Neil's blog

Presently under the soil seeds & bulbs are quietly sending out roots & shoots, soon to surface and show in spectacular Spring. Bleak, black soil, bare, barren & not a little boggy with winter’s wettest, will soon give way to green & blooming beauty. As long dark days let a little more light in each 24 hours, anticipation of a pregnant creation’s birthing of beauty grows.

But some people’s winter can last a lot longer than a few months! In the hope of encouraging any presently plodding through a dark night of the soul, let me tell you about Linda Godfrey, an Irvine lass who trekked through years of darkness to reach a bright new start this week. About 10 years ago she sensed God’s calling to a job of helping people relate to God and God relate to people, through Christ’s Love. However, a process of training, which should’ve taken 5 years, took 10 instead. There were many times when there seemed no way through & it looked like God didn’t care any more, long periods when nothing good seemed to happen. That’s how it felt, but by the Grace & Love of God consistently & faithfully shown through caring people & Linda’s great determination, she journeyed through numbness & pain to where she is today: minister to the dear people & parishes of Dalrymple linked with Ayr: St Leonard’s.

Last Thursday we celebrated with Linda at her ordination & induction service. From the photo you can see the infectious joy, which all of us who know Linda share, and we wish her & her flocks God’s very best as they prove that Jesus is Good News, showing & sharing God’s Love & Light in their neighborhoods!

As someone in the Bible put it, addressing God after travelling through deep sorrow & heartache, “Your anger lasts a little while, but your kindness lasts for a lifetime. At night we may cry, but when morning comes we will celebrate.” (Psalm 30:5 / CEV). Blessed are the plodders for they shall be applauded!