe voel amper bietjie Grieks vir my. Te hoog vir my brein om te verstaan. Toe gaan kyk ek maar wat sê die Amplified weergawe net om seker te maak…..
Luckily the Amplified version made more sense to me. Not sure if my brain is just tired or what, but anyway. This explains it a bit better though. When you learn from instruction and correction, then you are on the right path.
Dit dien ook as voorbeeld en stigting vir ander. Om reg te leef en in God se Wil te beweeg help ander om daarna te streef. Maar dan kry jy diegene wat dit net ignoreer. Soos die Afrikaanse gesegde lees – Van die wal af in die sloot in.
That is what happens to those who do not listen to God’s instructions and do not make themselves open for correction. This too is seen by others and I suppose we can say used as an example to others of what not to do.
Watter pad volg jy? Staan jy op die wal of in die sloot? Laat mens so bietjie dink nê….?
So today I decided that I must find my rhythm again. In between what feels like chaos, being sick for a week every 21 days. The days that I do not feel sick are the days that I must try to find some normality in my life. And the first way to do it, is to write the daily scripture and my thoughts on it.
So, ek voel so bietjie onfiks wat dit aanbetref, maar hier gaan ek. Iets wat ek nou al geleer het om te bid, is, dat God se waarheid geopenbaar sal word en dat Hy my en my gesin sal lei en leer, om te doen wat Hy wil hê dit is wat ons moet doen.
Little did I even begin to think or know that this is a scripture in the Bible. I also noted that David waited expectantly on God, the whole day long. Something I have also come to learn is this – God never fails and God is always terribly on time.
Hoe wonderlik is al hierdie dinge, wat ek in my gees ervaar het oor soveel jare nie net nie? En die feit dat dit in een Bybelvers vervat is, nog soveel te meer!
Dis ongeveer 3 weke sedert ek laas iets geskryf het oor ‘n bybelvers. Die grootste rede is, ek probeer my nuwe ritme en roetine vind in my nuwe normaal, as ek dit nou so kan stel. Vir een week was ek man down soos die Engelse sou sê, na my eerste Chemo behandeling. Ek kon letterlik niks doen nie, en dis seker een van die moeilikste plekke om te wees – is om niks fisies te kan doen nie.
This morning I decided, I need order in my life. I have not been doing my daily scripture writing and thoughts about it and I am convinced that this is why it seems like everything is in chaos at the moment around me. I have been keeping myself busy with plenty of things, but nothing seems to get done. One of these is the packing of the stock that arrived this week and dispatching it to people who have ordered from me. It feels like the bag from Mary Poppins – there is no limit or end to it. Sure, it was a big order, but not that big. I cannot help but think that, even the smallest of small tasks, are now like mammoth tasks to me. All because my body is going through something hectic.
Nou ja, terug na vandag se vers. Die woord wat vir my uitstaan is werp. Ek het besluit om maar te gaan Google wat werp regtig beteken, ek het ‘n idee, maar wil seker maak ek verstaan dit reg en in konteks. Volgens Google trek hy die betekenis van Wikipedia deur. Dit beteken Met ‘n kragtige swaai van die arm iets uit die hand gooi; smyt. Goed, so ek was nie te verkeerd nie. Maar weereens wat hier uitstaan is kragtige swaai.
In English the word is cast and this time the Oxford Dictionary comes up on Google. The one meaning that seems to be in context in this verse is An act of throwing something forcefully. So, you see, in both languages, (not that I thought that it would not be like this), the act is that of force. Back to this verse – David says here to forcefully throw our burdens onto God. Not gentle. Not a soft hand over. No, forcefully throw. That is what we should do.
Nou wanneer jy iets met ‘n kragtige swaai gooi, is dit met mening, hard en iets wat jy nie meer by jou wil hê nie. Wow, dis wat ons met ons sorge moet doen. Ons moet dit GOOI vir God. Hy sal dit vang. Hy gaan nie dit mis en terug gooi vir ons en sê probeer weer nie. Glad nie. Saam met dit wat ons moet doen, die gooi aksie, is daar ‘n belofte – Hy sal ons onderhou en sal nooit die regverdige laat wankel nie.
He will care for us. He will not let the righteous be shaken, slip, fall or fail. Is that not an awesome promise to receive? In my situation and what my body is going through right now, I often wonder if I am not slipping and falling. Am I dealing with this right? Am I getting it right? Or am I failing horribly? Then I get a verse like this. I have to forcefully throw my burden that I am feeling now, onto God, He is looking after me, providing for me and He will not let me be shaken, or slip, fall or fail. Wow. What an awesome verse with an awesome promise. This is not mine to carry. He has got this, something I have been saying from the start. God has got my back.
I received this scripture for today, yesterday (or was it the day before?) from someone I know. Before the person knew what decision we will have to take. Today this is so profound to me. You see, God is already in tomorrow. This is something we intend to forget frequently. But this verse gives me such a promise and hope – He is already there, making the path that I must walk on as level as it can be, so that I do not feel like I am climbing a mountain so to speak.
Nou wanneer mens so daaraan begin dink en besef dat die Here reeds in môre is, kan mens nie anders help as om Sy hand in alles te sien nie. Die woorde wat nou deur my kop maal soos ek die skryf, is The path of least resistance. Dis iets wat in die Lego movie gesê was, as ek dit nie mis het nie. Maar dis ook waar van weerlig en water is dit nie? Dit volg die pad van die minste weerstand.
So now I wonder why God placed those words in my mind? Perhaps because we as humans want to choose the path of least resistance? We are inclined to jump ship when the storm gets tough around us, but sometimes we have to stay inside the boat, because that is the safest place for us to be in. If we jump into a rubber lifeboat with paddles, that we have to paddle ourselves, in the midst of a storm, then will we not struggle to stay afloat?
Dis moeilik vir enige mens wanneer hulle voor enige keuse te staan kom. Hierdie hele reis waarop ek is, hoe lank of kort hy ookal gaan wees, voel vir my soos ‘n decision tree met elke tree wat ek gee. Nou die wat al geoudit het en belasting goedjies doen, behoort ‘n decision tree te ken. Dis letterlik wanneer ‘n vraag oor iets gevra word en jy een van twee antwoorde moet kies. Die een antwoord se uitkoms is anders as die ander een sin.
This is how it felt to me thus far. We get to a point and then we have to decide, this way or that way. The only thing with this is, I cannot see the next step, option or choice to be made. Only God can see it. So it is slightly different than my day job, where I can see what each decision leads to, ensuring that the original answer made, is in fact the right one with the right outcome.
Vreemd hoe die lewe werk en draaie maak met ‘n mens? Presies een maand gelede, het ek niksvermoedend na Prof. Benn se spreekkamer gegaan omdat ek ‘n knop in my bors het. Nie ek of my man Heinrich het in ons wildste drome gedink dat die aaklike woord van Borskanker, sou ‘n diagnose wees wat uitgespreek word oor die ding in my lyf nie. Ek het regtig gedink dis net iets wat uitgesny gaan moet word. Wel, toe nou nie!! Maar as ek nie daardie keuse daardie dag gemaak het nie, het ek nie nou hier gesit waar ek sit vandag nie.
God is busy making the way for me. He is letting everything fall into place. I have done very little thus far in this process, except arrive, show whomever what they need to see (i.e. the boobies – yes so many people outside of my marriage have now seen the jewels and gems), listen, process and decide. The doctors’ offices all deal with the medical aid authorisations. They deal with the accounts that are to be paid. We do not have to argue with anyone about anything. They do all of that for us. This is a side of the medical industry that I have not seen or experienced before. We are usually the people having to get authorisations, submit payments, follow up and who knows what with the doctors and the medical aid.
Laaste ding – die Here maak nie net die pad oor die berg nie. Nee, hy breek die brons deure en Hy slaan die ystergrendels stukkend. Hy breek die tronke oop. Dit voel so vir my of dit aansluit by die skrif wat ek gekry het oor Petrus en Silas in die tronk. Dink jy nie hulle wou nie daar wees nie? Dink jy dit was hul droom om in die tronk te wees? Ek dink nie so nie – dis vir seker niemand se droom of bucket list item om in die tronk te wees nie! Net so is dit nie my droom om hierdie pad van Chemo te stap nie, maar ek weet ek moet doen wat ek moet doen, sodat Triple Negative uit my lyf kan kom. Vir seker kan die Here dit net laat verdwyn. Maar, Hy het ‘n ander plan. Dit voel amper te maklik as die ding nou net na ‘n maand verdwyn. Die wonderwerk wat ek reeds sien is dit – die grootte van alles het presies dieselfde gebly sedert my eerste MRI in September tot die CT scan nou in Oktober. As iets aggressief is, dan is die verwagting mos dat dit vinnig groei en versprei, nie waar nie? Wel, die Here het dit gestop! Die sensasie wat ek in die kerk gevoel het toe daar vir my gebid was, was dit! Hy het dit aangeraak en die groei en verspreiding gestop!
I feel like God wants to purify me even more for His greater purpose. I need not fear, because He is on my right hand, holding onto me, supporting me. This now leads me to the next thought – what is part of the purification process? Fire!! I cannot help but think of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego who were thrown into the fire. Did you know that the guards that threw them in, died from the heat of the flames? Did you also know that they did not smell of smoke when they got out?
Dis my gebed, dat ek nie eens soos rook sal ruik wanneer die proses klaar is nie. Mag daar min tot geen newe effekte wees. Mag ek elke dag net die Here loof en prys vir Sy goedheid en wonders. Mag ek nog nader aan Hom beweeg in hierdie tyd wat voorlê. Mag Hy die pad gelyk maak en die deure en tralies van die tronk oopbreek. Ek voel amper ook of ek moet afsluit met iets wat in die Fast & Furios flieks gesê word – See you on the other side. Dis wat ek ervaar die Here in my gees laat val. See you on the other side. Hoe die pad na the other side lyk, kan ek nie vir jou sê nie, maar die Here weet.
Today’s entry is late. We had to be at the Oncologist at 10, only to see him around 12. It is a waiting game this, and we have learnt to keep ourselves busy and take stuff with to remain occupied. The wonderful news is, the CT scan showed that the Triple Negative has not grown in size, nor has it spread! We are so grateful to God for this!
Ons het vandag ‘n ander deel van die praktyk gesien. ‘n Rustige deel, waar dit nie voel of chaos heers nie. Ek weet nie of dit was omdat ons in die oggend daar was, en almal redelik vars nog was en gevoel het nie (al die ander kere was laat die middag, en ons almal weet mens voel ‘n slump van so 3 uur of 4 uur die middag af). Maar die lang en die kort is, ons het kalmte en vrede ervaar. Iets waarvoor ons gebid het.
We prayed to God that His will be done, not ours. Of course our will is that the CT scan shows nothing and leaving the professors dumb struck. Although, I think they are a little dumb struck by the fact that the tumour has not grown, but it was not said in that many words. If only they knew how hard and long we prayed for a miracle to happen! And this news is the first of many to come I would dare say at this stage.
Ons antwoord waarvoor ons gevra het, het ons vandag gekry. Ons gaan voortgaan met die behandeling. Ons ervaar dat die Here ons daar wil gebruik vir Sy groter wil en koninkryk. Deur Sy genade, kon ons vandag vir ‘n tannie daar bid, dis wat die Here op my man Heinrich se hart gelê het om te doen. Nou wonder jy seker wat het al hierdie goed uit te waai met vandag se bybelversie?
It is simple – if you read carefully you will note that we are laying off our life that we know and have come accustomed to, so that God can be glorified every single step of the day. This is what we feel He wants to do. His healing has and is still taking place every second in every cell in my body. The size of the tumour and the fact that it has not spread (even though it is an aggressive thing this, making it in my mind a fast moving thing) is miracle and healing enough for us. God has got this! And because He has got this, I have got this!
Yesterday I did not write or post anything, as I left early in the morning to visit my new breast friend who was admitted to hospital to undergo surgery to remove a lump in her breast. We met the day that we received the diagnosis. So grateful with her, that her lump seems to be something benign. We are praising Jesus all the way for this for her and that He let our paths cross. She lives far, in Nelspruit, so the moment that she was at Millpark, I ceased the moment to visit her! We have only spoken on Whatsapp and briefly saw each other again the other day, probably two weeks ago. Of course, we forgot to take a pic together. But anyway!! We will get there!
Na die hospitaal besoek, was ons stout en het ons gesin gaan fliek. 2 uur op ‘n Maandag middag. Iets wat ons nooit gedoen het nie, maar wat tog nodig was met alles wat aan die gebeur is by ons, die chaos waarin ons gevoel het ons gedompel was. Nie te min, hier is ek nou, besig om ‘n inskrywing te tik oor wat die Here op my hart lê vir vandag. Vandag se vers gaan oor Petrus en waar hy op die water geloop het. Maar toe verloor hy fokus, en kyk na wat die wind aanvang rondom hom, hy begin twyfel, en toe sink hy onder die water in.
I feel I want to mention why I am writing about this and how this was confirmed to me. Just yesterday, I was chatting with a total stranger again on Whatsapp (YES THIS IS WHAT I DO, but not a weird total stranger). I have never in my life met this lady, but we have something in common – the Emotional Intelligence Activator course or programme that we are on. She sent me a message yesterday, saying that she thought of me when she heard a podcast. I replied to it saying that I know I must now stay focussed on Jesus in this whole process. I am not sure if I have already set my foot on the water or whether I am already walking on the water.
Maar een ding weet ek vir seker – ek moet gefokus bly op Jesus. Net Saterdagoggend het ek emosioneel geraak oor die moontlikheid van chemoterapie. Ek het vir my man gesê ek voel of ek nou twyfel oor wat ek gevoel het die Here vir my aanbied. Dis asof ek nie dit wat ek in my hart en gees gevoel het duidelik kan onthou nie. En nou twyfel ek of ek reg gehoor het. Ek voel of ek die Here se naam met ‘n plank gaan slaan, hoe almal vir Hom gaan lag as wat ookal nie gebeur nie en ek wel vir die chemoterapie moet gaan. Hoe mense hul oë gaan rol en sê, ai foeitog, die arme vrou wat so geglo het die Here gaan haar dit spaar en hier is sy nou, besig met dit wat teenstrydig is wat sy vir ons vertel het haar God kan doen, ons glo nie regtig in sulke wonderwerke nie, jy weet….? Ons weet die Here kan wonderwerke doen, maar Hy het nou maar nie hierdie een gedoen nie.
I am not worried about what people will say about me, more that they will believe even less in God. Does this make sense the type of doubt that I have? Anyway, so, back to how I got confirmation of the scripture for today. A friend of ours, sends us daily scriptures of Oom Angus Buchan. Today’s scripture is from this verse. I listened and immediately I thought of this newly found friend, sister in Christ, with whom I had a conversation yesterday about Peter and walking on water. I was busy packing school lunch tins and could not send it to her immediately. I thought I would forward it later when everyone has left.
Wel, toe spring sy my voor. Sy stuur vir my presies dieselfde video aan. Sy vertel my dat haar man daagliks dit vir haar stuur en toe sy dit hoor, toe dink sy aan my. Weereens ken sy nie die persoon wat eerste die boodskap vir my gestuur het nie. Weereens weet nie een van hulle watter boodskappe ek ontvang nie. Toevallig? Ek dink nie so nie! Hoe wonderlik is die Here nie net nie? Ek kan nie help om te dink dat Hy net vir my wil sê dat dit ok is nie. Hy het alles onder beheer! Ek weet Hy het alles onder beheer, maar Hy weet mos hoe is ons as mense, so Hy kom bevestig net oor en oor en oor vir my dat Hy reeds in die situasie is.
With all of this being said, I know that He has this. Something that I have been saying from the start. I have got this because He has got this. At this stage, the medical aid has not approved any treatments. We absolutely see God’s hand in all of this. He has gone before us. In the meantime, while we wait, God has confirmed to me to start putting Castor Oil on the lump. Something that I have been praying to Him, asking Him if it is ok to do so. Here I am, doing it, just being obedient. To the outside world, it does not make sense, but right now I am focussing on Him and what He wants me to do.
Die storm woed om ons. Met allerhande dinge wat gebeur, maar ons kies om te fokus op Jesus. Hy is in beheer. Hy weet hoe die ding gaan eindig. Ons gaan saam met die proses, as die dokters sê ons moet iewers wees, dan is ons daar. Tot die Here die proses stop, is ons in dit. Nie uit ongeloof uit nie, maar uit gehoorsaamheid uit. God has got this. I have got this because He has got this! Don’t think, just do.
I just want to close off with this – I spilt water on my desk pad AND diary on Friday. I never spill fluids around my laptop. But this happened, very early in the month of October, forcing me to look past the water marks on this month’s page until 31 October 2023. Last month it was coffee (luckily only a few drops, but still, enough to make the desk pad look ugly), and that was worse than the water. Immediately after I spilled it, I felt God talking to me, showing me that in September something that stains the paper was spilled, but in October, water was spilled, something that cleanses…. every time I look at this desk pad now, I am reminded of God’s water cleaning everything around me.
As my days on this journey (whether it be a long or short one – a journey is a journey, as you travel from one place to another), as I call it, progress, I cannot help but be reminded of what mere mortals, from the Old Testament, had to do to win significant wars against their fleshly enemies. Moses and all his wonders that he did, with a stutter.
Dawid wat klippe na ‘n swaard geveg neem. Gideon wat klei potte breek. Joshua wat om Jerigo stap en lofprysing doen wat maak dat die mure kraak. Hierdie is maar net ‘n paar waaraan ek nou kan dink en onthou terwyl ek hierdie inskrywing maak. Nou wonder jy seker hoekom ek nou hieraan dink wanneer ek in ‘n ander vleeslike geveg betrokke is? Jy sien, dit maak eintlik glad nie saak watter geveg dit is nie. Of dit teen die Filistyne, Amalakiete of Triple Negative borskanker is nie.
A fleshly fight it will remain. The world’s systems say one thing, but God’s upside-down kingdom says another. As you may (or may not) know, I felt that God pressed on my heart to do random things that don’t make sense at all and to the world, has no significant meaning to the giant that is standing in front of me. Or so it seems. One of them was the Jericho walk we did around the Oncology centre on 28 September 2023.
Ek wonder gereeld by myself, of ek regtig reg gehoor het van God. Dan kom die fluistering van die Heilige Gees in my gedagtes en hart en herinner my aan die skrif verse wat Hy gestuur het. Groot skrifverse. Die tronk se fondamente wat geskud word. Tronk deure wat oopgaan, boeie wat afval. Bevestigings dat Hy in beheer is. Bevestigings dat ek stil moet wees en wag. Wag op God. Ek deel nou glad nie hierdie paragraaf uit ongeloof uit nie, ek deel dit omdat ek heeltyd bevestiging van God kry dat ek nie moet twyfel nie.
You see, this battle is bigger in my mind than anything else. I have to endure symptoms in my body, wondering WHAT is going on inside of me? Wondering why the lymph node feels more and more uncomfortable as the days progress. What do the reports say of the scans and stuff that I did? How is God going to do this thing for us? How is He going to stop Chemo and cure this thing? I do know that it is not going to be the way I have played it out in my mind. It is going to be in a way that only God knows. Something awesome. Something majestic and wonderful. Something we have not even thought of.
Net soos wat ek al hierdie honderde vrae in my kop onder beheer probeer kry, kom daar weer bevestiging. Die keer een week uit mekaar uit. Laas week Vrydag het ‘n baie goeie vriendin van my, Anika, (wie ek gans en al te min sien net so tussen ons), die skrif uit Eksodus gestuur. Vanoggend vroeg, kry ek by ‘n ander tannie, vir wie ek so ‘n spesiale plekkie koester in my hart, dieselfde skrif wat sy voel die Here op haar hart lê om vir my te gee. Tannie Corrie het die skrif, saam met die een uit Lukas uit gegee wat sê – vir God is niks onmoontlik nie.
Again, these two people do not know each other. Again, they are not aware what who has sent to me. Yet, I cannot help but see God’s hand in all of this. I need only be still. He is fighting for me. He has got this. Something I have been saying over and over. When I look at it like this, then I just confirm that there is no room for doubt at all!! Doubt is not from God. That I know. And that is what I must keep out of my mind. God has got this!
Today I fully grasp what it is to live fully dependent on God. Not only physical provision, but also spiritual provision. A friend of ours said a few weeks ago, that God will give us our daily manna, like He did with the Israelites. Just enough to get through this day. How true those words spoken are! You see, yesterday, and even today, I feel a bit of exhaustion. Physical exhaustion. A type of tired that I have never felt before.
Nou die wat my ken, weet dat ek ongelooflik sleg slaap vir jare al. Ek het elke aand enige tyd van middernag af wakker geword. Dan staan ek maar op, loop my draaitjie en klim weer in die bed. Net om weer oor ‘n uur of twee wakker te word, weer ‘n draaitjie te loop, weer te probeer slaap. En so het die proses homself herhaal tot dit opstaan tyd is. Sommige nagte was ek gelukkig en het ek net 2 maal wakker geword, ander kere is dit 3 of 5 keer. Die afgelope paar aande, dalk al seker vir ‘n week, het dit skielik verander. Ek slaap dieper, meer deur, word minder wakker. Nou wonder ek of my lyf nie weet wat om te doen met al die slaap wat hom nou skielik toegeval word nie? Die dat ek so bietjie moeg voel…
Somehow, somewhere, I have this peace that words cannot describe. Even though the circumstances around me try to take my focus away. The worries that the devil try to implant in my thoughts. The wondering why you pay for insurance policies and medical aid, when it is just such a mission to get them to pay things? Why things take so long to progress. Of course the devil tries to plant the worst-case scenario with EVERYTHING in life in my mind. Not only the diagnosis, but also the physical around us. Then I just counter-act that thought saying, WHY on earth, would God give a worst-case scenario like that?
Gisteraand het ek ‘n oomblik met God gehad en al my bekommernisse voor Sy voete gelê. Ek het Hom vertel hoe moeg en uitgeput ek voel. Dis tien teen een ‘n kombinasie van alles – die skok, die adrenalien en wat ookal anders deur mens se liggaam gaan wanneer jy sulke nuus ontvang. Die oomblik wat dit begin insink en jy die realiteite van alles begin besef, dis dan wanneer die uitputting kom. Al die hormone en goed in jou liggaam wat jou dryf om deur situasies te kom, los jou uitgeput en uitgemergel.
This morning, I received this scripture from my dad. With a short message in English, a daily thought and devotional. Shortly after reading it, I prayed to God, asking Him to confirm this message to me. There was a thought from my side, of it being in Afrikaans when He confirms it, thinking that it would be special like that. Now, like I know God, He does not disappoint – He confirmed the EXACT same scripture in Afrikaans, from another person, whom I have never met in person (we met her husband at the Oncologist’s office last week). There was again, no way that she would have known that my dad would send me this scripture.
Ten spyte van alles wat om ons aangaan, die digte mis wat ons voel ons in beweeg, weet ons net dat ons na God se stem moet luister. Die plek waar ek geestelik is, is vir my so lekker om te wees, ongeag my omstandighede, ongeag die simptome wat ek voel in my liggaam, ongeag die fisiese moegheid na die adrenalien uitgewerk is. Die op en af ryery na Rosebank en Milpark toe elke ander dag, help ook glad nie vir die moegheid nie, maar nou ja. Dit is wat dit is. Ek is hier. In hierdie situasie. Ek het dit nie gekies nie, maar, toe ek Jesus gekies het, het ek enige omstandigheid wat oor my pad kom indirek gekies en gekies om Hom te vertrou binne in daardie omstandighede. So vir geen oomblik sê ek ja vir enige iets wat sleg is nie, ek weet net, dat die pad van die Here nie maklik is nie, dis nie ‘n rose tuin vol prag nie. Maar, wanneer jy in daardie omstandighede is, kry jy net krag om aan te gaan. Dis Goddelik en dis wat die Here wil hê. Volle vertroue in Hom, veral in hierdie daunting omstandighede.
I am still not taking ownership of the diagnosis, because that implies that it is my thing to carry, worry about and care for. Which is not what I want to do. This is God’s battle. I have got this because He has got this. Words that I have been uttering since the first time this was diagnosed. This thing is for sure a battlefield of the mind. Mind over matter. This is where one has to mentally submit all to God, all our thoughts. You see, there is a song, sung by Josh Wilson – Things that I’m afraid of. This is my song for today. The things that I am afraid of, are afraid of You.
In die tussen tyd, kies ek steeds om die Here te loof en te prys. Ek doen wat ek moet om deur die dag te kom. So bietjie day job goed, bietjie Beroepsvrou goed, tyd saam met die kinders maar meerendeels, tyd saam met God. Ek drink elke woord in van elke liedjie wat oor die luidspreker in my kantoor speel. Ek hoor selfs hoe God daar met my praat. Skielik kan ek vereenselwig met die lirieke wat die kunstenaars sing – kan ek hoor hoe hul gevoel het in daardie oomblik.
Yesterday I did not get round to writing anything about scripture, because we left our house at 6h30 the morning, to arrive in Rosebank at 8h30 for blood tests. After that we hung around, had breakfast, did a little bit of work on our laptops, all the while waiting for the CT scan at 14h00. I read yesterday’s verse to my husband, and said that this tells me that God honours obedience.
Vandag se oordenking is dus oor gister se versie op die Bybel Toepassing, net met ‘n paar ekstra verse by, om die konteks beter te verstaan. Nou ek weet al vir jare dat ons geveg nie in die fisiese vlees is nie, maar eerder in die gees. Ek is baie lief daarvoor om die Amplified weergawe te lees, want die woorde wat daar gebruik word en die ekstra verduidelikings in hakkies, voel net so gepas. Wie sou ooit kon raai dat ek oor woorde liries sou raak? In die vers, praat dit van wat ons wapens is.
I love the words used – our weapons are divinely powerful. Emphasis on divinely. And then it goes on to say that it destructs fortresses, sophisticated arguments and every exalted and proud thing that sets itself up against the true knowledge of God. I cannot help but think, to draw this scripture to the treatments that are being discussed. Very sophisticated terminology is used during this process. The word fortress also stands out to me. A fortress is a place that no one can enter easily, is it not?
Nou ek kan nie help om te dink dat die diagnose wat gemaak is, soos ‘n fort is nie. Dis nie ‘n tipiese kanker gewas nie, dus is die behandelingsplan anders. Daar moet eers ‘n chemiese middel gegee word wat die ding swak maak, voor hy aangeval gaan word. Dis die fisiese wapens. Tog kan ek nie help om te hoor dat die Here vir my die klem lê op ons wapens en waar ons oorlog is nie. Dis nie in die vlees nie. Dis in die gees. Dis waar ons oorlog voer, deur gebed, lofprysing en aanbidding.
I want to close off – what war are you facing at this stage in your life? Are you trying to fight it with the natural, physical fleshly things? Or are you fighting this thing with prayer, praise and worship music? Singing songs for joy, irrespective of your circumstances. To me, this battle that I am in, is one in my mind. The devil keeps on wanting to create fears with What if questions. What if this, that and the next is actually happening in your body? What if God does not come through for you, after you posted things publicly? What if things don’t go the way you had hoped they would?
So kan ek aangaan met die Wat As vrae. Maar ek sal liefs nie. Ek weet die Here eer gehoorsaamheid. Al die goed wat ons gedoen het die afgelope ruk, wat nie sin gemaak het nie. Maar tog het ons dit deurgevoer. Want dis wat die Here wil hê en verwag – net gehoorsaamheid. Die versie bevestig ook dat elke gedagte gevange geneem sal word en sal buig voor Koning Jesus. Elke ongehoorsaamheid sal gestraf word. Gehoorsaamheid sal geëer (is die spelling reg?) word.
Wow, we cannot wait to see how God is going to turn this situation that we are in, around and what He will be doing! I still don’t think our brains can fathom the greatness of God! All I know is, every thought not from God, will be held captive and will bow before King Jesus!
Initially I thought the google translation for infusion to Afrikaans is wrong. But, I took my dictionary and double checked it, before posting this, and it is correct. Today’s verse is one that everyone knows by heart. I took it from the Amplified version, I just love that translation! It gives so many more words to read and understand a bible verse than the Shakespearian English in the King James Version.
So, met dit gesê, is die woord wat vir my uitstaan infusion. Nou volgens die HAT is Infusie (dis nou die Afrikaans vir Infustion – klink fêncy nê?) ‘n proses van ‘n aftreksel van iets, veral ‘n plant, te maak deur ‘n warm vloeistof, veral water, daarop te gooi en dit stadig te laat trek sonder dat dit kook. Wow. ‘n Plant – Jesus is die Wingerd….. Water – Jesus gee vir ons lewende Water…. Dit trek stadig en kook nie – die proses van transformasie deur Jesus is nie ‘n vinnige een nie. Hy gaan ons nie verskroei en kook dat ons niks beteken nie.
No, He infuses us with HIM. Wow. We will have a flavour of HIM. We will be an infused person because of His very slow, timely process, slowly releasing His flavour into our life. We will not be boiled and killed. Now, because of this Infusion that is taking place in our lives (only if we allow it I might add), we will be able to cope with ANYTHING because Christ’s flavour is captured in our Spirits. I have NEVER thought of it like this!
Die HELE wêreld voel vir my weet nou van die diagnose. Dit was my keuse gewees om te deel met almal, dis net wie ek is – nie vir aandag nie maar eerder vir bemoediging – die Here gaan ander help deur die proses waardeur ons nou gaan, dit glo ek met my hele hart. Ek kry gereeld kommentaar of boodskappe wat sê dat hulle nie weet hoe ek alles doen nie, en hoe ek so “chirpy” kan wees nie. Die Professor van gister, wat die Magseeds ingeplant het, het so ewe vir my gesê ek lyk soos ‘n model met my kort hare….dit was baie snaaks. Toe spot ek maar saam en sê I dressed up for the occasion! Maar die punt wat ek wil maak is, Ek is tot ALLES in staat deur Christus wat my krag gee.
Today I feel a bit tired, yesterday was a LONG day! We left our house at 10 am, only to return at 8 pm. We had to see clients too, buy dogfood, Magseed implant, another pit stop for a new friend that we made during this process (all the way from Mbombela or Nelspruit), another client and then the last stop was the Oncologyst Professor. Jam-packed full of travelling. I must actually check how far we travelled yesterday! By this time, with all the appointments and tests and stuff, we probably could have travelled to Cape Town already!
Maar, soos ek hier sit, weet ek net dat ek weet wat ek weet die waarheid is. Die Here het hierdie situasie. In die tussen tyd stel ek myself oop vir God om my te infuse met Jesus, sodat my geur meer soos Hy sal wees en minder soos ek. Die lewe gaan aan, die realiteit is dis maandeinde hier, so bietjie werk vandag en bietjie rus tussen in. Deur dit alles, SAL EK OK WEES. Ek weet dit. Ek is tot ALLES in staat deur Christus wat my krag gee!
Wow, where do I start? I cannot begin to describe how BIG GOD IS!!!!! Today’s verse was confirmed yesterday in a wonderful way by God, like only He can do. You see, on Sunday, our neighbour gave me a bag with a butterfly on that has Psalms 46:10 on with the words, Be Still. As you may know, I just love receiving scripture in any form whatsoever, as I know that God is talking to me. As I am typing this, God reminds me that a butterfly also undergoes a transformation process. From something ugly like a worm, to a beautiful creature with wings to fly where you need to go.
Gister, stuur ‘n liewe vriendin vir my ‘n pakkie met ‘n notaboek in en ‘n beker. Die notaboek se skrifvers is ook Psalms 46:10 met die woorde Be still and know that I am God op. Pragtig met ‘n boom en goue blare en ‘n voël wat op vlieg uit die boom uit. Die boom verteenwoordig vir my hoe mens groei as jy gewortel is in Jesus en jou blare sal glinster soos goud omdat Hy jou voed. Toe ek dit sien toe weet ek dat ek vandag oor dit gaan skryf. Dis wonderlik hoe die Here nou die afgelope paar dae vir my die skrif verse ‘n dag voor die tyd al gee.
Yesterday I was debating whether I should not write about today’s scripture yesterday. But I felt God pressing on my heart to not do it that way. I must write about the scripture about being healed, because that was my last stone that I cast at the giant in front of me. A stone in the sword fight, but I know who is standing behind me. Of course the devil is still trying to fool me with symptoms that I feel in my body. With words echoing through my mind, creating a worst-case scenario to me.
En dan dink ek by myself, hoekom op dees aarde sal die Here vir my ‘n worst-case scenario ooit gee na al die skrif en die beloftes? Ek weet nou, dit wat ek in my lyf voel, is net simptome. Die Here het klaar genees. Net gisteraand voel ek in my linkerbors, op presies dieselfde plek waar die knop in my regterbors is ‘n steek pyn. En so ook onder my linkerarm waar die limf klier is. Weer dink ek by myself, regtig? Hoekom mimiek die linkerkant nou die regterkant? Dis net die duiwel wat my van stryk af probeer bring. Nie eens te praat van al die chaos wat hy probeer maak om ons met geysers wat nie werk nie, elektrisiteit wat trip want proppe op die stoep het nat geword na die reën, om net ‘n paar te noem.
Last night, both my husband and I slept very well. We are exhausted, the travelling to Rosebank, Milpark and surrounding areas is really exhausting. I went for a spinning class yesterday, which was the best decision that I could make since last week Monday (not exercising since last week Monday). This morning we feel refreshed. My husband was even dancing for joy as he is excited for what lies ahead today. Then my sister-in-law Marisca, forwards me the daily scripture from Oom Angus Buchan. She does not normally do this, another friend of ours had been sending it to us since last week.
In hierdie stuk vandag, lees hy versies en toe sê hy dat hy ervaar dat hy moet bid vir genesing vir mense. Net daar bars ek en my man uit in trane. Hoe op dees aarde kan oom Angus dit nou weet om te bid, juis op hierdie dag? Hy het nie ‘n IDEE wat in my lewe gebeur nie. Hy lees vir seker nie my blog nie. Hy ken my dan nie eers nie. Ons bid saam met hom en plaas ons hande op die dele waar die gewas is en die geswelde limf klier is. Ek begin nog meer kinderlik opgewonde raak, want ek dink nie een van ons besef HOE GROOT GOD IS NIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hierdie gaan alles oor HOM!!!!!
As my husband leaves to drop off the kids, I feel a warm sensation again where the lump is and where the swollen limph node is under my arm. The sensation is the same as when I touch it with my hand and body heat comes into contact with it. Only I was not touching it. Similar to what I felt in church on Sunday and again yesterday and a few times this past week. Now I know, with this verse today, that I need only be still. God has got this, like I have been saying from the start. We are going through the motions and doing what is expected of us, but God has already worked a miracle, and is busy working it still, just crossing His t’s and dotting His i’s in this miracle. Almost like placing the cherry on top you know?
Ek laai die dagstuk van Oom Angus op my blog en kan nie help om te merk dat die lengte van die audio 3:16 is nie. Dit laat my dink aan Johannes 3:16. For God so [greatly] loved and dearly prized the world, that He [even] gave His [One and] only begotten Son, so that whoever believes and trusts in Him [as Saviour], shall not perish, but have eternal life. Toevallig? Ek dink nie so nie! God is in die detail!
Vroeër die week, (was dit gister?) ervaar ek dat ek soos Dawid, my 5 klippies opgetel het, om die reus te gaan veg. 5 Klippies van genade. Die Israeliete het vir hom gelag, die Filistyne het ook vir hom gelag. Dawid se oudste broer het selfs hom probeer van stryk af bring, hom laat probeer fokus op die skape in die veld, eerder as dit wat besig is om voor hulle af te speel.Dit alles omdat Hy met ‘n slingervel en 5 klippies die reus aangepak het. Die reus wat een massiewe swaard gehad het. Die reus wat alles en almal gekoggel het. Amper soos wat ek af en toe ervaar die duiwel met my probeer doen. Hy probeer my koggel op verskeie maniere.
I was debating whether I should post this or not and even bother writing about it. But this is the scripture that God gave me yesterday. You see, if we believe it, we will receive it. I do not believe in coincidence. None of the scriptures that I got these past few weeks (that feel like months by the way) were sent coincidentally. You see, I believe that God speaks to everyone in a manner which they understand. I LOVE getting scriptures, especially when one goes through the fiery furnace. Because scriptures are what carries us through circumstances that we did not choose.
So hier sit ek nou, eers die tyd van die dag, besig om my oordenking te gee oor die skrif vers wat die Here vir my gegee het. Hy het dit vir my op sosiale media gegee gister, terwyl ek middagete geëet het. Ek het maar net iets gesoek om te doen, want ek kan wragties nie net sit en eet nie jy weet? Ek moet nog iets bo op dit ook doen, en my tyd verdryf was toe maar sosiale media. Toevallig kom daar ‘n advertensie van Radio Kansel op met die skrifvers uit Matthëús 9:29 uit. Enige ander vers of selfs enige ander dag met die spesifieke vers, en ek sou seker dit nie so aangegryp het soos wat ek het nie. Dit het gevoel of dit direk uit God se hand vir my gegee is. Wat ek daarmee maak is my keuse.
You see, God’s perfect will for us is not to be sick to begin with. But, we are in this broken world and illness is part of it. So why do we fall ill? It is so that in our weakness, God can be elevated and glorified. Back to David, I cannot help but think of the story of him. How he was not supposed to be on the battlefield, how well protected Goliath was with his armour, how Goliath mocked them, thinking he was invincible.
Hulle (die Israeliete) het probeer om Dawid aan te trek in Saul se wapenrusting. Dit was te swaar vir Dawid, en Dawid het gekies om met 5 klippies, sy staf en slingervel die reus te gaan aanvat. Natuurlik was daar weer ‘n gespottery van Goliat se kant af. Dawid se antwoord is vervat in 1 Sameul 17:45 Maar Dawid sê vir die Filistyn: Jy kom na my met ‘n swaard en met ‘n spies en met ‘n lans, maar ek kom na jou in die Naam van die Here van die leërskare, die God van die slagordes van Israel, wat jy uitgedaag het.
So you see, sometimes, we have to be bold like that. To say things that do not make sense. To do things that no one understands. You see, this diagnosis that was made is dressed fully, in armour that seems like it cannot be defeated – everyone fears it. It is mocking those around it. But now, with this stone, the one called faith, is what I am taking to this battle. It is a sword fight, that I am very well aware of, but, the power of God is not to be underestimated. I know that I know that He has got this.
Natuurlik is dit moeilik om steeds oorkant ‘n dokter te sit en dat hulle met jou die pad vorentoe bespreek, die pad wat eintlik nie gestap gaan word nie. Die Goliat probeer steeds twyfel saai. Hy probeer steeds my koggel. Is ek seker? Is ek seker dat ek nie my naam en God se naam met ‘n plank gaan slaan nie? Is ek regtig egtig, genuine enuine seker? My antwoord is dat ek wel seker is! Ek weet die Here sal my nie beskaam nie. Hierdie ding gaan gebeur soos die Here wil hê dit moet gebeur. Ek gaan nou net deur die motions. Ek gaan sien nou maar net die dokters en professors, kom die afsprake na soos dit gemaak is en wag geduldig vir my klippie om te val waar die reus wat voor my staan vulnerable is. Sodat die reus met sy neus in die grond in sal ploeg.
My words to this thing is – You come to me with a triple negative rare type disease (note that David pointed out 3 things of Goliath), but I come to you in the Name of the Lord, the Lord of heaven and earth. The One that created all of us and holds the world in His hand. The One that let the Israelites walk through on dry ground, through a sea. The One that performed many miracles throughout the bible, and still does today. The One that called me by my name, so that I am set apart for His work and glory. That is who is behind me!
Ek het reeds voor ek gaan oefen het (ek het besluit ek gaan vandag Spinning doen, want dis die eerste dag wat daar so bietjie normaliteit is tussen alles wat gebeur het sedert laas week), die inskrywing gepubliseer. Maar het besluit om dit op te dateer. Die instruktrise by die klas, het kommentaar gelewer dat my nuwe haarstyl mooi lyk. Ek gaan deel haar toe vlugtig mee hoekom dit gebeur het, en net daarna sien my dogtertjie Sioné, ‘n baie ligte reënboog tussen die wolke, net voor die reën begin val. So asof die Here net nog ‘n konkrete iets vir my wil gee van Sy belofte. Dan dink ek ook aan die liedjie Crazy People van Casting Crowns en kan nie help om te glimlag as ek aan dit dink nie….Crazy People trust in Jesus! Following Him where ever He leads them!
So now that God has cleared my diary so to speak, tending to minimal day job matters, I can actually do a proper post about the daily scripture. It will still be bilingual all in one, like I have started doing with the daily scriptures, but the only difference is, it will be on the blog with the link being shared on socials. As some pieces may be a bit longer than others.
Nou ja, soos julle almal seker weet, het Professors ‘n diagnose gemaak oor ‘n knop in my bors. Sedert 17 September 2023 was dit net soos ‘n woeste storm om my. Alles het so vinnig gebeur, dokter’s afsprake en dinge. Al wat ek die heeltyd by die Here hoor is Don’t Think. Just Do. Dis al. So met dit in my gedagtes het ek net gedoen en nie gedink nie. Die Here het vir my ‘n visie gegee van ‘n boek se voorblad en toevallig ken ek ‘n baie goeie illustreerder wat seker nie eens 5 km van my af bly nie. Ek het laas week met haar vergader om die visie wat die Here gedeel het deur te gee. Dit was die eerste Don’t Think. Just Do. oomblik.
For a long time, I was considering doing microblading on my eyebrows, because my eyebrows are very pale in colour (I always have to colour it in). I made an appointment with Irene who does my nails, she also does the microblading. Well, the microblading turned into permanent make up. That was the second Don’t Think. Just Do. moment in my life. This is now besides the doctors’ visits for scans, and professors’ visits for discussions and so forth. I was also advised to cut my hair shorter in anticipation of their chemo treatment plan. I had a hairdresser appointment on Friday and the plan was not to cut the hair short. But, after receiving this advice, I cut my hair short. I am still adjusting to it, because I was not emotionally prepared for that. This was the third Don’t Think. Just Do. moment.
Toe ervaar ek Saterdag oggend dat die Here my bonatuurlike genesing aanbied, sonder behandeling. Ek was omver gegooi deur dit. Want dit was nooit iets wat ek by myself aan gedink het nie. Vir my om hierdie bonatuurlike genesing te aanvaar, moes ek deur goed werk. Die detail hiervan spaar ek vir my boek. Want ja, dit is OOK besig om te gebeur. Ek meen, die voorblad is klaar uitgesorteer. Ek weet mens doen seker die voorblad heel laaste, maar vir die boek, gebeur dit anders om….
In church on Sunday, I felt a warm sensation where the tumour is. Something I have never felt before. This was while the pastor was preaching and also while we were singing a song I speak Jesus. I felt it a few times, twice I think, cannot remember exactly where in the sermon, but I felt it. I knew God was doing something. I was then called forward so that they could anoint me and pray for me. The message was the same, even though different people were praying – BE HEALED IN JESUS NAME!
Ek het toe gevoel ek moet iets deel op die Whatsapp groepie wat ek het om almal op hoogte van alles te hou. Ek het getwyfel of ek moes deel van wat ek voel die Here aan my openbaar het oor die genesing, en ook dit wat ek in die kerk ervaar het. So herkou ek toe ‘n dag of wat aan dit, terwyl ek besluit wat om te doen. Toe hoor ek weer God sê Don’t Think. Just Do. Die deel op Whatsapp van dit wat die Here my bied en die kerk ervaring, was die vierde Don’t Think. Just Do. oomblik. God sal my nie beskaam nie. Soms is ons so huiwerig om te deel wat ons ervaar, en dit belemmer die getuienis wat hieruit gaan kom!
Yesterday, I received two messages from two different people who do not know each other. Each one of them, played a role in my daughter’s education. The first message was in Afrikaans and it contained the scripture from Acts 16:26. The reflection and thoughts on that verse was also shared in that message. EXACTLY 30 minutes later a message came in from the second lady, this time the message was in English but it was EXACTLY the same verse, same daily reflection, just in English.
Toe ek dit sien, kon ek nie help om God se hand in dit te sien nie. Hy probeer iets vir my sê. Nou die verse voor die vers, is waar Paulus en Silas in die tronk sit. Hulle het God geloof en prys en gebid tot Hom. Toe gebeur die aardbewing en die tronk se deure gaan oop en die boeie val af. As jy verder aan lees, sal jy sien dat Paulus en Silas nie self uitgeloop het nie, hulle het gewag vir die owerhede om hulle vry te laat. Wat ek hier ervaar het, is, die ding wat gediagnoseer is, probeer my gevange hou. Maar die Here skud die fondamente. Die Here maak die tronk onstabiel sodat ek vry kan wees.
But it is not up to me to get up and walk out. Like Paul and Silas I have to wait for the authorities (the Professors) to let me go from the jail. Again I was contemplating whether I should post anything publicly about this and again I heard God say Don’t Think. Just Do. Which is what I am doing now. I cannot save everything of the miracle for my book! I have to share some as I go along. And this is now my fifth Don’t Think. Just Do. moment. A good friend of mine said that Dawid took 5 little pebbles to defeat the giant. He only needed one. Five is the number for grace.
Dit is nou waaraan ek herinner word soos wat ek hierdie tik. God se genade is met my. Ek moes 5 klippies op tel. My Don’t Think. Just Do. oomblikke. Maar daar is net EEN klippie wat nodig is om die reus te oorwin. Ek moet net stil wees en weet die Here veg hierdie geveg vir my. En raai wat…..? My tweede naam is Davina. Dis die vroulike vorm van Dawid. Ek noem dit maar net per toeval….’n naam wat ek nooit baie van gehou het nie, tot ek die betekenis uitgevind het.
So the long and the short is, God is sorting this out in one wonderful way. A way I don’t even think I can imagine and I am not sure if it is going to go exactly as I have it planned in my mind. But I know God is always terribly on time. This is the beginning of something new. The short hair is so that God can work with me when I am not all polished and pretty with my long hair. He needs to get me to a place where I can be open to hear Him clearly, so that I can serve others and so that the dream that He gave me 15 years ago, can be fulfilled.
Laaste ding voor ek afsluit. My noem naam Elsie, beteken Consecrated to God. Set apart for His work and glory. Wow. Dis hoekom so baie goed op my hart gedruk was deur die Here. Hy het my werklik by my naam geroep! Om te doen waarvoor Hy my geskape het! En net so tussen ons, die liedjie wat ons oor en oor speel na en van dokter’s afsprake is Praise….ek sluit hom ook in op die post….
I was out and about this morning but here I am, doing my daily reflection….😉
Daar is ‘n liedjie, “Take Courage” van Kristene DiMarco, en ek dink aan hom wanneer ek die skrifvers lees. Dis hoe ons wag vir goed om te gebeur in ons lewens eerder as dit wat gebeur, wat belangrik is….
Does this make sense? While we wait, we must praise God, take courage and be strong. He will fight for us. He’s got this, what ever it is that you are going through.
Hy sal ons nooit verlaat nie, so hoekom bekommer oor enige iets?
So there are two words that stand out in today’s verse. Assure and possesses. Assure means that you have 100% certainty about something, does it not? And possess means it is something that is YOURS. Not a general communal pool item available for everyone and any one, only having use of it every other day.
So wat leer ek hier uit? Jesus verseker ons, sonder twyfel, dat wanneer ons Sy woord hoor, dit glo en vertrou in God wat Jesus gestuur het, dan BESIT ons die ewige lewe. Dis ons sinne. En ook nie eers wanneer ons doodgaan nie.
The journey to eternal life starts on earth. Because when we believe and read God’s word, we are transformed to new beings.
Wow, so ietsie om aan te kou vir die naweek wat voorlê……
Wow die vers is groot. Daar is mos ‘n gesegde, meng jou met die semels en die varke vreet jou op. Wat impliseer as jy met die verkeerde mense uithang word jy soos hulle en word jy vernietig.
So, be not conformed to this world. Which in plain simple english means – do not fall under peer pressure. Do not do something when someone else is doing it. Do not become like them.
Ek dink ek maak my punt en die ander belangrike ding om op te let is – gaan beproef die wil van God eerder as dit wat die wêreld bied. WOW. Nê? Vang jy wat dit beteken? As jy iets moet beproef, beproef dan God se wil, gaan “check” dit uit en sien wat dit behels, dis wat met beproef in die konteks bedoel word reken ek…..
As ouers leer ons mos vir ons kinders sekere “life skills” nie waar nie? Soos om mense te groet, met ‘n mes en vurk te eet, lief te wees vir diere, sulke tipe goed. Nou God is ons Vader, so Hy is ons Ouer. Hy leer ons sekere goed.
Have you ever thought of it like this? We love Him because He loved us first? Who do you think taught us the concept of love? God instills that into our hearts, does He not?
So I have written a full blog entry on this verse in 2022 if I remember correctly. But the essence of this verse is that God is HOLDING our hand and He is there to help us.
Persoonlik gaan ek deur ‘n ding wat ek nie noodwendig publiek bekend wil maak nie, maar, as mens so ‘n bybelvers kry net voor ‘n ander ding moet gebeur in my lewe, dan weet ek net, die Here is in Beheer. Nie dat ek nie dit gedink het nie, want ek weet Hy is in beheer.
It is just as if He is talking to me directly you know? Have you ever experienced God like that? Talking to you from His word directly? I have and today is no exception!
Die Afrikaans 53 vertaling gee dit so mooi deur – die Here gryp ons regterhand. Nou wat doen mens wanneer jy gryp? Jy keer dat iets erger gebeur? Soos dat iemand of iets val? Nie waar nie?
In that context I see that God is here, holding onto me, grabbing me by my hand giving me assurance that He has always been here. He will help me…..
Die alewige stryd tussen die sienlike en onsienlike…..jy sien, wanneer jy jonk is, dink jy dat jy vir ewig gaan lewe en dat alles gaan oor dit wat jy fisies het, kan sien, aan vat.
But then as you age (talking like the ou tannie that I am not 🤪) you begin to realise that there is more to life than the branded shoes, bags, huisie by die see, fêncy car…..
Op die einde van die dag, gaan ons lewe op aarde eindig. Dis ‘n feit. En dan? Wat dink jy gebeur dan? Jy gaan of hemel toe of hel toe. Feite soos dit in Openbaring staan…..en wat maak dat ons of hemel of hel toe gaan?
Well, this is potentially a long conversation. In a nutshell, you are judged on what you say while alive on earth, what you did (whether it is righteous or not), and whether you accepted Jesus as your saviour……of course we can repent from our sins but we should not willfully continue to sin (you see why I say this could be a long conversation).
So jy sien, DIS hoekom ek kies om te fokus op die onsienlike eerder as dit wat vlak voor ons is elke dag! En regtig egtig my beste este probeer om God se naam te eer en te heilig!
Vandag se vers spreek soveel waarheid. Net die Here is heilig en NET Hy kan ons rots wees. Hoeveel keer gaan mense deur die lewe en dink hulle doen niks fout nie (en impliseer maar dat hul heilig is?) of verafgod ander mense en dink dat hulle foutloos en heilig is?
How many times do people find security in other worldly things, anything but God? He is our only Rock, in which we can anchor ourselves. When we do this, the storms of life will come but we will not be swept away to be crushed by the waves that tend to throw us around when life pushes hard….
So bietjie ietsie om te onthou en aan te dink nê! Wie is jou Rots en anker en wie ag jy as heilig?
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