My dear friends
Tannie Daleen knows that I love M Lowrie Hofford's
"Abide with me, 'tis eventide" and she said as much after playing it on Radio
Khwezi recently. What she does not know is that almost every time I listen to this song I
end up with misty eyes. There are memories associated with "Abide with me, 'tis
eventide"
"Abide with me, ’tis eventide!
The day is past and gone;
The shadows of the evening fall;
The night is coming on!
Within my heart a welcome Guest,
Within my home abide.
Refrain
O Savior, stay this night with me;
Behold, ’tis eventide!
O Savior, stay this night with me;
Behold, ’tis eventide!"
Hearing songs I sang years ago reminds me of the loss Motor
Neuron Disease has brought with it. I must admit that I miss raising my voice in song but
thankfully my heart sings on.
How can I forget the day we almost did not finish "'Tis
eventide" with the KwaSizabantu Men's Choir back in 1996? There were lumps in our
throats. It was at the funeral of David Jaca, a dear brother who was a co-worker at
KwaSizabantu. David was a devoted member of our choir. For one so super-fit and full of
life one found it difficult to accept how he was crushed within a few seconds in a
terrible car accident only 15 km away from home on the way from Durban. His young wife,
four little children and many friends would never hear him laugh in his unreserved
contagious manner again.
Till today, I count David's death amongst the incidents that
defy my limited human understanding. It has been said that in heaven we shall receive all
answers to our questions. Sometimes I wonder if there will be any need to unravel earthly
mysteries then.
"Abide with me, 'tis eventide" reminds me of
memorable literal sunsets.
Back to my childhood days. When the sun went down at
Ekhamanzi during visits to my mother's people, the Jilas, I just loved it. There was the
excitement of herding Granddad's cattle home, night games in an environment where we felt
so safe and enjoyable chats around the fire-place. The darkness of the night found me in
the company of people with whom we shared mutual love.
A sunset I experienced in 1994 was very different. We had
left the town of Bukavu in Zaire (present DRC) at midday in an open boat on Lake Kivu. Our
destination was the island of Idjwi.
The trip had its own peculiarities; the crew's almost
reckless attitude was a cause for concern but on the whole we enjoyed the adventure deep
in the heart of Africa.
Our host at first had given us the impression that there was
a definite arrangement for our accommodation but as the day progressed it became clear
that what our friend had was a general understanding with the chief of the island that he
was welcome in his homestead. News reached us that the chief was away. As the sun went
down that day a feeling of insecurity gripped me.
It was dark when we docked and headed for a home our host
knew. The lady of the house left us in no doubt that our coming was an unpleasant
surprise. In His grace the Lord made a way for us, a mission in the neighbourhood offered
us accommodation. After a further walk in a dark night utterly exhausted, we struck a
quick friendship with the mattresses!
Let me add that by the following day more hearts warmed
towards us, hospitality was extended, we could share the Good News and the sunset was much
more welcome on Idjwi.
In the eventide of my illness in the last six years there
have been valuable lessons to learn and confirmation of precious truths that have enriched
my life since I met our Lord and Saviour in my early teens.
"Abide with me, ’tis eventide!
Thy walk today with me
Has made my heart within me burn,
As I communed with Thee.
Thy earnest words have filled my soul
And kept me near Thy side."
Oh yes, it is the warmth of the fellowship with Him, the
life, the fire that accompanies His speaking that pulls me to Him in the best and the
worst of times. Like my mother likes to sing I believe that I will surely die if the Lord
is not nearby. If I needed Him during the daytime of a healthy body how much more in the
eventide of a disintegrating body.
"Abide with me, ’tis eventide!
And lone will be the night,
If I cannot commune with Thee,
Nor find in Thee my light.
The darkness of the world, I fear,
Would in my home abide."
Even in the midst of the family and friends the path of
illness can be very lonely. In my case the loss of speech and mobility adds to the
seclusion. During the day there are people and several activities around me but with
sunset and the darkness of the night the numbers diminish. Indeed, without communion with
my Lord and His light around me the night would be very lonely.
Lord, remain forever a welcome Guest in my heart!
'But they urged him strongly, "Stay
with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over." So he went in to stay
with them.' (Luke 24:29)
Have a blessed weekend!
Pressing on!
In His love
Fano Sibisi
