Pressing Pause

The whole world pressed pause. Normal became the new normal. Our lives were disrupted by a little “bug’. A virus, too small for the naked eye to see changed our lives forever. Some changes were good. Some heartbreakingly bad.

I succumbed to the dreaded lurgy. All I can say in this regard is Covid is not fun. And long Covid is seriously not fun. It really took me out in ways I could never have imagined. However now fully vaccinated I am venturing out of isolation. Looking for the good in the situation. When we look at how God works in our lives and those portrayed in Scripture we see a pattern of being set apart before something new. Think of Hadassah or more commonly known as Esther which means secret, hidden. Were we ‘taught wisdom in the secret place, (Psalm 51:6).

And have been left pondering; so what now?

So much of life before Covid has fundamentally changed.

During lockdown itself It heartening to witness the unseen becomimg seen and so many stood shoulder to shoulder and looked after those who could not look after themselves. Lord, I pray put heart are sufficiently softened that they are never overlooked again. There is another thing that resonated in my spirit during the political upheaval as well. Not only did were people already mobilised to meet the needs of others but our definition of neighbour changed. Compassion came back. We saw what we could do not what we couldn’t.

Economic hardship has been a creepy menace in our country. This has been an issue that I have felt the Lord speak to me about over many years. He has tasked me to, in my own small way. In my own back yard to make a difference.

Pretentious yes, possible perhaps?

But God……with Him all things are possible! Making a way for others has been a cornerstone of my business. To this end our new range “ANOINTING” has been a collaboration between me and two talented young designers, Thabo and Samekelo. As with all my ranges the inspiration is Scriptural. “ANOINTING” follows suit and is a theme that runs thought out the Bible. (This was not meant as a bad pun!)

 Anointing

Frome the fragrant oil that ran down Aaron’s beard, setting apart as priest. The prophet Samuel pours a horn of oil over the shepherd David He was filled with the Holy Spirit. Setting him apart as the future king of Israel. Psalm 23 sees the lamb’s head being anointed as protection. Akin to the helmet of salvation?

Further to this in the New Testament it is my understanding that the woman with the issue of blood (Mark 5:25-34) is looking for her healing in Jesus’s anointing. Like Aaron) where the oil ran down his beard and robe, Jesus as the Great High priest carries a greater anointing . She recognised this, had faith and pressed in for her healing. The early believers waited for in Jerusalem for the fulfilment of Joel’s prophecy and Peter spoke it out.

“‘In the last days, God says,
I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your young men will see visions,
your old men will dream dreams.
Even on my servants, both men and women,
I will pour out my Spirit in those days,
and they will prophesy.
I will show wonders in the heavens above
and signs on the earth below,
blood and fire and billows of smoke.
The sun will be turned to darkness
and the moon to blood
before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.
And everyone who calls
on the name of the Lord will be saved.’”

They were called, anointed, commissioned to go and tell the Good News.

So back to the range; “ANOINTING”.

Olives that are hard-pressed release a thick yellow oil. As mentioned earlier this formed the basis of the oil for anointing priests. We used brass to closely echo warmth of the colour of the oil. A first. And it worked so beautifully to portray the olive leaves. With black pearls symbolising the olives themselves.

Meet Thabo and SK

I worked with two talented jewellers. Thabo and SK.

Thabo I have know since he was a second year student ant Durban University of Technology and he has worked part-time for me since then. He is currently completing his professional industry SEDA.	SK joined us this year for Tshwane. He is also doing the SEDA qualification under the Mining Qualification Authority.

 Together we envisioned the new range and they brilliantly brought it to life. Both these young men are exceptional jewellers and I look forward to the day they out grow me and become “brands” in their own right. I count it both and honour and a privilege to have waled alongside them in their formative years in the industr