By Benescke Janse van Rensburg

As a journalist, I interview interesting, inspiring people on a regular basis. Every now and then, an interview touches my heart, causing me to look at life differently. A few days ago it happened once again. Here is the story. . .

In August last year, Ryno and Verna Mulder dropped of their healthy 6 month old baby girl, Mienke, at day care one morning. Just after lunch, they received the phone call that they had to come to the hospital straight away. Their baby girl choked on milk and was rushed to the hospital.

Upon their arrival, Ryno and Verna found their girl's blue, lifeless body on the hospital bed. The doctors already gave up hope to get a heartbeat. In tears, Verna begged them to try once more. They did. And there was a heartbeat.

Little did Verna and Ryno know what lay in front of them while praying for a miracle in the waiting room. A lack of oxygen caused brain damage to Mienke. That was the first day of their long, grueling road with tears, frustration and major doctors and therapist bills. Mienke is now 21 months old, but is still unable to walk, sit, eat on her own or talk. But still each night, her two older sisters pray with their parents for a supernatural miracle.

Ryno and Verna's positivity and sincere faith in God touched me. Both testified that they grew closer to God in the past year. They had to forgive in order to experience freedom. And to the question of if they could go back in time to that day in August, knowing what they know today, would they still ask the doctors to try again to save her, they both said “yes” without hesitation. Verna added: “I am daily aware of God’s grace upon grace. Each day it is new and enough to carry me through.”

We do not always understand such tragedies and maybe we should not try to figure it out. In Isaiah 55: 8-9, God reminds us, “‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the Lord. ‘As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” In the desert, the Israelites received manna and quails in the morning - enough for that day. Likewise, God’s grace for us during difficult times is new every day – and enough for each day. Paul experienced it. In 2 Corinthians 12: 9, God spoke to him: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

What storm are you facing today? Are you struggling with the hurt after losing a loved one? Are you going through a divorce? Have you recently been declared bankrupt? Is there an addiction in the family? Or are you, like Ryno and Verna, daily faced with the challenges surrounding your special needs child? May we remember that God's grace is new every day and enough to carry us through that day! His strength comes to full effect when we are weak. God bless.

Father God, thank you for Your grace upon grace. Help me to not become overwhelmed, but to daily put my hope and trust in You. I ask this in the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

• Listen to the interview I had with Ryno and Verna Mulder on Radio Tygerberg 104FM at www.benescke.co.za or visit the Stories van Hoop Facebook page for photos and their special message to Verse-a-Day readers.

• Feedback: If you want to join the conversation, send us an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or become part of the Stories van Hoop Community on Facebook. Your contribution is important to us.