Magtige Krygsman “Nader as ‘n Broer”

Trek daarom die volle WAPENRUSTING aan wat GOD julle gee,

sodat julle weerstand kan bied in die dag van onheil en,

 

nadat julle die STRYD tot die einde toe gevoer het, nog op julle pos kan bly staan.

Bly dan op julle pos,

 

toegerus met die WAARHEID as gordel om julle heupe,

die vryspraak deur God as BORSHARNAS,

 

en die bereidheid om die evangelie van VREDE te

verkondig as skoene aan die voete.

 

Daarby moet julle altyd GELOOF AS SKILD in die hand hê,

want daarmee sal julle al die brandpyle van die Bose kan afweer.

 

Sit verlossing as HELM op

 en vat die SWAARD van die Gees,

dit is die Woord van God.

 

Nader as ‘n Broer”

“Magtige Krygsman Vredevors"

Did you know you have been called into the family of God, as His Prince? You have and this means that the enemy will oppose you with lies. This is why you must be wiser than your enemy and put on the helmet of salvation, to be saved from the lies that will rob you of your reward! You must be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.

Het jy geweet dat jy in die familie van God geroep is, as Sy Prins? Jy is en dit beteken dat die vyand jou met leuens sal teenstaan. Dit is waarom jy wyser moet wees as jou vyand en die helm van verlossing moet opsit, om gered te word van die leuens wat jou van jou beloning wil beroof! Julle moet so versigtig soos slange en opreg soos duiwe wees.

And as His Prince, His Mighty Warrior, you are required to “put on the full ARMOR of GOD so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the BATTLE you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, TRUST GOD, to give you a quiver full of children, by putting on the belt of TRUTH and the body ARMOR of God’s righteousness.” 

En as Sy Prins, Sy Magtige Krygsman, word jy vereis om “die volle WAPENUITRUSTING aan te trek wat GOD julle gee, sodat julle weerstand kan bied in die dag van onheil en, nadat julle die STRYD tot die einde toe gevoer het, nog op julle pos kan bly staan.  Bly dan op julle pos, VERTROU GOD, om vir julle ‘n pylkoker vol kinders te gee, deur die WAARHEID as gordel om julle heupe aan te trek, die vryspraak deur God as BORSHARNAS."

Remember Kate and Edward who you read about in Horses Hoped For? Well, when Kate married her husband Anthony, both men, Anthony and Edward agreed that putting on your armor every day is invaluable—especially the shoes you wear. To be fully prepared they know that the shoes must be the shoes of PEACE, like your Brother, the Prince of Peace.

Onthou vir Kate en Edward van wie julle gelees het in Gehoop vir Perde? Wel, toe Kate met haar man Anthony getroud is, het beide mans, Anthony en Edward ingestem dat om die wapenuitrusting elke dag aan te trek is van onskatbare waarde—spesiaal die skoene wat jy dra.  Om ten volle voorbereid te wees weet hulle dat die skoene die skoene van VREDE moet wees, soos jou Broer, die Vredevors.   

Throughout your life, your Brother, the Prince of Peace, Who walked on earth before taking His throne, who is now seated next to your Father in heaven, also wore and put on the same shoes—the shoes of PEACE.

Dwarsdeur jou lewe, jou Broer, die Vredevors, Wie op die aarde geloop het voordat Hy sy troon opgeneem het, wie nou aan die regterhand van God sit, het ook dieselfde skoene aangetrek en gedra—die skoene van VREDE.

Your battle is unlike the battles you may enjoy watching, or playing, or reading about. That’s because "we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." 

Jou stryd is anders as die stryde wat jy mag geniet om te kyk, te speel, of oor te lees. Dit is omdat “ons stryd is nie teen vlees en bloed nie, maar teen elke mag en gesag, teen elke gees wat heers oor hierdie sondige wêreld, teen elke bose gees in die lug.”

This is why it’s important to be sure to always hold up the SHIELD OF FAITH to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. And the only way to do this successfully is to put on salvation as your HELMET. 

Dit is waarom dit belangrik is om altyd die GELOOF AS SKILD in die hand hê, want daarmee sal julle al die brandpyle van die Bose kan afweer. En die enigste manier om dit suksesvol te doen is om die verlossing as jou HELM aan te sit.

Being prepared to go into battle means you must always be careful to both feed and cleanse your mind and soul with God’s Word, which has been given to you—in order that you may readily and quickly take up the SWORD of the Spirit, which IS the Word of God.” 

Om voorbereid te wees om die stryd in te gaan moet jy altyd versigtig wees om beide jou gedagtes en siel met God se Woord te voed en te reinig, wat aan jou gegee is—sodat jy geredelik en vinnig die SWAARD van die Gees, wat die Woord van God IS is op kan neem.”

Not only is the Prince of Peace your Brother, but He is waiting and hoping to become your Forever Best Friend. The brother who will be there, to go into every battle you face the moment you call out or even cry out to the HIM in your trouble; because He promises to save you from every one of your distresses. He has sent His Word which will heal you from all your fears, and save you from every destruction. 

Die Vredevors is nie net jou Broer nie, maar Hy wag en hoop om jou Vir Ewig Beste Vriend te word. Die broer wat daar sal wees, om in elke stryd wat jy in die gesig staar saam jou te gaan die oomblik wat jy in jou moeilikheid roep of selfs uitroep na HOM toe; omdat Hy belowe om jou van al jou nood te red. Hy het Sy Woord gestuur wat jou van al jou vrees sal genees, en jou van elke verwoesting sal red.

Did you know that every mighty warrior has learned to profit from fear? It is not that you need to become fearless, it's just the opposite. As a mighty warrior, you will soon understand just how to use fear for good, to remind you never attempt to battle the enemy on your own. You will also come to understand that to feel embarrassed or ashamed when you feel weak because it means you are His true warrior. Listen to one of the greatest warriors of God, Paul, who once said to his fellow warriors, “‘God’s grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.’ Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of the Most High God may dwell in me. Therefore, I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, that the power of the Messiah, God’s promised Deliverer of all evil may rest upon you and me. 

Het jy geweet dat elke magtige krygsman geleer het om wins te maak uit vrees? Dit is nie dat jy vreesloos moet begin word nie, dit is net die teenoorgestelde. As ‘n kragtige krygsman, sal jy gou verstaan hoe om vrees ten goede te gebruik, om jou te herinner om nooit te poog om die vyand op jou eie aan te val nie. Jy sal ook verstaan dat om skaam of verleë te voel wanneer jy swak voel beteken dat jy sy ware krygsman is. Luister na een van die grootste krygsmanne Paulus, wat eens op ‘n tyd aan sy mede krygsmanne gesê het, “My genade is vir jou genoeg. My krag kom juis tot volle werking wanneer jy swak is.” Daarom sal ek baie liewer oor my swakhede roem, sodat die krag van Christus my beskutting kan wees. Daarom is ek bly oor swakhede, beledigings, ontberings, vervolging en moeilikhede, dat die krag van die Messias, God se Beloofde Verlosser van alle bose op jou en my mag rus. ter wille van Christus, want as ek swak is, is ek sterk."

Paul also said, “It is for His sake” that he entered into all battles, “for when I am weak, then I am strong.”  This is why his predecessor, a mighty warrior who fought before him, Peter, proclaimed to men of God like you, “In this greatly rejoice, even though for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold (which is perishable) even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise, glory and honor.” 

Paulus het ook gesê, “Dit is ter wille van Christus” dat hy in alle stryde ingetree het, “want as ek swak is, is ek sterk.” Dit is waarom sy voorganger, ‘n magtige krygsman, Petrus,  wat voor hom baklei het, aan mans van God soos jy verkondig het, “Verheug julle hieroor, selfs al is dit nodig dat julle 'n kort tydjie bedroef gemaak word deur allerhande beproewings sodat die egtheid van julle geloof getoets kan word. Julle geloof is baie kosbaarder as goud, goud wat vergaan. Selfs die suiwerheid van goud word met vuur getoets, en die egtheid van julle geloof moet ook getoets word, sodat dit lof en heerlikheid en eer waardig mag wees by die wederkoms van Jesus Christus.”

How was Kate's mother able to overcome her distress brought on by one terrifying trial when she was very young? How did she discover Someone who was beside her, to guide her through—and who also wanted to be her Forever Best Friend?

Hoe was Kate se moeder in staat om haar droefheid wat deur een angswekkende beproewing aangebring was toe sy baie jonk was te oorkom? Hoe het sy Iemand ontdek wie langs haar was, om haar deur te lei—en wie ook haar Vir Ewige Beste Vriend wou wees?

FBF “Forever Best Friend”
VEBV “Vir Ewig Beste Vriend”

Like most blessings, Erin discovered her Forever Best Friend in the midst of a crisis. When Erin was just 6, she and her older brother went to a private school on the other side of the Hollywood Hills from where her family lived. Because Erin’s brother was four years older, it was his responsibility to take her home. Early each morning, they were dropped off at school by their dad who was a cameraman and worked on television shows and in movies. But it was Erin’s older brother, Adrian, who took her home from school each day on the public bus. But on this fateful day, Adrian bribed Erin with enough money to buy a mile-high ice cream cone if she would go home on the bus by herself. 

Soos meeste seëninge, het Erin haar Vir Ewig Beste Vriend ten midde van ‘n krisis ontdek. Erin en haar ouer broer het na ‘n privaat skool aan die ander kant van Hollywood Hills waar haar familie gewoon het gegaan. Erin se broer was vier jaar ouer en was verantwoordelik om haar huis toe te neem. Vroeg in die oggend, was hulle by die skool afgelaai deur hulle vader wat in die televisie en filmbedryf gewerk het, maar dit was Erin se broer, Adrian, wie haar elke dag na skool op die publieke bus huis toe gevat het. Maar op hierdie noodlottige dag, het Adrian haar met genoeg geld omgekoop om ‘n myl-hoë roomys te koop as sy by haarself op die bus huis toe sou gaan.   

Adrian quizzed Erin over and over to make sure she knew the name and number of both public buses she needed to take. He asked her how much money was for each bus, to be sure to remember to ask for a transfer on the first bus, and where to get off to change buses. Erin, who was just 6 and in first grade, was much too young to understand the danger so she smiled happily, agreeing excitedly, patting all the coins in her small blue uniform pocket for the bus fare and her ice cream as she crossed the street to wait for the bus. 

Adrian het haar oor en oor vas gevra om seker te maak dat sy die nommer van beide die publieke busse geken het wat Erin nodig gehad het om te neem. Hy het haar gevra hoeveel geld vir elke bus, om seker te maak om vir ‘n oorplasing te vra op die eerste bus, en waar om af te klim om busse te verander. Erin, wie net in die eerste graad was was te jonk om die gevaar te verstaan so sy het bly geglimlag, en opgewonde ingestem, en haar muntstukke vir die busgeld en roomys in haar klein blou uniform sak getik.        

While waiting on the corner across from their school, Erin started to get scared because she was confused as she waited for her first bus. So many buses stopped and opened their doors before she read the right name and the correct number. But as soon as the right bus came and she got on, putting her coins into the farebox and got her transfer, which she folded tightly, stuffing it into her small pocket, she smiled in relief and took a seat. All she could think about was ordering her strawberry mile-high ice cream cone!

Terwyl sy op die hoek gewag het, het Erin bang geraak omdat sy verward was soos wat sy vir haar eerste bus gewag het. So baie busse het gestop en die deure oop gemaak voordat sy die regte naam en die korrekte nommer gelees het. Maar toe die regte bus gekom het en sy haar muntstukke in die kassie gegooi het en haar oorplasing gekry het en styf opgevou het en in haar klein sak gestop het, het sy geglimlag en gaan sit. Al waaraan sy kon dink was om haar myl-hoog roomyshorinkie te bestel!   

Just as the bus passed the famous Chinese Theater where everyone was taking pictures, standing in the movie star’s footprints and on their knees with their hands in their handprints, she jumped up and excitedly pulled the cord to let the bus driver know she wanted to get off at the next stop. Erin knew she didn’t need to pull the cord, Adrian always told her this was the busiest corner in all of Hollywood (maybe the whole world!) and it's why he always held her hand after they got off. 

Net toe die bus verby die bekende Chinese Teater gegaan het waar almal besig was om foto's te neem, en in die filmsterre se voetspore gestaan het en op hulle knieë met hulle hande in hulle handdrukke, het sy opgespring en opgewonde die koord getrek om die busdrywer te laat weet dat sy by die volgende stop wou afklim. Erin het geweet dat sy nie nodig gehad het om die koord te trek nie, haar broer het vir haar gesê dit was die besigste hoek in die hele Hollywood (miskien die hele wêreld!) en waarom hy haar hand vasgehou het na hulle afgeklim het.

That day no one held Erin’s hand. She stood at the exit before the bus stopped and was the first one off the bus. At the corner, she waited for a green light and crossed the street heading for the corner soda fountain. She handed the man her money and ordered a strawberry mile-high ice cream cone. Delighted, she sat down to read the comic books, forgetting she needed to watch the time. All of a sudden she remembered and her heart started pounding. As Erin rushed outside, she looked up to see the digital clock on the bank and the time was exactly when the bus would leave! Then to her horror, she saw where she should have been waiting, and there was her bus—slowly pulling away!

Daardie dag het niemand Erin se hand vasgehou nie. Sy het by die uitgang gestaan voor die bus gestop het en was die eerste een om van die bus af te klim. Op die hoek, het sy vir ‘n groen lig gewag en oor die straat gestap oppad na die hoek soda fontein. Sy het vir die man haar geld oorgehandig en ‘n aarbei myl-hoë roomyshorinkie bestel. Verheug, het sy gaan sit om die komedie boeke te lees, en vergeet dat sy die tyd moes dophou. Ewe skielik het sy onthou en haar hart het begin klop. Soos wat Erin buite toe gehaas het, het sy op gekyk om die horlosie op die bank te sien en die tyd was die presiese tyd wanneer die bus sou vertrek! Toe tot haar gruwel, het sy gesien waar sy behoort te gewag het, en daar was haar bus besig om—stadig weg te trek! 

This happened once before when Adrian was joking around with his friends. So Erin knew the next bus going into the Valley, over the Hollywood Hills, wouldn’t come for another hour. So she crossed the street heading to the bus stop, then went into the bank. Erin and Adrian loved to play in the bank when their mom went down into the basement to the giant vault to put important papers in or take important papers out. They’d ride the elevator up and down. They’d go to the top of the stairs, then sit down and slide on the curved marble stairs taking them to the lobby.  

Dit het een keer vantevore gebeur toe Adrian met sy vriende rond gegrap het. So Erin het geweet dat die volgende bus wat in die Vallei gaan nie vir nog ‘n uur sou kom nie, so sy het oor die straat geloop na haar busstop toe, en toe in die bank in gegaan. Erin en Adrian het daarvan gehou om in die bank te speel wanneer hulle ma onder in die kelder ingegaan het om in die reuse kluis belangrike papiere in te sit of belangrike papiere uit te haal. Hulle sou die hysbak op en af ry. Hulle sou na die boonste trappe toe gaan, en dan gaan sit en by die marmer trappe wat geboë was afgly, wat hulle na die voorportaal geneem het.

Unfortunately, playing inside the bank was another mistake—it caused Erin to miss the next bus and the bus after that. 

Ongelukkig was om binne te speel nog ‘n fout—dit het veroorsaak dat Erin die volgende bus en die bus daarna mis.

By the time Erin got on her bus to get home, 4 hours later, it was dark. Being on a bus when it was light inside but dark outside terrified Erin. She was so sure she’d miss her stop and end up miles from home. So even though there were dozens of stops before they’d reach her street, Erin began cupping her hands to peer out the window watching for her stop. 

Teen die tyd wat Erin op haar bus geklim het om by die huis te kom, 4 ure later, was dit donker. Om op ‘n bus te wees wanneer dit lig binne en donker buite is het vir Erin bang gemaak. Sy was so seker sy sou haar stop mis en kilometers van die huis af opeindig. So alhoewel daar dosyne stoppe  was voor hulle haar straat bereik het, het Erin begin om haar handjies bak te maak om uit die venster te kyk en te uit te kyk vir haar stop.

Almost an hour later, after she passed the Party Shop where she stole a small trophy and got caught, Erin was relieved to get off and cross the street to head up the hill to her house. But this is when she was the most frightened! There were still no streetlights on her block, so Erin began by walking up the dark street but soon she started to run to get home where she would feel safe again!! 

Amper ‘n uur later, nadat sy die Partytjie Winkel verby gegaan het waar sy ‘n klein trofee gesteel het en gevang was, was Erin verlig om af te klim en oor die straat te loop om die heuwel op na haar huis toe te loop. Maar dit is waar sy die mees bang was! Daar was nog steeds geen straat ligte op haar blok nie, so Erin het begin deur die donker straat op te loop maar sy het vinnig begin hardloop om by die huis te kom waar sy weer veilig sou gevoel het!!  

By the time she got home she was crying, very sure that her brother would be in a lot of trouble for not taking her home. As she walked into the kitchen, she heard her mother call out, “Hurry and take off your uniform, Erin, dinner is almost ready.” Sobbing, she told her mother that Adrian had made her come home on the bus alone!! Erin’s mom, still stirring the spaghetti sauce, turned and smiled at her, “But look how grown-up you are, Erin, you made it home by yourself and you’re just fine.” 

Teen die tyd wat sy by die huis gekom het, baie seker dat haar broer in groot moeilikheid sou wees omdat hy haar nie huis toe geneem het nie. Soos wat sy in die kombuis ingeloop het, het sy haar moeder hoor uitroep, “Maak gou en trek jou uniform uit, Erin, aandete is amper gereed. “Snikkend het sy vir haar moeder gesê dat Adrian haar gemaak het alleen op die bus huis toe kom!! Erin se ma, nog steeds besig om die spaghetti sous te roer, het omgedraai en vir haar geglimlag, maar kyk watse groot meisie is jy, Erin, jy het doodreg by die huis gekom. 

Erin didn’t realize that she wasn’t alone on the bus. She wasn't alone will walking up the street in the dark—her FBF was there but she wasn’t able to feel Him without faith, faith that she would soon be given by God as an eternal gift. The day when she would meet her Savior, the King of all kings, and Lord of all lords. Later too, she learned that being brave means that despite being full of fear, the brave advance rather than retreat, knowing it is the Lord who promises to fight for us and most often, will simply ask us to stand by and watch Him fight on our behalf. Sometimes, too, we watch as God causes our enemies to become confused and they turn and destroy each other!

Erin het nie besef dat sy nie alleen op die bus was nie. Sy was nie alleen toe sy in die donker by die straat opgeloop het nie—haar VEBV was daar maar sy was nie in staat om Hom te voel sonder geloof nie, geloof wat gou deur God gegee sou word as ‘n ewige geskenk. Die dag wat sy haar Redder, die koning van alle konings, en die Here van alle here sou ontmoet. Later het sy ook, geleer dat om braaf te wees beteken dat ten spyte om vol vrees te wees, gaan die brawe vooruit eerder as om terug te trek, wetend dit is die Here wat belowe om vir ons te baklei en meer dikwels, ons eenvoudig sal vra om opsy te staan en dophou hoe Hy om ons onthalwe veg. Somtyds, ook, kyk ons hoe God veroorsaak dat ons vyande verward raak en omdraai en mekaar vernietig!   

Another lesson a mighty warrior must learn is that God said, "Children are a gift from God... a reward"? It’s true, and real men, like Anthony, who not only loves and looks forward to having children of his own and Edward who has a daughter—but like all real men, true warriors, Anthony wants a quiver full of children. Everybody was sure that Edward would have a full quiver when he married because he loves children so much. And yet, God also says “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts higher than your thoughts."

Nog ‘n les wat ‘n magtige krygsman moet leer is dat God gesê het, “ Kinders is ‘n geskenk van God…’n beloning”? Dit is waar, en regte mans, ware krygsmanne, soos Anthony, wie nie net lief is en uitsien na kinders van sy eie nie en Edward wie ‘n dogter het—maar soos alle regte mans, ware krygsmanne, wil Anthony ‘n pylkoker vol kinders hê wanneer hy getroud is omdat hy so lief is vir kinders. En tog, sê God ook. “My gedagtes is nie julle gedagtes nie, en julle optrede nie soos Myne nie, sê die Here; soos die hemel hoër is as die aarde, so is my optrede verhewe bo julle optrede en my gedagtes bo julle gedagtes.”

The reason real men, men of God, want a quiver full is to be ready for battle. God said children are “Like arrows in the hand of a mighty warrior, so are the children of one’s youth. Blessed is the man who has filled his quiver with them. The more you have, the better off you will be, because they will protect you when your enemies attack you.” So as a true warrior, you can dream, as Anthony has, as Edward has, of having a quiver full of children—young warriors who will join you in the battle for good and against evil. 

Die rede wat egte mans, mans van God, ‘n pylkoker vol wil hê is om gereed te wees vir die stryd. God het gesê kinders is “Soos pyle in die hand van 'n krygsman, so is seuns wat gebore is toe hulle vader nog jonk was. Dit gaan goed met die man wat sy pylkoker so gevul het. Hoe meer jy het, hoe beter af sal jy wees, omdat hulle jou sal beskerm wanneer jou vyande jou aanval.” So as ‘n ware krygsman, kan jy droom, soos Anthony gedoen het, en Edward gedoen het, om ‘n pylkoker vol kinders te hê—jong krygsmanne wie by jou in die stryd vir goed en teen kwaad sal aansluit.

All Things for Good
Alle Dinge ten Goede

 Why would God let this happen to Erin, not just having to face getting home on her own the first time, missing her bus several times until it was dark, but also having to do it each time Adrian wanted to send her home alone? Erin knew God loved her, so why did He let this happen? Why do bad things happen?

Waarom sou God dit met Erin laat gebeur, om nie net vir die eerste keer by die huis te kom op haar eie, en haar bus verskeie kere te mis totdat dit donker was, maar ook om dit elke keer te doen wat Adrian haar alleen wou huis toe stuur? Erin het geweet dat God lief was vir haar, so waarom het Hy toegelaat dat dit gebeur? Waarom het Hy dit laat gebeur? Waarom gebeur slegte dinge? 

Would you believe that what happened was all God’s plan? It’s true. God used this and every difficulty in Erin’s life for GOOD. God allowed this crisis to happen in order to prepare Erin for her future and even her children’s future. It’s the same with you!!

Sou jy glo dat wat gebeur het was alles God se plan? Dit is waar. God het dit en elke moeilikheid in Erin se lewe ten GOEDE gebruik. God het toegelaat vir hierdie krisis om te gebeur om Erin vir haar en selfs haar kinders se toekoms voor te berei. Dit is dieselfde met jou!!

That night, as she lay in bed, Erin realized no one can be with her all the time. There was no one to guide or protect her or make her feel safe all the time. Erin knew her mother loved her but her mother hadn’t understood her fear and she couldn’t always be with her.

Daardie aand, soos wat sy in die bed gelê het, het Erin besef dat niemand die heeltyd by haar kan wees nie. Daar was niemand om haar te lei of beskerm nie of haar veilig te maak voel al die tyd nie. Erin het geweet dat haar moeder lief was vir haar maar haar moeder het nie verstaan nie en sy kon nie altyd saam met haar wees nie.

Erin had lots of older siblings but none could hold her hand to make her feel safe and not miss another bus. That night Erin longed for a brother, a mother, a father, a friend—Someone who would be with her all the time. Someone who would never forsake or abandon, or desert her. Someone who understood. Does this sound like Someone you would want to meet, Someone you would want to know?

Erin het baie ouer broers en susters gehad maar niemand kon haar hand vashou om haar veilig te laat voel en nie nog ‘n bus mis nie. Daardie aand het Erin gehunker na ‘n broer, ‘n moeder, ‘n vriend—Iemand wat die heeltyd by haar sou wees. Iemand wat haar nooit sou verlaat nie of nooit in die steek sou laat nie, of versaak nie. Iemand wat verstaan. Klink dit soos iemand wat jy sou wou ontmoet, Iemand wat jy sou wou ken?  

Lord of Hosts
Here van die Leërskare

Erin ended up riding the bus alone a couple more times that year before summer vacation. And even though she’d learned her lesson to not spend time anywhere else but at the bus stop, the fear of being alone still gripped and frightened her.

 Erin het voor die somer vakansie die bus nog ‘n paar keer alleen gery. Alhoewel sy haar les geleer het om nie tyd êrens ander as by die busstop te spandeer nie, het die vrees van  alleen wees haar nog steeds aangegryp en bang gemaak. 

Then, at God’s appointed time Erin became His Princess, never to be alone again, something life-changing that happened at the beginning of the following year. 

Toe, op God se bepaalde tyd het Erin Sy Prinses geword, om nooit weer alleen te wees nie, iets lewens-veranderd wat die begin van die volgende jaar gebeur het.

Erin’s favorite nun was who God sent to prepare her and her classmates for their First Holy Communion. Even more important was preparing Erin for her first confession. The nun who God chose was raised a Baptist and Erin didn't know that she was about to meet her Prince! The Prince of Peace. The Best Friend she wanted and needed Who would be with her always. The Son of God who Erin fell in love with.

Erin se gunsteling non was wie God gestuur het om haar en haar klasmaats voor te berei vir hulle eerste Heilige Nagmaal. Selfs meer belangrik was om vir haar eerste belydenis voor te berei. Die non wat God gekies het was as ‘n Baptis groot gemaak en Erin was op die punt om haar Prins! Die Vredevors te ontmoet. Die Beste Vriend wat sy wou gehad het en nodig gehad het Wie altyd by haar sou wees. Die Seun van God op wie Erin verlief geraak het.

All her life, Erin would have Someone who would guide her “He leads me” and protect her and make her feel safe no matter where in the world—all around the world is where He planned to take her someday. The truth is, God causes everything to happen for good. The first and most important good that came from this, was to meet that Someone who would never forsake, abandon, or desert Erin. Someone who understood. A Mighty Warrior who would fight her battles—the Lord of Hosts— the Lord of Armies who led all the warring angels.

Haar hele lewe, sou Erin iemand hê wat haar sou lei “Hy lei my” en haar beskerm en haar veilig laat voel maak nie saak waar in die wêreld nie —rondom die wêreld is waar Hy beplan het om haar eendag te neem. Die waarheid is, God laat alles ten goede meewerk. Die eerste en belangrike goed wat van dit gekom het, was om daardie Iemand wat Erin nooit in die steek sou laat en nooit alleen sou laat nie, of verlaat nie. Iemand wat verstaan.’n Magtige Krygsman wie haar stryde sou veg—die Here van die Leërskare—die Here van die Leërs wie al die strydende engele gelei het. 

It happened when the nun explained that even though there was a priest in the confessional, to imagine that they were speaking to God Himself, confessing everything to Him. Confess everything they'd ever done wrong right there in the church pew. So while kneeling quietly in the dark church, Erin confessed everything to God beginning with how she wanted her brother punished for making her go home alone. Erin confessed to stealing the trophy in the Party Shop and Erin confessed for each time she talked in class when it was forbidden.

Dit het gebeur toe die non verduidelik het dat alhoewel daar ‘n priester in die biegstoel was, om jou te verbeel dat jy met God Homself praat, en alles aan Hom bely. Bely alles wat hulle al ooit verkeerd gedoen het reg daar in die kerk bankie. So terwyl sy stil in die donker kerk gekniel het, het Erin alles aan God bely en begin hoe sy wou gehad het dat haar broer gestraf moet word omdat hy haar alleen maak huis toe gaan het. Erin het bely dat sy die trofee in die Partytjie Winkel gesteel het en bely oor al die tye wat sy in die kerk gepraat het toe dit verbode was.

After Erin finished she immediately felt wonderfully different!! Tears of joy began running down her cheeks. The nun saw her and gave her a hug. But the hug she felt was inside and she knew it was from Him. Erin was happier than she ever felt in her life. Erin felt lighter, happier, safer, and peaceful. 

Nadat Erin klaar was het sy onmiddellik wonderbaarlik anders gevoel!! Trane van vreugde het by haar wange afgerol. Die non het haar gesien en vir haar ‘n drukkie gegee. Maar die drukkie wat sy gevoel het was binne en sy het geweet dit was van Hom af. Erin was gelukkiger as wat sy ooit in haar lewe gevoel het. Erin het ligter, gelukkiger, veiliger, en vreedsaam gevoel.

Erin’s name actually means peace, but she never felt peaceful. Not like this peace. It was like it surpassed, exceeded, all her understanding.

Erin se naam beteken eintlik vrede, maar sy het nooit vreedsaam gevoel nie. Nie soos hierdie vrede nie. Dit was asof dit al haar verstandhouding te bowe, oortref het. 

After a few minutes, while everyone visited the priest (the part Erin didn’t like and learned later was unnecessary), the nun passed around “unconsecrated” hosts said to be the body of Christ. Then in a very quiet voice, she said, "Now it's time to ask the Lord into your heart because your hearts are now clean." She said, "Ask Him to come in and live there, in your heart, giving your life and your future to Him." Bowing her head again, Erin asked Him to live in her heart and at that moment she changed instantly and radically.

Na ‘n paar minute, terwyl almal die priester besoek het (die deel waarvan Erin nie gehou het nie en later geleer het was onnodig), het die non die “ ongewyde” gashere wat die liggaam van Christus is aangegee. Toe in ‘n baie stil stem, het sy gesê, “Nou is dit tyd om die Here in jou hart in te vra omdat julle harte nou skoon is.” Sy het gesê, “Vra Hom om in te kom en daar te kom woon, in jou hart, en jou lewe en jou toekoms vir Hom te gee.” Erin het haar kop weer gebuig en Hom gevra om in haar hart te woon en op daardie oomblik het sy onmiddellik en radikaal verander.    

Erin didn’t need any more religion, nor do you. We want and need a relationship with our Creator. Religion isn’t bad or wrong as long as it doesn’t get in the way of a relationship that isn’t earned but given freely.

Erin het nie nog godsdiens nodig gehad nie, nog minder doen jy. Ons wil en benodig ‘n verhouding met ons Skepper. Godsdiens is nie sleg of verkeerd nie solank dit nie in die pad kom van ‘n verhouding wat nie verdien word nie maar wat vrylik gegee is.

The change in Erin was so profound that her parents believed it was the Catholic school she went to. They said this to everyone who asked, “What’s gotten into Erin? She’s not that rambunctious, naughty little girl that used to give you so much trouble.” Everyone believed it was the strict Catholic school and the nuns who had changed her. In a way they were right, it was a nun who introduced Erin to find forgiveness and ask the Lord to live in her heart. But what changed Erin was something you can also have.

Die verandering in Erin was so diepgaande dat haar ouers geglo het dat dit die Katolieke skool was waarnatoe sy gegaan het. Hulle het vir almal gesê wat gevra het “Wat het in Erin gevaar?” Sy is nie meer daardie ontstuimige, stout klein dogtertjie wat jou soveel moeilikheid gegee het nie.” Hulle het geglo dat dit die streng skool was en die nonne wat haar verander het. Op ‘n manier was hulle reg, dit was ‘n non wat Erin voorgestel het om vergifnis te vind en die Here te vra om in haar hart te woon. Maar wat Erin verander het is iets wat jy ook kan hê.

From that day on, Erin was never the same. That year the Lord became Erin’s FBF Forever Best Friend. Due to the way God orchestrated Erin’s life, just like many people in the Bible, and maybe just like YOUR life too—Erin’s life was separated and she was set apart—separate and set apart from just about everyone.

Van daardie dag af, was Erin nooit weer dieselfde nie. Daardie jaar het die Here Erin se VEBV Vir Ewig Beste Vriend geword. As gevolg van die manier wat God Erin se lewe orkestreer het, net soos baie mense in die Bybel, en miskien net soos JOU lewe ook—was Erin se lewe apart en sy was afgesonder—en afgesonder van net omtrent almal.

Set Apart for His Good Use
Afgesonder vir Sy Goeie Gebruik

 All three of Erin’s brothers were much older, and because she was a tomboy, Erin’s sisters wanted nothing to do with her.

 Al drie van Erin se broers was baie ouer as sy, en omdat sy ‘n rabbedoe was, wou Erin se susters niks met haar te doen gehad het nie. 

Erin had no school friends either. Living in the Valley, but attending school in Hollywood and as you just read, which took over an hour to get home on the public bus, Erin couldn’t play after school and make friends with the other children like everyone else. And because it was a very strict Catholic school, there was almost no interaction during school. Even while having lunch Erin had to sit at her desk and was forbidden to talk, which is why she had to confess this to the Lord.

Erin het ook nie skoolvriende gehad nie. Deur in die Vallei te woon, maar skool in Hollywood by te woon en net soos wat jy gelees het, wat oor ‘n uur geneem het om op die publieke bus by die huis te kom, kon Erin nie na skool speel en vriende met die ander kinders maak soos enigiemand anders. En omdat dit ‘n baie streng Katolieke skool was, was daar amper geen interaksie gedurende skool nie. Selfs tydens middagete moes Erin by haar lessenaar sit en was verbode om te praat, wat is waarom sy dit aan die Here moes bely.  

Much of Erin’s aloneness had to do with being a tomboy, as was mentioned earlier. It meant she never had any close girlfriends. On top of that, talking on the phone to classmates was not possible because back then— it was called a "long-distance" call and it was very expensive. 

Baie van Erin se alleenheid het te doen gehad met die feit dat sy ‘n rabbedoe was, soos vroeër genoem. Dit het beteken dat sy nooit enige intieme vriendinne gehad het nie. Boonop, was om op die telefoon met klasmaats te praat nie moontlik nie omdat destyds—was dit ‘n “lang-afstand” oproep genoem en was baie duur.

In Erin’s neighborhood, all the other children were much younger, and during any other activities, like the ballet she took, and later as a swimmer, Erin was set apart from all of her friends due to living in cities far from where she lived. SO, this meant that for most of her childhood Erin had only ONE faithful close friend, her Forever Best Friend who went with her everywhere! Someone she could talk to. Someone who listened. Someone who understood. So even though she was alone—Erin was never again lonely.

In Erin se woonbuurt, was al die ander kinders baie jonger, en gedurende enige ander aktiwiteite, soos die ballet wat sy geneem het, en later as ‘n swemmer, was Erin afgesonder van al haar vriende omdat hulle in stede gewoon het wat ver was van waar sy gebly het. SO, dit het beteken dat vir meeste van haar kinderdae het Erin net EEN getroue intieme vriend gehad, haar Vir Ewig Beste Vriend wie orals saam haar gegaan het! Iemand met wie sy kon praat. Iemand wat geluister het. Iemand wat verstaan het. So alhoewel sy alleen was—was Erin nooit weer eensaam nie. 

What About You?
Wat Van Jou?

Do you ever feel alone? Has God set you apart for something special? For such a time as this?

Voel jy ooit alleen? Het God jou afgesonder vir iets spesiaal? Vir ‘n tyd soos dit?

 Sometimes the people we trust let us down like Erin’s brother, Adrian. Sometimes it’s a parent who believes you’re more grown-up and responsible than you feel, like Erin’s mom. Sometimes the person we care about the most is taken from us like Erin’s mother, Grammy, experienced when her parents got divorced and Grammy’s father moved away after she and her brother misbehaved and he sadly drowned. 

Somtyds sal die mense op wie jy vertrou jou teleurstel soos Erin se broer, Adrian. Somtyds is dit ‘n ouer wie glo jy is meer volwasse en verantwoordelik as wat jy voel, soos Erin se moeder. Somtyds die persoon vir wie ons die meeste omgee word van ons weggevat soos Erins se moeder, Grammy, ervaar het toe haar ouers geskei is en Grammy se vader weggetrek het na sy en haar broer hulle wangedra het en hy treurig verdrink het.

This means just one thing. No! No! Not that you must rely on yourself and put up a wall to keep yourself safe!! How foolish! A wall means you’ve locked yourself in a prison. And getting tougher is foolish because there’s always someone stronger or tougher. The answer Erin discovered was finding the One who is “closer than a brother” and loves us more than a mother”!!!

Dit beteken net een ding. Nee! Nee! Nie dat jy op jouself moet staatmaak en ‘n muur opsit om jouself veilig te hou!! Hoe simpel! ‘n Muur beteken dat jy jouself in ‘n tronk toegesluit het. En om taai te word is simpel omdat daar altyd iemand sterker of taaier is. Die antwoord wat Erin ontdek het was om die een te vind wat “nader as ‘n broer” en liewer vir ons is as ‘n moeder”!!!

So let me ask you again…
So laat my jou weer vra…

Do YOU ever feel alone?
Voel JY ooit alleen?

Are YOU ever afraid?
Is JY ooit bang?

Do YOU ever feel like no one understands?
Voel JY ooit asof niemand verstaan nie?

Well then...Guess what? It’s the appointed time. You’ve been reading and/or listening to this story because this is your Divine Appointment. There’s Someone who's been waiting for you. Someone Who is about to use everything that’s made no sense or what’s hurt you for GOOD.

Wel dan…Raai wat? Dit is die aangestelde tyd. Jy het hierdie storie gelees en/ of na geluister omdat dit jou Godsgerigte Afspraak is. Daar is iemand wat vir jou gewag het. Iemand Wat op die punt is om alles wat geen sin vir jou gemaak het of wat jou ten GOEDE seergemaak het te gebruik.

 All you need to do is talk to Him. That’s what prayer is—it’s simply talking to God! You can talk privately anywhere at any time because you’re talking to Him in your head and in your heart. Begin like Erin did, by confessing everything you’ve ever done wrong right here, right now. Then once you feel clean and free, ask the Lord to come and live in your heart!!

Al wat jy nodig het om te doen is om met Hom te praat. Dit is wat gebed is—dit is om eenvoudig met God te praat! Jy kan enige plek en enige tyd privaat met Hom praat omdat jy met Hom in jou kop en jou hart praat. Begin soos Erin begin het, deur te bieg oor alles wat jy al ooit verkeerd gedoen het reg hier, nou dadelik. Dan sodra jy skoon en vry voel, vra die Here om in jou hart te kom lewe!!

Epilogue
Epiloog

What Happened Later
Wat Later gebeur Het

For seven years Erin often took the bus home by herself but she was never ever alone. God was preparing her to become very comfortable being set apart so that she would be ready to travel around the world “listening to a word behind her” so she knew when to go “right or left.” "He led” Erin to meet people all around the world who longed for a Mighty Warrior Who would never leave or forsake them, Someone to battle for them. Someone Who would always be closer than a brother and Who loved them more than a mother. A Heavenly Father Who would comfort them when their parents divorced. 

Vir sewe jaar het Erin dikwels die bus by haarself huis toe geneem maar sy was nooit alleen nie. God was besig om haar voor te berei om gemaklik te wees om afgesonder te wees sodat sy gereed kon wees om dwarsoor die wêreld te reis en “na ‘n woord agter haar te luister” so sy het geweet wanneer om “regs of links” te gaan. “Hy het Erin gelei om mense rondom die wêreld te ontmoet wie na ‘n Magtige Krygsman gehunker het Wie hulle nooit sal los en nooit in die steek sou laat nie. Iemand wie die stryd vir hulle sou voer. Iemand wie altyd nader as ‘n broer sal wees en Wie meer liewer vir hulle is as ‘n moeder. ‘n Hemelse Vader wie hulle sou troos toe hulle ouers geskei is.

And because His blessings are passed to many generations, Kate, did the same—traveling and meeting people around the world. Little girls and boys and moms who spoke many languages but welcomed His love.

En omdat Sy seëninge na baie geslagte oorgegee is, het Kate, dieselfde gedoen—gereis en mense dwarsoor die wêreld ontmoet. Klein dogtertjies en seuns en moeders wie baie tale gepraat het maar Sy liefde verwelkom het.

If this story has helped you feel better, please share your story with us. It’s your testimony and it’s what will help other boys overcome difficulties in their lives! And if you shared our story with a friend or someone else, we’d love to hear just how it happened.

As hierdie storie jou gehelp het om beter te voel, deel asseblief jou storie met ons. Dit is jou getuienis en dit is wat ander seuns sal help om moeilikhede in hulle lewens te oorkom! En as jy ons storie met ‘n vriend of iemand anders gedeel het, sal ons lief wees om te hoor net hoe dit gebeur het.