EARLY MORNING: MIDNIGHT DRAGONS STARING AT ME FROM THE DARKNESS

 EARLY MORNING: MIDNIGHT DRAGONS STARING AT ME FROM THE DARKNESS

Sketch of my right foot - I injured it when I was about 4 or 5 years old and the scar is still visible

EARLY MORNING: MIDNIGHT DRAGONS STARING AT ME FROM THE DARKNESS

The midnights dragons were staring at me from the darkness of the night. I looked at them. I decided the best way to confront them, was to get up and stand on my feet. Then I went outside to my shower room and have a shower. They don't have a leg to stand on when I am showering. 

I showered with the most wonderfully hot water running down my back as I stand with my head against the stone wall. The warm water flows over my back while I wash my body, and each toe individually. It is an unhurried process. The warm water runs over my body and down the drain. Foam. The scent of the shampoo. A clean body. My beard washed thoroughly.

Thoroughly rinsed.

Drying off.

Each toe.

The foot.

The ankles.

Left leg.

Right leg.

Left arm.

Right arm.

Face.

A bald head with little or almost no hair.

The beard. Shaving: the left side. The right side. Under the chin. Between the lower lip and the edge of the beard. Drying off.

Applying skin cream.

And I look at my feet: 76 years and a few months old.

And my hands. Just as old.

Thank You Lord God for that.

Sketches of my hand

They have carried me to many places: murder scenes. Theft cases (shoplifting). Abortions. Weddings. Divorces. Births. Prisons. Death-row cells in Pretoria. Church services. Baptisms. Prayer gatherings. Libraries: the Vatican Library. Court libraries. Friends. Family. Municipal libraries. Private libraries. Mostly my own library with my own familiar books—and quite a few that I still have to read.

Then, as I dry myself, I am grateful that I can dry each toe on my left foot and on my right foot individually.

The heels.

The soles of my feet.

The Achilles tendons.

The calves.

The kneecaps—each one—and grateful that they are in good working order.

The seven openings in my body that function well. During the flu, my nose worked particularly well.

The empty dishwasher

I am still exorcising the early morning demons.

Then I stand in front of our dishwasher. Grateful that I still have the eye-hand coordination to pick up each cup, each saucer, each teaspoon and tablespoon, each fork and knife. To place them on the tray, then walk around the corner and put each one back in its own designated place, knowing exactly what I am doing. And while I do this, I can still pray for my people—my people who read my blog. I do not know who you are.

Why do I think of you?

Why do I pray for you?

Just because? No. Not just because.

Because Jesus Christ encourages me in His Word to pray for everyone—and you are part of everyone.

Wherever you may be.

And you read my blog—thank you very much. The very least I can do is pray for you.

I have no idea who you are or what your personal circumstances may be.

There you are, and there is your connection with the God of Truth and the God who loves you.

If you feel so inclined, write to me at neelscoertse@wirelessza.co.za