Meet the Family
Jenny Gilbert
Jenny found, as an adult in her thirties, that the Easter story spoke to her ...
The first step on my journey to Christian faith began when I was baptised when I was 3 months old. Throughout my happy childhood I was influenced, like many, by my parents and grandparents. At that time none were regular church-goers, nevertheless they expressed a faith in God and Jesus, and encouraged me to go to Sunday School and to say my prayers.
During my early teens I regularly went to church with my best friend, but with hindsight I can see it was a chance for us to show off our 'posh frocks', and I didn't really have any relationship with God. However, I progressed through confirmation classes and was confirmed in 1972.
Later in my teens other 'more important' things came along - horses, boyfriends, part-time jobs, parties, and I never had much time for church. It seemed boring and restrictive; full of 'Dos' and 'Don'ts'. Nevertheless, I still considered myself a Christian, with a strong belief in God and some sort of faith in Jesus. But, sadly, I didn't lead a very Christian life; I 'picked and mixed' what to use and what to discard, as it suited me at the time.
Throughout my early adult-hood I continued to attend church occasionally, mostly just special occasions. I did especially enjoy Easter services. I remember I felt something … something good, but I didn't know what. I always came out thinking I wanted to know more and wanted to go to Church more often, but didn't seem to be able to find the time and couldn’t gather the commitment to get up 'early' on a Sunday!
Then, during my early thirties I began 'living with' John, my husband-to-be. I got on very well with my parents-in-law to-be (and still do). They were 'full-on' Christians, but they were (and are) ‘normal’, fun, happy, interesting and non-judgemental people. I started to go to St. Luke’s with them, and even started going on my own when they weren't able to go. It was during one of these services that I became very, intensely, disconcertingly aware that JESUS HAD DIED FOR ME!!! After speaking to several people I was encouraged to do the Alpha course, which enabled me to begin to understand the background to Christianity and the implications of all that God has done, and continues to do, for me through Jesus Christ. At some point during the Alpha course, in 1996, I made a commitment to God and asked Jesus to take charge of my life.
I have since come to know how it is to live with this good and loving God in my daily life. I have a contentment about things I used to worry about. I recognise Him continuously at work in me; encouraging and enabling me to do things I never thought possible. I have discovered the power of prayer in Jesus name. I have confidence in His promise of eternal life. And so much more. I have also developed a passion to keep learning about my faith in a desire to become more like Jesus. In 2003 I gave up my job and studied for 3 years at Bible College. Though challenging at times, I feel this has better equipped me for life generally and, more specifically, for serving God.
We all go through tough times, and being a Christian doesn’t change that, but it has made a difference to how I deal with life’s difficulties. Knowing I’m not alone, but have Jesus with me is hugely reassuring. And knowing that my life has purpose gives me confidence and peace. I have come to realise that Christianity is not burdensome, as I once thought. Indeed, quite the opposite: It has brought me a great sense of liberty, which is incredibly freeing. On top of all this, St. Luke’s is a wonderful church, full of loving and inspirational people – a real family.