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).

Life keeps moving ...

I need to as well.

Love is still stronger than fear.

Life changes swiftly, but

Love is still stronger and

full of surprises!

I am loved, and

each day the

sun still

rises.

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.