To the men God used to heal my heart...

You know when you've thought of a million different gifts you can buy someone, but none of them suffice. And you've tried writing a letter to express your deep gratitude and appreciation for them, but the words keep coming up short. Well, I can't count the number of times I've wanted to do something special enough to show two gentlemen, in particular, just how much of an impact they've made on my life...

Let me give some background to my story...

Some of you may know that I grew up without a father (not knowing my biological dad for most of my childhood). There were some men (uncles, etc.) who somewhat played the "father-figure" role, but a lot of pain and trauma came through those relationships. As a result of these experiences, I grew up feeling unwanted, uncared for, unprovided for, unprotected...especially by the men in my life. And every little girl/boy wants to feel loved, protected and provided for by their fathers. 

I've carried these wounds and scars of rejection throughout most of my life, leading to unhealthy, destructive and inappropriate relationships with men to fill the gaping hole in my heart and soul.

But God...!! Hallelujah!!😊 He definitely works all things together for our good.

When I was 22, God touched the hearts of my newly married Pastors on campus to take me into their home after I made a mess of my life by quitting university. Winston and Lucy (although they were only a few years older than me) "adopted" me and loved me like their own child, provided for me in ways that are humanly impossible, and God brought so much redemption and healing into my life through them. 

Man number 1...Mahlatse Winston Mashua...the man who taught me that I didn't have to perform to be seen by men. That I was beautiful and enough! He taught me how to overcome my insecurities by allowing me to witness their personal struggles and journey of overcoming. Through his eyes, I saw a world with endless possibilities. Through him, I learnt and experienced the love of God the Father. And don't even get me started on how beautifully and lavishly he loved his wife... Through witnessing their marriage, I started believing in true love. Hope and healing came to my heart. 

Man number 2...Prasheen Maharaj...my current boss and CEO, a man I've come to respect and hold dearly in my heart. Through his "conscious capitalism", he's proved that Profit and People are not mutually exclusive in business. Caring about humanity and putting people first, though a narrow and less travelled path in business, is a gateway to more blessings and cultivates gratitude. I feel seen, cared for and provided for through his endless generosity. His genuine interest and involvement in my life embody the kind of care I craved from my father/s all my life. Once again, God has used him and his wife to bless me incredibly and heal parts of me that I didn't even know were broken.

I say this a lot, and some may think I'm joking when I say it, but I genuinely believe that I'm the luckiest girl in the whole world! I am so fortunate, so highly favoured, incredibly blessed, loved, cared for, provided for and chosen...I run out of words when I thank God for how good He's been to me, and for the amazing people He's brought into my life...even be it for a season.

So, shout out to Winston and Prasheen for daring greatly! For being courageous men who are not afraid of vulnerability and paying the cost of loving People who are not always easy to love. 

May God bless you both beyond your comprehension. May He increase your wisdom, your influence, and give you divine favour in all corners of the earth. May your families and friends continue to be blessed because of you. May your legacy be like none the world has ever seen.

Salute to the men who are righteous leaders, the men who are breaking stereotypes. The men who know better, the men who desire to do better, the men who do better. To the men God used to heal my heart...