How one text changed a woman's life
A text message from the
vicar on behalf of the whole church was the start of a faith
journey for Jane Goddard which turned her life around. The text
simply said that everyone was praying.
The prayers were for the whole family (who had recently been
victims of identity theft) but especially for Jane and Steve's
young son Christopher who was seriously ill in hospital. To make
matters worse Steve had contracted pneumonia during this stressful
period.
"At the time, I wasn't a particularly religious person," said
Jane. "Steve and I both believed in God, though he wasn't a big
presence in our lives. In my job as a carer, I had regularly
accompanied one particular client to church every Sunday - a young
man with learning difficulties. Although, I really enjoyed going to
St James Church in East Cowes, I was mainly there because it was my
job."
The text actually came from the vicar of St James, the Rev
Jonathan Hall.
"I know you shouldn't bargain with God but there and then I made
a vow to him that if Christopher recovered, I would worship him
with all my heart and soul in future. I also pledged to devote
myself to making life better for others - to use my skills and
talents to help as many people as I could."
When Christopher was discharged from hospital several weeks
later Jane immediately signed up for an Alpha course and her faith
began to mature. Within a matter of months a new business idea took
off and Community Spirited was launched in August 2007 - an
organisation that offers caring services to enhance quality of life
for vulnerable and lonely people.
Three years on, Christopher is now healthy and thriving. And so is
Community Spirited.
Spurred by her Christian faith and promise to God, Jane is
determined to run Community Spirited so that she can make a living
for her family, pay her staff well, and ensure that all clients are
shown genuine respect, love and caring.