Rock of Ages
When I was young I thought my life was pretty normal. My two sisters and I lived with my mother and her parents in Sydney and they were always there for me. We were encouraged to be fully involved in the local Methodist church and I belonged to a wonderful Youth Choir.
When I was ten my grandmother was bedridden and couldn’t talk. My sisters and I would take turns to feed her. We loved helping look after her and talking to her. She died at home when I was twelve. From my experience I know we must not underestimate the capacity of children to love the elderly. I am sure my grandmother’s last few years were very much richer because of the attention we children gave her.
As a child I didn’t ask a lot of questions. I thought my life was normal. The fact that I had no father around was something no one talked about. I thought he must have died in the war. The truth was that he had been a gambler and my parents divorced when I was only about one year old. When I was about thirty I met my father and was able to make up my own mind. None of the opinions people had of him were very good.
I have gone through many different stages in my life. I grew up in Sydney then married Jim, who was a Methodist minister at the time, and we went to a small country town. At twenty-one I became a minister’s wife. I found myself being put on a pedestal, not to be worshipped but set apart. The young women of the town could not recognise my need for friends of my own age. When I had my first child the local Catholic, butcher’s wife invited me to join her tennis group. I found the young women from our church were also there and I finally made friends as we were all mothers.
Jim later left the ministry and started working at the University in Armidale, I had a different role as mother of little children in a University environment. I was not an academic, having left school at fifteen to work. At times I was very lonely in the midst of my little family of three small girls. I also had Glandular Fever at that time and became quite depressed for a few months.
While I was still recovering we moved interstate. When I was well again I played a lot of sport, tennis and squash which I loved and we became involved in a large Methodist church. After four years we moved back again to Sydney.
Revival was happening in Sydney. This was a very exciting time for us. Suddenly our faith became alive as we were swept up in the Charismatic Renewal movement that was happening in the late 1970’s. We were involved in some truly life changing events. As a result God called us to Wesley College at Sydney University for two years. I took on the job of housekeeper at the College. I found it a most challenging time in my life. I was responsible for the work scheme of students who were paid to clean all areas of the College and I had to supervise the kitchen which fed 240 people each day. With no previous experience this was quite daunting. I would go around the college singing to myself, “It is no longer I that lives but Christ that lives in me” and He helped me to get through each day.
Mostly I have enjoyed the challenges and opportunities that each change has brought but it was not easy. I have surprised myself at times doing things way beyond my ability. My eldest daughter is a Psychologist and Interpreter for the Deaf and so, when she was starting out, to keep her company, I learnt Auslan, Deaf sign language. As a result of this I began interpreting for the Deaf at our church. When we moved back to Armidale again for Jim to do further study, I was able teach Auslan at the TAFE College and take notes for a Deaf man who was studying there. I was being stretched and needed the guidance of the Holy Spirit . He never let me down. Actually I believe these challenges have been orchestrated by God himself. He never puts us in a position and leaves us. With the help of the Holy Spirit we can do anything.
Now I am married to an avid Bible teacher and we are living in a Retirement Village. My needs over the years have not been able to be met by any person. I have found my faith in God and the power of the Holy Spirit has kept me strong. Family and friends could help relieve and share some of the pressures I faced but they can’t do any more than that.
Scripture says in Isaiah 26:4; "Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is the Rock of Ages.", Romans 10:11, “Whoever puts his trust in Him will not be put to shame.”
When I have found life a bit tough, and looked for someone to trust in, I found the only satisfactory answer was the Lord. All my concerns, worries, fears, I have been able to tell Jesus about them. I call on Him and ask for the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit to help.
Our God is worthy of Praise, Honour and Glory, He has the Power and He is the one I worship.
My name is Judy Douglass. I am 64 years old and married to Jim (Bible Teacher with Pittwater Uniting Church).
We have three married daughters and eight grandchildren. All are Christian and very involved in Christian ministry in their local churches.
