On a rainy, windy, winter’s morning
I attend Friday morning Mass with Paul
at Hannahstown.
Fr David welcomes us with a smile
and Mass begins.
This morning’s Mass feels special
because Paul is with me.
As we kneel together in prayer
after Communion,
I have a strong sense
of being part of a triangle of love
that flows between God, Paul and me.
And on a rainy, windy, winter’s morning
I have a sense
that right here is where I belong
beside Paul
and before God.
© Claire Murray
In his story “A Horse and His Boy”
CS Lewis describes a difficult journey
that a young boy, Sashta,
is forced to undertake
as he flees for his life,
hotly pursued by enemies.
With only his horse for company,
Sashta’s journey takes him
into a high mountain range.
Night comes,
freezing mist descends
and Sashta feels forsaken.
In the midst of Sashta’s desolation
Aslan, the lion, arrives
to accompany Sashta
on this dangerous trek.
The mighty Aslan walks beside Sashta
patiently, steadily,
comfortingly and reassuringly,
leading Sashta across
a treacherous mountain range
to safety.
That’s how I see Tina.
Like Sashta,
Tina is on a treacherous journey,
not of her choosing.
Tina undertakes this journey each day
with courage, tenacity
and faith.
Like Sashta,
Tina feels forsaken.
And just like Sashta,
Tina is not on her own;
she has Kieran on one side
to support her
and Almighty God on the other side
to lead her.
Like Sashta,
Tina is in very safe hands
and with the help of Kieran and God
she will manage to negotiate
this dangerous mountain range
in safety.
© Claire Murray, 27th January 2014
Lord,
you said, “Love your neighbour as yourself.”
In theory,
it sounds straight-forward
but in practice,
it’s not so easy!
I struggle to come to terms
with who I am.
I feel disappointed with myself
when I find myself making the same mistakes
yet again.
I feel frustrated
and I lose heart.
Frequently I need to remind myself
that My God created me,
just the way I am,
with all of my flaws and weaknesses
on purpose.
I find comfort in the wise words
of my friend, Patricia,
“God doesn’t make rubbish!”
I’m aware
that I need to accept who I am
so that I can be at peace
with myself
and learn to love myself.
You see, I have this nagging question
in my mind,
“If I can’t learn to love myself,
what possible chance do I have
of learning to love my neighbour?”
© Claire Murray, 9th January 2014
Lord,
you said, “Love your neighbour as yourself.”
In theory,
it sounds straight-forward
but in practice,
it’s not so easy!
I struggle to come to terms
with who I am.
I feel disappointed with myself
when I find myself making the same mistakes
yet again.
I feel frustrated
and I lose heart.
Frequently I need to remind myself
that My God created me,
just the way I am,
with all of my flaws and weaknesses
on purpose.
I find comfort in the wise words
of my friend, Patricia,
“God doesn’t make rubbish!”
I’m aware
that I need to accept who I am
so that I can be at peace
with myself
and learn to love myself.
You see, I have this nagging question
in my mind,
“If I can’t learn to love myself,
what possible chance do I have
of learning to love my neighbour?”
© Claire Murray
Last night
Paul and I went to Exposition
at Hannahstown.
Up on the altar,
beside flickering candles,
the Blessed Sacrament was exposed.
In front of the altar,
beside flickering candles,
a simple crib was on display;
Mary and Joseph,
shepherds and sheep
all stood around
the Baby Jesus.
And from various window sills
around the chapel
three Wise Men journeyed
towards the Christ Child.
My eyes kept being drawn
to the tiny Baby Jesus
and I could sense My God urging me,
“Claire,
this is my beloved son.
Keep Him right at the centre
of your life.
Remember the miracle
of this Christmas scene,
this miracle of my love
and don’t let yourself get distracted!”
And in the soft light and silence
of a cold winter’s evening,
Almighty God gently sat
beside Paul and me
as I knelt in prayer,
fascinated by a simple crib
at Hannahstown.
© Claire Murray
At bedtime on New Year’s Eve
I found myself looking back over a year
that had been difficult
and had caused me to struggle
considerably.
Looking ahead to 2014
I anticipated a year
that would be still more challenging.
For the first time in my life
I greeted a new year
filled with a sense of anxiety
and trepidation.
I began my new year
by rising early
to go to Mass.
During Mass a visiting priest
gently reminded me
that I am a child of God
and that I have nothing to fear
as I face a challenging year
because this is all part
of God’s plan for me
and My God will be with me
every step of the way.
As I knelt in prayer beside Paul
I had a sense that in life
Paul and I stand firmly side by side
united in faith
and united in love.
I had a sense
of Jesus standing right behind us
with one hand on Paul’s shoulder
and the other hand on my shoulder,
guiding and supporting us
as we face a challenging year together.
I left morning Mass convinced
that I will be able to deal with this new year
and all that it may bring
because I will face this year
with Paul by my side
and with Jesus watching protectingly
over both of us.
My God will ensure
that I have all of the help that I need.
© Claire Murray