50 Years!

Today marks my Golden anniversary of being a Christian!

50 years since I sat in a boring service in Scarborough whilst on holiday.

I remember quietly complaining to myself about having to to go - we were on holiday! (To verbalise my complaint to my mum would have been a very bad idea!)

But I’m glad we went.

I’m glad I refused to go into the Sunday school because I was too shy.

I’m glad it was boring.

I’m glad because, instead, I sat and thought through what my girls club leader had taught week by week at our home church on a Thursday evening (and I was glad they let me go a year earlier than they should!)

As I remembered, I realised that God’s call was also meant for me, that Jesus made it possible when He died and rose again - and I chose to answer that call for myself.

I said sorry (and meant it) and then, because of Jesus, there was no more separation from God.

I was 7 years old.

It was a quiet moment.

No singing angels.

I didn’t tell anyone about it for a few years!

It was between me and God. My Heavenly Father and my only good Father.

It’s not always been easy, but I’ve been blessed with the ability to have absolute faith in knowing that God is good. Absolute faith that He was with me in the really tough times and also in the better times.

I’ve been blessed to be able to see that when Christians hurt other Christians - it’s not God, it’s people. And I have been very hurt, in many ways, by other Christians - to the point that others understandably chose to walk away. Because - why would you willingly put yourself through that. But God was good and walked with me through it. I may have forgiven, but it still hurts - and God understands that.

God has guided me, loved me, saved me and made me complete….

Completely His, complete in my heart and soul and his beautiful creation.

In the times where people tell me I’m not complete because of my disability, God is there showing me this is not true - he redeems the story of my disability. 

He has redeemed many of the tough stories of my life. He allowed me to yell at Him, to ask “why?”

To Lament.

50 years later and the journey is still only just beginning. I’m still learning, and I still have the stubborn streak I was born with!

I am grateful for 50 years following Jesus, for the faithfulness of God and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

I have good reason to celebrate!