The Magazine

How did you come to faith?

Well, that’s a messy story! Evacuated between the ages of three and six, I returned to my mother and grew up with her; my parents separated when my father came back after the war in 1944. There was no room for, or mention of God, in my childhood. As a teenager I became more and more out of control, stealing and fighting on the streets until finally I got pregnant and was sent away to a home. It was here that I was introduced to Jesus, who could clean my life up and give me a fresh start, which I knew I needed.

On the whole, and considering how it started, it has been a wonderful journey of life, very many joys to look back on as I can trace the golden thread of God’s hand and guidance. Without the early difficulties I faced, I might not have been as equipped as I am to deal with the continuing challenges of the work of helping ex-offenders forward in their lives which is what The House of Genesis is all about. No experiences are wasted in God’s planning.

How has your faith changed as you’ve got older?

With the passing of the years I’ve found that the confidence and certainties of how to deal with situations have become less clear, and the need to find the Lord’s answers to problems more necessary. So it has become more important than ever to cultivate and strengthen the relationship with my ever present Friend, who never fails or forsakes me.

But, knowing that He is always there can lead to complacency. Do I go to church because that’s what I’ve done for 60 years, or is there still within me a wanting to know His presence and to worship and thank Him?

Also, as one gets older, there’s the bit about learning to cope with losing people and situations that have been of major importance in life; my husband died after only 10 years of marriage; retirement from paid employment also left me questioning if I was of worth anymore; and then there’s the questions posed by declining health and the uncertainty of the years ahead. I have very recently been faced with the loss of ability to drive as my eyes begin to deteriorate.

So very easy to be sorry for oneself, but if Paul could be content in all situations, so too will I, and after just a couple of days I am back to counting my blessings.

I may have no family, but I do have a great many friends, and one of the good things about living alone is the presence of Jesus and the times of quiet to enjoy the peace and love He brings.

And the greatest blessing is that as things in this world get more troublesome, the gates of heaven get closer by the day!

Val was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire for services to homeless people and to the community in Norwich in 2015.