Penterry Church, nr Chepstow

Penterry Church is an isolated chapel in the middle of a field with no road access. You walk across fields to reach it and see it nestled within a low churchyard wall, tucked under hedgerows. It’s an amazing site with views down across the open woodland and countryside. It’s not known if this was a Celtic site but the shape of the churchyard suggests it is a ‘Llan’ and it certainly feels a ‘thin place’. It was locked when we visited so we sat on the bench in the churchyard by the porch and prayed. 
 

We had been having a hard few months and I didn’t feel connected to God closely even though I maintained my walk with Him. I felt bereft and was missing our intimacy. In this beautiful thin place I found myself worshipping and pouring out my heart in a way I’d not be able to for months. It was easy.A lament formed, just like one of David’s psalms and I discharged all the pent up emotion of us both living with sickness and many unanswered questions, yet holding fast to vision which God alone has given us.

So I wept and I prayed and I wept some more. I even moaned a bit too, especially as we were in holiday in the countryside and all I really wanted was to see some mammals. Itʼs one of my greatest joys but I’d only seen a few squirrels. There seemed to be no wildlife around and I was sad.

After a long time praying and lingering at Penterry we carried on with our day.

However, later that evening I received a very special ‘kiss’ from the Father. I looked out of our cottage window to the fields behind as dusk was falling. Suddenly from out of the woods emerged a group of fallow deer. They were dancing and skipping, soon chasing each other delightedly around the field, jumping high in the air and turning on a six pence. Two fawns gavorted merrily and at high speed. I watched mesmerised by the animals’ beauty and freedom but also acutely aware that my Father God had led these deer here to bless me. He had heard my desperate cries from earlier in the day. My heart became settled. My Father had heard my voice and answered with reassurance that He loves me and cares.