The news of Joost van der Westhuizen being in a critical condition in hospital had me acting like a typical journalist.
I immediately wanted to know the latest news on his condition. I followed every Facebook post and read every news article on the matter. I was constantly on my phone checking for any updates. At one stage I even asked my family what they thought … just to make conversation.
While driving to work this morning I was listening to Jacaranda FM’s breakfast show, The Complimentary Breakfast. One of the presenters, Rian van Heerden, said something quite profound about Joost and the disease he suffers from.
He said that most messages from the public are that they are praying for his speedy recovery. Rian asked “praying to recover from what?” He made a valid point because let’s face it, Joost is not suffering from the flu.
Joost’s condition resulting from motor neuron disease is deteriorating by the day. Should his current condition become less critical, the stage of the debilitating disease he is suffering from would be exactly the same as before he was admitted to hospital. There is no moving away from living with that disease … well, not until a cure is found.
I agree with Rian, but I want to reiterate and add to his comment – we should still keep on praying. There are people, apart from Joost, who are also suffering: his family, his friends and his colleagues. They need our prayers too.
The day will come when Joost is forever free from suffering, but those he leaves behind will hurt and most probably have questions like, “Why him?”
Until that day comes, whether it is later today, this week or even next year, we should always pray and never stop.
I know I will, will you?
Until next week, keep praying Krugersdorp.
