It's good to talk

I once heard a joke about a woman who prayed for the gift of 'tongues' (the ability to pray freely in other languages). Her husband was also fervently praying that she wouldn't get this gift as she had more than enough to say in English.

I'm always grateful that God gave me the ability to talk - though I think my husband, Garry, might agree with the husband in the joke. My job involves a lot of travelling and the journey to London is a great opportunity to chat with fellow passengers. Garry says you can tell the commuters from my carriage because they are virtually comatose by the time they stagger off the train at Euston. Cheek!

Last Saturday I was on the train, on my way to Olympia to the 'One Life Live' exhibition (which was brilliant and I can thoroughly recommend you look it up for next year). I was sitting next to a lovely young architect called Bev and we exchanged the usual pleasantries. Then she got out a wedding magazine - so, inevitably, we chatted all the rest of the journey. Bev and her fiancee then came to say hello to me at the Church of England stand at the UK Wedding Show at GMEX the next day. They are a delightful couple and I'm sure they'll be really happy together.

Such encounters are a real blessing to ministers, and those of us who are on the Wedding Show stand twice a year particularly agree that we simply thrive on it. It is such a privilege to conduct a wedding ceremony and to guide the Bride and Groom through the service. To stand so close and see the earnest faces of people as they say their vows never fails to produce a huge lump in my throat.

My own daughter will be 'tying the knot' next year and her fiancee has asked me to officiate at the wedding, so it'll be Kleenex all round that day. I think I'm more excited than they are and was busy telling the world, until one of my friends told me off and pointed out that it was not my news to share.

I need to watch out - I'm trying to break my chocolate habit - I might just get hooked on weddings. :-)

Enjoy yours
j x