Something used to trouble me
deeply –
I didn’t love God.
I spent time each day in prayer.
I had a deep respect for God
and was fascinated by Him.
But, hand on heart,
I couldn’t actually say
that I loved God.

This worried me
for years.

It persisted until the day
that I felt God’s love
sweep over me
like a huge wave.
Instantly I felt
that I loved God.

Somehow,
experiencing God’s love for me
opened my heart
and enabled me
to love God in return.

Today I pray for people
who have, perhaps,
turned their backs on God.
May they experience
God’s overwhelming love for them
and find themselves
drenched in this love.
May their hearts be opened ,
giving them a sense
of God’s loving presence
surrounding them
at all times.
And may they find it in their hearts
to love God
in return.

And in loving God
may these people find the peace
that we all yearn for
and that only God
can bring.

© Claire Murray, 22nd May 2021

I made a mistake.
It’s taking a long, long time
to sort-out
and sometimes
it just wears me down.

But it’s a beautiful Spring evening
and Paul and I set out for a dander
around the leafy streets
of Malone Road
in Belfast.

The gentle pastel blossoms
of pink and purple,
cream and white
have faded from camellias, cherry trees,
magnolias
only to be replaced
by a myriad of dazzling, new colours.

Rhododendrons of purple,
pink and orange.
Azaleas blaze
with red and pink.
And even a tiny rosemary bush
is covered from head to toe
in beautiful, blue blossoms.

Gardens are resplendent with colour!

I have an impression
of colour pulsing through
these streets
like fibre-optic display
(only in slow motion!)

I sense My God
whisper in my ear,
“Learn from these plants.
Do you see how each one
waits patiently
for its turn to blossom?
Have patience
and have faith –
all will be well.”

And as we dander home again,
I feel reassured
and I feel ready
to be patient”.

© Claire Murray, 14th May 2021

During winter time,
gardeners in Musgrave Park
cut away a huge area
of low-lying, creeping shrub.
Such a sorry sight –
it had been a perfect nesting place
for wee birds.

Then spring comes along
bursting with life
and with surprises.
There, where the shrub
has been razed to the ground,
clumps of long-forgotten daffodils
stand swaying and golden
in the warm spring sunlight!

One door closes …
and another one opens!

In our own life
a bad decision
has recently closed a door
and we have the added misery
of knowing
that this was entirely
self-inflicted –
ouch!

But life teaches me,
nature shows me
and My God whispers to me,
“When one door closes,
another one opens.”

And so I face this disappointment
in faith,
praying to My God
for help,
for guidance,
for patience,
for acceptance.

Deep in my heart I know
that with the help of My God,
this will be resolved
because as one door closes
another one opens –
always.

© Claire Murray