This year has been a year of two halves. It was the worst of times; it was the best of times.
Elements of my life completely changed, from the loss of my much loved Grannie, to saying goodbye to my paediatric team, to an illness that seemed to take hold of me, so much so, that I thought it would take me on my final journey back to Jesus’ garden. But just as the darkness seemed to become all consuming, there was light permeating through the obscurity, and a voice telling me to have faith.
As with all weathered storms, we must look for the rainbows, finding joy even in the hardest of times. On reflection, I have had much to celebrate.
During the summer, I attended the Christian festival, Satellites, where my best friend Alaric and I performed a spoken word poem in front of 5000 people. I also had the opportunity to travel to the Isle of Wight for a family holiday. During reading week I utilised the opportunity to visit Alaric in Scotland.
A pivotal moment for me was finally being accepted into Bath Spa University to study Creative Writing. As journeys go, this was not a completely straight forward one; countless emails, patiently awaiting replies and filling in forms. But the arduous nature of these tasks was worth it in the end. A pot of gold sat for me at the end of this particular rainbow in the form of great housemates and fellow students.
For the Bath Spa University carol service I was asked to write a poem on journeys with the text about the call for Mary and Joseph to register for the census as the reading. What surprised me when I researched it was the arduous nature of the journey not just in length but also in terrain, and it occurred to me that the trek they took could be a metaphor for our life as a Christian.
Whatever journeys you have been on this year I pray you have a blessed Christmas, and whatever lies ahead I pray you have a hope-filled new year.
The Journey
The first clear call was Immanuel,
God with us, God for us, God alongside us,
Joy rising, dampened by rumours bubbling;
And peace. Amen. So be it.
Then Caesar’s command to census
Offered a fresh beginning,
Eighty-five miles of travel,
Mirrored in a lifetime of journey.
Descending the Nazareth range,
We leave behind the familiar,
Embrace the uncomfortable,
Trusting the narrow path to be straight,
When understanding is not ours to grasp.
Into the Jordan valley,
Where shadows invite anxiety,
Embankments funnel fear,
And thickets harbour danger,
We are shepherded
Beside the water of life,
And drink deeply.
Refreshed we press on
Through Judean desert,
Brutal wastelands of rock and grit,
With searing daytime heat
And bitter nights,
We sustain each other,
Not abandoned. Not deserted.
We lift our eyes up
To the Judean mountains,
Our feet will not slip in our ascent,
Our sights fixed ahead to completion,
Persevering until the fog is lifted,
And we meet the face of God.
Eye Can Talk 
Jonathan, having been in that journey on a bus, I am constantly in awe that Mary made that journey three times before her son was born (as she visited her cousin Elizabeth nearer to Bethlehem than Nazareth) your poem is remarkable, as are you. Thank you for writing it and sharing it. So glad you are enjoying your studying. I was in the Wintershall Nativity again this year. It was beautiful.
God bless you and keep you this Christmas.
Trish
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Jonathan I wholeheartedly congratulate you on your poem “Journeys” which really brought home how tough it must have been for Mary and Joseph to travel to Bethlehem.
Happy Christmas to you and your family and may you continue to inspire us at Bath Spa University. Wishing you good health and sending love from me.
Louise Anderson (who briefly met you once with your Granny) at the fundraiser at the Upper Basildon bridge club.
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Wow, so deep, as always. Thankyou Jonathan. Blessings on you and your family as you continue your journey through Christmastime and beyond. x
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Hello Jonathan,
I exchanged a couple of emails with your mum sometimes in the past.
Your book, Eye Can Write gave me so much insight and validation of what I’d always imagined about my young daughter who was also labelled with PMLD and complex medical needs. Thank you so much for giving us a “look behind the scenes’. Our Abigail is now in ‘the garden’ with the Lover of her soul after turning 16 in September. She gave us a week more and left on her own terms on the 3rd of October 😇.
I have gone back to your book again to kind of imagine what she could be up to, up there, knowing the strong personality and mischievous attitude she had while here. Reading through your experience in the garden gave me so much comfort at this time.
She left her legacies across 2 continents even without the ability to utter a word and we will carry on with those, both in the UK and in Nigeria, to shape families like ours and give hope to other children like her consecutively.
Like you, 2024 has been a year of immense highs and the deepest lows for us, but our faith and absolute trust in the Father’s plan keeps us going. I am glad for the gift of you and pray for renewed strength for you into the new year and beyond.
May the joy of the Lord continuously fill your family as you continue to be a beacon and light within the disability community. God bless you.
Olufunke Adeloye
OAKonsult
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Dear Olufunke,
I’m sorry to hear about your loss. Please know that Jesus’ Garden is wonderful beyond description.
Praying you have a hope filled 2025.
Blessings,
Jonathan
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Hi Jonathon, as a devoted Christian, I can relate to and appreciate the content of your poem. I’ve read your site a few times. I just want to ask that you “Remember me when you enter His Kingdom”. Everyone here is in much need of your prayers. We are helpmates each to the other. May you continue to serve Him Who loves you.
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Perseverance is such an important muscle to exercise! You are Olympic standard!
Congratulations on your place in Bath, young scholar.
May it be a year of jubilee!
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