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My word! - 2 November
2007
My dear friends
One of the challenges I am having to face in my illness is revisiting my own
words; more specifically, messages of comfort and encouragement to those who were going
through tough times. As I recalled my words I had to ask myself if they were genuine or a
superficial 'Take my advice; I don't need it.'
In fact, what got me thinking about this was a message from one of my former
teachers for whom I have a lot of respect, Rev C S Z Ntuli. He was my first English
teacher at Dlangezwa High School in 1972.
Rev Ntuli comes from a family of highly gifted authors and poets; his, his
brother's (Emeritus Professor in African Languages), his son's and his nephew's are
well-known names in isiZulu literature. Heeding a call into ministry, he took early
retirement from a top post in the Department of Education and went on to become the
Moderator of the United National Church (Lutheran). In spite of their achievements the
Ntulis have endeared themselves to many by their humility and down-to-earth attitude.
Like my many other friends and acquaintances Rev Ntuli was shocked and
saddened by the news that I had been diagnosed with Motor Neuron Disease. When he
came to see me he recited words that made a deep impression on me:
"God knows,
So, heart, be still.
What need our little life,
Our human life, to know,
When God hath comprehension?"
On Tuesday Rev Ntuli called to inform us that his wife had taken ill and had to
be hospitalised. Knowing how close the dear old couple are I felt very sorry for them and
said as much in my SMS to him. When I read his response on my cellphone I was deeply
moved:
"God
knows,
So, heart, be still.
What need our little life,
Our human life, to know,
When God hath comprehension?"
What touched me was to see that in his hour
of need Rev Ntuli had found comfort in the same profound and reassuring words
that he recited to me years ago.
"He is the Rock, his works are perfect,
and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he."
(Deuteronomy 32:4)
Have a blessed weekend.
Pressing on!
In His love
Fano Sibisi
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