Grounded

I came tumbling off my bike
at Custom House Square.
Concerned strangers
came to my aid
as I found myself
dazed,
staring at the Albert Clock,
trying to figure out
what on earth had just happened.

Now I find myself unable to cycle,
unable to drive;
I have a sneaking suspicion
I’ve been grounded
by My God!

But being grounded isn’t a punishment;
it’s an invitation from My God
for me to rest,
to take a break from a hectic life style,
to stop rushing around
and, above all,
to cease my habitual search
for that elusive goal
of being in two places at once!

Two thousand years ago
Jesus called Matthew
as he sat outside the custom house
in Capernaum.
Two weeks ago
Jesus called me
as I came tumbling off my bike
at Custom House Square
in Belfast.

© Claire Murray

Healing the Deaf Man (Mark 7: 31-37)

Lord,

friends of a deaf man
brought him to you in faith,
hoping that you would heal him.

You were surrounded by people
but you led the deaf man to a place
where you could be alone.
This was not to be a spectacle
to amaze or impress.
This was to be between
You, Your Daddy and the deaf man.

In the privacy of that place
You laid hands on the deaf man,
touched his ears and tongue in blessing
and prayed.
You asked the deaf man
to keep this to himself
and You left.

Today, I feel you calling me
in the same way.
You ask me to take time
out of my hectic life
to spend in prayer
with You.

You welcome me
as the wounded person that I am
and you invite me
into a relationship with you
that is personal
and intimate.
You offer me the opportunity to become
all that you have always intended
that I can be.

Like the deaf man,
You call me to leave the world,
to spend intimate, healing time with you.
Then you invite me
to return to the world. © Claire Murray

Where I Belong

Lord,
sometimes I find myself wondering,
“What am I doing here?
How on earth did I end up
in this situation?”

Yesterday,
Paul and I sat side by side
at lunchtime Mass
at St Malachy’s.
And it felt so right to be there,
together,
joined in marriage,
united in prayer.
I had a strong sense
that I belonged there,
by Paul’s side.

Today I sang at Johanna’s funeral
with our folkgroup.
Together we stood on the altar,
giving praise to You
and bringing comfort
to Johanna’s family.
I had a strong sense
that I belonged there,
bringing You closer to people
through song.

Later as I walked in autumn sunshine
to my work,
I had a sense
that this place of work is where I belong.

Lord,
I have this sense
that the reason I am where I am,
right here, right now,
is that here is exactly
where I belong.

© Claire Murray