Desert Bloom

2008 is a year I would rather forget, very much a desert place for me. But I have learnt that even in the desert there is life and angels to help, if you let them.

As I began to deal with things from my past, I took on a leadership role, both at work and in a ministry that I was involved in. I had also made the decision to move churches to Pittwater Uniting Church. At the same time, two of my friends lost their battle with cancer. Things became more stressful and overwhelming. On the outside things may have seemed ok, but on the inside they weren’t. It was becoming harder to pray, socialise and just do life.

It was difficult for me to just do the basics of life as I was so used to serving, organising and doing things for others. All my energy was taken in merely surviving. I was also used to having a rich prayer life, which had changed.

Looking back on the past year, when I seemed so far away from God and really hurting, I can see that he was right there with me. He gave me a desire to read his word like I had never had before and he placed people in my life to give me what I needed, although I may not have recognised this at the time. There were people to pray with me and for me, people to listen when I needed to talk. I had friends who did not put pressure on me when I couldn’t see them or talk, who gave encouraging words or cooked a meal, and those who gently helped me make decisions I needed to make.

The support I received was invaluable and allowed me to venture out of the barrenness and begin to experience the fullness of life. God came into that desert place with me as did others. It took a while for me to accept their help, but when I did I found that even in the desert there is life and hope.

There were many promises I held onto last year. One of the most powerful was John 10:10, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that you may have life, and have it to the full.

Al Boon