God is good

"Nathan has just been shot in an attempted hijacking. On his way to hospital... please pray for him." This is the message I woke up to on the 27 August 2014. It was 5am in Dubai meaning that it was 3am in South Africa, my sister is likely to be asleep and I cannot ask her for more details. I was devastated. I cried. And cried. And cried. Trying to get back to my scriptures so that I can get my mind off the "What ifs" until I can speak to my sister for answers. I shared with my flatmates and then waited for a more decent time to call. By 7am I couldn't bear not knowing, so I called my sister. It's 5am in South Africa. She might not be awake. She tells me that she is also not home. She has to make her way to the airport to get a flight back to Johannesburg from Durban. He is in hospital. He is stable. They did a CT scan and will let us know later today if he needs surgery on his leg. She will keep me updated as soon as she has more information. I am so grateful for friends who pray. I sent a message to my friends asking them to pray for no surgery, quick recovery for the leg and for normal use of the leg. I asked them to pray for the Holy Spirit to comfort him and my sister. I asked them to pray for the criminals. The ones who are deceived and in need of Christ. 

I was broken. I got to the office and asked my manager for a flight back home. My thoughts were all over the place, I was not normal. Nothing was making sense. How could this happen? Why did it happen to us? How did Nathan feel at the time? Did he feel alone? There were so many questions...

I read my bible. I listened to God exulting, Christ-centered, bible saturated music. I needed to fight the words that were trying to occupy my mind with the truth of God's word. The song that really helped is called Anchor by Hillsong United. The words are absolutely amazing... 

I have this hope
As an anchor for my soul
Through every storm
I will hold to You

With endless love
All my fear is swept away
In everything
I will trust in You

There is hope in the promise of the cross
You gave everything to save the world You love
And this hope is an anchor for my soul
Our God will stand
Unshakeable

Unchanging One
You who was and is to come
Your promise sure
You will not let go

Your Name is higher
Your Name is greater
All my hope is in You

Your word unfailing
Your promise unshaken
All my hope is in You

Source: http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/hillsonglive/anchor.html

Image from Google images

I also came across a brilliant sermon by Carl Schultz of Hillsong, New York. You can see the link below. He gives three ways to deal with difficult circumstances - very appropriate for what I was going through. 

• Expect it. Jesus says in John 16:33 "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." Trouble will come. Expect it.
• Go through it. Jesus says in every circumstance we face, He will never leave us nor forsake us
• Shake it off. The problem that you are going through is not just for you. There is someone who will hugely benefit from your testimony. Don't give up!

Thank you to my church family, my Gift's group, my flatmates, my family, my friends and my work colleagues for standing in agreement with us. My brother is okay. His leg will heal and we are trusting for a full restoration of mind, body and soul. 

God's grace in Nathan's situation:

• He had just dropped off my nephew at his grandparent's car before the incident happened
• They shot him through the passer seat where the baby seat was. The baby seat took the bullet and deflected it from his chest to his leg
• He ran away from them, but they did not shoot him as he was running
• He is alive

"You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good.." Now we wait for more good things to unfold.

God bless