new beginnings

I'm newly back from an evening out at Kirkliston.

Not quite eleven months on from when I first got involved, the process reached its conclusion. The people out there now have a new minister.

It was a great evening! And it augured well for the future.

Maggie Lane will be good for them there.

It's clear that she's there by the call and appointment of God. It's clear that he's long been at work out there. It's clear that a new thing's beginning.

Maggie may be in her fifties now. Maggie may be taking up a 'charge' for the first time.

But that only simply leaves her well placed to be what Jesus once said we needed to be - wise as serpents and innocent as doves.

Maggie will be all of that. I've yet to meet a woman of her age who's not 'street-wise'. And it being her first charge ensures there's a healthy 'innocence'!

It's been great for me to have shared with the folk out there these past many months. I've made loads of friends and had lotsw of fun and folk have been really kind.

So there's a certain sort of sadness in the closing of this extra little chapter in my life. As well as a joy and excitement.

One of the ladies gave me a card as I left. She was thanking me for all that I had done and for all the ways I'd helped them all.

And she said she thought that things out there would never be the same again. She meant it as a compliment. I think!

And I believe she's right!

Not, I hasten to add, because of my being there. But because the Lord himself is there.

And very much at work. Exciting times!