Just for What I Am

When I was wee
my Daddy used to play
Country and Western music
on an old-fashioned record player
in our house.
One of those songs contained the words
“I want someone to love me
just for what I am.”

Please believe me when I say
that I’m not a fan
of Country and Western music!
But I have to admit
that sometimes the sentiments expressed
in Country and Western music
hit the nail
squarely on the head.

I’m convinced
that “Just For What I Am”
could well be an anthem
for every one of us.

Deep down
each of us yearns
for love,
for acceptance,
for someone to think, simply,
that there is no one else quite like us –
that we are the bee’s knees.

Lord,
at those times
when I feel rejected by others
remind me
that I am always
your wee girl,
beloved and precious
in your eyes,
always welcome
to clamber up beside you,
always welcome
to snuggle in for a hug,
always loved by My God
just for what I am.

© Claire Murray, 23rd November 2014

Precious

As I walk into Saturday vigil Mass
at St Agnes’
my mind is filled
by thoughts of something
that I feel called to do.
I feel nervous about this
as I feel it will leave me
exposed.

As Mass begins
I feel anxious
and I pray to My God,
asking Him
to touch me this evening
so that my heart
may be open to Him.

When the readings begin
I sense My God
whisper in my ear,
“Claire,
have you no idea
of how precious you are?
Don’t worry about this.
You are safe.
Everything will be fine!”

As I listen to these words
I feel protected, shielded
and loved.
Tears prick my eyes
at this unexpected tenderness
from My God.

My anxiety disappears
and I now feel ready
to do the will of My God
secure in the knowledge
that I am precious in His eyes
and that I am in safe hands.

© Claire Murray, 1st November 2014

Love From a Distance

Lord,
sometimes I feel hurt
by the actions of friends
and I don’t know
how to handle it.
I’m reluctant
to write people off.
I don’t want
to bear a grudge
or to be filled with bitterness.
I want to respond
to this hurt
in a Christian way.
But I don’t know how.

“Claire,
always remember
that everyone you meet
is broken,
struggling to come to terms
with their own humanity.
Always remember
that everyone you meet
is precious in my eyes.

“Sometimes
when a friend hurts you
the best thing that you can do
is to love them from a distance
through prayer.

“So pray.

“Pray for yourself –
for healing
and for the grace to forgive.
Pray for the person who hurt you
that they may be healed.
Pray for your relationship
with that person
and entrust that relationship
to my loving care.

“Love that person from a distance
through prayer,
trust in me
and all will be well.”

© Claire Murray, 1st November 2014