Hi Sue

As we get to know some of the women around Carrubbers, tell us a little bit about yourself… to start with… how did you become a Christian?

I became a Christian in my mid-teens, having always believed in God, but having absolutely no idea why Jesus was relevant. As a selfish soul, I was looking for the best in life, but also knew there had to be an ultimate truth. On a visit to a Christian ski centre, I was firstly attracted by the quality of life I saw in the staff, something I had never seen before. Then the centre director spoke on John 10 v 10, Jesus claiming to be the source of 'life in all its fullness'. If this was true, it was what I wanted - so I began to work my way through some Navigators study books for seekers, and gradually had my eyes opened to the truth of Jesus, God's love for me and my unworthiness. Over the 40+ years since then I have never had cause to doubt any of that, and the more I read in the bible and experience in the world, the more I see that Jesus really is the only way, truth and life.

How has your faith been challenged? The darkest time of my life was undoubtedly 1994, when my parents divorced and my sister's husband was murdered in the Rwandan genocide - but it was also the most precious time, when I realised that what I knew in theory was true in reality; that God was in control and would never leave or stop loving me and those who belong to him.

Tell us about a book you’ve read recently which has been encouraging?

I've recently read 'Fruitfulness on the Frontline' by Mark Green. Anything by him is immensely encouraging and challenging - in the way that you think, 'Yes, I could do that!' His specialist subject is Christianity in the workplace, whether that's in advertising (which is his background), school, office, home, checkout queue, bus - wherever we are meeting people and carrying with us 'the fragrance of Christ'. I find it encouraging because it includes me - whose life is made up of seemingly trivial things. Nothing is trivial when done as service to Jesus!

What hopes have you got for the future?

Well my greatest joy just now has to be my grandchildren (sorry husband and children, you're upstaged!). There are 3 in Edinburgh and 2 in Aberdeen, so far, and it's such an unbelievable privilege to have them in our lives. I begin to see how children are like arrows, as in psalm 127 - you shoot them into the future without seeing where they will go and the effect they will have. But I do fear for the society and nation they are inheriting. They will, I think, be ever more alien as Christians in this godless place. Our youngsters really need to know how to stand and how to defend their faith.

What does an average day look like for you?

My daily life is hugely varied. I 'run' a six-bedroom Victorian house which always needs maintenance and has a constant through-put of people. I spend what time I can with grandchildren, supporting (or sometimes undermining?!) their parents, and try to have time for the rest of our grown up family too. Extended family sometimes have needs too, and I'm in a privileged position to be flexible enough to give some of the care needed by an aunt in Dundee recently. My unpaid occupation is often catering - usually for Scripture Union at their outdoor centre at Lendrick Muir, but as they say, anything considered, and I'm up for a challenge! My specialty is big numbers and small price, and I like best cooking for student age - they eat everything!

How do you find time to spend with God in all that busyness?

Compared to bringing up 5 kids, with an irregularly available husband (he was on police shifts), life is easy now. But it's no easier finding time for bible reading and prayer! There's always other pressures trying to keep me away, and unless I begin the day with specific time for God I'm not likely to make time later. Same old thing needed - discipline, which is not my middle name!

To read more blogposts written by women in Carrubbers check out the blog pages on the website.