Almost the end of the summer holidays so plenty of time to write and so much reason for me to thank God.
Yesterday I was taken by a special bus all provided by ‘Gilgal’ our local Baptist church, and today I have friends saying when is a good time to visit?
I have always loved the gift of hospitality. I lived with my parents so only ever invited friends for a meal when they were on holiday.
Once I was settled in my own little home in Papua New Guinea I dared to offer a three-course meal, trusting the fire to keep going and one of the schoolboys to come and wash up for me.
So many homes and countries but then at last a husband to keep our guests entertained while I enjoyed serving up a hopefully fool-proof meal as a pastor’s wife. We were both in our element.
Joel‘s death, though painful for me of course, had set me free to work with teaching ‘Bible in Schools,’ until I was ninety, and I knew I needed to retire, but Covid saved me from this trauma, and my doctor, whose coming on the day Joel died, has become a wonderful Christian friend , advised me to move to a lovely flatlet for elderly folk like me. I still could prepare a simple meal for guests but then the great collapse and I was in need of nursing care.
It was many years ago that Joel and I had offered to go into Pinehurst Care Home to take a little service. Cheryl, had said then, ‘I wouldn’t mind ending my days here.’ I had never thought of ending my days anywhere.’ But I knew I had to think about it now.
When I mentioned our previous link with the home, and with the present link with our Matron’s mother, the deal was done. Very shortly a room became vacant. I had my own recliner brought in for my comfort, and yes, in the corner, my old friend, my computer.
‘Well, I won’t be needing that.’
‘You don’t know.’
I could write another chapter about the dear folk who still so wonderfully help and encourage me to continue with my blogs and emails, and I am going to sign off now with a little verse I have just written for a wonderful couple who have helped us both so much in our times of bereavement.
I could so easily have been left as Joel’s carer, whereas I am so wonderfully cared for and enabled to still be an encourager of others.
So let us press on together.
This is what I have written for our dear Laurence, a faithful shepherd still to so many.
‘How wide has been your ministry to the lonely and afraid
Especially to your own Beloved now confusion clouds her way.
Fear not your strength will fail, dear Loll, for as you have prayed us through
We know our Saviour holds you fast and has a way of escape for you.
He leads us all on varied paths but will never lead
astray.
Remember God has promised each of us
Strength for each new day.
September now and the holidays are over, and we have another addition to our family of Grace. Maisie is very special, and I am going to include her poem now, before she gets lost in this new edition of my blog spot.
I was privileged to work with her grandparents, Auntie Margaret and Uncle Neil to us all, with one precious son, who, like his parents, wanted to serve God with all his heart, and is gifted musically and in many other ways, and now, what a joy to hear of the safe arrival of our darling little Maisie.
This is the best I could come up with by way of welcome.
‘Welcome, dear Maisie, Safely born at last.
Prayed for and longed for, You are cherished and loved.
We’ll continue to praise God for you – a gift from above.
May you too live for Jesus, like your parents before you
in this family of Grace - you are loved, you are safe
So here we are back into a new term. Our seniors moving into fresh challenges, -maybe new? who knows, and here in our slow moving care home, what fresh experiences lay before us?
Our hundred-year-old still has faithful visitors and has been regaling us with a mixture of Welsh and English nursery rhymes and my wits are not as sharp as I could wish but I pray that I, with our Gladys will receive each day as a special gift from God.
I may have lost my mobility so can no longer treat friends to a coffee by the sea, but with my wonderful Jane offering a bed for the night I am looking forward to a visit from Christina. I met her and her husband when I was lecturing on children’s work at the Apostolic Bible college
Thank you so much for the encouragement of my faithful blog readers. Apologies that I have been so slow in getting this edition ready to be printed. My poor old brain is yes, even older and my wonderful helpers even busier, but I have a wonderful lady who comes into our home to encourage us in the things we can do. Yes, she is a very special help and encourager to me, so I am determined to make this edition short, before I lose it all.
So hopefully just one chapter, or maybe even two, of ‘Whisper of the Willows’ before I ask the wonderful Sian to send it on its way.
WHISPER OF THE WILLOWS
The hedge of willows were growing strongly so that once even- tide had come the Hebrews made it a place to gather for a refreshment of their faith in their own God.
There were occasions when a gang of Babylonians might come to taunt them, but their special songs of faith and worship were not for their enemies to mock at.
Some of the Hebrews had vowed that they would no longer sing the songs of Zion to be mocked by their captors, but God always has his faithful few who will just keep praising and trusting, so watch this space……
