Verwoed slaan die weemoedig huilend wind die swaar,
digte sluiers reën, koud soos jou hart, teen ruite,
muur en die reeds nat teerpad vas vanwaar dit spat
vanonder swart voortsnellend motorbande onder skel
weerkaatsend kleure van die neonnag - op pad na waar?
En deur dit alles heen hoor ek die klaend, vraend,
priemend klag van jou moederhart wat ween:
"My seun, my seun..."
Liefdesvrug, vervulling van drome en van hoop
op ewig glorie uit beloftes in die Woord;
oordrag van ons gene;
erfgenaam in kringloop
van ons aardse lewensloop.
Afhanklikheid gekoester in en teen moedershart
in die sagte, warm omhelsing van arms wat jou
hou, toevou en beskutting beloof teen die nag se donkerkou.
Gedagtes aan jou kon 'n glimlag toor
selfs in tye van siekte, smart of wintergrou.
Jy! Die sonlig in moedersdag,
rede om met bruisend lewenskrag die lewe vreugdevol toe te lag,
en met blye vooruitsig die toekoms tegemoet te snel.
Op die bestemde tyd wikkel jy jou uit beskermende omhelsing en half-onwillig,
nareikend word laat gaan dat jy onafhanklik verder kan gaan;
opwindende drome te droom en vervulling daarvan te haal.
Liefderyk en met dawerend applous word jou gang toegelag
terwyl 'n biddend moederhart daagliks hande teen mekaar vou.
"En nou, my kind, en nou...?"
Versplinterd soos 'n stukkend spieël lê baie
lewens in skerwe en weerkaats verwronge, onbegrypend grynsend beelde
gebroke, verslae... in rou - "o God, gee genade vir diè verbrokkeling van trou"...
Daar was 'n gil!
Kil en sonder erbarming die knal van skote wat twee
kindertjies, hand-aan-hand, as wese agterlaat...
'n Dubbel graf, twee kiste, kluite in die mistig, druppend reën...
"My seun...my seun..."
Monday, 6 June 2011
Sunday, 5 June 2011
BEAUTY IS IN THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER
It is the end of yet another day. The sun is setting behind Table Mountain. The trees appear quite black against the backdrop of the proud periwinkle mountain, behind which the sky is streaked with a megenta, red and purple paintbrush, against the palest blue canvass of the heavens.
Beautiful...just too beautiful for words...
I'm sitting in the very back pew in church. People are singing and praising God. Some have their arms raised in worship...
Our fifteen year old caramel colored mongrel, Toffee, and the snow white, nine month old Persian kitten are playing on the rug, gently nudging each other and petting each other, and the dog is ever so careful not to be too rough with the kitten...
My newborn granddaughter is peacefully sleeping in her crib. Her rose petal soft cheeks glowing a gentle pink...
The butterfly flits gracefully from one beautiful, fragrant flower to another against the backdrop of a cloudless summer sky...
The elderly couple is strolling very slowly along the garden path holding hands and smiling into each other's eyes...
A perfect single, long-stemmed red rosebud in a crystal vase...
A red finch weaving it's nest... dangling precariously from a reed...
"He has made everything beautiful in its time..." Eccles. 3:11
You, and I, have also been made beautiful in our time...
Thank You, Lord, for the beauty that surrounds us everywhere, everyday. Open our eyes to see and appreciate it, as if through the eyes of a child.
Beautiful...just too beautiful for words...
I'm sitting in the very back pew in church. People are singing and praising God. Some have their arms raised in worship...
Our fifteen year old caramel colored mongrel, Toffee, and the snow white, nine month old Persian kitten are playing on the rug, gently nudging each other and petting each other, and the dog is ever so careful not to be too rough with the kitten...
My newborn granddaughter is peacefully sleeping in her crib. Her rose petal soft cheeks glowing a gentle pink...
The butterfly flits gracefully from one beautiful, fragrant flower to another against the backdrop of a cloudless summer sky...
The elderly couple is strolling very slowly along the garden path holding hands and smiling into each other's eyes...
A perfect single, long-stemmed red rosebud in a crystal vase...
A red finch weaving it's nest... dangling precariously from a reed...
"He has made everything beautiful in its time..." Eccles. 3:11
You, and I, have also been made beautiful in our time...
Thank You, Lord, for the beauty that surrounds us everywhere, everyday. Open our eyes to see and appreciate it, as if through the eyes of a child.
Saturday, 4 June 2011
GEDENKDIENS
Ek sit heel agter in die kerk -
tyd afgeknyp op pad na werk.
Niemand bewus van my teenwoordigheid als dominee wat strak na my bly kyk
asof hy weet hierdie vreemdeling se besoek is buitenstyd.
Die geleentheid is die gedenkdiens na 'n lang, liggaam uitmergelende siekte en die dood
van 'n kennis - nie 'n vriendin, nie eens 'n vennoot
wat ek ontmoet het ongeveer vyf-en-veertig jaar gelede -
En gedurende die tydsbestek van die diens ontvou baie meer
van haar menswees, lewe, geluk, liefdes, prestasies en lyding as waarvan ek
ooit bewus was of kan onthou!
Ek kyk rond na almal wat rou of soos ek, hul laaste eer kom betoon.
Skokkend skielik die wete: ons is nou die uitsterwende geslag.
Deur lewenservarings, sukses en mislukkings gevorm:
wat laat ons na, wat het ons in ons tydvak vermag?
En skielik wonder ek ...
lyk ek ook so oud deur die lens van 'n ander se oog?
tyd afgeknyp op pad na werk.
Niemand bewus van my teenwoordigheid als dominee wat strak na my bly kyk
asof hy weet hierdie vreemdeling se besoek is buitenstyd.
Die geleentheid is die gedenkdiens na 'n lang, liggaam uitmergelende siekte en die dood
van 'n kennis - nie 'n vriendin, nie eens 'n vennoot
wat ek ontmoet het ongeveer vyf-en-veertig jaar gelede -
En gedurende die tydsbestek van die diens ontvou baie meer
van haar menswees, lewe, geluk, liefdes, prestasies en lyding as waarvan ek
ooit bewus was of kan onthou!
Ek kyk rond na almal wat rou of soos ek, hul laaste eer kom betoon.
Skokkend skielik die wete: ons is nou die uitsterwende geslag.
Deur lewenservarings, sukses en mislukkings gevorm:
wat laat ons na, wat het ons in ons tydvak vermag?
En skielik wonder ek ...
lyk ek ook so oud deur die lens van 'n ander se oog?
Friday, 3 June 2011
A QUIET PLACE TO REST
A picnic is an enjoyable way to relax. Pack a basket full of yummy goodies to eat and drink, a blanket or groundsheet to sit on, perhaps even a fold-up chair or two, a cushion for your head, and take along a few friends and family members in whose company you are absolutely free to be yourself. Find a quiet place by the riverside, or in the mountains, or at the seaside, rest, be at peace and even experience quiet for a short while.
At this peaceful place one can hear nature - birds, insects, perhaps the quiet sound of a small stream running by, or perhaps for a short while one may have complete silence.
When last have you experienced complete silence?
As I am sitting here pounding the keyboard, the first sound I am aware of is the electronic buzz of the computer; then the sound of my fingers hitting the keys. I can hear the painters who are buy painting the outside of the building, laughing and chatting to each other. In the distance I become aware of the noises of city trafic on a busy main road and an airplane droning overhead, readying to touch down at the airport.
We become so programmed by all these noises, that unless we specifically pay attention, we may hardly be aware of their existence, or origin. Yet, they impact on our subconscious minds and contribute to the stress levels which we are continually having to cope with.
In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, with all its tensions, challenges, upheavels and sorrows, it is difficult to find the time or a safe place to have quietude and peace of mind.
Jesus knew and appreciated the value of having quiet time away from the crowds. We read that He often spent time alone to pray:
"Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed
to a solitary place and there He prayed." Mark 1:35
"So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed." Luke 5:16
Even at the time of His greatest sorrow and trial, in Gethsemane, we find Him putting some distance between Himself and His disciples:
"And He was withdrawn from them about a stone's throw, and He knelt down and prayed.
Luke 22:41
But it was not only when He wanted to pray that He withdrew from the crowds. He also encouraged His disciples to come away to a quiet place to rest:
"And He said to them: "Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest awhile." For
there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat." Mark 6:31
Does this sound familiar to you? When last have you, as a family, sat down to a quiet meal?
But even more than the above, Jesus at times made sure that His disciples had a quiet, peaceful meal with Him - even after He had risen from the grave:
"Then, as soon as they had come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid
on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish which you have just
caught." Simon Peter went up and dragged the net to land, full of large fish, one
hundred and fifty-three and although there were so many, the net was not broken.
Jesus said to them, "Come and eat brakfast." ...Jesus then came and took the bread
and gave it to them, and lifewise the fish." John 21: 9-13.
What about the here and now? Does Jesus still care whether we have rest; whether we find a quiet place to recuperate from the stresses or this world? Yes, of course, He does:
"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart,
and you will find rest for your souls." Matt. 11:28-29
"Learn from Me..."
Thank You, Lord, that we may learn from You that it is important to spend some quiet time with You, as well as with our families and nearest and dearest. To put distance between ourselves and the rest of the world so that we may find rest and be at peace.
At this peaceful place one can hear nature - birds, insects, perhaps the quiet sound of a small stream running by, or perhaps for a short while one may have complete silence.
When last have you experienced complete silence?
As I am sitting here pounding the keyboard, the first sound I am aware of is the electronic buzz of the computer; then the sound of my fingers hitting the keys. I can hear the painters who are buy painting the outside of the building, laughing and chatting to each other. In the distance I become aware of the noises of city trafic on a busy main road and an airplane droning overhead, readying to touch down at the airport.
We become so programmed by all these noises, that unless we specifically pay attention, we may hardly be aware of their existence, or origin. Yet, they impact on our subconscious minds and contribute to the stress levels which we are continually having to cope with.
In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, with all its tensions, challenges, upheavels and sorrows, it is difficult to find the time or a safe place to have quietude and peace of mind.
Jesus knew and appreciated the value of having quiet time away from the crowds. We read that He often spent time alone to pray:
"Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed
to a solitary place and there He prayed." Mark 1:35
"So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed." Luke 5:16
Even at the time of His greatest sorrow and trial, in Gethsemane, we find Him putting some distance between Himself and His disciples:
"And He was withdrawn from them about a stone's throw, and He knelt down and prayed.
Luke 22:41
But it was not only when He wanted to pray that He withdrew from the crowds. He also encouraged His disciples to come away to a quiet place to rest:
"And He said to them: "Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest awhile." For
there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat." Mark 6:31
Does this sound familiar to you? When last have you, as a family, sat down to a quiet meal?
But even more than the above, Jesus at times made sure that His disciples had a quiet, peaceful meal with Him - even after He had risen from the grave:
"Then, as soon as they had come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid
on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish which you have just
caught." Simon Peter went up and dragged the net to land, full of large fish, one
hundred and fifty-three and although there were so many, the net was not broken.
Jesus said to them, "Come and eat brakfast." ...Jesus then came and took the bread
and gave it to them, and lifewise the fish." John 21: 9-13.
What about the here and now? Does Jesus still care whether we have rest; whether we find a quiet place to recuperate from the stresses or this world? Yes, of course, He does:
"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart,
and you will find rest for your souls." Matt. 11:28-29
"Learn from Me..."
Thank You, Lord, that we may learn from You that it is important to spend some quiet time with You, as well as with our families and nearest and dearest. To put distance between ourselves and the rest of the world so that we may find rest and be at peace.
Thursday, 2 June 2011
'n Nuwe Dag
Dis ‘n nuwe dag; dis ‘n mooi dag; dit is inderwaarheid sommer ‘n flippin wonderlike dag. ‘n Helder, skoon somersdag in die noordelike voorstede van Kaapstad, Westelike Provinsie, Suid-Afrika, Afrika, Suidelike half-rond, die wêreld, die heelal. ‘n Unieke plek, ‘n unieke oomblik, en ek is ‘n unieke mens.
Dis ‘n oggend vol sonskyn, helder blou lug, koel briesie, groen bome, gras-perke, voëls…
Dis ‘n nuwe dag in ons sonnige Suid-Afrika met sy uitdagings, sy diversiteit, sy baie tale, kulture, godsdienste, gelowe, sy pragtige natuurskoon, sy Berg wat vandag skoon en majestieus agter my lê.
Dis ‘n dag vol onbekende, onvervulde, ongeredigeerde minute, nuwe moont-likhede, nuwe avonture. ‘n Dag om nuwe drome te droom; ou drome te verwesenlik; nuwe vriende te maak; met ou vriende te gesels of te besoek; vreugdes te deel; ‘n dag om ‘n nuwe rok te gaan koop; by ‘n onbekende restaurantjie te gaan eet; die motorwag ‘n stywe fooitjie te gee met ‘n glimlag daarby; te gaan vir ‘n manikuur; ‘n nuwe lied te sing; ‘n gedig te skryf; ‘n skrywer te ontdek en ‘n boek te lees; ‘n berg te klim, ‘n nuwe skildery te begin; ‘n onbekende plek te besoek; na ‘n kunsuitstalling te gaan; ‘n deuntjie te tokkel; ‘n ou fiets op te klim en teen ‘n afdraand af te ry; ‘n sieke se hand vas te hou, se voorkop af te vee, se wang te soen; ‘n nuwe produk te probeer; ‘n koek te bak; langs die see te gaan stap; skulpe op te tel; in die son te lê; ‘n roomys te lek; blomme te ruik; a baba se geurtjie te koester, se gladde, nuwe lyfie te troetel…na goeie musiek te luister; ‘n ent in die motor te gaan ry…in die veld te gaan stap.
Dis ‘n dag om iemand te bederf; om ‘n glasie wyn te skink; die vonkel in iemand se oog te waardeer; om te dans…
Ek vat my hande saam bo my kop, strek my arms na bo, raak aan die hemel, punt my tone, tol in die rondte, druk my duime en middelvingers saam, draai handpalms na buite, strek … dans, dans voor Hom wat my gemaak het…
Mense staar – wie gee om? Dit is die enigste kans wat ek ooit sal kry om hierdie besondere dag te beleef, te geniet, te gebruik, te deel, vol te maak met herinneringe wat ek vir die res van my lewe sal kan oproep.
Hierdie dag skryf ‘n strofe in die ode aan die Alleenwyse…ek sal my klanke voortbring, my nederige bydrae lewer, my dank uitjubel … want Hy is goed en Sy goedheid strek tot in alle ewigheid….
Hoor jy ook die lied van hierdie dag … dans dan saam met my - dans, dans…..
Wednesday, 1 June 2011
WAT SAL EK Sê VAN MY PA?
Wat sal ek sê van my pa?
Hy was baie weg van die huis, nie fisies daar nie -
Tog was hy nader aan my as enigiemand anders op aarde.
Wat sal ek sê van my pa?
Hy was meeste van die tyd besig - toegewyd aan sy taak,
tog nie te besig om bemoeienis met 'n honger boemelaar te maak.
Wat sal ek sê van my pa?
Hy was met geleentheid (en nie net in sy gedagte) ontrou aan sy vrou -
tog was sy ouerhart trouer as meeste wat ek ken of kan onthou.
Wat sal ek sê van my pa?
Hy had vir 'n kort tydjie 'n dors vir 'n sopie
tog het hy sterk gestaan is sy geloof - nooit daarvan gestroop nie.
Wat sal ek sê van my pa?
Hy was onvolmaak soos elke ander geskape wese;
tog was om God te behaag, sy hoogste prioriteit, sy opregte begeerte.
Wat sal ek sê van my pa?
Hy was my vangnet teen die lewe se swaar -
tog moes hy soms hulpeloos toekyk hoe reuse branders my slaan.
Wat sal ek nog sê van my pa?
Ek was lief vir hom en hy vir my...
uiteindelik is dit die enigste woorde van betekenis vir my.
Hy was baie weg van die huis, nie fisies daar nie -
Tog was hy nader aan my as enigiemand anders op aarde.
Wat sal ek sê van my pa?
Hy was meeste van die tyd besig - toegewyd aan sy taak,
tog nie te besig om bemoeienis met 'n honger boemelaar te maak.
Wat sal ek sê van my pa?
Hy was met geleentheid (en nie net in sy gedagte) ontrou aan sy vrou -
tog was sy ouerhart trouer as meeste wat ek ken of kan onthou.
Wat sal ek sê van my pa?
Hy had vir 'n kort tydjie 'n dors vir 'n sopie
tog het hy sterk gestaan is sy geloof - nooit daarvan gestroop nie.
Wat sal ek sê van my pa?
Hy was onvolmaak soos elke ander geskape wese;
tog was om God te behaag, sy hoogste prioriteit, sy opregte begeerte.
Wat sal ek sê van my pa?
Hy was my vangnet teen die lewe se swaar -
tog moes hy soms hulpeloos toekyk hoe reuse branders my slaan.
Wat sal ek nog sê van my pa?
Ek was lief vir hom en hy vir my...
uiteindelik is dit die enigste woorde van betekenis vir my.
HE KNOWS JUST WHAT I NEED
Do you ever find yourself wondering whether God knows where you are and whether He is aware of your circumstances?
Of course He is!
During September 1998 I visited Israel during the Feast of Tabernacles. It was a special feast as Israel celebrated her first Year of Jubilee Festival after being declared a State in 1947. To travel to and in the country where our Lord lived, died and was resurrected was a dream come true for me and a very blessed and rewarding experience.
Before we left South Africa, I looked up the Hebrew interpretation of my name in the Strong's Concordance of the Bible, and found that it is pronounced, "Elisheva".
I was awed to be able to visit various places of importance to me such as the Garden of Gethsemane, the place of the Skull, the Sea of Galilee and many other biblical sites.
During our stay in Jerusalem, our group also visited the "shuk", or market, in the Old City. Of course, the shuk is wall to wall odor, people, fruit, vegetables, meat, fish and many other products. You will find materials, jewellery and lots of other items for sale in the little shops at the side of the cobblestoned area. One literally had to shoulder you way through the crowd that thronged the shuk during this festive season. I was one of a group of twelve and as we slowly made our way towards the exit, we realised that one member of our group had been left behind. I volunteered to go back and search for her for the pure exhilaration of being in such close proximity to so many people from so many different nationalities, all being in one place at the same time.
My heart was racing, and I felt my cheeks burning with excitement. "Lord", I asked, "are You aware that I am here in the Holy City? Do You see me walking through the cobblestoned shuk? I am so excited to be here and it would have been so wonderful to know that You were somewhere here too; if I were walking towards physically meeting You somewhere in the City!"
My words were not even cold, when I heard someone calling loudly above the din around me: "Elisheva! Elisheva!"
I stopped and caught my breath! I could not believe my ears. Tears started slowly down my cheeks. I looked up and there on one of the tables ahead of me a man stood looking over the crowd, looking in my direction, calling...calling...
Even as I am relating this incident to you, I can still experience the joy that surged through me at that moment! Yes, it was only a man calling, but to me it was the Lord answering my longing to know that He was aware of my walking the streets that He had once walked.
He surely knows our deepest thoughts and needs...
"And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him and said to him, "Zaccheus,
make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house." " Luke 19:5
"These things He said, and after that He said to them, "Our friend Lazarus sleeps, but I go that
I may wake him up." " John 11:11
"Nathaniel said to Him, "How do You know me?" Jesus answered and said to him, "Before
Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you." John 1:48
"Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart
from your Father's will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear
therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows." Matt. 10: 28-31
Thank You, Lord, that You always know where we are, what our circumstances are and what we need.
(Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright 1979, 1980, 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.)
Of course He is!
During September 1998 I visited Israel during the Feast of Tabernacles. It was a special feast as Israel celebrated her first Year of Jubilee Festival after being declared a State in 1947. To travel to and in the country where our Lord lived, died and was resurrected was a dream come true for me and a very blessed and rewarding experience.
Before we left South Africa, I looked up the Hebrew interpretation of my name in the Strong's Concordance of the Bible, and found that it is pronounced, "Elisheva".
I was awed to be able to visit various places of importance to me such as the Garden of Gethsemane, the place of the Skull, the Sea of Galilee and many other biblical sites.
During our stay in Jerusalem, our group also visited the "shuk", or market, in the Old City. Of course, the shuk is wall to wall odor, people, fruit, vegetables, meat, fish and many other products. You will find materials, jewellery and lots of other items for sale in the little shops at the side of the cobblestoned area. One literally had to shoulder you way through the crowd that thronged the shuk during this festive season. I was one of a group of twelve and as we slowly made our way towards the exit, we realised that one member of our group had been left behind. I volunteered to go back and search for her for the pure exhilaration of being in such close proximity to so many people from so many different nationalities, all being in one place at the same time.
My heart was racing, and I felt my cheeks burning with excitement. "Lord", I asked, "are You aware that I am here in the Holy City? Do You see me walking through the cobblestoned shuk? I am so excited to be here and it would have been so wonderful to know that You were somewhere here too; if I were walking towards physically meeting You somewhere in the City!"
My words were not even cold, when I heard someone calling loudly above the din around me: "Elisheva! Elisheva!"
I stopped and caught my breath! I could not believe my ears. Tears started slowly down my cheeks. I looked up and there on one of the tables ahead of me a man stood looking over the crowd, looking in my direction, calling...calling...
Even as I am relating this incident to you, I can still experience the joy that surged through me at that moment! Yes, it was only a man calling, but to me it was the Lord answering my longing to know that He was aware of my walking the streets that He had once walked.
He surely knows our deepest thoughts and needs...
"And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him and said to him, "Zaccheus,
make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house." " Luke 19:5
"These things He said, and after that He said to them, "Our friend Lazarus sleeps, but I go that
I may wake him up." " John 11:11
"Nathaniel said to Him, "How do You know me?" Jesus answered and said to him, "Before
Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you." John 1:48
"Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart
from your Father's will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear
therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows." Matt. 10: 28-31
Thank You, Lord, that You always know where we are, what our circumstances are and what we need.
(Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright 1979, 1980, 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.)
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