Loadshedding. African word meaning: The lights go out.
No really, the entire country is undergoing electricity issues and almost every day, there are rolling power outages for 2 hours at a time. Loadshedding began this year (2015); this hasn't always been South Africa's reality. At first I hated it. It was alarming and inconvenient. But I've come to learn some lessons from this fast-from-electricity.
1. Candles are no longer for ambience, they're for light. Light is essential to productivity and safety. Next time you light a candle, imagine that being your only source of light. It's a beautiful, spiritual analogy that brings me to the appreciation of a Christian's light in this dark world.
2. Silence is golden - an old phrase with beautiful meaning these days. There's no noise in the house, none in the neighborhood either. It used to be eery, but now it bring a silence felt in the renewing of the soul. I look forward to this peaceful 2 hours. An excuse to have silence.
3. Old Fashioned Books! Sadly, only when the phone, TV, and computer don't work, I go straight to books! I've read more and been in the Word more because of Loadshedding.
If you want to experience a taste of South Africa, have your own Loadshedding. Shut everything off for 2 hours. Sit in silence or in the company of those you love. Light a candle and see what peace comes.
Africa's changing me more than I'm changing Africa.
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