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Farmer's Chaplain Colin Miller
OPINION: More than three decades ago, I was part of a group who received a monthly audio cassette tape from international leadership statesman, Dr. John Maxwell.
On one of these tapes, he spoke about the importance of having a good filing system. He encouraged his listeners to start filing stories, quotes, key truths learned – anything that spoke to you. I started filing that very day.
I began with one file, then two, which soon enough became three. Now all these years later, I have a large filing cabinet draw with close to 40 different files jammed in it. Quite a treasure trove!
So, from my files, here’s a great story for today. It comes out of South Africa’s Truth & Reconciliation Commission, back in the mid 90’s.
The Commission heard the case where a white police officer with his colleagues came to a woman’s home. They shot her son and then burned his body, while they partied nearby. Her husband too was also killed by this same group, with his body also burned nearby.
Finally, this was now her opportunity to see justice served, whatever that might mean for her. A member of the Commission hearing her case, asked her what do you want, how do you see justice being served? And what do you say should happen to the officer responsible?
She clearly and confidently replied, “I want three things. First, I want to be taken to the place where my husband’s body was burned so I can gather up the dust and give his remains a decent burial. My husband and son were my only family. I want secondly for the officer to become my son. I want him to come twice a month to the ghetto and spend a day with me so that I can pour out on him whatever love I still have”.
“And finally, I would like him to know that I offer him my forgiveness, because Jesus died to forgive. This would also be the wishes of my husband. I kindly ask for someone to lead me across the courtroom, so that I can take the officer in my arms and let him know that he is truly forgiven.”
When the old lady stood to her feet, her and some of her elderly supporting friends quietly began to sing that classic song from the 1770s, Amazing Grace. Wow!
It was truly a moment in time that all those present for her hearing could never forget. And it was all glaringly obvious who the truly great persons in that room were.
Yep, a great story.
Now when it comes to our overall health and wellbeing, there is so much more to it than bugs and viruses. There are some deeper inner world issues that pills and jabs can never reach.
We have seen some people come through some truly horrible stuff. I vividly remember asking one lady when all the sexual abuse started for her. She told me, “As far back as I can remember, Pastor”. Right from when she was a little girl.
Vaccinations simply cannot reach stuff like that.
Even the best and healthiest of diets and fitness programmes, as good and necessary as they may be, simply have no answers for our inner battles and struggles.
I have seen first-hand, like with the lady I mentioned above, there is One who can reach this stuff and truly get it sorted for us. Keep well and God bless.
Sam Whitelock is an All Black rugby great, Farmstrong Ambassador and working dairy farmer in the Manawatu. Having stepped away from professional sport and returned to his roots on the family farm, he talks about balancing farm life with advocating for rural wellbeing.
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