prayer

Northampton: A bird with a broken wing

SOME VISITORS to the Jesus Centre remind me why it is a privilege to work here.

Lisa was one. In her late 20s, like a little bird with a broken wing she came, on an afternoon when a women-only session was running. In fact, no-one had turned up and I was feeling like I was wasting my time, hanging around waiting for regulars to turn up.

Then I spotted her at the window. She was reluctant to come in, but when I offered her the option to talk privately, explaining there was no-one else around, she agreed. I sensed I had to be very patient and gentle (neither are my particular strong points!) if I was going to get her to unfold her story.

Lisa was desperate. She’d been diagnosed with a personality disorder and...