We all have them at some stage in our lives — situations that have the potential to test our faith. Many years ago when I was in elementary school, my parents and four siblings set out on our usual trip to the village to visit with grandparents and extended family. My grandmother's home was built on a hill surrounded by Mopani trees endowed with Mopani worms, a rich source of protein. My dad drove a Hillman that could just accommodate our family of seven on the 302-kilometre journey. As we branched from the main dirt road onto a rocky footpath that took us to the village, only my dad and the two youngest siblings would ride in the car, while my mom, older sister, brother, and I completed the last part of our journey on foot. Our arrival at the village homestead was always greeted with cheering and ululation.

On this particular visit, the car and its three occupants arrived, and my father got out of the car, but forgot to apply the handbrake. Before my two younger siblings could get out, the car began to roll downhill at great speed, leaving a trail of destruction, noise, and chaos. My dad ran after the car while my grandmother disappeared disoriented into the forest, too frightened to witness the drama unfolding before her eyes. We were all crying and screaming and imagining the worst, because there was a river at the bottom of the steep hill, and the car was headed in that direction. Suddenly, the engine ceased, the car abruptly stopped without explanation a few metres short of the riverbank, and all went quiet. The God moment came when we realized that my siblings in the car had escaped unscathed. We would later learn what was going on in my dad's mind as he prayed.

Ephesians 3:20-21 – Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen. (NLT)

As my dad appeared from among the trees, we noticed that he was bleeding profusely from a deep gash on his left leg. My mom attended to the bleeding and an uncle ferried him to the local clinic. A moment of inattention from my dad became our family's God moment, and we have shared this remarkable encounter with God's grace and faithfulness countless times.

Followers of Jesus should accept life's challenges or tragedies with grace and thanksgiving. God communicates with us in different ways, and sometimes, it takes such a dramatic event to renew or refine our faith. What my parents taught us is that in such difficult and incomprehensible situations, we need to hand everything over to God and allow Him to take over. I urge my readers always to acknowledge that God is in control and that we need to ask that His will be done, even when it is hard to accept our circumstances.

Prayer: Merciful God, we acknowledge Your infinite presence at all times in our lives. May we be constantly reminded of Your boundless grace and compassion. We ask that You would protect us from harm's way. We are thankful for God moments, because they present rare opportunities for us to pause and recount Your blessings. Amen.

The huge baobab tree still stands strong beside the road to my grandmother's village. It has been an amazing landmark all these years. There are no road signs, traffic lights, or street names on the way to my village back in Africa. Instead, we rely on landmarks like trees, rocks, or streams for directions to our village. Over the years, some of these landmarks have disappeared or been transformed, while others have remained.

One cold winter afternoon, a friend of ours lost his way on a country highway and stopped to ask a store owner for directions. He was surprised to hear no mention of street names. Instead, the store owner gave directions using landmarks, and surprisingly, our friend did make it safely to his destination without any problems.

In life, we all use the landmarks of familiar objects, memories, and traditions to provide a sense of comfort. Landmarks provide us with peace of mind when they aid and guide us through life.

In ancient Biblical times, God's people used rocks as permanent reminders of their encounter and covenant with Him. Abraham built altars to honour God; Jacob set up his stone pillow at Bethel, "the house of God"; and Moses piled up rocks to remind people of God's deliverance at the Jordan River.

Our life is supposed to be a journey of discovery on God's road. The Bible contains landmarks that act as a framework for how followers of Jesus are to conduct themselves and persevere in the ways that are established and true.

The Bible serves as the map that shows us the directions, paths, and landmarks which God has pointed out to us. It contains the commands and promises of God that explain how to stay on the path of righteousness. It also has the good news of forgiveness that shows us how to find our way again if we become lost.

We need to acknowledge and observe the spiritual landmarks that God has given us. When we decide to disregard these landmarks, there can only be confusion and anxiety.

Psalm 119:105 – Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. (NRSV)

John 14:6 – Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (NRSV)

2 Thessalonians 2:15 – So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by our letter. (NRSV)

Prayer: Merciful Lord, grant us wisdom and grace to recognize the true landmarks that You have established for us. In a world full of confusion, information overload, and temptation, may we find comfort in Your Word. Thank You for Your sacrifice to save us, and by Your Holy Spirit, bring us back into the fold. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Children in Zimbabwe are no different from their counterparts around the world when it comes to Christmas. They are full of anticipation and hope.

As children from the city, we spent most of our Christmas holidays in our ancestral village, having travelled a long distance to be with extended family and to partake of all the good food prepared for us. Christmas was also a time to wear new clothes to church.

I remember as a child meeting a young village boy on Christmas morning while I walked home from church with my aunt and sister. He lived with his mother, grandmother, and two younger siblings and attended the village school. He was barefoot but running really fast, and as he approached us, he slowed down, and we exchanged Christmas greetings. He stopped, and with a great deal of excitement, he shared his Christmas story with us. They had run out of salt on Christmas Day! So he had been sent to borrow some salt from a neighbour for his grandmother. It is common in Zimbabwe for families to send their children to a neighbour for a cup of sugar, corn meal, or salt.

We girls from the city marvelled at the simple joys of Christmas that brought forth such excitement in him. His daily chores on Christmas Eve were no different from any other day. He let out the cows from the cattle pen, fetched drinking water from the communal well and gathered firewood before joining other children for a bath in the river. Come evening, they went around the village sharing the joy of Christmas through song. On Christmas Day, he helped his mother and grandmother prepare an elaborate Christmas dinner. He always wished for relatives from the city who would bring all sorts of goodies for him and his family to enjoy.

On the other hand, Christmas in the village for my sister and me was a mere adventure that was quickly forgotten once we were back in the hustle and bustle of the big city. This young village boy, who had very little, looked content, happy, and bubbling with energy and joy. He was to us the real face and spirit of Christmas.

One congregation that I know of has started an initiative that aims to replace consumption with compassion by urging its members to consider donating one quarter of their Christmas budget towards the building of a village well.

Jesus reminded us of our responsibilities towards each other when He said:

Matthew 5:13a – You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltness be restored? (NRSV)

Prayer: Gracious Lord, create in us a new heart for You to dwell in. Bless all the children around the world now and at Christmastime. May Christ's birth, a gift of life to mankind, remind us of Your unconditional love and grace. In Jesus' name, we pray, Amen.

As a child, I got myself into all kinds of mischief, and each time my parents disciplined me, they also gave me a second chance to learn from my mistakes. I do not think that they kept a record of how many times I apologized and promised to change my ways. I learnt then the wisdom of forgiveness and unconditional love.

Matthew 18:21-22 – Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?" Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times." (NIV 2011)

I had an aloe plant in my office whose leaves began to turn brown for no apparent reason. Frustrated, I decided to dump it onto the compost heap, but before I did this, I approached a colleague who persuaded me to give the plant a second chance. I followed her advice by moving it away from direct sunlight and desisting from over-watering this type of plant. In no time, I noticed new life in that same plant.

In our justice system, there is the option of sentencing an offender to a period of community service as a way of granting them a second chance. The main objective of this gesture is for the offender to provide some restitution for the actions which harmed the community. A stint at some community service seeks to restore the relationship with the offended party or the community as a whole.

I know of persons who have survived a stroke or heart attack, and because of this life-changing experience, they often liken it to having been given a second chance at life.

Psalm 130:3 – If you, Lord, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand? (NIV 2011)

As true followers of Jesus, we know that our God is synonymous with second chances, forgiveness, and grace. When Jesus died on the cross and declared "It is finished", His words were a form of victory or triumph over sin — our sin. Jesus mercifully paid our penalty for sin and gives us the opportunity to start all over again. His was the ultimate sacrifice. By accepting His grace, we are made new, and our relationship with God is restored.

1 John 1:9 – If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (NIV)

Prayer: Great Redeemer and Saviour, Your sacrifice on the cross has provided us with a second chance to know You and to commit to an everlasting relationship with You. We ask that You would send Your Holy Spirit into our broken world and make us truly thankful for Your amazing love and great mercy. Amen.

The Canadian Oxford Dictionary defines the word "meek" as humble and submissive or piously gentle in nature. Meekness can mean different things to different people. I like to think of meekness as strength under control, because not everyone who is humble or meek is submissive. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus presented the beatitudes, a fresh collection of Christian ideals that focus on love and humility rather than coercion and deceit. The beatitudes echo the highest ideals of the teachings of Jesus on mercy, spirituality, and compassion.

Colossians 3:12 – Put on therefore, as God's elect, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering. (English Revised Version)

During my high school days in rural Zimbabwe, we had a humble biology teacher who seldom demanded due respect from students. His attitude toward fellow teachers, workers, and students can be described as kind, gentle, friendly, and respectful. Students in his biology class benefited tremendously from his teaching style, and a number of his students were encouraged to proceed on to medical school.

2 Corinthians 12:10 – That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (NIV)

Meekness is submitting ourselves to the Lord, and curbing our natural desire to rebel, fight, have our own way, push ourselves forward, or push back.

When I first came into contact with western culture, I was ashamed of my African upbringing. There is a perception that African women need to be taught how to be assertive and confident. In a typical African traditional setting, meekness is associated with women. They are to speak little and listen a lot, but perform their role as peacemakers with passion.

Philippians 2:3 – Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. (NIV)

In reality, many women demonstrate strength under control by bearing all and being the cornerstone of their families and communities. Much is expected of them, so they wear many hats. They are nurturers, teachers, and peacemakers, with an abundance of resourcefulness. I recall how my mother always served herself last and was quick to forgo a meal if we had an unexpected visitor. Her life continues to be a mosaic of sacrifice, joy, and contentment.

Micah 6:8 – He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. (NIV)

Prayer: Lord, we are who we are because of Your mercy and will. Save us from ourselves so that we may see Your face in all Your creation. May we be slow to judge, but rather seek to understand each other, and acknowledge and celebrate the diverse gifts in one another. We ask these things in the name of Your precious Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.

John 14:26 – But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. (KJV)

Psalm 46:1-2 – God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea. (NRSV)

The wife of my eldest "cousin brother" recently passed away a few weeks after a severe stroke. The whole family was devastated by this loss and felt like lost sheep. We had referred to her as the comforter, advocate, and anchor of the family. As the one married to the eldest son of my father's brother, and in keeping with the traditional roles in African families, she was the first one we would go to for advice on a number of issues, since she acted as a substitute mother. She taught us about many aspects of village life and growing up female, and she intervened on our behalf in life situations. She was our representative at family gatherings, ready to present a different perspective and ensuring that our voices were heard. We were truly blest as a family for her gentle nature and listening skills. Our relationship was built on trust and confidence in her abilities to be there for us no matter the circumstances.

Likewise, as followers of Jesus, we are blest to be in a special relationship with God the Holy Spirit, who acts as our Advocate and Comforter and sustains us daily. We are confident of His presence and enduring nature. What a friend we have in Jesus! The same faith and trust that I have in the Advocate and Comforter enables me to rest assured that my cousin's wife is at peace in a place where there is no more pain or suffering. God provides us with earthly advocates to help us grow in our faith and to remind us constantly that He is never too far away. He knows when we feel weak and are in need of His gentle yet strong hand.

Psalm 30:11-12 – You have turned my mourning into dancing; you have taken off my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, so that my soul may praise you and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever. (NRSV)

Prayer: Gracious Lord, we thank You for Your presence in our lives and for special advocates who have positively influenced us through life's journey. Please comfort all those who mourn, those who are lonely or in need of a helping hand. May Your Holy Spirit guide and protect us through life's storms so that we are renewed and strengthened, and remain Your faithful servants. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

When I was young, we visited the village often with my parents, siblings, and other members of the extended family. Every village would have a round kitchen or mud hut with a grass thatched roof. The village kitchen was the cornerstone of country hospitality and life.

Our family kitchen was the largest in the village and attracted considerable attention. We often teased my mother that one could ride a bicycle in her kitchen. The only drawback was that it took longer and a huge pile of firewood to warm up my family's kitchen — especially in the middle of winter, when the mornings and nights are cold.

The village kitchen served many purposes. For instance, traditional midwives delivered babies in the village kitchen because not only would it keep the newborn warm but it was also the one place where water fetched from the village well was kept and easily accessible. Warmth and water were critical during and after childbirth.

We gathered in front of the fire for meals, quality family time, and for devotions. For us children, the village kitchen became a sanctuary and a safe haven providing nourishment, family bonding, and an opportunity to grow in our faith. Everyone was welcome and felt included.

I liken the characteristics of the village kitchen to the church or God's household where all can come and experience the warmth and love of Christ. With changing demographics, competing goals, and other worldly demands, we have often crowded out Christ from our lives. Our expressions of faith occasionally fall short of what it means to lead a Christ-like life and truly to belong to His household. We need to get back to basics and re-establish a relationship with God built on trust and a grateful heart. It is never too late to feel secure and confident again in the love that God so freely gives.

It is also true that our earthly families can become dysfunctional and stressful; yet a sense of belonging and acceptance can be all we need to find our way back to the fold. In the same way, being a part of the family of God can bring about inner peace, provided that we allow the Holy Spirit to transform us until we become one in Christ.

Galatians 6:10 – So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all, and especially for those of the family of faith. (NRSV)

Prayer: Merciful Comforter, we come before You with broken hearts, seeking the refuge and hospitality that only You can provide. Shield us from life's tribulations, and nourish us until we are strong again. May we trust in You and accept Your unconditional love. We ask these things in the name of Your only Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour. Amen.