My name is Ann Ferguson and I became a Christian in November 1982, four weeks after moving back to live with my dad in Dunfermline, Scotland. I never realized, as I gave my heart to Jesus that night and got prayed over, how my life would change and—surprisingly—not always for the best. I started to attend our local Church of Scotland church in Abbeyview, Dunfermline and enjoyed the Sunday services. At first I attended the morning service only and then eventually God led me to the evening service. The minister’s wife worked at a Christian bookshop in Dunfermline and got me a job as a volunteer there two days a week. I loved it and eventually, because I was unemployed at the time, started to work more hours there. In the church I started attending a women’s group and helping with the Sunday school. I also helped with the cleaning rota of the church and occasionally with the teas and coffees on a Sunday. I took part in supporting the children’s missions as well.
Unknown to me, my body couldn’t take the toll of all the physical activities I was undertaking. In June of 1984 I took to my bed with depression and ended up in hospital. I was there for at least a fortnight. I couldn’t function at all. I remember thinking that I had let God down and he must be angry with me!
I started to read a romance story I had with me and then eventually managed to start reading my Bible again. I had no idea what was going on and was very frightened. I was afraid of the nurses and doctors and was not willing to trust them at that time. The only person I truly trusted was Jesus! Whilst in the hospital I attended the morning services there each Sunday.
One of the first sermons I heard at the hospital was a breath of fresh air to me. The minister told us the story of Jairus’ daughter and the woman with the blood disorder who touched Jesus. Somehow I knew God was talking to me and giving me hope for my healing. After lunch I went for a walk on the border of the hospital and sat in a cornfield. I had with me my Bible and Bible reading notes for the day. The passage was, wait for it, Jairus’ daughter again! After I got home from hospital I shared this with my minister. He didn’t say anything and neither did I because at that time I wasn’t able to ask questions as I had so much fear in me. It has only been after much Christian counselling and prayer that I am able to share my healing.
God is good and has been with me through all my life. Only I didn’t realise that at the time. My Our Daily Bread Bible reading notes have been a blessing to me over the years. When I had bouts of depression, I used to just read the notes without reading my Bible and I got some comfort from them. Thank you for these notes and may they be an inspiration to us all as we continually walk daily with the Lord Jesus. Yours in Christ, Ann
