A Momentous 2021
I’ve been attending Ponsonby Baptist Church on-line this year, as
Auckland has continued to struggle with extra restrictions resulting from a
re-emergence of the Delta variant of COVID. In many ways, a sentence to kick
off this year’s reflections which would not have made much sense this time last
year… but does indicate a significant change of direction for me this year.
At last week’s on-line Church at
Ponsonby, we were encouraged to come up with a 1-minute reflection on 2021,
looking at what we have learnt this year that we would take into 2022. The
words below are what I came up with by way of a video slide show … of course! (Click on the link or the picture above).
Moving
A big
change for me has been the loss of 18 kg as I took on an on-line Noom programme
at the beginning of the year. This has involved some significant lifestyle
changes, including becoming more plant based in my eating (vegetarian-vegan)
and actively walking more. I figure that once I stop moving, I’ll probably be
dead… so, why not?! The year started well with a silent retreat at En Hakkore
(Maniototo) and attending the Awaken GLBTQI Christian Conference in Wellington
with my friend Jonathan, so it has been more than physical only changes, bit a
renewed emphasis on prayer.
Love is
stronger than fear
It’s
been a year that is finishing with a lot of uncertainty – and certainly some
more COVID disruption that has slowed down my regular tasks at work, but I’m
very grateful for the new vaccines. I find myself being more cautious, but the
message is still that Love is always stronger than fear, and that’s something I
want to continue to live by.
Life changes swiftly, but Love is still stronger and full of surprises!
For me,
the biggest change has been in meeting and connecting with a new man who has
become my partner. Marty Pritchard is an amazing person who has come into my
life when least expected. We met by a series of fortunate, almost random events
at the beginning of April, and in October Marty extricated himself from a level
3 Auckland to come and be part of my life in Dunedin. A completely unexpected
surprise, but I’m so grateful. The Ponsonby
Baptist attendance has been as part of connecting with where Marty has been
nurtured more recently. I continue to be involved in the Diocese of Dunedin Evening
Prayer and occasional services at All Saints Dunedin.
I am loved,
and each day the sun still rises.
So,
feeling very blessed and loved… not just by Marty, but others who have stood
beside me over this year, including family and friends. Alison is till hanging
in there as she looks forward to her 90th birthday next year, and I head
towards the big 60 in January 2022. I enjoy capturing what’s around me on my
camera, and being an early riser, that often involves sunrises. Whatever
happens in the next year – and I expect it will be a mix of joy and pain – the
sun still rises: each day God’s love and blessings continue extravagantly.
Arohanui to
you and those you love… have a great (and safe) festive season.
