' In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.' John 16:33
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| Suzanne and me |
This week, on the 25th September, I celebrate not just my brother's birthday (Happy Birthday Tom) but also the day I became a 'born again' Christian. Nine years ago I took the plunge (pun intended...sorry) and was baptised in Selkirk swimming pool in the Scottish Borders. My beloved friend Suzanne was the person who shared her faith with me, answered my billion questions, and invited me to Alpha. I praise God for her and for the fact that we met at a 'bumps and babies' group in 1999. Dorian (my husband) and I moved to Scotland at the end of 1998. I was expecting our daughter (now 15, yikes how did that happen!) when I met Suzanne. I didn't know at the time but God was shining through her. I was spiritually 'searching' and drawn to her like a moth to light. It took years, from our meeting, until I was ready to take a leap of faith. I can remember so clearly asking question after question after question of her and her husband Michael.. Finally God revealed to me that there would never be a worldly, logical answer. The awesomeness of God, all that He is and all that He does is ultimately unfathomable. 'For we live by faith, not by sight'
2 Corinthians 5:7. Some way along the road from that step of faith I know beyond doubt that God is my rock and foundation and that He has transformed my life.
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| Like my painting I am a work in progress |
Now back in West Yorkshire I am part of a great family at the Light Church in Bradford. I worship there with my sister in law Kim, and together we run a weekly home group in Halifax. I like the idea of God as tapestry maker. I always loved the Carole King record 'Tapestry' since the days I first heard it at my hippy boarding school in Devon in the 70s. I am in awe of the way our amazing creator God weaves all the strands of life together, through people He puts in our lives and where He places us. Sometimes we may not understand things that happen in our lives but God does. He is the Master Weaver. These past nine years have been a journey, and not, of course without challenges. There have been plenty of those. But, and it's a big but, it's totally different going through them, knowing that God is with me, He will never leave me or forsake me, and He wants to take my burdens from me. When the going gets tough I try to keep my focus on Him, stand on His word and trust, Isaiah 26:3. He will give me that wonderful peace that only He gives, 'not as the world gives' John 14:27.
I surrender my life to God, I want to be His vessel and shine for Him. I pray that just as Suzanne led me into the light, I can journey with others along the way. There are so many lost and hurting people in this broken world. I want to tell them about our wonderful Father God, the one who can truly heal us, He so wants to help if we would just open the door and let Him into our lives.
