adminbusiness. I overheard them say to each other “uyo here uyo haasati akurwadziwa”, meaning she is not yet in pain.
They were right because as time progressed the screaming died down slowly until we could not hear them anymore.
Those who have gone through or witnessed someone in labour know that the pain is progressive and therefore intensifies as the time to deliver gets nearer. So in this case, the pain had intensified taking the better of her and leaving her with no strength at all to scream.
She really had to get down to some serious business.
I suppose those nearer the labour ward could only hear whimpers and groans. The silence was finally broken by the noise of a bed being wheeled down the corridor to the wards – yes indeed the woman had delivered a bouncing baby so we heard.
From my bed I could imagine all that pain replaced by smiles as she admired her precious gift.
From stories I have heard, I can safely say that the times of bringing life into the world are moments of madness. To tell a woman who is going through the excruciating pain to restrain herself can sound insensitive. This is usually the time that most women swear that they will never do it again. Surprisingly the majority go back there for the second, third or eighth time because giving birth to life is so overwhelming.
Yet all this pain is meant to bring a life into this world. Yes a life which, if well guided and lived, will make a huge difference to the world. Why am I saying all this? Well, what I am trying to say to you dear reader is pain is a sign of life. When it intensifies know these are birth pains so you can receive the new thing coming your way.
In life we face a number of challenges, trials and tribulations that threaten to rob us of a life. There are times in life when everything seems to collapse around us. You could be sinking in debt, the business on life support, if are employed there is the threat of retrenchment and/or relationships could be on the rocks. All this and more tend to draw out from us the last grain of hope.
Sometimes family, work, church and general circumstances can persecute you but when the magnitude intensifies know the end is near. The best thing that you can do to yourself is not to broadcast to the world how life has been unfair to you. Make the best of your situation and use the bricks being thrown at you to build the foundation of your house.
Traditionally due to lack of better explanation hardships were often attributed to evil forces. Interpreting a situation this way can make one docile or instills fear that puts us on the edge. Now that we are an enlightened generation we know there is recession, disease and people and relationships change not necessarily as a result of evil spells. Anyway where there is pain there is gain (pane chipenyu chinobuda). What counts is the way we respond to the pain.
Going back to my opening story let me say that the midwife is there to help a woman deliver safely and not harm or kill the baby in the process.
Using this as an example it suffices to say that the importance of one’s response to pain and suffering cannot be overemphasized. Stillness and keeping an open mind helps to make one better.
The pain that you are going through could be a way of developing your capacity to handle the new season coming your way. It could be a time for your breakthrough characterised by transitioning pain.
Think of growing pains that come with transitioning from childhood to adulthood. It is not for you to consider the length of time you have been in this situation.
It would be good to hide the message of Shingisai Siluma’s song which urges patience in affliction “Mirira mangwanani rufaro ruchauya.”
One’s attitude to suffering determines whether we get better or worse off. One can choose to mourn out of self pity and attract the same from hearers or broadcast it from anthills or mountain tops.
All this for certain is an energy leak. Self pity, if anything, is so disempowering and gets you nowhere.
Those among us who read the Bible know the story of Gehazi, Elisha’s servant, sent to raise the widow’s son from the dead and that of the takeover of Jericho by the children of Israel. Gehazi was told not to say a word even returning a greeting.
On the other hand Israel was told not to give a war cry, raise their voices or say a word, why because the time of deliverance had come. It required focus on what is ahead. Gehazi’s mission was unsuccessful and one can guess that he failed the test.
Suffering should not leave you the same person. No matter how difficult your situation is it must bring out sweetness. I learnt that the beautiful pearls are a product of pain borne by a snail as it is pierced to ooze out a liquid used in the manufacturing process. Suffering therefore should give you character.
There is a saying in Shona that says “Mutoro unorema wakusvika” (the load is heaviest when you are nearing your destination). The English also have an adage that says “It is darkest before dawn.” When this happens know that it is only a matter of time before the load is laid down and also before dawn breaks out.
Some of my very difficult times in life brought out the best in me and also gave me space to garner momentum to run with new things. I however must hasten to say that in all these instances my faith helped to carry me through to the next level.
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