Personally speaking …

Since Pentecost, these pages of daily reflections have been filled with images, prayers and thoughts of the Holy Spirit as their focus. We are so grateful to everyone who has contributed. As the series on the ‘fruits of the Spirit’ unfolded, we began to receive very personal stories of the Spirit at work in people’s lives. Sue Crawford from St. Mary’s Conwy, sent us her story below, and we are so pleased to share it.

Dw i’n gweddïo y bydd Duw ei hun, y Duw sy’n rhoi heddwch dwfn i ni, yn eich gwneud chi’n berffaith lân, ac y bydd y person cyfan – yn ysbryd, enaid a chorff – yn cael ei gadw’n ddi-fai ganddo nes daw ein Harglwydd Iesu Grist yn ôl. Mae’r Duw sy’n eich galw chi yn ffyddlon, a bydd yn gwneud hyn.

1 Thesaloniaid 5: 23-24

May the God who gives us peace make you holy in every way and keep your whole being— spirit, soul, and body — free from every fault at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you will do it, because he is faithful.

1 Thessalonians 5: 23-24

Sue Crawford writes:

The photo is of the Basilica of The Transfiguration, Mount Tabor. I visited this Church on my first Pilgrimage to the Holy Land, about 10 years ago. It was a beautiful day, and after a very hazardous journey up to it, we admired the lovely gardens and spectacular view, then entered the church. There were quite a lot of people inside but our Vicar guided us to a side Chapel.

It was quite small but light and airy, we stood in a semi-circle around him while he read a passage of Scripture. The little Chapel had a large dome and frescoes of Moses and Elijah. I stood listening and looking at the frescoes and, suddenly, a very bright light enveloped the whole space and it went completely silent. The light was all that I could see. It seemed to last for ages –  but I suppose it was just seconds. The light faded and the sounds returned. The Vicar was still reading, I glanced at the people around me and I realized that I was the only one who had experienced this. A visit of the Holy Spirit. I’m sure I had a huge smile on my face, but I was silent. We went outside and I just gazed at the fertile land below.

The only person I have mentioned this event to is Clive at St. Mary’s Conwy, fairly recently after a service. I felt, and still do, that it was so very personal I didn’t want to talk about it. At many other times I have been conscious of the presence of the Holy Spirit, but have had no repeats of that experience.

During the last weeks my thoughts have been returning to that day and that wonderful, profound feeling of peace. God’s presence returns to me and has certainly sustained me at this anxious time.

Also on my mind each morning, when I read the Daily Reflections, are those who may just come across them. There will be readers here who wonder what it’s all about. If that is you, reading this, I would like to say, God loves everyone, including you. He knows you better than you know yourself. He is waiting for you to call on Him today. You don’t need any fancy words, or clothes, or a particular building. Just you and Jesus in a quiet place. Start your one-to-one relationship with Him now. You won’t regret it. You will find peace, deep in your soul.

Prayer
Mighty God,
come to us through your Holy Spirit,
filling us with peace.
Open our lives and touch our hearts,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Gweddi
Rymus Dduw,
tyrd atom drwy dy Ysbryd Glân,
a llenwa ni â’th dangnefedd.
Agor ein bywydau a chyffwrdd â’n calonnau,
drwy Iesu Grist ein Harglwydd.
Amen.

adapted from Nick Fawcett cyf. Aled Davies