Pruned for Growth

When you think of the word pruning, you think of the idea of cutting off all the dead branches or just trimming bushes that have become overgrown. Right? Well, my horticulturist brother-in-law Andrew, has educated me by explaining that sometimes we also need to prune some perfectly good branches as well, in order to train the plant in the direction it should grow. When it comes to fruit trees, pruning also forces the tree to put more energy into fewer but larger, sweeter, higher quality fruits. 

 

I like to believe the same is true of how God prunes our lives… Whatever God has chosen to prune out of our lives, whether it be the loss of a loved one, a job, a relationship or something material, we can be assured that He is doing it for our ultimate growth in sight.  We may not like it or understand it, and yes, it is often very painful, but we need to trust that even when we cannot see the big picture or see it from God's perspective, it is needed for our growth.

 

This Covid-19 Pandemic and lockdown has also pruned a lot of things out of our lives. Some of them like people and hugs we may be sorely missing, and other things not so much, like traffic or crowds, but the truth is that both the good and the bad has taught us what really matters in life and has surely made us more resilient. 

 

We may look and feel like this stumped plant during our pruning seasons, but we need to encourage ourselves with the knowledge that God is either changing the direction He wants us to grow or using it to help us grow into better, stronger people, with sweeter, juicier, larger, more excellent fruits…

South Africa's Beacon of Hope

Move One Million - Unity for Change

If you are South African or have a love for our country, and have not yet heard about the “Move One Million” initiative, then I strongly suggest you get yourself acquainted…

Saturday, the 5th of September 2020, was a turning point for our country, the first of many wide-scale events since the movement was launched in July. On this day, masses gathered together, both locally and abroad, to spread hope and raise awareness for this movement that is fighting for the heart and soul of South Africa.

As I braved the freezing, cold and windy Cape Town weather with my waterproof posters, my South African flag, with my mask, ribbon and sanitizer in hand, I joined the West Coast group that gathered in a human chain, maintaining our social distance, along the beachfront, starting from Table View, through to Bloubergstrand and further towards Melkbosstrand. I had been praying that despite the anger of many, that the gatherings would remain peaceful. I also prayed that the threatening rain would hold off and not deter people from joining, and both prayers were graciously answered!

The exciting atmosphere and mood were electrifying and inspiring, to say the least, and reminded me of the emotions we all felt when Nelson Mandela was made President! Complete strangers, unified with a purpose of raising awareness of our many different causes to spread the message of hope for our country, that although we are broken, we are not yet beaten.

We sang and cheered joyfully, dancing in unison with some professional dancers, to the popular ‘Jerusalema’ song. We even played our National Anthem and many other South African favourite songs, filling us all with pride for our Rainbow Nation. There was even a Minister who lead us in prayer for our country, expressing the anointing on the life of the founder of Move one Million and the popular #ImStaying initiative, Jarette Petzer.

As a prayer warrior for our country, President and government, I see this movement as an answer to all of our prayers. As a returnee to South Africa, I am passionate about finding solutions to our country’s problems, instead of just complaining about them, or becoming complacent.

Many Christians might believe that we should not protest and that all we can do is pray, but I disagree. The Bible clearly calls us to shine the light on the truth, to fight peacefully for justice and to spread hope, which is what I believe this movement stands for. They are finding tangible solutions to our many problems and putting pressure on the Government to have the corrupt officials held accountable, and for the many crimes, murders and evils that have gone on long enough, stopped once and for all. We are making a stand for change and we are spreading hope that you no longer need to exit in fear and emigrate. And to those South Africans who already have left, who are still supporting us from your new 'home away from home', we welcomely await your return with open arms, once our country has been restored to the dream that Nelson Mandela envisioned for us.

There is great strength when people unite as one, and although some may think this is just a white movement, it is not. Neither is it a political party or an anti-ANC campaign. We are merely calling on ALL South Africans who are feeling despair about the state of our country and who need their hope restored for a better future, to come on board, to add their voice and be counted. One of the many posters that spoke of the promises the government has not delivered on, says it all – “In 1994 my parents were sold a dream. Today I am here for my refund.”

For me, it’s not about counting the numbers or if we agree with everyone’s causes or the over-zealous Whatsapp or Telegram moderators, or the lack of response to our many questions and comments – it’s about uniting as one with a sole purpose of saving our country. One thing this movement has taught me is that there can still be unity in diversity.

Evil remains when people choose to be silent. Nothing will change without action, and now that we have an International following and attention, we have a better chance of achieving success. To the many leaders, field representatives and my fellow supporters, thank you for your participation and to all the car hooters who cheered us on, thank you for your acknowledging support. So, let us go forth and prosper, as we unite our country with a message of hope, peace, love and kindness.  If you are still skeptical, I hope you will consider joining the next gathering on the 24th October, to discover for yourself and have your hope stirred. Join the movement's Facebook group below to find out more...

https://www.facebook.com/MoveOneMillion/

Be Still and Wait Well

Whilst we continue to wait in limbo, not knowing when our challenging lockdown restriction will end, we can either grumble and complain, or we can choose to have faith and trust blindly as we wait. It may not make sense, and we definitely don't need to like it, but it is what it is...

There is a lot in the media suggesting conspiracy theories and political sabotage, but whatever the truth is, we still need to do what we have been told to, even if it makes no sense or logic.  If we truly believe that God is in control of everything, then we can also trust that our President was elected by His authority, and God instructs us to honour and obey Him, even when we disagree.

Having faith is to be truly convinced in what we believe and in knowing that our future is secure in God's hands.  We don't need to know when the lockdown will end. All we need to do is to take one day at a time and choose and decide to wait well.

Instead of focusing on what freedoms we have lost or argue about what is and isn't an essential service or product, or what enjoyment or vice has been banned, we can instead give a thought to what this lockdown is teaching us.  

For me, my heart is filled with hope at the positive changes that have come about as a result of this pandemic and lockdown. As I share some of these below, may they resonate with you and encourage your heart with hope:-

• I see strangers in need of human connection, who are so much more friendly towards each other. 
• I see neighbours reaching out and caring for each another. 
• I see shoppers more patient to stand in long queues, without complaining.
• I see people who have never given a thought to the poor before, respond generously to the great need in our communities.
• I see churches living out their faith amongst each other, instead of inside a building.
• I am learning body language by identifying a smile behind a mask.
• My relationships with my husband and daughter are being refined, through our constant intimacy. Like being thrown into a pressure cooker, the steam is softening our hearts and making us more tender hearted. 
• I am learning to find contentment and approval from God and nature, instead of from people. 
• I have marvelled at everyone's colourful and creative handmade masks. 
• I have discovered empathy for Muslim women who are forced to wear burkas and with doctors who need to wear masks during long surgeries. 

So today, I challenge you to change your perspective and to be still, knowing that God is carrying us through these difficult and uncomfortable times, and using it to change and mould our hearts.  There is great strength in remaining hopeful and history has taught us that no matter how bleak things may seem, this too shall pass...