August in the Kalahari is not the most beautiful time of year. The savannah landscape is dry and dusty, the wind relentless, and the sunsets, while striking, are tinged with a haze. Yet, even in this raw, untamed season, there is life, movement, and anticipation.
Life is a lot like this August landscape. There are seasons that feel harsh, uncertain, or barren. But even then, we can hold fast to the promise that “there is a season for everything, and He makes everything beautiful in its time.” As the beautiful (and a family favourite) song by For King & Country (2024) reminds us:
“And You make everything, everything beautiful You make everything, everything new You make everything, everything beautiful In its time, in Your time, it’s beautiful.”
Just as the Kalahari is preparing to bloom again, so too do our lives unfold in God’s perfect timing. Each gust of wind, each swirling dust cloud, each fiery sunset is a reminder that beauty is coming—even if we can’t see it yet.
He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.- Ecclesiastes 3:11 (NIV)
In this season, I love to pause and savor the small joys that make life meaningful, even amid the dust and wind. There’s the delight of my daughters visiting home for a week, filling the house with laughter, stories, and warmth. The quiet evenings under the stars, when the vast Kalahari sky stretches endlessly above and the world feels still, are moments of peace and wonder. There’s the comforting aroma of freshly baked bread and muffins.
These small joys are gentle reminders that even in a season that is rugged and unpredictable, there is goodness, provision, and an expectation. Just as the Kalahari endures the wind and dust to bloom again in time, so too do our lives hold beauty in every season.
The Kalahari in August may not be the most beautiful, but it is a season worth embracing. And every season of life holds the promise that He will make all things beautiful in His time. (Recipe for Bran muffins on next page)
Bran Muffins
These muffins are easy, adaptable, and keep in the fridge for up to 30 days—perfect for a quick, nourishing snack with your morning coffee or tea. The base mixture is forgiving, and you can add whatever you like: grated carrot, coconut, banana, mixed seeds, cranberries… the possibilities are endless.
Ingredients
- 625 ml (2 ½ cups) all-purpose flour
- Pinch of salt
- 375 ml (1 ½ cups) brown sugar
- 125 ml (½ cup) oil
- 5 ml (1 tsp) vanilla extract
- 12.5 ml (2 ½ tsp) baking soda
- 500 ml (2 cups) digestive bran
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 500 ml (2 cups) milk
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients together until well combined.
- At this stage, you can place the mixture in the fridge and store until needed.
- Stir the mixture before baking.
- Fill muffin tins ¾ full.
- Bake at 200°C (400°F) for approximately 15 minutes, or until golden and firm.
- Cool slightly, then enjoy warm with a cup of coffee or tea.
- Optional Add-ins: Fold in grated carrot, mashed banana, shredded coconut, cranberries, or mixed seeds to suit your taste.
- Muffin mixture can be stored in fridge for 30 days.
The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance. — Alan W. Watts