Hymns and Honeysuckle

Our church service today featured favourite songs of praise chosen by everyone in the congregation who wanted to nominate one. There had been many suggestions written down on the list, so five were picked out of a hat and the others will be used in future services. As one of several people who had chosen it, I was asked to say a few words about what the hymn “Lead us, Heavenly Father, lead us” meant to me. It was one of the hymns sung at Mum and Dad’s wedding at St Clement’s church, Leigh-on-Sea, in November 1949, so it has always been special to my family. The second line mentions the sea, so I thought that was quite a nice link for a wedding held in a seaside church. They renewed their vows at St Luke’s on their 60th wedding anniversary, and made it to 65 very harmonious and loving years of marriage. I picked up on the word “lead” in the first line, too, because in coming to Tiptree to help my parents when Dad was in hospital, and then staying on to be with Mum after his death, my parents did lead me back to my Christian faith which had waned somewhat during my busy career in London. I really do believe that I have been guided to Tiptree. It’s the first place I have ever lived where I truly feel that I belong. I have come home at last.

I’ve been waiting for the honeysuckle to come out at this spot in the garden, and today it was just perfect.