Lord,
at your Transfiguration
you gave close friends a glimpse
of who you really are.
The experience was vivid, real
and very brief
yet it provided your friends
with precious memories
to sustain them
through the difficult times to come.

As my summer holiday
draws to a close
I feel a deep conviction
that during my summer break
I, too, have been given of a glimpse
of just how wonderful
life can be.

I have a sense
that this bliss has been more than
a welcome break
from the busy-ness
of my working life;
my summer break has provided me
with precious memories
to sustain me through the daily grind
of my work
in the year ahead.

As I prepare to return to work I find
that instead of lamenting
the end of my summer break
I can’t help celebrating
the summer that I had
and I’m convinced
that my glass isn’t half-empty;
it’s half full!

© Claire Murray, 12th August 2014

After week upon week
of having the freedom to do
exactly as I please
I find myself on the brink
of returning to work.
And yet, at the end of my summer,
I sense
that rather than mourning
a return to work
I’m celebrating a summer spent happily
in the company of family
and friends.

I’m aware
that life can be difficult sometimes
and gruelling at other times.
For our wee family
this summer has been tinged with sadness
by the recent death of Danny.
But I feel that this summer
My God has given me a break
from the darker side of life
and has instead simply instructed me
to go and enjoy myself.

And that’s what I’ve done.
Walks, cycles and train journeys,
lunches, coffees and ice creams,
songs and music,
chatter and laughter,
late to bed and late to rise …
… bliss!

As my summer draws to a close
I feel rested,
ready to accept work for what it is –
a necessary part of life.
I feel fortunate
because I have the good health that I need
in order to return to my job.
And I feel blessed
because My God has gifted me
with a summer of rest and relaxation,
enabling me to return to work
refreshed
and ready to face
all that lies ahead.

© Claire Murray, 16th August 2014

Lord,
it’s a summer’s morning.

Looking out the window
I see rain falling softly and steadily
on lush, green grass.
There is a sense of dampness, gentleness
and peace
and I have a sense
that today is your gift
to me.

By no stretch of the imagination
is this the sort of summer’s day
that I waited for, eagerly,
all year long.
But there’s a peace and serenity
that accompanies this damp day
and I sense you inviting me
to take this opportunity
to relax, rest
and take things easy
before my summer ends
and all of the hustle and bustle of my work
resumes once more.

And on this damp summer’s morning
I thank you, Lord,
for this invitation
to simply be still.

© Claire Murray, 10th August 2014

Imagine
what it would be like
if Jesus was in Belfast,
right here among us,
right here, right now?

Who would he choose
to be his close friends?
Where would they hang out?
What would they talk about?

In my mind’s eye
I see Jesus
sitting at one of the monuments
outside Belfast City Hall
surrounded by such a motley crew –
bin men and street sweepers,
brick layers and electricians,
postmen and traffic wardens,
alcoholics and beggars,
joy-riders and glue sniffers,
students and college lecturers,
civil servants and unemployed.

A real assortment of people –
Catholics and Protestants
from the Falls and the Shankhill,
people of all shapes and sizes,
wealthy or living on benefits,
suited or casually-dressed,
uniformed or wearing high-visibility vests,
some well-spoken, some swearing profusely,
others speaking broken English.

Such a hotch-potch of people
all gathered around Jesus
and talking earnestly
about love.

Imagine
how strange that would be
and how amazing!

© Claire Murray, 23rd August 2014

Lord,
today I have a strong sense
that right here
is exactly where you want me to be.
I suspect
that a bird’s eye view of my journey
would reveal a route that has been circuitous
to say the least.
And yet I know
that you have been by my side
every single step of the way,
leading me and guiding me
with gentleness and patience,
keeping me safe.

Today I have a sense
that you are asking me
to commit to you
obstacles that I encountered
on my journey,
many of which were considerable
and caused me deep pain.

Today I sense
that you are asking me
to stop viewing these incidents
in a negative light.
You are suggesting
that I stop feeling sorry for myself
and that I cease to wonder, “if only”.

Today I sense
that you are inviting me
to embrace those challenges
because they brought me to here,
where I am right now,
and where I belong.

Today I have a sense
that you are asking me
to commit my whole life to you,
past, present and future
and I suspect
that when I embrace my past
it will cease to be a burden.

© Claire Murray, 1st August 2014