Yesterday evening I was back in Southampton for a meeting of the Focus trustees. The sun was shining as I arrived and driving through the side streets on the way to the meeting I was thinking about how nice it was to be back in town. It would have been even better to call some friends up and go for a drink, enjoy the early summer sun in the city’s parks and take a walk around the common.

After the meeting I spent some time with Gregg, who brought me up-to-date on church news. The recent success with the Alpha course and the way that some of the groups that lead worship in the services have changed and developed. We looked back at some of the things we had tried while leading services, laughed about the stuff that hadn’t gone so well, and generally felt good about how those early steps had led on to things like the Easter event that took place this year. He gave me a CD to listen to and, quite frankly, the whole thing was brilliant.

You know, part of me really didn’t want to get back in the car to drive back here.

But, it can be dangerous to live in the past. If I hadn’t had the experience of being part of Above Bar Church when I did I wouldn’t be where I am now and without the support and encouragement of some of my friends there I wouldn’t be able to do what I’m doing now.

The job that I had for the last few years gave me the experience and knowledge to do what I’m doing now. Plus, the church community, that encouraged me in my faith and challenged some of my preconceptions about what it means to be a Christian, brought me closer to God.

Who knows what’s still to come? What I do know is that I’m thankful for my past, I’m enjoying today and looking forward with some anticipation to the future.