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My husband, Jim, was a vicar

My Bible: reasons to believe in the power of the Bible

'My husband, Jim, was a vicar. It was a very stressful job. He went away for a long weekend to France. He loved riding his motorbike, and he was killed leaving the ferry on it.

He went to France on the Thursday and he was dead on the Friday. He was caring, patient and gentle. He always had time for anyone. It was a terrible year: within twelve months I was diagnosed with MS, my husband died and our two dogs had to be put down. It was all a horrendous shock.

We bought a bench in memory of Jim, who was only 50 when he died. It had the words from Matthew 11.28 on it, "Come to me, all who labour and are heavy-laden and I will give you rest." 

That passage has helped me a lot. I do feel heavy-laden sometimes. There are lots of challenges living on your own in a wheelchair, but God’s always there for me and that — and these verses — gives me a lovely sense of security.

Quite a few times I’ve been bogged down in the mud in the wheelchair. But I take my burdens to God in an ongoing way. These words make me feel secure. I’m never worried. I may feel anxious sometimes, but I’m not worried.' 

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