In its time!
"I am God. At the right time, I’ll make it happen."
Perhaps I should start this way: writing Eavesdrop is always a product of reflection, born out of something I’ve been brooding over specifically for the newsletter. Two weeks ago, as I pondered what to write for the final letter of the year, this particular subject came to mind—along with a story. A story that emerged from the small, everyday moments of eavesdropping on life, as it should.
Back when I lived in the presbytery, I would often stumble upon branded souvenirs—jotters, pens, mugs—while tidying up the priests’ rooms. My ‘baby’ mind couldn’t help but wonder when such things might become a part of my reality. As frivolous as it may sound, those items represented something more to me back then.
Fast-forward to last week: I had just returned from our end-of-year office retreat. While organising a section of my bookshelf, I noticed a collection of branded jotters, mugs, and water bottles—gifts from the office and other places. I even gave some away, much like the priests used to do.
It struck me then: what once seemed like an unattainable dream had quietly become a part of my everyday life.
It reminded me of the final three words of one of my favourite scriptures: “in its time.”
As the calendar year draws to a close, it’s natural to reflect on how far we’ve come. Yet, in doing so, there’s often a tendency to fixate on the things we haven’t achieved, losing sight of the truth that everything happens in its own time.
When I think of my younger self, that nine- to twelve-year-old who longed for those branded jotters, I realise now that the timing wasn’t yet right. And even now, as a 24-year-old, there are aspirations that remain beyond my reach—not because they’re unattainable, but because their time hasn’t come.
Though the winter is long, even richer
The harvest it brings
Though my waiting prolongs even greater
Your promise for me like a seed
I believe that my season will come(Lyrics from Seasons, a song by Benjamin William Hastings and Hillsong Worship)
It’s even possible that somewhere, another nine- to twelve-year-old is dreaming of what I have now, just as someone my age might still find these little trinkets aspirational. Life, like time zones, moves differently for each of us. Morning in one place is evening in another. While I sleep, someone else is racing to catch a bus.
Reflecting on this seemingly trivial experience—my journey from dreaming of branded souvenirs to now having a lot of them—I’m reminded of the bridge that connects aspiration to reality. What we do in the in-between matters profoundly.
Every one of those items came to me because of something I had done long before that day. One of the personalised jotters, for example, was gifted by my organisation’s foundation as a token of appreciation for serving as an editorial mentor on one of their projects. But pause and consider this: it took years of work experience, applying for a role at the organisation, proving my capability, and excelling in that role to earn that single jotter. That’s the perspective I want you to hold onto.
The psalmist prayed, “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” It’s a profound reminder that how we live—“not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity”—shapes the life we build.
So, as we close this year, let’s remember: that everything has its time. And in the waiting, there is wisdom to be gained and bridges to be built.
Compliments of the season!
🧑🏿🎄 Holidaying
I’m not sure if you’ll take as much time to rest as I plan to this holiday, but if you can, you definitely should! It’s the perfect opportunity to slow down, reflect, give thanks, and take stock of things that matter.
Let me share some of the things I’ve enjoyed over the past few days:
📚 I’m currently reading Dignity of Manhood by Gbile Akanni. Once I’m done, I’ll dive into The Incredible Dreams of Garba Dakaskus by Umar Abubakar Sidi—a gift from a colleague a few weeks ago.
💬 I also watched a conversation between Trevor Noah and Simon Sinek on The Paradox of Choice.
🍿 In between reading and reflecting, I’ve been indulging in a few South African series and films, including Classified and The Kingdom. Both are available on Netflix.
Oh, yeah! I will be waiting in the comments for your recommendations too.
Eavesdrop in 2024
It was late January when I decided to start writing Eavesdrop. My first letter went out on 1 February, and since then, we’ve reflected together on topics ranging from mentorship to learning how to ask, subtle influences, and the cost of ignorance. We also explored what scaffolds teach about farewells in relationships, the framework of intention, bias, and the church. And, of course, there was Mephibosheth’s story and the letter on words.
Now, we’re closing the year with this conversation on timing.
Each letter has been written with the hope of improving how I perceive and respond to life’s challenges and moments. My wish is that this ripple effect extends to you as well.
Some of you have shared your favourite letters with me via messages—I truly appreciate your feedback.
Want to know my fave? Let’s start with you: What was your favourite letter?