My sons, Nico Jr and Pieta, as well as Jan (fellow director) and I went to our farm for a few days to pray and seek the Lord’s guidance for the year ahead. Our time management needed serious attention and rearrangement. ‘Me time’ had to be slotted in and balance returned to our lives. I planned to go home earlier on Wednesday and Friday afternoons and we returned excited to implement our new plans.
Since our return we have never been so busy. Gone are all our plans. What was going on?
Soon after a friend made an appointment to come and see me on a Friday morning 08:00. He was in a wheelchair. Three toes amputated on his left foot and his right foot amputated just below the knee due to gangrene caused by his diabetes. He asked how I was. I had tears in my eyes from all the stress and pressure ( it was still early in the morning!) and my friend asking me how I was when I should have asked him how he was!
He told me the story of his daughter and granddaughter that sleep over with him and his wife every Thursday evening. Before going to bed his granddaughter embraces him around his neck and says “Oupa (granddad) if it’s the Lord’s will, we will see each other again tomorrow morning. But in the meantime HOU MOED!” (Be of good cheer!)
My friend said he came to encourage me to “HOU MOED!” and wanted to add… “TRUST GOD!”
What a blessing to encourage others when you yourself actually need encouragement. Let us never underestimate the power to be of ‘good cheer’ and encourage others to also trust God, no matter what their circumstances might be.
This week I received the quote for the container village we were planning on our sports fields. It was more than double our budget. In my quiet time I laid my disappointment at the Lord’s feet and asked that He please show me what to do. After my time of prayer I read from my daily devotional books, the same books I have now been reading every day for years… and every time God leads me through Hid word and these devotionals – 100% applicable to my situation.
On that specific day: John 14:18 “I will come to you”
Today God is First – ‘God’s delays are simply because He wants more glory and recognition – be patient and obedient.’
God Calling – ‘Just go step by step…Throw away your crutch!’
Jesus Calling – ‘Step by step with Me!’
Oswald Chambers – ‘Total surrender to ‘the love of Christ’ is the only thing that will bear fruit in your life.”
The message was clear. Let me be of good cheer and all I had to do was patiently go step-by-step in obedience…trusting God.
I am reminded once again that Satan will despatch his demons to harrass & discourage us the moment we make a commitment to God to change something in our lifestyle.
See 1Peter 5:8-11
“[8] Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. [9] Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
[10] And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. [11] To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.”
We will be strong & steadfast. Amen!
Thank you Father that you never leave us or forsake us!
Thank you Nico
Sometimes we are frustrated and lost in our own needs and want to make things work our way. Then you receive a message that moves your site to the real bigger picture and you are reminded how blessed you are and that you must trust the Lord. Hou Moed! indeed something I will call to mind before I fill myself with negativity.
You cannot be anxious if you know I am your supply.
Very encouraging. And again a reminder of the simplistic approach God follows in executing his plan -step by step-
Thank you Nico for bringing us back to our senses.
Uitstekend, dankie Nico!
Amen! Your message resonates with many.
Hou moed!!