This is the tree I always sit under while waiting at the car wash. What you see is the same tree in different seasons.
Lets call it Nomthunzi.
Nomthunzi has an incredible personality. She is boisterous, she boasts beautiful green leaves, provides luscious shade; she is confident and totally self-assured. She is a QUEEN. So I always make sure to rush for a seat right under her for an in-distracted view of her royal sways and dancing to the breeze.
Today as I sat down, eagerly awaiting her nuance, I realized she was silent, almost sad. Under normal circumstances Nomthunzi would start breezing and wheezing the instant she has an audience.
She was just there. Faithfully there, but without life.
And so I looked up as I always do. And then it hit me – Nomthunzi is going through her winter season! She is dried up, stripped of her covering; Nomthunzi is holding on to her last strength just so she can make it through winter.
What I loved about Nomthunzi is her tenacity and choosing to stand, IN SPITE of her circumstances. If she was me, she would’ve fallen, been cut up and used for fire. She would’ve yielded to a diversion of destiny, but not my Nomthunzi. She is still standing!
You see sometimes we judge people completely insensitive to what they may be going through. Just because she was green, lively and full of fruit in her summer season, we hold them to the same standard even in their winter season. Even when we realize they are going through a season, we would rather abandon them than be subjected to their barrenness.
Human Beings.
How I pray that we would learn a thing or two from Nomthunzi’s short bio. She is still standing in spite of her condition. She knows her beauty is within and in the summer all will be well. She is steadfastly holding on to her purpose and destiny. Whether we choose to judge her or love her, she remains true to herself.
Her name is Nomthunzi.
We all know someone like her. Deliberately love him/her.
From today let love win
Oh wow!! I am deeply touched and convicted.
I am touched by Nomthunzi’s patience and knowledge (or understanding) of seasons. Nomthunzi knows that this winter season will pass and regain her beauty once more.
I am deeply convicted because I am neither patient with me nor with others when they are going through their winter seasons.
I am so appreciative of Nomthunzi’s story.
I pray that I do not forget the lesson I learnt from Nomthunzi today. I pray that I may be gentle, compassionate, loving and patient to all those experiencing their winter seasons (including self). I also pray that I may be able to encourage those who want to give up during their winter seasons. I pray that I may let love win.
Amen Sis. This is why we write when we can. Bless you girl 🙂
Your feature photo reminds me so much of a light festival we have in Sydney every year called Vivid! The Customs House building gets lit up with a colourful motion picture as part of the show! Cherri Giorgio Carmelle
Follow your dream and it will turn to reality. A very inspiring article. Thanks for sharing! Melony Thedric Verdi