Relationships

The sting of rejection

“I’m so sorry, but I just don’t see you in that way…” The camera cuts to a wide shot of two individuals at a 45º angle, then pans between one pensive face and another (devastated) one. An...

Culture

My love affair with pornography

I am intimately familiar with sin. I was around 12 when I had my first experience of pornography, one which started a love affair that lasted more than a decade. Porn seemed to satisfy this deep and...

Relationships

In grief and hatred, I wanted to change my surname

I hit rock-bottom when I was 17. That was when I stood in front of my father’s niche, silently ranting at him for not being around to protect me and my mother in the legal mess his extended family...

Relationships

When you’re single but not by choice

“How are you, being single?” My friend was telling me about a friend who was approaching her thirties soon and struggling with singleness. We agreed that age might have played a large role in...

Relationships

Friendship and community

“When He had come back to Capernaum several days afterward, it was heard that He was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no longer room, not even near the door; and He was...

Relationships

Help, I think my professor likes me

“Hi Carmen, I was wondering if you would like to come down earlier before your consultation? Perhaps we could go for lunch?” My already furiously beating heart raced even faster and I could feel...

Relationships

My journey with insecurity

I grew up insecure. My family was not too well-to-do. Until I was about 12 years old, my sister, mom and I used to put up in the same bedroom – after which my bedroom would be the living room for...

Relationships

Should couples “test the water” on staycations and vacations?

Last year, a colleague of mine published a controversial article titled Should couples travel together. It drew many differing opinions: Some thought that it needed to be heard, while others...

Relationships

Why do I still love even when it hurts?

There are two things I’ve always been frustrated with God about, especially on bad days. The first – why do I always seem to be in the wrong place? And the second – how many times have I...