Gebed vir vriende

Vader, vandag bid ek vir my vriendeskaar
dat U elkeen van hulle veilig sal bewaar,
dat U U hand gebak oor hulle almal hou
en hulle leer om U in alles te vertrou.
Ek bid vir hul elkeen se daaglikse brood,
bewaar hulle ook veilig in U Vaderskoot,
en hou hulle vyande ver van hulle weg,
en leer hulle die onderskeid tussen goed en sleg.

Vader, hierdie is die mense van my hart
en party van hulle swoeg vandag met smart,
dus vra ek ook dat U hulle sal vertroos,
want ons emosies is maar teer en broos.
Bowenal vra ek dat U U Gees vir hul sal gee
om saam met hul te gaan op elke lewenstree.
Gee hulle hulp en leiding en staan hul by
sodat hul insig in U plan vir hulle lewens kry.

An original poem by Miekie (Marietjie Uys).

Marietjie Uys (Miekie) is a published author. You can buy my books here:
You can purchase Designs By Miekie 1 here.
Jy kan Kom Ons Teken en Verf Tuinstories hier koop.
Jy kan Kom Ons Kleur Tuinstories In hier koop.
Jy kan Tuinstories hier koop.
You can follow Miekie's daily Bible Study blog, Bybel Legkaart, here in English & Afrikaans.
You may prefer to follow the traveling blog, A Pretty Tourist.
For more crafty ideas and great product reviews, visit A Pretty Talent on Facebook.
If you are in a literary mood, follow Miekie's musings, stories and poetry on A Pretty Author - Miekie.
Remember to keep nurturing your TALENT for making life PRETTY.
You can subscribe to any of these blogs and receive regular updates by email. Simply register your email address at the top of the applicable blog.

Gethsemane

Jesus, I contemplated what You said
when You claimed that it was done.
Did You know all that was still ahead,
and simply chose to be the obedient Son?
Then on the cross You repeated Your claim
just before You took Your final breath,
and You carried off all of our blame
before You conquered hell and death.

Only when You arose did we understand
what all it was that You had achieved,
when we looked upon Your nail-pierced hand
and considered the pardon that we’d received.
“It is done,” You said in complete obedience
and proved Your love for God and man.
May I follow Your example with expedience
and submit my own life to God’s grand plan.

An original poem by Miekie (Marietjie Uys).

Marietjie Uys (Miekie) is a published author. You can buy my books here:
You can purchase Designs By Miekie 1 here.
Jy kan Kom Ons Teken en Verf Tuinstories hier koop.
Jy kan Kom Ons Kleur Tuinstories In hier koop.
Jy kan Tuinstories hier koop.
You can follow Miekie's daily Bible Study blog, Bybel Legkaart, here in English & Afrikaans.
You may prefer to follow the traveling blog, A Pretty Tourist.
For more crafty ideas and great product reviews, visit A Pretty Talent on Facebook.
If you are in a literary mood, follow Miekie's musings, stories and poetry on A Pretty Author - Miekie.
Remember to keep nurturing your TALENT for making life PRETTY.
You can subscribe to any of these blogs and receive regular updates by email. Simply register your email address at the top of the applicable blog.

Vertrou God

Wees stil en weet God is in beheer,
sit terug en gee Hom nou reeds die eer.
Hy sal jou voet nie laat struikel nie;
jou bewaarder sluimer en slaap nie.
Waarom is jy dan steeds onrustig,
waarom laat jy jou steeds so ontstig?
God het nog nooit enigeen gefaal,
Hy sal ook hierdie keer die paal haal.
Jubel dan in jou beproewingstyd,
want God is saam met jou in hierdie stryd.
Sing lofsange en bring Hom die eer,
moenie dat die hierdie jou siel verteer.
Die muur in jou pad wat so sterk lyk,
vee God vinnig met die grond gelyk.

'n Oorspronklike gedig deur Miekie (Marietjie Uys).
Marietjie Uys (Miekie) is a published author. You can buy my books here:
You can purchase Designs By Miekie 1 here.
Jy kan Kom Ons Teken en Verf Tuinstories hier koop.
Jy kan Kom Ons Kleur Tuinstories In hier koop.
Jy kan Tuinstories hier koop.
You can follow Miekie's daily Bible Study blog, Bybel Legkaart, here in English & Afrikaans.
You may prefer to follow the traveling blog, A Pretty Tourist.
For more crafty ideas and great product reviews, visit A Pretty Talent on Facebook.
If you are in a literary mood, follow Miekie's musings, stories and poetry on A Pretty Author - Miekie.
Remember to keep nurturing your TALENT for making life PRETTY.
You can subscribe to any of these blogs and receive regular updates by email. Simply register your email address at the top of the applicable blog.

Repentance

Father I seem to fail every test
that You’ve lately laid before me
when all I want is to do my best
but I constantly seem to fail Thee

I wish I could have done much better
for You deserve much more than this
Let me apologize to You in this letter
and try to set right what’s gone amiss

Father, You have not failed me ever
I know I only have myself to blame
and I wish that I could simply sever
with all the things that put me to shame

Once again I will seek Your pardon
for the choices I have wrongly made
much like Adam and Eve in the garden
let me not feast on that which You forbade

An original poem by Miekie (Marietjie Uys).

Marietjie Uys (Miekie) is a published author. You can buy my books here:
You can purchase Designs By Miekie 1 here.
Jy kan Kom Ons Teken en Verf Tuinstories hier koop.
Jy kan Kom Ons Kleur Tuinstories In hier koop.
Jy kan Tuinstories hier koop.
You can follow Miekie's daily Bible Study blog, Bybel Legkaart, here in English & Afrikaans.
You may prefer to follow the traveling blog, A Pretty Tourist.
For more crafty ideas and great product reviews, visit A Pretty Talent on Facebook.
If you are in a literary mood, follow Miekie's musings, stories and poetry on A Pretty Author - Miekie.
Remember to keep nurturing your TALENT for making life PRETTY.
You can subscribe to any of these blogs and receive regular updates by email. Simply register your email address at the top of the applicable blog.

A Prayerful Life

In the night my heart will sing
about the goodness that You bring
about the grace with which I’m blessed
before I lay me down to rest.

When in the morning I awake
I take stock of what’s at stake
of what this day could hold for me
of all the things that I might see.

Then I bow my head before You
to find what You would have me do
how You would like for me to act
to those with whom I will transact.

At noon, when I take time to eat,
I again make sure to ask Your lead
for all that was and will still be,
I give You my day to oversee.

An original poem by Miekie (Marietjie Uys).

Marietjie Uys (Miekie) is a published author. You can buy my books here:
You can purchase Designs By Miekie 1 here.
Jy kan Kom Ons Teken en Verf Tuinstories hier koop.
Jy kan Kom Ons Kleur Tuinstories In hier koop.
Jy kan Tuinstories hier koop.
You can follow Miekie's daily Bible Study blog, Bybel Legkaart, here in English & Afrikaans.
You may prefer to follow the traveling blog, A Pretty Tourist.
For more crafty ideas and great product reviews, visit A Pretty Talent on Facebook.
If you are in a literary mood, follow Miekie's musings, stories and poetry on A Pretty Author - Miekie.
Remember to keep nurturing your TALENT for making life PRETTY.
You can subscribe to any of these blogs and receive regular updates by email. Simply register your email address at the top of the applicable blog.

Goedheid en guns

Goedheid en guns uit my Vader se hand,
maar hoe bring ek dit met geweld in verband,
en hoe verstaan ek finansiële swaarkry
en elke Christen wat onder siektes moet ly?

Is my God se hand dan skielik te kort
om al hierdie dinge vir ons uit te sort,
of is Hy skielik apaties en argeloos
al slaan die Satan sy kinders vuisvoos?

Of lê die skuld nie dalk aan eie wand?
Het ons nie verhouding vir leuens verpand,
sodat ons vaster in menslike retoriek glo
as in die Woord en die Gees wat ons kry van bo?

In wie se huis is dit wat jy elke dag bly
en met wie se kar is dit wat jy so lekker rondry?
Wuif jy die eienaars-kontrak nou rond
wat jou reg bewys op hierdie grond?

Weet jy jy sit die pot dan heel mis,
dat jy jou oor die feite hiervan misgis?
Jy besit niks hiervan uit verdienste nie
al redeneer jy ook so in jou egosentrie.

In 'n oomblik kan God dit van jou wegvee
as Hy jou, soos Job, aan die duiwel oorgee.
As jy dan staan sonder heenkome of skans,
sal jy die knie moet buig vir 'n tweede kans.

Dawid het iets van vernedering geweet.
Hy’t dit jonk al geleer, maar nooit nie vergeet;
sy amp en paleis het hy by die Vader gekry,
en dit was sy God se huis waar hy al die tyd bly.

Dawid was 'n eregas in hierdie paleis,
maar tuis soos in sy eie Vader se huis.
Die Gasheer moes vir die maaltye sorg
en die eregaste se veiligheid waarborg.

Te midde van hulle wat hom teenstaan,
het Dawid God se Herder-sorg verstaan,
Hy’t geweet dat al sou teëspoed om hom woed,
bly die guns van sy Vader altyd vir hom goed.

'n Oorspronklike gedig deur Miekie (Marietjie Uys).

Marietjie Uys (Miekie) is a published author. You can buy my books here:

You can purchase Designs By Miekie 1 here.
Jy kan Kom Ons Teken en Verf Tuinstories hier koop.
Jy kan Kom Ons Kleur Tuinstories In hier koop.
Jy kan Tuinstories hier koop.
You can follow Miekie's daily Bible Study blog, Bybel Legkaart, here in English & Afrikaans.
You may prefer to follow the traveling blog, A Pretty Tourist.
For more crafty ideas and great product reviews, visit A Pretty Talent on Facebook.
If you are in a literary mood, follow Miekie's musings, stories and poetry on A Pretty Author - Miekie.
Remember to keep nurturing your TALENT for making life PRETTY.
You can subscribe to any of these blogs and receive regular updates by email. Simply register your email address at the top of the applicable blog.

End of the line

Father, is there an end to all this sorrow?
Dare I still hold hope out for tomorrow?
Is there a chance that you will hear me
and restore me to where I should be?
I have been holding on tenaciously
in expectant faith that You would see
that I’ve refused to waver or submit
to the pressure under which I sit.
Still I wait, but my strength’s replete
and soon I shall have to admit defeat,
but once more I will turn to You
to find if there’s more that I can do.
All that time ago, did I hear You wrong
so that this is not the place that I belong?
I do not have the answers for this plight,
and I have grown weary of the fight.
I pray that You would bring me peace
so that the turmoil in me could cease.

But dare I ask You for even more?
Dare I ask that You would restore
me to my rightful position and place,
for people think I’ve lost Your grace.
They do not realize how much we speak,
think my circumstances made me weak.
Yet if they know how my faith has grown,
when hardships and setbacks became my own,
they would not have hefted themselves up
to mock and ridicule my life’s drained cup.
I do not say they’d have wanted the same,
for this is a cup none would willingly claim,
but Father, I too have had my fill
and wonder if this could still be Your will.
None could have waited more patiently,
for the blessings You promised abundantly,
yet, I will not charge You with being late,
and if it’s not time yet, then I will wait.

An original poem by Miekie (Marietjie Uys).

Marietjie Uys (Miekie) is a published author. You can buy my books here:

You can purchase Designs By Miekie 1 here.
Jy kan Kom Ons Teken en Verf Tuinstories hier koop.
Jy kan Kom Ons Kleur Tuinstories In hier koop.
Jy kan Tuinstories hier koop.
You can follow Miekie's daily Bible Study blog, Bybel Legkaart, here in English & Afrikaans.
You may prefer to follow the traveling blog, A Pretty Tourist.
For more crafty ideas and great product reviews, visit A Pretty Talent on Facebook.
If you are in a literary mood, follow Miekie's musings, stories and poetry on A Pretty Author - Miekie.
Remember to keep nurturing your TALENT for making life PRETTY.
You can subscribe to any of these blogs and receive regular updates by email. Simply register your email address at the top of the applicable blog.

Defending the territory

We cling so tight to territory,
quite forgetting that the story
began with a vision from our Lord
and does not require knife and sword
to keep it in our sphere of influence,
but merely peaceful acceptance.
If God has given us this space
where giants are up in our face,
then we best be on our knees
when we hear them taunt and tease.
While focused on our lowered state,
they may not know we simply wait
for God’s insightful strategy
with which He aims to set us free.
The territory has never been our own,
we have it from our God on loan,
so, if it is His interests we protect,
we should not focus on the object,
but rather on the Owner’s will
to find if we are in it still.
Then we should sit back at our ease
to see how He brings about release.

An original poem by Miekie (Marietjie Uys).

Marietjie Uys (Miekie) is a published author. You can buy my books here:
You can purchase Designs By Miekie 1 here.
Jy kan Kom Ons Teken en Verf Tuinstories hier koop.
Jy kan Kom Ons Kleur Tuinstories In hier koop.
Jy kan Tuinstories hier koop.
You can follow Miekie's daily Bible Study blog, Bybel Legkaart, here in English & Afrikaans.
You may prefer to follow the traveling blog, A Pretty Tourist.
For more crafty ideas and great product reviews, visit A Pretty Talent on Facebook.
If you are in a literary mood, follow Miekie's musings, stories and poetry on A Pretty Author - Miekie.
Remember to keep nurturing your TALENT for making life PRETTY.
You can subscribe to any of these blogs and receive regular updates by email. Simply register your email address at the top of the applicable blog.

Relationship restoration

With Adam and Eve as company
You made it really easy to see
that love and peace are found in You
and You wanted mankind to enjoy it too.

The conversations must have been bliss
as you walked and talked about that and this
and all the things that were still to be,
sharing imaginative thoughts creatively.

What did it take to tear this unity asunder?
Was it a catastrophe from deep down under
the crust of the earth so carefully arranged,
or did it fall from the sky, unseen and strange?

It was not a thing with a tangible touch.
Alas! it did not even require that much.
It was mere words that pulled them apart,
a frail suggestion, that broke God’s heart.

Would this chasm between God and man
forever stand in the way of God’s plan,
or could the divide be bridged again,
by One who did not carry sin’s stain?

No earthly man could succeed to restore
man to God, as things had been before,
until the Son decided to give His own life
and to end to the eternal enmity and strife.

When Jesus died, He captured captivity,
and when He arose, man had been set free,
his body and spirit had been restored,
with a price too steep for man to afford.

Then God again came down to the earth
to walk with mankind, as at its birth.
This time God chose to remain inside
the man in whom He took such pride.

Yet, man would choose to reject Him still,
striving to please his own whim and will,
yet, there are still a scattered remnant
whose faith is founded in strong cement.

God again walks and talks with man
just as in His original creation plan
Man gets to choose to say yes or no
and it determines if God will stay, or go.

An original poem by Miekie (Marietjie Uys).

Marietjie Uys (Miekie) is a published author. You can buy my books here:
You can purchase Designs By Miekie 1 here.
Jy kan Kom Ons Teken en Verf Tuinstories hier koop.
Jy kan Kom Ons Kleur Tuinstories In hier koop.
Jy kan Tuinstories hier koop.
You can follow Miekie's daily Bible Study blog, Bybel Legkaart, here in English & Afrikaans.
You may prefer to follow the traveling blog, A Pretty Tourist.
For more crafty ideas and great product reviews, visit A Pretty Talent on Facebook.
If you are in a literary mood, follow Miekie's musings, stories and poetry on A Pretty Author - Miekie.
Remember to keep nurturing your TALENT for making life PRETTY.
You can subscribe to any of these blogs and receive regular updates by email. Simply register your email address at the top of the applicable blog.

Awakened senses

The tiny particles of sound
carries His voice to my ear,
assures me He is to be found
by all who wishes to come near.

The tiniest spark of brilliant light
proves Him present in the dark,
turns my blindness into sight
just as with the miracles of Mark.

I smell the sweetness of the night,
sweet aromas, awakening my senses,
and all that had me scared with fright
crumbles before His eternal defences.

I open my mouth wide and eager
to partake of your honeyed Word -
the world’s wisdom seem meagre
against the sharp edge of your Sword.

Then a soft breeze tousles with my hair
soothing my skin as it runs across
carrying Your gentleness upon the air
affirming You are gain, and all else loss.

An original poem by Miekie (Marietjie Uys).

Marietjie Uys (Miekie) is a published author. You can buy my books here:
You can purchase Designs By Miekie 1 here.
Jy kan Kom Ons Teken en Verf Tuinstories hier koop.
Jy kan Kom Ons Kleur Tuinstories In hier koop.
Jy kan Tuinstories hier koop.
You can follow Miekie's daily Bible Study blog, Bybel Legkaart, here in English & Afrikaans.
You may prefer to follow the traveling blog, A Pretty Tourist.
For more crafty ideas and great product reviews, visit A Pretty Talent on Facebook.
If you are in a literary mood, follow Miekie's musings, stories and poetry on A Pretty Author - Miekie.
Remember to keep nurturing your TALENT for making life PRETTY.
You can subscribe to any of these blogs and receive regular updates by email. Simply register your email address at the top of the applicable blog.

The trophy wife

I woke up this morning in deep contemplation about the choices we make in life. Each of us have a set of standards by which we live and those standards largely determine what we get out of life. Some of us put a lot of thought into tailoring those standards with morals, ethics, religion, values, etc. Others seem to make it up as they go along, allowing the emotion of the moment to dictate terms. Anyway, one of those choices I made, concerned shaping myself into someone's life partner.
It is all fine and well to set up a list of attributes that you would like your future life partner to tick, but I wonder how many of us set such a list for ourselves. I have, and I have determined to ensure that I would become the best me I could possibly be. Living a Christ-centered life, this inevitably meant that I would bring every idea, inspiration and thought to God in prayer, before implementing it in my life. Finally, the person I wanted to be, had to measure up to His standards first and foremost. There are a couple of passages from the Bible that I took as guidelines in this quest and I'll share a few with you:

Ephesians 5:1-2 "Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God." (NLT)

Romans 12:1-2 "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." (NKJV)

A direct result of this God-centered value system, was that I realized real early on that I never wanted to be a trophy wife. Having studied fashion design, I was introduced to the false sense of security that people gain from outward beauty. These things are fleeting and fake, no matter how hard you try to cling on to them, or how much faith you put in them. No, instead of wanting to be a trophy wife, I would much rather be a treasured wife. When I look into my husband's eyes, it is not lust I want to see, but love.
Why am I writing this today? I meet so many women who are spending small fortunes on their appearances in order to win the affections of a man. I am not condemning the art of taking care of yourself physically. All I am saying, is that you should not neglect taking care of the inside as well. Actually, I want to encourage you to take better care of the inside. These are the things that will last. Now, instead of drawing up a checklist for your future partner, I want to encourage you to draw up a checklist for yourself. Stop worrying about recognizing Mr. Right, and start focusing on becoming Mrs. Right.
Just for fun, I will share a satirical poem I wrote about this topic with you. It is written from the man's perspective and is titled, quite aptly, The Trophy Wife.

I’ve gathered trophies throughout my life
and in return, they’ve gathered dust.
When I matured I looked for a trophy wife,
for I was mistakenly thinking love was lust.

My quest introduced me to many women
who pranced and paraded bottled beauty,
yet they all reminded me of a bad omen
more interested in quantity than quality.

Finally I found one that stood out from the rest
not because of how she looked or what she wore,
but because her character made her seem the best,
as if it reached deep down inside to her core.

But when at last, I knew I wanted the treasure
and not the trophy as a steady life companion,
I found I did not seem to meet her measure
as she was not interested in a stud stallion.

An original poem by Miekie (Marietjie Uys).

Marietjie Uys (Miekie) is a published author. You can buy my books here:
You can purchase Designs By Miekie 1 here.
Jy kan Kom Ons Teken en Verf Tuinstories hier koop.
Jy kan Kom Ons Kleur Tuinstories In hier koop.
Jy kan Tuinstories hier koop.
You can follow Miekie's daily Bible Study blog, Bybel Legkaart, here in English & Afrikaans.
You may prefer to follow the traveling blog, A Pretty Tourist.
For more crafty ideas and great product reviews, visit A Pretty Talent on Facebook.
If you are in a literary mood, follow Miekie's musings, stories and poetry on A Pretty Author - Miekie.
Remember to keep nurturing your TALENT for making life PRETTY.
You can subscribe to any of these blogs and receive regular updates by email. Simply register your email address at the top of the applicable blog.

Fruit of the Spirit

Does your talk and walk coincide
with a place where God’s Spirit abides,
or does it stink with rotten flavour
which God could not condone or savour?

Does what you do and say agree
with the fruit from God’s own tree,
or is it infected by plague and rust
so that you have lost man’s trust?

The unity of what we say and do
should give everyone we meet a clue
that God’s own Spirit dwells within
so that what is invisible, can be seen.

An original poem by Miekie (Marietjie Uys).

Marietjie Uys (Miekie) is a published author. You can buy my books here:

You can purchase Designs By Miekie 1 here.
Jy kan Kom Ons Teken en Verf Tuinstories hier koop.
Jy kan Kom Ons Kleur Tuinstories In hier koop.
Jy kan Tuinstories hier koop.
You can follow Miekie's daily Bible Study blog, Bybel Legkaart, here in English & Afrikaans.
You may prefer to follow the traveling blog, A Pretty Tourist.
For more crafty ideas and great product reviews, visit A Pretty Talent on Facebook.
If you are in a literary mood, follow Miekie's musings, stories and poetry on A Pretty Author - Miekie.
Remember to keep nurturing your TALENT for making life PRETTY.
You can subscribe to any of these blogs and receive regular updates by email. Simply register your email address at the top of the applicable blog.

Net goedheid en guns?

Ek sit vandag met 'n vreeslike diep hartseer in my binneste. Dis een wat maak dat ek my kop in my kussing druk, terwyl rou snikke deur my liggaam ruk. Ek weet baie van julle was ook al op so 'n plek en weet waarvan ek praat. Dis 'n seer plek om te wees. Dis nie 'n plek waar mens ooit kies om te wees nie, en as jy geweet het die pad waarop jy loop, lei daarheen, het jy dit vermy. Maar hierdie bestemmings tref ons onverwags aan en, as ons eers daar is, is dit nie so maklik om weer daar weg te kom nie. Ons kan nie vermy om te voel nie, en ons sal maar die stel ervarings moet optel en hulle moet hanteer voor ons die vaardighede ontwikkel om aan te beweeg. En soms moet ons onsself maar loshuil uit die ding uit, want al daai huil het uiteindelik die vermoë om ons los te spoel uit die ding wat ons so verstrik in sy seerkry.
In alle geval, terwyl ek nou daar in die kussing lê en huil, sit ek my musiek harder aan as gewoonlik, want dan hoef ek nie na buitestaander-wysheid te luister oor hoe ek moet voel, of wat ek moet doen, of hoe ek oor dinge behoort te redeneer nie. My iPod is op 'n versameling (playlist) 'gospel' musiek aan wat hy sommer so 'random' kies en dan speel. Skielik kom Keith Green se weergawe van Psalm 23 op en dis asof dit in die gees met 'n 'highlighter' uitgelig word vir my. Ek vertaal sommer na Afrikaans en haal uit die lied aan: Slegs goedheid en guns sal my volg. Goedheid en guns is nie dit wat ek vandag ervaar nie! 'n Mens kan bitter wees as jy oor die goed dink terwyl jy daar in jou seer lê en snik. Jy kan. Maar dan vergeet jy dat hierdie woorde in 'n breër konteks staan. As jy na die openingswoorde van hierdie Psalm gaan in die Bybel, dan sal jy sien dat daar staan dat dit een van Dawid se Psalms is. Hy het hierdie woorde geskryf. Hierdie is Dawid se getuienis oor sy eie lewe. En dan moet ek stop en myself afvra hoe Dawid se lewe lyk.
As kind is hy die jongste in die huis en hy word as skaapwagter aangestel. Daar moet hy wilde diere, 'n beer en 'n leeu, trotseer om die skape te beskerm. Wie van ons sou nie vir onsself jammer gevoel het as ons alleen in die veld gelaat was en hierdie dinge op ons eie moes hanteer nie? Dan word hy later tot koning oor Israel gesalf, maar hy kry geen erkenning van mense vir sy aanstelling nie. Inteendeel, hy is maar slegs 'n musikant en soldaat in die koning se paleis. Die koning maak beloftes aan hom om hom te vergoed vir sy heldedade en dan gaan hy op sy woord terug. Uiteindelik moet Dawid vir sy lewe vlug voor die koning en in grotte en spelonke wegkruip. Net goedheid en guns? Klink nie vir my so nie!
Maar dis nog nie die ergste nie. Een van sy seuns verkrag sy eie halfsuster. Dan kom haar broer en maak sy halfbroer dood. Die uiteinde van hierdie saak, is dat die moordenaar-seun, Absalom, uiteindelik 'n staatsgreep uitvoer op sy pa se regering en Dawid moet voor sy eie seun uitvlug vir sy eie lewe. Dan, om alles te kroon, verkrag hierdie seun sy pa se byvrouens op die paleis se dak, as openbare vernedering vir sy pa. Kan dit erger word? Is dit soos goedheid en guns lyk? Teen hierdie tyd het my eie trane opgedroog, want teen Dawid se swaarkry en seer lyk myne skielik na kinderspeletjies.
Maar miskien het Dawid net nie diep gevoelens gehad nie. Miskien was hy een van daai mense wat so ligvoets oor emosionele goed kon hardloop en klaarblyklik nie geaffekteer word daardeur nie. Maar dan kom ek voor een van die aangrypendste verse in die Bybel te staan en ek weet dit is ook nie die waarheid nie, want die emosie is rou en diep en onontkenbaar wanneer Dawid die nuus ontvang dat Absolom, sy seun wat hom wou doodmaak, self dood is:

Die koning het sy gesig toegehou en hardop uitgeroep: "My seun Absalom; Absalom, my seun, my seun!" (2 Samuel 19:4).

Kan hierdie dan dieselfde man wees wat skryf dat slegs goedheid en guns hom al die dae van sy lewe sal volg? Reeds op jong ouderdom was dit tog al duidelik dat dit nie die waarheid is nie! Hoe kan mens dit dan verstaan?
Miskien lê die sleutel in die eerste vers. Dawid was self 'n skaapwagter, of herder. Hy het geweet wat dit behels. Hy het eerstehandse kennis en ervaring gehad. Hierdie ervare herder sê "Die Here is my herder." Hy het verstaan dat dit nie beteken dat bere en leeus nie jou lewe sal bedreig nie. Maar hy het ook verstaan dat wanneer daardie bedreiging kom, dan is daar 'n Herder wat die gevaar van jou lyf sal weghou. Hierdie Herder sal wonde verbind, en jou uitbring by plekke waar daar volop en goeie kos is. Hy bring jou by 'n plek waar jy in vrede jou kop kan laat sak en drink sonder om 'n oog op die horison te hou vir moontlike aanvallers. Wanneer jy aan die einde van jou krag kom, vind Hy 'n manier om vir jou nuwe krag te gee. Maar let wel, jy kan die einde van jou krag bereik. Jy word na vrede gelei. Die implikasie van die leeu en die beer is altyd daar. Hierdie Herder lei jou op die regte paaie, selfs al lei daai paaie deur gevaarlike plekke (donker dieptes). Die vertroue is altyd dat God sal red en hom, en vir jou en my, veilig sal hou.
Nou let op: Dawid spog daaroor dat hy by 'n feesmaal sal aansit wat vir hom voorberei is deur die goeie Herder. Wonderlik. Terug by goedheid en guns, dan. Tog gee die tweede helfte van hierdie vers vir ons meer insig as dit praat van sy teëstanders. Dawid het sy vertroue in God gestel te midde van teenstand. Die teëstanders was daar, naby genoeg om hom dop te hou terwyl hy eet, in sy midde. Maar so ook was God! Daarom kan Dawid sê dat goedheid en guns hom sal volg AL die dae van sy lewe, selfs op die donkerstes wanneer hy uit sy hart uit huil oor sy dooie kinders.
Maar moenie die kruks van die saak mislees daar heel aan die einde van die Psalm nie. Daar staan "ek sal tuis wees in die huis van die Here tot in lengte van dae." Die tempel is eers deur Dawid se opvolger gebou. Waarvan praat Dawid dus hier? Dawid verwys na sy eie huis. Hy het sy huis, sy koninkryk en sy lewe in God se Herdershande geplaas. Dis God se eiendom. God is nie tuis in Dawid se huis nie. Dawid is tuis in God se huis. Dawid is 'n gas, nee 'n eregas, in God se huis. As jy die gas is, is dit nie jou taak om te voorsien nie. Dis nie jou taak om reg te staan nie. Dis nie jou taak om die kos voor te berei nie. Dis nie jou taak om die huis te beveilig en te sorg dat al die deure gesluit is nie. Jy sit aan en God sal sorg. Net goedheid en guns sal jou volg as jy al die dae van jou lewe in die huis van die Here bly!

Marietjie Uys (Miekie) is a published author. You can buy my books here:
You can purchase Designs By Miekie 1 here.
Jy kan Kom Ons Teken en Verf Tuinstories hier koop.
Jy kan Kom Ons Kleur Tuinstories In hier koop.
Jy kan Tuinstories hier koop.
You can follow Miekie's daily Bible Study blog, Bybel Legkaart, here in English & Afrikaans.
You may prefer to follow the traveling blog, A Pretty Tourist.
For more crafty ideas and great products, visit A Pretty Talent on Facebook.
Remember to keep nurturing your TALENT for making PRETTY things.
You can subscribe to any of these blogs to receive regular updates by email, by simply registering your email address at the top of the applicable blog.

Living waters

As I lift the bottled water to my lips
I remember Him Who promised more,
flowing abundantly, and not mere sips,
from His inexhaustible rich store.

Where could I find this source of life
for which my parched soul craves?
I find it not through toil and strife,
but freely from the One Who saves.

In prayer, I hold my lips up to Him
to fill with the living water of His Spirit
and He fills me up to the very brim
to make me the vessel He inhabits.

Rooted in the vine, watered from above,
may my life become a sacrifice of love.

An original poem by Miekie (Marietjie Uys)

Marietjie Uys (Miekie) is a published author. You can buy my books here:
You can purchase Designs By Miekie 1 here.
Jy kan Kom Ons Teken en Verf Tuinstories hier koop.
Jy kan Kom Ons Kleur Tuinstories In hier koop.
Jy kan Tuinstories hier koop.
You can follow Miekie's daily Bible Study blog, Bybel Legkaart, here in English & Afrikaans.
You may prefer to follow the traveling blog, A Pretty Tourist.
For more crafty ideas and great products, visit A Pretty Talent on Facebook.
Remember to keep nurturing your TALENT for making PRETTY things.
You can subscribe to any of these blogs to receive regular updates by email, by simply registering your email address at the top of the applicable blog.

Accounts are due

If the day’s hours had but one
I would spend it with Your Son
I would use my dying breath
to grab at Life when facing death.

But I have more than just an hour,
before at death’s door, I too shall cower,
and with endless opportunities
I waver to sort through my priorities.

A little more thrill is what I seek
finding the faithful life too bleak
wishing to add my own shaded hue
before the final account is due.

But, alas, the time had rushed me by
found me still at it, as it came time to die
The last hour never sounded the alarm
to warn of my soul’s immortal harm.

As I stand before the judgement seat,
it’s a long list of accusations I must beat
My accuser seems to have come prepared
and the truth of it has got me scared.

Yet, I seem to have a Lawyer present
and His prepared defence is descent,
yet it makes me cringe deep inside
when I hear the crux of His diatribe.

My innocence is eloquently proclaimed
when yet another accused is to be named
and into the docks steps One delivered
to have my guilt on Him transferred.

They point to the blood found on His hands
to show the price that justice demands
and then my guilt is clearly denounced
as His guilty verdict is announced.

More innocent blood has never been shed
than when the Son of God gave Himself instead
and as I stood to receive my innocent sentence
I knew that God had accepted my repentance.

When Jesus caught my eyes before that court,
I knew the measure of my God’s resort,
I knew His unhesitating love and sacrifice
and I understood why He had paid the price.

But if I could go back one single day
there is so much I would wish to say
I’d wish to warn you to make life count
to tell you where True Life is to be found.

Do not waste away your days
in frivolous and worldly ways,
but honour His life in your own
for it is but a temporary loan.

An original poem by Miekie (Marietjie Uys).

Marietjie Uys (Miekie) is a published author. You can buy my books here:
You can purchase Designs By Miekie 1 here.
Jy kan Kom Ons Teken en Verf Tuinstories hier koop.
Jy kan Kom Ons Kleur Tuinstories In hier koop.
Jy kan Tuinstories hier koop.
You can follow Miekie's daily Bible Study blog, Bybel Legkaart, here in English & Afrikaans.
You may prefer to follow the traveling blog, A Pretty Tourist.
For more crafty ideas and great products, visit A Pretty Talent on Facebook.
Remember to keep nurturing your TALENT for making PRETTY things.
You can subscribe to any of these blogs to receive regular updates by email, by simply registering your email address at the top of the applicable blog.

An exceptional God

I want to start this blog with a statement that I will expand on in the essay:

If you do not acknowledge that God is exceptional, you should not expect exceptional treatment from Him.

Recently the folks had been on holiday with someone they love and respect. During this time, there were lots of opportunities to sit and talk and share ideas, thoughts, philosophies, and so forth. One of these philosophies the person shared with them, was the popular ideology, held by many these days, that all gods are the same God and that we merely call (H)him by different names. Who of us have not yet been confronted by this humanist idea?
It is a beautiful idea that advocates in favour of peace and acceptance. It strives towards doing away with differences and focuses on unifying factors. As a philosophy it is a beautiful hypothesis. But that is all it is - a hypothesis. Closer inspection will find that it does not hold water. All gods are not the true living God.
The word living is key here. You see, God is alive. He exists. If God were only a figment of man's imagination, we could easily adapt our vocabulary to accept any amount of names by which to call Him. We could then ascribe attributes and characteristics to Him as our hearts desired. In short, we could create a god in our own image, as we preferred him to be, as fitted comfortably into our modern age and lifestyle. Better yet, we could shape and reshape him with the changing times. An adaptable god! What a novel idea.
If I had told you to go and select a choice peace of timber from the local supplier, or even to import it from the best source in the world, and to carve your own god from it, you would probably have balked at the idea. Yet, this is what we do daily, when we decide for ourselves who God is, what His likes and dislikes are, what He approves and disapproves of, and by which names He can be called. Only, we distance ourselves from that carved wooden image, by carving him only in our imaginations.
I repeat what I said earlier on. God exists. He is. You do not get to create God in your own image. He already has an image. He is a certain way. He reasons a certain way. He speaks a certain way. And He has a name by which He has identified Himself. I AM! That says it all, doesn't it?
Because God is, we do not get to decide Him of our own imaginations. He already IS.
So, let's get back to my opening statement. During the course of the vacation, my folks had many opportunities to testify about God's provision for their lives. You need to know my parents to understand that they probably did not even think of this as testifying. This is simply normal everyday conversation in our house. It has been this way since I can remember. For us, this is normal. This means that we tend to forget that it is not the norm for other people. This oversight became an accusation during this trip. They were told off for being considered 'exceptional' by God! The person was offended by the fact that God appeared to single them out for miracles and provisions. They were accused of being so-called 'big Christians' and for flaunting their special status in front of the less fortunate (at least as far as God's care is concerned).
When I learned of this, I was dumbstruck. Then I started to recall what I know about the folks. They have always searched for God on their knees (literally) before they went to bed, and when they got up in the morning. Growing up, we had worked our way through the Bible repeatedly as a family, during the nightly family Bible Studies. My dad had read through the Bible countless times in his own personal Bible Study, to search for the truth of who God is, and what His will is. My mom reads daily, but follows a less structured approach, although I suspect she must have read through it a number of times as well.
These are not people who decide for themselves Who God is. They do not randomly pick names by which to call Him. They know He has an actual identity, character and is a real Person. They realize that He is the Creator and that they are the creation. They strive towards obtaining and reflecting the image of God, rather than to shape God into an image that they are comfortable with.
Does God afford them exceptional treatment? Perhaps. Though I doubt that any of us has ever thought of it as such. To us, this is simply what it is like to live in a relationship with God. Let me define the nature of that relationship shortly. We subject ourselves to God, He gives direction, and we follow instructions willingly and obediently.
We acknowledge that God is exceptional, and as a result, upon reflection, it appears that He treats us exceptionally.

But why in the world would you expect Him to treat you exceptionally, if you refuse to acknowledge that He is exceptional?

God is forever the same, yesterday, today and into eternity. If things are not working out for you, you will have to change, for He won't. Submit yourself to God, acknowledge Him, and see the deliverance He brings about for you as well.
Perhaps I should re-word my opening statement to read somewhat differently, although in essence it remains the same:

Why should God single you out, if you do not single Him out from among a host of other gods?

Marietjie Uys (Miekie) is a published author. You can buy my books here:
You can purchase Designs By Miekie 1 here.
Jy kan Kom Ons Teken en Verf Tuinstories hier koop.
Jy kan Kom Ons Kleur Tuinstories In hier koop.
Jy kan Tuinstories hier koop.
You can follow Miekie's daily Bible Study blog, Bybel Legkaart, here in English & Afrikaans.
You may prefer to follow the traveling blog, A Pretty Tourist.
For more crafty ideas and great products, visit A Pretty Talent on Facebook.
Remember to keep nurturing your TALENT for making PRETTY things.
You can subscribe to any of these blogs to receive regular updates by email, by simply registering your email address at the top of the applicable blog.

Die Bybel

Is die Bybel net 'n boek
waarin jy jouself kan soek
of het jy God al raakgelees
in hierdie ryke woorde-fees?

Met verse skep ek self my God
en sommer ook 'n nuwe gebod
wat ek myself mee kan ophef
en naaste-kompetisie kan oortref.

Tog, as ek van naderby gaan kyk
na Wie God is en hoe Hy lyk,
vind ek dalk net dat eiewaan
nie voor sy Godheid sal bly staan.

Dan vind ek God in die geheel
van boeke wat my wou verveel
dog altyd in die breë boek pas,
met insig wat my nuut verras.

Ek Bybel my verstand dan oop,
word van eiewysheid bar gestroop,
sodat ek God waarlik hier kan vind
in die omslae wat Sy woorde bind.

Dan, van my eie-ek genees
sal ek moontlik ook kan wees
dit wat Hy my voor wou hê
en eggo my woorde, wat Hy sê.

'n Oorspronklike gedig deur Miekie (Marietjie Uys).

Marietjie Uys (Miekie) is a published author. You can buy my books here:
You can purchase Designs By Miekie 1 here.
Jy kan Kom Ons Teken en Verf Tuinstories hier koop.
Jy kan Kom Ons Kleur Tuinstories In hier koop.
Jy kan Tuinstories hier koop.
You can follow Miekie's daily Bible Study blog, Bybel Legkaart, here in English & Afrikaans.
You may prefer to follow the traveling blog, A Pretty Tourist.
For more crafty ideas and great products, visit A Pretty Talent on Facebook.
Remember to keep nurturing your TALENT for making PRETTY things.
You can subscribe to any of these blogs to receive regular updates by email, by simply registering your email address at the top of the applicable blog.

Your will be done

Father God, it’s me again
I have a few ideas
that has been running through my brain,
about my life and fears.
I wanted to run them past you first
before I put them into action.
I’m so excited, I could burst,
yet would not tolerate distraction.
About that which you would want for me.
I’d love to hear Your own opinion,
waiting for it with expectant ecstasy,
to hear if mine are with Yours in union.
I know the plans you have for me
are good, as I have read.
I trust Your will infallibly
and believe every word You said.
So Father, I submit my plans to You
to find out if You’d approve them,
but if You don’t, and this is true,
I simply will remove them.

An original poem by Miekie (Marietjie Uys).

Marietjie Uys (Miekie) is a published author. You can buy my books here:
You can purchase Designs By Miekie 1 here.
Jy kan Kom Ons Teken en Verf Tuinstories hier koop.
Jy kan Kom Ons Kleur Tuinstories In hier koop.
Jy kan Tuinstories hier koop.
You can follow Miekie's daily Bible Study blog, Bybel Legkaart, here in English & Afrikaans.
You may prefer to follow the traveling blog, A Pretty Tourist.
For more crafty ideas and great products, visit A Pretty Talent on Facebook.
Remember to keep nurturing your TALENT for making PRETTY things.
You can subscribe to any of these blogs to receive regular updates by email, by simply registering your email address at the top of the applicable blog.

The Pharisee's Fallacy

Allow me to recount the fallacy
of the self-important Pharisee
who thought he knew the scriptures better
than God Who authored every letter.
This leader of the synagogue
tried to get Jesus in the dock,
when the Son of man from God descended
with this accusation, the main thing that offended.
This learned man knew every prophecy,
yet could not find the man from Galilea
in the written words that clearly clarified
Who it was that he insistently denied.
He witnessed countless miracles unexplained,
yet still he arrogantly and loudly exclaimed
that he was the one who could unlock the secret
and that this righteous man came from the wicked.
Finally he condemned Him to a cross
thinking he’d proved who was the boss,
but little could this self-indulgent man see
that the wooden stake could symbolize victory.
Neither the cross, nor the tomb could fight
the One who fought for mankind’s plight
when He defiantly kicked death’s embrace
so man could live in God’s forgiving grace.
Still, he insisted on being God’s opposition
when he refused to acknowledge Jesus’ transition
when from death He triumphantly came back
to set things right and mend the crack
that stretched between man and his Creator
ever since he first made Satan his mentor.
I wish I could tell you that truth overcame,
but it did not, and he had himself to blame,
for there is no excuse for him who knows
not to repent when the Holy Ghost flows.
Yet, this is but one man’s sad tale
and it would be bad if I did not regale
how many others did come and believed
and, resultantly, are no longer deceived.
I should also say that those who came and repented
was accepted by God, even if they were dented,
Who carefully put them back as they had been,
healing and forgiving in a manner not before seen.
I should not leave off without a caution;
remember! your choices determine your portion.
You can choose to ignore God and die infernal,
or you can choose to believe God and live eternal.

An original poem by Miekie (Marietjie Uys)

Marietjie Uys (Miekie) is a published author. You can buy my books here:
You can purchase Designs By Miekie 1 here.
Jy kan Kom Ons Teken en Verf Tuinstories hier koop.
Jy kan Kom Ons Kleur Tuinstories In hier koop.
Jy kan Tuinstories hier koop.
You can follow Miekie's daily Bible Study blog, Bybel Legkaart, here in English & Afrikaans.
You may prefer to follow the traveling blog, A Pretty Tourist.
For more crafty ideas and great products, visit A Pretty Talent on Facebook.
Remember to keep nurturing your TALENT for making PRETTY things.
You can subscribe to any of these blogs to receive regular updates by email, by simply registering your email address at the top of the applicable blog.

The Greatest Gift

God did not send His Son wrapped with a bow
to announce the greatest gift on man bestowed.
Instead, He came in flesh that could bleed
a river of blood that to God would lead.
This Child of God, the Son of Man
has done what none other ever can
when He restored the creature to its God
to save us from hell’s eternal rod.
Our sins He simply wiped away
in blood that would forever stay
to cleanse mankind before the King,
an eternal love-filled offering.
Then He healed our broken state
before ordering us a while to wait,
for the greatest gift was yet to be,
descending in flames the eye could see.
The Holy Spirit came from above
to abide in us in gracious love
so that we could show the world the face
of mercy, compassion, forgiveness, grace.
In my mirror, I stare at what is reflected
to look for a sign that God is detected,
but oh! how I still fall short and fail
of the image of the One pierced by a nail.
And so, anew, my life I bring
as a living, subjected offering
to a God Who is ever and easily pleased
and Whose grace, through the ages, has never ceased.

An original poem by Miekie (Marietjie Uys).

Marietjie Uys (Miekie) is a published author. You can buy my books here:
You can purchase Designs By Miekie 1 here.
Jy kan Kom Ons Teken en Verf Tuinstories hier koop.
Jy kan Kom Ons Kleur Tuinstories In hier koop.
Jy kan Tuinstories hier koop.
You can follow Miekie's daily Bible Study blog, Bybel Legkaart, here in English & Afrikaans.
You may prefer to follow the traveling blog, A Pretty Tourist.
For more crafty ideas and great products, visit A Pretty Talent on Facebook.
Remember to keep nurturing your TALENT for making PRETTY things.
You can subscribe to any of these blogs to receive regular updates by email, by simply registering your email address at the top of the applicable blog.