Lord,
did you pick the right person?
Do you not think
that maybe
you should have picked
someone else?
A performer?
An extrovert?
Someone less self-conscious
than me?

Lord,
I’m not a performer.
I get nervous
when I get up to sing
in front of people.
I’m a weak person,
very weak!
I’ve been singing at Mass
for two years now
and I still find it difficult.
Is there not someone else?
Have you picked
the wrong person?

Claire,
I chose you a long time ago.
Before time even began
I chose you to be mine
and every day of your life
I choose you all over again.

I’m not looking for a performer.
I just want someone who loves me
and who tries her best
to put me at the centre
of everything she does.

I want someone
who doesn’t consider
that her voice
is something to be proud of
because she recognises
that her voice
is a gift from me.

I want someone who realises
that every time she has managed
to sing without fear
she was receiving another gift from me.

I don’t want a performer.
I want someone
with love in her heart
to sing about the God of love.
You say that you like
to sing love songs and ballads.
Well, I want you to sing
love songs and ballads
about us.

Claire,
I haven’t chosen the wrong person.
Trust me.
Be patient with yourself
and be patient with me.
I’ll send you all of the help
that you need.
I promise!

© Claire Murray