"Keep Me Under The Blood"

Life in South Africa can be extremely difficult for many of us, particularly when it comes to employment and feeding one's family. Many are destitute, and no amount of "pounding the pavements" to find work seems to achieve anything. There are just too many people after every job vacancy. Being older doesn't help. It is extremely demoralizing and I know for a fact - from many people who are in that position - that suicide is an ever-present thought. Often, the only thing that keeps us alive is the will to not desert our children.

Last month I thought that my ship had come in. A friend of many years' standing decided to start her own business, in a field where she had years of experience and all the right contacts and prospects. She had, at last, found a financial partner who would provide initial funding for stock and initial salaries. We were so excited. Then the end of the month came, and he refused to pay salaries. The bank account hadn't even been opened until after month end, and we were still awaiting the VAT number - so how he expected us to have enough income in that first month, I don't know. The result is devastating. I had assured my numerous creditors that I had a job and would be making payments to everyone at the end of the month.

Crash. Instead of celebrating with my child, we find ourselves totally crushed instead. It's a bitter pill to swallow.

Then, last night, I read a prayer on a website called 7-Day Buzz, which gives me hope and a little strength again. It is entitled A Warfare Prayer: "Keep Me Under The Blood". If you are in a similar position, dejected and demoralized, I urge you to read it. I have not reproduced it here out of respect for the owner of the blog, but I encourage you to use this link to read it.

God help us - the suffering in this country is not just a bunch of words on the news or on blog sites. It really hurts.