Uncle Billy’s brother, Paul, died.
I went to the funeral
and to my surprise
received Communion,
with a smile,
from Uncle Billy.
As I returned to my seat
I thought to myself,
“Isn’t that a lovely gift –
to be able to give out Communion
at the funeral of someone you love?”

As I continued to my seat
I remembered
that I, too, have a gift
that I have been given
by My God –
I can sing.
And I prayed,
“Lord,
You have given me the gift
of being able to sing.
Let me use it
for you.”

A few days later
I was asked, out of the blue,
to sing at a St Patrick’s night celebration
at Lámh Dhearg GAA club.
I began to practise a few songs.

And I began to pray.

I prayed
that My God might help me
to use the gift of singing
to bring joy to others.
And I prayed
that, on the night,
His will be done.

As it happens
this was a cross-community event
in which the parishioners of Hannahstown
were joined
by Church of Ireland parishioners
from St John’s in Stoneyford
for an evening of music, song
and céilidh dancing.

And at that event
My God gave to me
the gift of being able to sing
without fear.

As I sang
I had a sense
that this singing really was a partnership
between My God and me
and that, as I sang,
My God was holding me carefully
in His hand.
And I felt
that singing at this cross-community event
was a real privilege.

Thank you, Lord,
for the gift of singing
and for the gift this evening
of being able to use it
to bring joy to others.

© Claire Murray, 12th March 2016