shloboe boe
Pastor Sikhumbuzo Dube, sikhumbuzodube7@gmail.com
IN the golden hues of dawn, as the ruler of the day’s first rays kisses the earth awake, a delightful and exhilarating symphony fills the air. Clad in garments of vivid feathers, birds begin to stir from their nests. It is the season of migration, a ritual as ancient as time itself. Now is the time for them to be in places that fulfil their needs.
Driven by an inner urge and fuelled by the ambitions held in their hearts, they swiftly ascend into the sky.
Their innate receptors are linked to an ancestral global positioning system, guiding them to new habitats.
Their tiny wings slice through the blue sky methodically, suspended by the balloons of air beneath them, gliding like miniature ships in the air. One can almost hear the whispers of the wind sharing stories from generations past.
Nestled in their small chests, these creatures concealed a secret — a genetic code intricately embedded in their essence. This code guides instincts and memories, leading them through endless journeys across expansive oceans and lofty mountains. It is a gift from their forebears, a reminder of the routes shaped by innumerable wings over time.
Each bird is a living testament to the grandeur of nature’s design. They glide gracefully, following unseen routes high above the earth — a dance of feathers on the sky’s vast canvas. They heed an ancient instinct with each beat of their wings, skilfully navigating the shifting scenery as if the stars were lighting their path.
As they fly, cities rise and fall beneath them, rivers sprawl like shimmering ribbons, homes roll like pebbles and forests unfurl. Yet, within this vast expanse, they remain intrepid — a tiny force of nature tethered to a profound and intricate plan. Some battle storms, and their cries drown beneath the howl of the wind, while others dance with the sun, finding joy in the crisp air.
For these migratory birds, the journey is not just a quest for survival but a pilgrimage of the soul, a reawakening of purpose that springs from deep within. Each destination pulses with the rhythm of a heartbeat, a promise of return that resonated through the ages. The blueprint within them is more than genetics; it is a bond to the Earth, stitched into their existence, echoing through every twist and turn of their flight.
The world watches in awe as they traverse the skies, a living reminder of resilience and an innate connection to nature’s grand design. The sun might set and rise again, and seasons may shift, but the migratory birds remain, eternal travellers carrying the stories of the skies — forever bound to the celestial map written in their hearts.
A new year has come. We have celebrated its advent, and plans have been made for 2025. Yet one question remains: Will the new year birth a new man? I wonder if we will migrate from a growth-inhibiting mindset to a growth-enhancing attitude. Will this year be like other years? Will boys successfully migrate to authentic manhood? I have been musing over these questions and wondering if I can make a difference by sharing my thoughts. From reading about these creatures and connecting it with personal experience, I have two thoughts I want to share with you.
Testament or test
Migratory birds travel thousands of kilometres, and they need to refuel along their path. They have layovers printed in their instinctual maps. In some instances, they find that fuel spots have been damaged by fire or vast amounts of forests have been removed by people. This poses a significant threat to their continuity. However, what should be a test to them becomes a testament to their resilience.
This year, you may find some of your fuelling spots vandalised. Untoward circumstances may disempower you. However, like these birds, continue pushing until you reach your destiny.
I found the “bundle of joy” fuelling spot vandalised in my marital journey. It threatened the existence of my manhood. In my imagination, the experience of having a child brings emotions woven with joy and wonder. The sensation of cradling those delicate, tiny hands is exquisite, as if time pauses in that precious moment. A child’s bubbling, infectious giggle dances through the air, igniting a warmth that envelops the spirit. It’s a profound connection, holding a piece of your essence, your genes, right in your palms. It must be something that affirms a man’s worth, I suppose.
When that profound fulfilment was stripped away from my reality, it felt like a vital part of my soul had shattered. The void left in its wake was palpable — a crushing weight that lingered, a stark reminder of what could have been. Each heartbeat echoed a longing for that joy, a child’s laughter, and the sweetness of purpose that comes with fatherhood. I was lost in that burnt fuelling spot, navigating through a landscape of yearning and sorrow, seeking solace in memories and dreams.
When that fuelling spot was removed from my life, I was crushed. However, instead of allowing this to be a test, it became a testament to demythologising childlessness in Africa.
Resolve or dissolve
Within the delicate hearts of these avian beings lies an unwavering determination, a steadfast resolve to soar towards their ultimate destination, wherever that may lead them in the vast expanse of the sky. The resolve embedded in the core of their dreams makes them continually flap their tiny wings towards their desired haven.
I encourage every boy and man to soar through the sky, reaching for their destiny with unwavering determination. Imagine the clouds beneath your feet, each breath filled with the exhilarating promise of what lies ahead. Embrace the journey, as the cosmos invites you to chase the dreams that are uniquely yours, lighting the way towards a future filled with endless possibilities.
You either resolve to thrive or dissolve as trash. When childlessness violently pushed its ugly head into my marriage, I could have “dissolved” into sleeping around in search of perpetuating my identity. It was through seeking therapy that I resolved to thrive in what my African culture may view as an incomplete marriage. Resolve or dissolve — it is your choice this year. New year, new man!
l Pastor Sikhumbuzo Dube is a chaplain, counsellor, and founder of Shunem Care, a ministry to the involuntarily childless and emotionally wounded. He has published several articles on spiritual care, mental health, chaplaincy, and involuntary childlessness.
