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A Tribute to My Father-in-Law - Laetitia van Schalkwyk

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On Friday, 27 March 2026, we received one of those phone calls you never want to get: my father-in-law had passed away. As I sit with the quietness of his loss, my mind travels back forty years to where it all began. My first memories of him date back to 1986. Stephanus and I were still in matric—young, innocent, and at the very beginning of a long journey. Even then, though I didn’t see him often during the day, because he was a Pastor of the AFM Church and a fulltime lecturer,  he carried a presence that commanded immediate respect. The Car, the Camera, and a Lesson in Composure He was the one who drove Stephanus back and forth between our houses, and I will always be grateful for that effort; he kept our young friendship alive. One of my most vivid memories involves our matric farewell. Because I had my driver’s license and Stephanus only had his learner’s, his father entrusted us with his car. It was a big responsibility for two teenagers, and naturally, things didn’t go quite ...
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This Man. This Marriage. This Peace - Laetitia van Schalkwyk

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  It’s been a while since I’ve written anything on this platform… Since getting married on 14 August — and with our 5th wedding anniversary approaching this year — it almost feels as if I died to a previous version of my life. Whenever a new door opens, there will always be something you mourn about your old life. But there will also be things you deeply appreciate and celebrate in the new one. That rhythm of loss and gratitude never really changes. It’s funny how I became so used to being single again after a 17-year marriage. I grew perfectly comfortable in my own skin — going to movies alone, having coffee dates with myself, and occasionally spoiling myself with a restaurant meal. I even went on holiday alone to Blouberg Strand in Cape Town, moved to Mossel Bay, and truly enjoyed the quietness and solitude. But here’s the unexpected twist: now that I am married to my best friend, I don’t even feel the desire to go sit somewhere alone with a cup of coffee anymore. It’s simply not...
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How do you respond to authority? - Laetitia van Schalkwyk

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  How do you respond? Especially when it comes to authority. How do you respond to authority? We read in 2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 TPT “Now, if anyone is enfolded into Christ, he has become an entirely new person. All that is related to the old order has vanished. Behold, everything is fresh and new.” Ephesians 2:4-6 NKJV “But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” Ephesians 2:4-6 TPT “But God still loved us with such great love. He is so rich in compassion and mercy. Even when we were dead and doomed in our many sins, he united us into the very life of Christ and saved us by his wonderful gr...
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Practice the Pause - Laetitia van Schalkwyk

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Genuine connections involve uncomfortable conversations. It is always better to address things rather than avoiding, withholding & ignoring. Opening and leaning into vulnerability is key instead of refusing to engage when others let us know how our words/actions have impacted them.   But! This is key:   Practice the pause . Pause before assuming. Pause before accusing. Pause whenever you are about to react harshly, and you will avoid doing and saying things you will regret.   Do not be pulled into their vibration; always rise higher.    Romans 12:2 TPT “Stop imitating the ideals and opinions of the culture around you but be inwardly transformed by the Holy Spirit through a total reformation of how you think. This will empower you to discern God’s will as you live a beautiful life, satisfying and perfect in his eyes. ”   Before you respond to someone, remember that your response is also your agreement to establish an energy connection with them, whi...
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