February 2025

January 23rd - so here I am. Safely arrived at the great age of 94, and yes it really was my best birthday ever, and here I am in my lovely writing jacket, a belated gift from a night carer, and the gift of a quiet hour on my computer before my ‘Magic Margaret’ arrives to hopefully help me to walk safely for a coffee by the sea, and bringing with her my last minute requests for shopping.

Micha with his beautiful Liz  is now our assistant pastor, has  taken over now as my blog publisher and sorter out for a 94 year out with a not so good forgettery and he had printed out for me the loving greetings of many of my friends who had been family to me all those years ago in New Guinea as well as the precious new friends I am still finding joining our journey, in Grace church as well as this lovely Care Home.

But I have another family waiting in the wings, so time for us to travel now to the seashore of Joppa.

CHAPTER 2

Judith found she had a full-time job in steering her mother from falling into the slough of despair that surrounded her but having met some women who understood their language she felt free to leave her mother sitting, she couldn’t say chatting happily with them, but at least finding comfort in being able to share their griefs.

But Judith now found herself listening to a different story, - unbelievable, and yes, wonderful, - but yet, yes, so unbelievable that somehow, they could not but believe.

At last, she remembered her poor mother and hurried back to search for her.

They were living now in Joppa with her mother’s brother. He, a fisherman making a comfortable living there, but now all the talk is of a man, Jonah by name who it seems was seeking to get to some distant shore but instead of getting far away, had found himself brought back, rescued it seemed by some mighty fish.

The story was to be repeated over and over again, and though people pronounced it unbelievable, and impossible to believe yet somehow the terrible colour of his skin was evidence that he had indeed been in the belly of some great monster was testimony that he had indeed been swallowed for a considerable time and was willing to affirm his story.

‘Oh indeed,’ her mother affirmed.  ‘Your father knew him as a man of God. His word is not to be doubted. Indeed, I will take you myself to visit him, but I have other news to tell you and I am sure you will find this even more wonderful. Come, take me home and let me prepare our meal before I tell you, for it is news of your brother.’

Of course, neither of them could wait for a meal before they could share the wonderful news that a red-headed lad who could well be Judith’s twin had been sighted within the terrible city of Nineveh. Oh, was there indeed hope? Oh Lord! May it indeed be so?

January 2025

Alexa assures me we are in yet another New Year, and I am in a Care Home and in spite of every effort suffered yet another ‘drop’ through falling blood pressure which has left me in so much pain.

Yet here I am, aged 93,  fast approaching 94, the only one in my family to have lived to old age and still in my right mind, so I want to make the most of the abilities I have left and keep in touch with my friends.

Micha, our new assistant pastor in ‘Grace’ has offered to take over the actual publishing of my blog, so if God is giving me the gift of long life I must do something to fill my days. What else can I do but write?

Aged fifty, I had left the mission field and now married to Joel. It was then God called me to write. My husband gave me every encouragement. My tutor lived locally and I had no problem in getting published. I wrote stories based on my adventures abroad but as the days of Sunday Schools diminished so did the editors willing to publish my books.

No market now through the Christian Herald, but when a prominent Christian Publisher told me they had considered my latest book carefully and thought it worth self publishing, so I have taken this route. But now in a Care Home I can no longer afford, not have I the energy  to take this route.

Coming up to 94, I try of live an active life. Scrabble, through the kindness of caring friends , once a fortnight, Prayer meeting – my priority, and friends who hopefully will be still able to help me to walk down the road for a coffee? And our Luncheon Club at Gilgal, always a special blessing. But what about writing? For many years I have always had a book on the go.

I was advised to send my latest to someone who is into publishing, but meanwhile I am turning to my faithful blog readers. I am so grateful for my friends who will gently remind me that they look forward to news of me. So – I wonder if it might be acceptable to publish just a chapter of ‘Children of the city.’ Based on  yet another aspect of Jonah, maybe I could add a chapter to my   monthly blog?

 

CHILDREN OF THE CITY – INTRODUCTION

Most of us will have read the biblical version of Jonah and the Whale. Jesus himself refers to this strange and oft doubted story. If our Saviour believed it then why should we doubt? Rather I trust you may be blessed as I use my God given imagine to understand why the prophet had been so willing for the destruction of Nineveh.

The setting is hillside just north of Bethlehem. The child had been named ‘Joyful Praise’ by her father at birth, but her mother found it very hard to call her that, for she was a twin, her brother and she with bright copper coloured hair so easily recognised.

But now their father is dead, slain by the terrible Ninevites. They were returning  from tending his grave. There had been no sign of her twin brother’s body though surely his distinctive hair would have made him unmissable? 

Mother and daughter found a sunlit nook where they could sit and eat the few grapes they had manages to collect from the burnt vines. And her mother turned over the paper in her hand. It was her daughter, Judith, who had read it to her once again, for her mother was unwilling to trust a woman, though she was her own daughter, for girls were not allowed in the synagogue school.

Judith did not hold it against the system in which she was brought up. She treasured the names which their father had given them.

‘Your uncle is a good man. He wants us to go to Joppa. He is doing well as one of a team of fishermen and has promised to look after us. But…..  ‘,Once again she was overwhelmed by her tears…

I apologise, faithful blog reader. Time to close this chapter, but don’t forget the wonderful name given to this young girl by her father. And remember her brother. Is it possible that  he is indeed still alive?  So what was he named?  

He was the first born, indeed the softly mewling tiny girl who followed her brother, had come as a surprise  to the proud parents. It had not taken the father long to name his son Judah, and so Judith was the inevitable choice for his beautiful and also red-headed little sister.

 I will have reached the great age of 94 before we follow Judith and her mother to the bustling port of Joppa. So please pray God will keep me in health so that together we may have a surprising encounter with a whale and a reluctant prophet.

Lots of love

Pauline