20 years of ministry

I hadn't realised it myself.
I'm not very good with dates, and years, and anniversaries.

But yesterday my Facebook Timeline was full of it.
It's 20 years since we were commissioned and ordained.
28th May 1993
at The Royal Albert Hall, London.

As I listened to 'Our Songs'
The ones written for us,
and for the occasion
I became a bit nostalgic.

As I looked at the video
And saw my friends and colleagues
I almost felt a pang of grief
For the people we were
The things we shared.

But this is a letter to the 25 yr old girl I was then
From the woman I am now

"You made it!
By the skin of your teeth at times but you got there in the end.
And this ending
Full of brass,
and drums,
and singing
and laughter
and drama
and dance
is just the beginning.

In the years ahead you will know joy
Real joy
Laughing so hard no sound comes out.

Friendships that are only in their infancy here
Will become your anchor in the days ahead.

And people that you found it difficult to live with in this environment
Will return to your life
And you will laugh,
and share once more.
They will be the people who know...
When there are no words.

Sadly
There will be sorrow.
Deep, deep sorrow.

Days when you feel so misunderstood you could scream.

Times when you could gladly punch the person that is standing in front of you.

There will be times when you want to take off your uniform and burn it.

Enough

No more.

Why does it have to be this way?

It's too hard.

And there will be moments when God comes so close it makes you catch your breath.
You can sense Him
Feel Him
Touch Him
And He'll knock you off your feet.

Times when he'll draw near in silence
His arms stretched out to hold you.

And there'll be times when He seems distant.
You'll think He's given up on you too.
But know that in the darkness
"When you cannot feel his hand, trust his heart."

And finally
You are beautiful
Truly beautiful
Not because of what you look like
But because of who's you are.
You are a daughter of the King.

And remember
It's not about what you do

Never that.

It's about who you are.
And you are His.

Hang on in there.

You can't

But He can

And He will

Trust Him"

Comments

Joseph Smith (Major) said…
You did good! Thanks. Joseph.
Karen Sandford said…
Thank you! Who'd have thought it in Childwall Valley all those yrs ago! Xx
Tanya Marlow said…
Well done, daughter of the King!

Much love x
Ruthie said…
You have such a beautiful way with words, Karen. Please never stop sharing x
Karen Sandford said…
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said…
I really loved this :-)
Sarah said…
I love this line "And there will be moments when God comes so close it makes you catch your breath."

And I can really relate to those times God seems distant.

What a great way to write your letter too!
Unknown said…
A lovely post! Beautiful and honest and encouraging! Thank you! X
Wow, love this! Some good encouragement we can all take from this post - thank you xx
Karen Sandford said…
Thanks Sarah. Would like more of the first and not so much of the second!
Karen Sandford said…
Thank you so much Sabrina!
Karen Sandford said…
Thanks Melanie. Life's rich tapestry x

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