DAY 40

Deirdre O'Reilly | Re:Hope West End

I grew up in a Christian family, and attended a Christian school. To be a Christian was normal for me. Going through secondary school, pondering the path I wished to take through life, I was drawn to being a missionary doctor in India. This was my vision.

On the surface, the decision was concerning which should be the deeper identity – did I wish to be primarily a missionary who was also a doctor or did I wish to be primarily a doctor who was also a missionary? I heard a member of staff speak on such a dilemma and I decided the deeper choice was to be a missionary who was also a doctor. I had an acceptance for Medicine at university but that could come later.

The reality deep inside was not so straightforward. I knew that God was asking me to become more committed to Him. But there was a situation of comfort which I was reluctant to sacrifice and so I was saying to Him, “Not yet.”

God was so gracious. He led me step by step. In my final year at school, I had an opportunity for a growth experience which would involve sacrificing the comfort situation.I took hold of this opportunity, and so I had now taken a step in the direction I ultimately wished to go.

As school finished, I had applied and been accepted by a missionary organisation. My entry date was 8th September 1964. On the evening of 7th September, I boarded the overnight Dublin boat leaving from the Broomielaw. A few minutes before 10pm, as I sat in my cabin, sewing name tags onto my new clothing, I turned to God and said, “My life is Yours, now. I give myself to You completely.” So that was me, hook, line and sinker, belonging to God.

On 7th September 2026, I hope to celebrate 62 years of belonging to God. Like Little Red Riding Hood, sometimes I have wandered off the path, but He has always graciously drawn me back. So here I am today, still trying to discern the way to stay close to Him in the midst of the confusion of life. Thank You God for Your graciousness!