My dear friends
3 October is one of those dates that ring a bell in my mind.
This year it marks the 4th anniversary of my MND history.
It was on the 3rd of October 2000 that I drove up to St
Augustine's Hospital for an appointment with the neurologist, Dr Judy Green. After
elaborate examination she informed me that she had to admit me into the hospital for
further tests. By that time already I could see the clouds gathering, building up towards
a storm.
Two days later, on 5 October the dear specialist probably
had to steel herself to convey to me the 'death sentence.'
There's a South African joke about "I'll hit you so
hard among the eyes that when you wake up you'll be unconscious."
Jokes aside, some experiences in life hit us so hard that
for a moment we feel dizzy and out of balance. In that state something tells us that we
need some object to hold on to; something firm and strong.
It is at such times that sobering discoveries might come our
way. What we thought was a sure foundation might turn out to be sinking sand.
This morning, a song on Radio Khwezi by the Mzambo Police
Choir struck a cord on this special day. Their beautiful voices rang clearly as they sang,
"Hold on to Jesus ..."
Dear friends, that's the secret for success and survival in
good and bad times. It's valid for this world and the next.
Later on, the holding on theme was reinforced when Thomas
Maphanga addressed Radio Khwezi listeners during the programme 'Yelula Isandla.'
Yelula Isandla - Stretch out the hand! That was one of the
programmes I presented on Sundays. The aim was to get people to let go of whatever straws
they were holding on and to grasp God's mighty saving hand.
Thomas took us back to his boyhood days in Maputo,
Mozambique. He had the privilege of going often into the sea by ship. He experienced both
smooth and turbulent conditions. That's how he discovered the crucial role played by an
anchor. He captured my imagination as he described a dark night at sea with violent winds
buffeting their ship. To stabilise the ship they had to release the anchor.
The Anchor. The Rock. Jesus the Saviour. That's the theme of
the well-known song 'In times like these.'
In the afternoon a dear friend, Karl-Heinz Duvel, brought us
the DVD 'A Billy Graham Music Homecoming', featuring artists who over the years have
ministered in Dr Graham's evangelistic campaigns. As you can imagine, that involved two to
three generations.
Yes, I did see the young and flashy but my eyes tarried much
longer on the octogenarians. I couldn't see enough of Dr Billy and Mrs Ruth Graham,
Beverly Shea, Cliff Barrows, Doug Oldham... The old songs appealed to me the most. Why?
These are people and songs that have stood the test of time!
What smile is more beautiful than that of an old pilgrim
towards the end of the journey looking back and affirming,
"I have been young, and now am old; yet
have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread." (Psalm 37:25)
One of the moments that gripped me most was when the former
United States President, George Bush senior, related briefly about Dr Graham's personal
friendship and ministry to the Bush family for decades. There was a spontaneous thunderous
applause when Mr Bush in passing mentioned that he and his wife Barbara have been married
for 53 years. It's interesting that in the current culture where multiple divorces and
remarriages are becoming the norm somehow people know that God's design was for marriage
to last "till death do us part."
Watching the DVD with me was my eight year old daughter,
S'ne. I just loved it where she pointed to some of the old men and said, "Ngiyamazi
lo mkhulu" (I know that grandfather). I pray that my little girl will realise early
in life that holding on to Jesus is her best security to the very end - and beyond!
As if to round off the eventful day Dr Peet Botha and his
wife Andra paid us a visit in the evening. Before the final prayer Peet read from Psalm
62.
"My soul finds rest in God alone; my
salvation comes from him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I shall never be shaken."
(1-2)
Such a God deserves our wholehearted allegiance. Those who
hold onto Him will never be disappointed!
Have a blessed week!
Pressing on!
In His love
Fano Sibisi
