Well it is four years since Tim and I attended a graduation ceremony, the first and last one being Emma's, as she graduated from Canterbury Christchurch in November 2006, Today marked the first of four this year, so a series of posts will follow this. Today was special in many ways, not least because it was a day we thought we might never see. For folk who don't know Christopher's story my version is here, and his is here.
Today marked the end of another chapter in that story, and formed the beginning of the next one. It began with worship, and the service included testimony, Chris was quick to speak ( the first, I wonder where he gets that from ;-P ), and he spoke of the God's healing through the love and prayer he had encountered at Cliff College. He reminded us that when he went there he was using a walking stick all of the time, and how today he does not need it, but it was not only a physical healing that he had received, but also a spiritual and emotional healing following years of illness and operations.
Chris has surprised us by his determination to stick at it, and really bowled us over when he was awarded the highest mark in the college this year for his dissertation. I am really proud of him, and really thankful to God for he has brought us through so much and stuck with us through the mess, and the anger, and the questioning. It would have been easy to say that God let us down, but in truth I know the opposite is the reality, when all was dark and seemingly impossible, he held us....
Our God is a God who comes close..
I was choked up today several times, not just through pride, but because I was reminded so deeply of the love and grace of the God I worship and serve. It brought tears to my eyes and a lump to my throat, but praise from my heart.
Chris is now discerning his way forward, a discernment that includes exploring a call to Diaconal Ministry in the Methodist Church. Your prayers would be appreciated.
