14. Broken Perfume

Once upon a time in 1994, my mum sent me to buy her favourite fragrance from the local pharmacy. I knew my mum had saved money over time to spoil herself with this one. I hurried through and paid for the much-loved perfume, keen to get home to watch TV. There was no rewind or catch-up to rely on! Just as I stepped out of the pharmacy, I dropped the pack and the perfume broke! I can still feel the disappointment that hit me when this accident happened.

How was I going to explain that "yangodonha" (it just fell) Some of us grew up in the era of "spoil the rod, spoil the child" - "you are beaten with anything closest" type of thing.

I just stood there crying while the fragrance beautifully filled the streets of Chegutu like Jesus' feet were being anointed!

I probably spent 3 hours standing by that pharmacy entrance until my mum came to fetch me coz I had taken too long.

My mother was angry, ofcourse because I had dropped the costly purchase, but much more because of my response to the situation. I had embarrased her by crying in the street for all to see. "How could you not just come back home".

Remembering this incident made me reflect on the Father's love. How many times we mess up, and instead of running to Him, we drift away. We close ourselves off—as if He cannot find us—and dig our hole deeper. We feel we cannot face Him because of our errors, yet He is the only one who can save us from ourselves. It hurts Him that we shut Him out, just like it would hurt us if our children shut us out. We act as if He is such an unloving and ununderstanding Father. Though we disappoint Him, a broken perfume cannot take the place of our relationship with Him. He is willing to mend and draw us close to Him.

He will not leave you or forsake you, do not be dismayed - Deut 31:8

Come back home!

#40Reflections

Speak Soon!