During Sunday’s sermon, Pastor Andre Nel from Kingdom Culture, in Oudtshoorn mentioned the verse, Ps 23:5, ‘You anoint my head with oil, my cup overflows”.
It was not that I do not know the verse, I just rea-lised something unique about it, especially with what happened to me and what I am still going through daily.
You see, last year on the 3rd of April 2023, my daughter Almay Hurling, was found murdered in our home. I knew with certainty that my daughter was safe with Jesus Christ but what happened could destroy me and my life. On the murder scene, in a moment of clarity, I realised that I have to make a decision on who I will believe. Will I focus on what is happening or will I focus on what God is doing, even when at that stage I couldn’t comprehend it.
I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Saviour when I was 32 and have been reading His Word ever since. I realised that what I was facing came to test my faith and God’s Word in me.
Right there, in that moment, I told God that I forgive the person who murdered my daughter and submitted myself unto God. Immediately, I felt His Comfort wrapping around me like a blanket.
The Word says, “Submit to God, resist the devil, and he will flee.” Submitting myself unto God gave the devil no room to torment my mind and my heart.
Going through the process of grieving working though the trauma, every time when a lie entered my mind, I would replace it with what I knew about God and spoke His word against the lie.
“Healing, I have found, is a process.”
Months after my daughter’s passing, I observed that God is speaking to me about Him doing something new. At the time I didn’t want anything new. To be able to receive something new would require letting go of what has been to make room for the new. I did not want to let go of my daughter, I asked God how He will make my daughter new, here, on earth. I know she is new in heaven, but how will He make it happen here. I told him I don’t want new daughters, because then I could have kept my own daughter. So, I completely rejected that idea.
During February, this year, I attended a “Be Still” conference and the presenter spoke about a broken cup. She said while one of her friends was sitting in a restaurant, the Holy Spirit directed her to focus on another woman enjoying a cup of tea. The Holy Spirit said, ‘I am going to give an example on how I make all things new.” All of a sudden, the cup fell and broke into pieces. One of the waitresses appeared, cleaned up the mess and placed a new cup, filled with tea in front of the woman. And the Holy Spirit said, ‘See, a new cup filled with what is needed.”
Hearing that testimony, I went outside to sit alone with Jesus.
Yet again, I argued with Him over this concept of something new, and how I don’t want to let go of my daughter and accept anything else. I accepted her passing and that she was with Jesus.
Because I knew she was safe and that I would see her again, but letting go was too much to bear.
I discerned at that moment that God told me that my daughter belonged to Him and that also comforted me.
I took the bible and it opened at Acts 20:22-24, “And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: Save that the Holy Ghost witnessed in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.”
Sitting in the garden, reading this Word, the Truth hit me.
I was so focused on what I wanted that I did not consider that God loved every other daughter as much as and probably more than I could ever love my daughter. Because we all belong to Him. I counted my life so precious that I did not want to give God room for what He still wants to do. Immediately, I felt remorse and repented before God. Right there, in the garden I released my daughter and the plans I still had for me and her into the hands of Jesus. I know something happened; I knew that I can trust Him.
When Pastor Andre Nel mentioned the verse of the cup in PS 23, I realized the cup was me. I am that cup.
That cup (I) fell and broke when I heard the news of the murder on my daughter. My cup cannot run over unless it is made new. Being made new in this aspect, I realized started in the garden for me.
When I realized my idea of how things in my life should be is not what matters most but allowing the plan and the will of God in my life. That is what will produce everlasting joy and will cause my cup to overflow… (By Lizette Hurling)
More about Lizette Hurling
When I met Lizette in April 2023, shortly after her daughter had been murdered in her home, I was astonished.
I have covered many stories and court cases as a journalist, and there is usually a pattern that can be expected when meeting the family of the victim. The interviews are always handled with respect and compassion as to not cause additional trauma. What I saw the day I met Lizette was like nothing I had ever seen before. Not only had she forgiven the person who had done this, but she had peace in her heart.
That peace was radiating throughout the house and touched everyone who entered there. After the interview I could not deny that what I had experienced that morning was supernatural, and that Lizette had touched my heart and stirred my faith again.
At an event held in August 2023, Lizette was the motivational speaker. The same love, peace, compassion, and inspiration filled the room and touched all the persons attending the event. And His love radiated from her that night.
Once again, I could only watch in awe and wonder at this amazing woman of faith. – Angelique Erasmus
Lizette is available for speaking engagements and as a motivational speaker. Her story truly inspires and testifies of a God who not only comforts, but also heals and helps His children through any trial or tribulation. For bookings, contact her on 084 279 6421.