Wednesday, 30 March 2022

Sam: SE7EN

 Turning seven is a kind of coming of age. In most educational systems, it’s at this point that children enter “big school” for the first time. It’s also a developmental stage in which the first of two major growth spurt usually occurs. I guess it should be unsurprising then that there is a lot of growth that is visible, and Sam, with you, it is no different. Over the past three months, I have become increasingly aware of this “big boy” that I have. 


Despite you being on holiday, this week has been chaotic for the rest of us, and in the busyness of what we have had to do, you’d be forgiven for wanting more of the attention. But that’s not your way. Instead, in typical Sam fashion, you planned your birthday wish list around everything else so that everyone could be involved. You postponed your class celebration from the last day of last term to the first day of next term so that no one missed out, you delayed your birthday dinner by a day so that you could have your brother present, and you invited your friends around to play soccer so that you could spend time with them without the pressure of a party.  All these things simply epitomise who you are: empathetic, intentional, kind, generous, funny, and full of love. 


I listen to your conversations, your reasoning, your sense of humour, and I love the big boy you are growing into. You surprise us as you reveal more of who you are - one tantalising taste at a time. Every time I think you couldn’t get any better, you show me how you can. My heart melts into a mess at the mere mention of you, and your smile seizes me. 


You have the heart of Jesus, my boy. And while because of it you are bound to hurt with and for people, you will also love the world a way that will change it. Hold fast to Him as He guides you. Be brave. Stay strong. We love you more than our hearts can handle. Happy birthday!




Wednesday, 23 March 2022

So, So Loved

 As we get closer to being reunited with Zac - regardless of the uncertainty and inevitable goodbye it brings with it - I am struck by a a deep sense of love. It's funny how, when you miss someone, you remember only the good things about them. Right now, Zac is perfect in my mind's eye, and my heart is full, waiting to burst out all over him. But it's not just that.


As I write, a colleague of mine from Cape Town finds herself in the The Berg with her family. She'll be going to the DBCS concerts today, then taking Zac to dinner, and afterwards she'll be bringing back Zac's big cricket bag that can't fit into his luggage allocation, so that he can play cricket at home next week. My colleague has probably not spent more than 10 minutes in conversation with Zac - in total - but she has decided to love on him, for us, today.


Incredibly, this is no an isolated incident. The last 10 weeks have been full of similar acts of kindness. Zac's dorm leader baked him brownies when he found out we wouldn't be attending the parents' weekend. And when we weren't at the tie ceremony, the Head Master had Zac celebrate with him and his family. Other boys' parents have sent Zac tuck, given him warm comfort hugs, let him call and send pics and videos from their phones, invited him to picnics and parties, and basically adopted him into their families. 


Zac may be far from home, but he is not far from Love. And by virtue of that fact, neither are we.


God Loves You and Me - Poem from Only the Bible.com

He is jealous for me

Love's like a hurricane, and I am a tree

Bending beneath the weight of His wind and mercy

When all of a sudden

I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory

And I realize just how beautiful you are and how great your affections are for me

And oh

How He loves us oh

Oh how He loves us

how He loves us oh


We are His portion and He is our prize

Drawn to redemption by the grace in his eyes

If grace is an ocean, we're all sinking (ha ha)

So heaven meets earth like a unforeseen kiss

And my heart turns violently inside of my chest

I don't have time to maintain these regrets

when I think about the way

Yeah He loves us

Oh how He loves us

Oh how He loves

Let it go deep go deep go deep


Oh, How He Loves Us - Jesus Culture