POWER OF PRAYER

When she was young, barely three, she almost died - or rather, according to mom and dad, she died.  The one moment, she was playing and getting up to her usual mischief, and the next moment she was unconscious!

She was rushed to the neighborhood hospital, but let's not mention the name to save them the shame.  They tried all they could to bring her back to life, to no avail.  After a meeting with some of the medical staff the doctor brought lots of paperwork and advised the poor couple to sign, all the while sympathising and sharing in their pain.  Hopeful that this meant their little girl would finally get the necessary medical care, the not-so-literate poor couple signed the papers without reading first. Little did they know that they had just signed away their daughter's right to further medical care as the staff couldn't revive her, although she still had pulse.  Guilt-ridden, one of the nurses pulled the mother aside, hugged her and told her how sorry she was.  She explained that they had done all they could to bring the little girl back to life, but there wasn't much else they could do.

The mother was hysterical and inconsolable, while daddy stared silently into space.  After many endless tears and quarreling, mom and dad took their lifeless little girl back home.  Back then her parents used to consult sangomas, but on that day daddy cuddled the girl's lifeless body and said, "Woman, let's pray."

After what felt like eternity, as the devastated couple hugged and prayed, the little girl's eyes fluttered.  She suddenly got up from the bed where she was laid and said, "Mama, I want some eggs!"  Speechless and delighted, everyone ran around and attended to the little girl's demands. 

This is not only my story, but also the story of a man and woman who, having experienced this miracle, chose Christ and led many souls to the Lord.  I am alive today because of the power of prayer and of faith in the one true and living God.  I have many testimonies I will share with you on my blog, VANQUISH, then you will know that God is real and that truly prayer works!

© Yvonne Mahlape Maserumule, 2016
(All rights reserved)

NOT DONE YET!

I know how it feels
to be despised and much unloved.
Drenched by the rain,
ever lonely, scarred and scared;
All friends gone,
backs quickly turned on you;
Still you hold on
because you're NOT DONE YET!

They talk in hushed tones,
whispering as you go;
The good you ever did
long devoured by the worms.
Though they pay you evil
for all the love you gave;
Still you hold on
because YOU'RE NOT DONE YET!

Cold weather, cloudy skies;
Torrential rains, hopeless nights;
Your strength is gone and fear abounds,
but don't forget He's near!
The darkest cloud means dawn will break
Hang on in there,
you're NOT DONE YET!

© Yvonne Mahlape Maserumule, 2014
(All rights reserved)

LETTER FROM PATRICIA

Yvonne,

First of all you are an amazing writer! I could feel your passion in your words.

PURPOSE spoke to me in so many ways. I feel so strongly about how everyone has greatness inside and that everyone can achieve success through hard work regardless of their challenges.

I have worked with kids with learning disabilities and have a daughter with a learning disability. What many people don't realize is that these people are geniuses in certain areas. All they have to do is find those area(s) they excel at and focus on them.

When my daughter was 5 years old, a school psychologist told us we, her parents, would have to support her our entire life. I said he was wrong! Then in high school we were told she'd never make it through college so she shouldn't try. I said they were wrong!

My daughter graduated college and was on the Deans List every quarter. She is doing very well now. She had a very tough life, other kids were very cruel to her, but it made her grow spiritually. Every obstacle in your life is not a bad thing. Obstacles are placed in our path by a Higher Power/God for lessons to make us grow and learn to be better people. What we choose to do with those lessons is up to us.

Warm Regards, 
Patricia Azeltine AKA PK Burian,
(Published author, Olympia/Washington) 

IMBOKODO (MAMA, MY ROCK!)

It seems like yesterday, I was a tiny seed.  You carried me, wondering:  "A cuddly boy?  A pretty girl?"  Still your heart was bleeding, remembering how I was made.  I wasn't made with love, yet I was made by Love.  He is the Creator of all things and lovingly He made me too!

It is unforgivable what he did to you that night.  Though extremely drunk, he was powerful - very strong.  He pushed you around as though just a thing.  You were beaten, bruised and cursed - and that is how I was made.  And though your womb was warm, yet your world was cold and cruel.

When you had me you smiled - you held me ever close.  You fed and kept me warm, giving me all I could ever need.  Gradually I grew, helplessly watching you 'barely' live. 

For years he battered you;  you were a punching bag.  Your body was cruelly scarred, still your soul remained just pure.   You toiled and toiled in vain, hoping one day things would change.  You woke each day to chores - no protest - no dissent.  I could feel your brokenness;  I could almost taste your tears. How I longed to protect you and how I wished to fight your fears.  Yet I was just a boy - deeply grieved by Mama's plight.

Today I salute you, Mama - you are a steadfast rock.  I call you Imbokodo, for I revere you so.  Your heart was ever tender;  your bosom soft and warm -  until your final breath, wary of this cold, harsh world.  So long my dear Mama, until we meet again!

© Yvonne Mahlape Maserumule, 2015
(All rights reserved)
This tribute is fictional, but depicts the harsh reality of women abuse worldwide.  As we celebrate Women's Month every August here in South Africa, I dedicate this tribute to all the women who suffer abuse of this kind, in certain instances even leading to death.

PURPOSE

To me purpose entails the use of my talents and natural abilities for my good and for the good of those around me. I simply define purpose as: A REASON TO LIVE; A REASON TO BE; A REASON TO SUCCEED!

I find it hard to mention the word PURPOSE without thinking about what, to me, is its main ingredient: PASSION. Passion is generally understood to imply very strong feelings or excitement for something, according to most dictionary definitions.

For us to find our purpose, we need to be fearless and determined in the pursuit of our personal goals. Draw inspiration from like-minded individuals who have worked hard to perfect their craft. Never hesitate to share your vision and to express your hunger for success. It’s also important not to focus much on the fear of failure. Always remember that failure is part of everyone’s journey towards success!

It is very sad seeing so many people living aimlessly with no goals, no plans and absolutely no intention to strive to be the best they can ever be in this game called life. Finding one’s purpose involves making strides to be a winner NO MATTER WHAT THE COST! I believe that we were all created for greatness. It doesn’t matter what your individual background is, the colour of your skin, your educational background, your measure of wealth or lack of it, if you dig deep inside and make time to introspect, you will certainly find meaning and the purpose for which you were created.

According to Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs, as published in various Psychology books, human beings have to fulfil a series of needs before being able to achieve a level of self-actualisation which enables us all to think big, dream big and DO BIG!

In the words of a dear friend of mine, my mentor, my sister Jeannie Faulkner Barber who is also the author of the best-selling Taste of Fire, the purpose of life walks hand in hand with God’s plan for each of us. Contentment can only be found in commitment. Strength, knowledge, serenity, and fulfilment can be attained by turning everything over to the Almighty. If we put aside all thoughts of envy, racism, covetousness, greed and indecision, He graciously opens our eyes to much greater things never conceivable through our own humble abilities.

I look up to a lot of individuals who, regardless of their struggles, refuse to give up on their quest for self-discovery and the realisation of their unique talents. Our talents and spiritual gifts are instrumental in shaping our destiny and in discovering the purpose for which we were individually created.

I encourage all of us to make time to introspect and think about whether we are just surviving, or whether we are really making strides to progress steadily regardless of obstacles. Work hard, seek counsel, believe in yourself and never settle for less. Always remember, you are not ordinary – you are extraordinary! You are fearfully and wonderfully made, created for great exploits. Now, go in peace and conquer your world!

© Yvonne Mahlape Maserumule, 2014
(All rights reserved)

LESSONS LEARNED IN THE FIRE

When I was a young girl, barely six, a burning candle at night was my friend. Back then we had no access to electricity and though very young, I loved reading by candlelight. I could hardly make out the words in the magazines I collected, but the pictures helped to make sense of the text. My two older sisters with whom I shared a tiny bedroom had warned me numerous times of the dangers of reading unsupervised, but I was too stubborn to care.

One Tuesday night I had my very first bad encounter with fire. A burning candle fell on me and I was fascinated as I watched the flames lick my shirt. Little did I know what pain I was about to endure as the flames dug deeper into my flesh. I screamed, waking my sisters, and watched in horror as they ignorantly fanned the flames, making them worse. Then a bucket of cold water splashed all over me, bringing temporary cold relief.

To date, I still wear the scars on my arm – a reminder of those sweet, innocent years when I learned the hard way that though my friend, fire could also be an enemy.

I have since learned a few more lessons as I grew up. Papa usually took me with him when he went to make hot bathing water for the whole family in a big, three-legged pot outside. He did his best to rid me of my fear of fire by letting me fan the flames. Some of the lessons I learned from our interaction with fire are as follows:

A piece of wood which burns on its own will soon die out. Wood burns more effectively if it’s collectively organised and set to burn with other wood.

It is also true what they say: where there’s smoke, there’s ALWAYS fire. Papa always encouraged me to fan the wood which emitted the most smoke hardest, and ‘Eureka!’ they would eventually release beautiful flames.

Let’s strive to apply the lessons learned in the fire in our daily interactions. When handled correctly fire can be a friend, but if mishandled, it can cause a lot of irreparable damage.

Handle your relationships well, nurse them, treat them with kindness and care, and BRIGHTEN THE CORNER WHERE YOU ARE!

© Yvonne Mahlape Maserumule, 2014
(All rights reserved)

LIVE IN THE MOMENT - ENJOY YOUR NIGHT!

You've long given up on sleep, anxiously waiting for the break of dawn.  Your night is unusually long, and the silence of your room is harsh and cold.  The familiar comforting laughter of children has long died out and all you can hear is the occasional bark of the neighbour's dog.  You reach for the remote control and switch on the small television set as you lay curled up in the heavy blanket, the cool winter air biting your cheeks.  For a while you browse through different channels, then annoyed you switch the television off;  nothing appealing there.

Frustrated, you get out of bed, put on your slippers, walk to the window and draw the curtain - just enough to look into the neighbour's garden.  As usual, his outside lights are on and to your surprise there he is, walking aimlessly in his long, white robe, stopping now and then as if to take in the cool, winter air.  You smile to yourself as you realise that you're not alone;  your neighbour is having a sleepless night, also wondering how long it will take before morning breaks.  

The next time you feel overwhelmed by the darkness, put on your warm robe, make yourself a warm glass of milk, get out and enjoy the cool breeze.  Always remember that someone else is going through it too.  Somewhere up there, there's a morning star and the less you worry about it, the sooner dawn will break.  Live in the moment, enjoy your night and thank God for the precious gift of life.  Always remember, only He is your Light in the darkest night;  a faithful Friend when friends are gone!

© Yvonne Mahlape Maserumule, 2015
(All rights reserved)