“EMERGO” on Ameland

Recently, on a radiant day, I was roaming through the dunes of Ameland. Enjoying the wind, the sun and the freedom. Here and there a flower in bloom, sea buckthorn and elderflower. In the distance a kestrel hovered in the sky as if in prayer. There were hardly any people. When I was over the last little dune there was a bench with a view over the Duitse Bocht (German Bight), a part of the North Sea. That was my spot for that moment. After enjoying the whisper of the wind for a while I heard faint voices. Behind me a small group of elderly people came walking through the loose sand. “How nice to find you here,” says a lady. “Would you mind taking a photo of us?” I was happy to. And after they had arranged themselves around and on the bench it was not difficult to take a nice picture.

“It’s my birthday today,” says one of the ladies. She has turned 69. “Well, whoever has a birthday always gets something,” I say, and I search my rucksack for a surprise. I had a card with a special text made for situations like this. 50 years ago I was at the agricultural fair in Zuidlaren. Outside there was still the lively horse market then. An annual event, on the third Tuesday in October, for the northern provinces. In the large Prins Bernhardhal there were all kinds of things to see and experience in the way of innovations for farmers: tractors of various makes, mega combine harvesters, and more. Between those big stands a gentleman sat at a small table. Quite a contrast with the rest. He sat there writing texts with great concentration. An ornate frame had been drawn around the text. At the top, in large letters, it said ‘Emergo’. I recognised that from the coat of arms of Zeeland: ‘Luctor et Emergo’, “I struggle and emerge”.

I stood watching in admiration. The design of the text, the calligraphy and the deep meaning of the words spoke to me. This is what it is about, I realised. I must emerge. Not muddle along like so many people around me. I must emerge, and arrive where I am meant to be. Walk a unique path that is not like that of others. Trust that I do not have to do it alone, that I will manage… whatever it may be. What did I know about life? I was 17 at the time.

Now this text came like a gift from heaven, out of my rucksack.

Spontaneously and clearly, the lady whose birthday it was recited the text. Everyone fell silent and listened intently. “If you think: ‘I am beaten’, defeat is a fact. If you think ‘I shall not falter’, in the long run you win the battle”… so she went on, line by line. It was quiet when she reached the end. Someone remarked that it reminded them of a song. “We are believers,” someone from the group explained. Spontaneously someone began to sing, and together they sang:

When you sit in distress, seeing no way out,
Do not ever forget: God does not forsake you.
Fear no distress! The Lord’s faithfulness is great,
And the dark of night is followed by the red of morning.
Though storms rage, fear no evil;
God will protect you, your refuge.

A special moment in the dunes with complete strangers, but with the same will and trust to overcome.

Would you like to order this beautiful card, for yourself or for someone else? The text card “Emergo” can be ordered.

Send a message.