Around us the Covid virus threatens us and we try to do all the right things, mask, distance and we elderly take extra vitamins we don't tell that we holding on hoping this virus will pass by and not notice us. But more and more of our friends and family are gone.

I reached a comfortable place (because I quote all the scriptures correctly) Phillip and I are going to be ok for now I need to get milk and bread and a "chokkie" for Phillip. I'm happy chatty with the Pick n Pay staff as he helps me put my groceries in the car. I drive off not knowing that death awaits me as my car is hit twice and the pain surges through my body, i feel myself being crushed and with super strength I get out of my car to collapse.

My world has changed my comfortable place exchanged with ICU, I am not sure where I am even thinking I am kidnapped. The medical team do their best and I fight them all the way until I sink into a realisation I touched death and what sustained me was my silent prayer as | repeated over and over: "I know that my Redeemer liveth".

Nearly 3 months later I'm battling I am not in a comfortable place, I cry, I pray maybe I have sinned many thoughts surge through my mind and I ask myself the question: "Is there a God?”. So much confusion mixed with coping with my physical condition, my legs won’t hold me and unless I drink the painkiller I don't survive. There is a God.

I am in Woollies and there I see three beautiful proteas and I have an urge to buy them buy them for myself but R119 for 3 proteas is baie geld! That day I buy nothing else but 3 proteas I am about to experience the reality of an awesome God. My pastor sends me a video clip a clip about the Protea and I find that just like the Protea coming out of the ashes I will rise again. He has given me beauty for ashes, I mourn no more because God sent me a personal message from His heart. I looked at the 3 Proteas I had arranged and saw the awesome magnitude of the Trinity. I now truly know that, “my Redeemer liveth.."

Jean Engelbrecht