Page 24 - Summer 2015 Contact issue 34

My husband Emil and I have attended In March 2013, my mother died and I High Kirk Church for many years. Emil found myself struggling with grief. My was brought along as a wee boy by his mother’s unwavering faith had brought aunt, Lettie Grant, and I started attending her through many hardships and some time after we were married. We difculties in her life and I was glad her were Sunday morning attendees only, earthly sufering was over. She was at not getting involved in anything else in home with her Lord but I missed her the church. God was only a peripheral presence very much. presence in our lives – there in times of trouble but forgotten about when all was When Anne Taylor told me about the going well. GriefShare programme that was being run in the church in January 2014, I decided In late 2005, Emil had heart surgery and to attend. I found this programme very I found myself thinking a lot more about helpful and really appreciated the God and the need to have a personal compassion and care of those running it. relationship with Him through faith in At the end of the programme, I was asked Jesus. We both became more aware of if I would like to be involved as a helper our need to explore Christianity further in 2015. After prayerful consideration I and attended the Christian Foundation agreed to get involved and fnd great Course run in 2007. At the end of that support and fellowship within the group course we both decided to commit our as we seek to show God’s love to those lives to God and after baptism and public who are bereaved. declaration of our faith we took our frst communion in May 2007, much to Lettie’s Emil and I also belong to a laser group delight. now – quite a step for us as we are very private individuals and always thought that Over the next few years, I had a much these groups were not really for us. closer walk with God through the However, we fnd that we enjoy the discipline of daily prayer and bible fellowship and learn much from those reading and started to understand more members who are more mature in their about God’s love and desire to work Christian faith than we are. through us when we allow Him into our lives. However, due to a busy work life As I write this, I am aware I am a bit of a and the need to help take care of my late starter in my faith and my progress mother, who was in very poor health by has been slow but I take comfort from 2 this time, I was not really that involved in Peter 3 v 9 and am eternally grateful for church activities. I had certainly grown in God’s patience with me. I look forward to faith but I was not serving others outside where He leads on the remainder of my of my immediate family. journey. Yvonne Wylie “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3 v 9