10,000 Reasons
My first ever blog was
published on 12th May 2012 and to date it has been read just 52
times. I would probably advise against reading it as it’s not my finest piece
of work but if you’re that way inclined here is the link.
It was a very short
blog in fact the shortest blog I have ever published, it was short on word
count, short on content and short on humor but as I reflect on my blogs now
surpassing 10,000 hits I couldn’t help but look back to reflect where this
little adventure started out.
Ten thousand hits, I
like that !
It was published as I
nervously waited for a letter to arrive from the Bishop of Jarrow informing me
if I had been successful or not in being able to commence training for ordained
ministry. In fact just a few weeks ago I passed a service station where in 2012
I nervously sipped an excessively hot drink which although ‘Costa’ lot of money
was most certainly not a ‘Costa’ Coffee. The service station was on the out
skirts of Durham, a place I took refuge after arriving ridiculously early for
late afternoon appointment with the Bishop. I remember virtually nothing of the
interview except being asked my views on gay marriage. As usual I probably over
emphasized my thoughts leaving me to consider on the way home maybe I said too
much just as I had done on many previous occasions.
Well history dictates
I made it through and alongside ordination training, came the encouragement to
write down some of the events and ups and downs along the way. The intent
initially was to tell a funny anecdote or two to see if the ‘dormant’ funny
bones had anything left to offer, and I’m pleased to report that on the
occasional blog I feel I wrote a jolly line or two. As I look back on the blogs I have written
previous to this one I can’t help but feel nostalgic and rather proud at some
of the stories I have written.
Also it fills me with
some sadness as the initial period of training has ended as I begin again as a
Curate and eagerly await September to clarify what the next three to four years
will hold. The time from the first blog until ordination was exceptionally
difficult probably not as much as I realized when I was in the thick of it. I
put myself under a lot of pressure to be a father, husband, manager and trainee
clergyman. It is only now all these blogs later that I reflect how really tough
it was and if it wasn’t from my utter commitment to God I would definitely have
packed it all in. Whilst I enjoyed the companionship and worship and prayer,
the study never ever came easy and when I look back at my portfolio with its
numerous theological essays I sometimes wonder how on earth did I do it? Study does
not come naturally, it never has it never will! Laughing come naturally as does
chatting and caring, all good things for ministry but not attributes that will
get you the much needed pass mark a trainee cleric requires!
I am sure some people read my blogs and think
what a load of nonsense this is, however I also get some lovely feedback from
friends but also people I don’t know and I find that really nice and affirming
of the enjoyment writing gives me. Do I have any favorite blogs? Yes a couple
stand out for different reasons.
The blog: Beauty is in
the eye of the beholder Isn’t it?
It Is a blog I really
like, it is totally true and I still shudder thinking of what we had driven too
only to have a really great holiday at the end of it.
Also the blog : The
night I met Jesus in the Lift.
It just makes me smile
there were no children back then just me and Sarah. Ordination was never even a
thought.
And my favorite blog
maybe unsurprisingly is the Blog: A love Story
This blog was written
about my late Father who passed away at the end of my first year of ordination
training, I recall that moment vividly as ironically I was studying death and
dying with a fine man, Rev Phil Hudd in Lancaster. I actually recall thinking
to myself I wonder if my Father might pass away during the module and indeed he
did. My elderly father had been suffering from Alzheimer’s and I had to adapt
to my ‘old’ Dad with ‘new’ characteristics. It wasn’t easy but I have no doubt
a greater being than myself was with me and my Father and teaching me some
incredibly valuable lessons during the painful few years that he was ill. I am
not ashamed, embarrassed or afraid to say that I miss my Dad dreadfully I wish
he could have been with me physically on Ordination day. I have no doubt that
God used my Father in ways I may never fully comprehend.
Anyway, 10,000 hits is
something that pleases me a lot, I see it as 10,000 opportunities to talk of
God, 10,000 chances to express my faith. I hope I don’t come across as weird or
a Bible basher, or pious or self-indulgent if I do then that is not my
intention.
You know I have met
and continue to meet Christians, in fact I suppose that’s now my job as a
professional Christian. I sometimes look at Christians from a non-Christian
perspective and quickly have to remind myself that I am indeed a Christian, but
I suppose like most families they are nearly always one or two that get on your
nerves and think what are they on?
Some Christians are a
bit odd, some flummox me with their external personas, some look great yet talk
bile, some look weird yet talk beautifully and make total sense.
I have no idea when
the next blog will appear, a rest is in order (I have other ideas) I feel but
if it’s a month, 6 months, a year or longer then I pray that you will look
after yourselves and that you take time to consider what is important and if
your creator should have some involvement in your life. I hope you do he would
love to hear from you.
Ten thousand hits, I
like that !
Till next time
Much love
Alextheanglican
