First steps

One of the things I found really amazing on my road to becoming a Christian is that I had always thought that you had to know it all, know the Bible inside and out and be an expert on all things religious before you could be a member of a Church properly.  This to my delight I find is not true at all.  What is most important is a child like thirst for knowledge and understanding and an openness to experience what God has in store for you.  

I was so happy after my Baptism I felt I was now really part of a community.  I really felt I had put the bad experiences of my past behind me and was really looking forward to my future.  

Just a few short weeks later I was sorely tested.  I had my first ever ear infection.  It was an extremely painful experience (definitely worse then natural childbirth) until my ear drum burst but that was not the end of the saga. The infection spread to the nerves in one side of my face.  Drinking was a bit of a challenge as only half my moth worked and even now, 2 years later, I still have a bit more weakness in the affected eye (probably as that is my weaker eye due to a bad post operative infection I had as a child).

It was during this period when I was feeling a bit sorry for myself that I really began to appreciate the power of prayer.  To know that people in my Church and particularly the other members of the House group I attended fortnightly were praying for my recovery really gave me encouragement. 

I always felt that the early part of the year can be a bit depressing after the excitement of Christmas and then the dark evenings and damp and dreary weather but this season, like my medical problems, soon came to an end.  

As the days got warmer one of the things I really liked doing was going for a walk along the seafront.  With Dover castle and the famous white cliffs above and the sea spread out in front it really is lovely on a nice sunny day.  My oldest son was at nursery and the oldest at school so I got a few hours to myself every now and then.  

I remember one particular occasion when I was sitting in a favourite spot near the Docks watching the ferries come in and out.  I was so at peace with the world and so content.  I felt a sensation like a hand on my shoulder.  The best way I can describe it is a gentle and warm touch.  There was a wall behind me so I knew no one could be there but I still looked and of course no one was there.  

I had not yet experienced the Joy of Baptism in the Holy Spirit this was to come later but it is something I had discussed with people in my Church.  I felt a bit overwhelmed at the prospect and to be honest a bit frightened about what that would be like.  I now think that maybe this sensation was a gentle introduction to the greater and more wonderful experiences to come.