Christ filled the void in my life
I was born just after the war in 1945. When I was seven weeks old, my mother and I both caught Polio.
My mother recovered almost fully, except for a weakness in her arm. Being only a baby, there were fears for my life so I was christened in hospital.
Anyway, as you can see, I survived and slowly recovered, but I have been left with paralysis in both legs and have had to wear callipers all my life. I had various operations up to the age of fourteen, and had to have home tuition. My teacher, Mrs. Beese, was a Christian and I learnt a lot from the Bible during that time.
I wasn't brought up in a Christian home, but when I went to a special boarding school for handicapped children, we had assembly every day and went to church on Sundays. I found that I really enjoyed the hymns and I joined the choir. We had a young vicar who was quite inspirational and this led me to be confirmed and to receive Holy Communion.
I then met David, my first husband. We had two lovely children. He had a disability, but not as bad as mine. We were both young and both brought our own problems into our marriage, which put a strain on it. We divorced after thirteen years.
I felt a great void in my life at different times. I thought of going to different churches but I wasn't sure where to go and how I would be received. One day I asked my neighbour, Jill, which church she went to. She told me it was the King's Church. I remembered that one of my home helps had been a member and I thought it sounded the sort of church I would like to go to, if I ever got round to going. I was certainly looking for something to give meaning to my life.
Jill asked me to go on an Alpha Course, which tells you all about the beliefs of the Christian faith. I went along with many questions and over the weeks, they began to be answered. Before we began the discussion we would have some hymns and songs, which I enjoyed and I felt touched by the music.
When I left school I felt lonely and had no friends in Horsham. I felt disillusioned about life and wondered what was in store for me? I started work in an office, typing, and gradually made friends. I learnt to drive, joined the Disabled Driving Association and the British Polio Fellowship. However, I stopped going to church and thought I could still believe in God without going.
One of the weeks we went to an old house set in beautiful grounds. As we talked and asked questions that day, I felt that things were becoming a lot clearer. When, at the end, Phil Playfoot, the speaker, asked if anyone wanted to become a Christian, I felt as though Jesus was calling me to come to Him. One or two people prayed with me and I gave my life to Jesus. In my heart I had a wonderful feeling of joy and elation.
After I was born again, lots of people prayed for me and gave words of encouragement. Someone said that God would use me to help others and I believe He will.
In 1995 I met Bill Fegan at Harwood House Day Centre. We became friends and in due course married in 1997. Bill was also a new Christian and we had three happy years together before he went to be with the Lord.
Bill had joined Rehoboth in 1998 and after his death I felt that I also would like to become a member. I had been shown great kindness through this difficult time. I have found the Fellowship at Rehoboth very friendly and the teaching has a strong clear message.
The Lord has made two commandments very important to me and they are:
Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind and strength; and love your neighbour as yourself.
I hope that I will be able to live up to this in my Christian life, and be able to pass these on to others.
Sue Fegan
June 2003