Last summer was spent
cycling around the quiet country roads
of Dundrod and Aldergrove.
Somewhere along each route
I found a special place –
a place of tranquility and beauty,
a place where I could spend time at peace
in the presence of My God.
Each of these special places
became my own personal haven
and I referred to each one as “My Spot”.

Summer has been very different for our wee family
following the death of Danny
and I have found that I haven’t have the opportunity
to visit each of my precious “Spots”
from last summer.
Instead, this summer’s cycling destination
has usually been much more urban than before –
Belfast city centre.
But on my route this summer
I discovered a brand new “Spot” –
Botanic Gardens.
Here I found glorious avenues
of cottage garden flowers,
bursting with colour and humming with bees
in the summer sunshine
and here, against the background noise
of city traffic and lawn mowers
I found peace.

My summer has left me
with a deep conviction
that My God will always provide me
with new “Spots”,
sanctuaries in which I can spend precious time
enjoying the company of My God
and the splendour of his creation
no matter how many changes
life may bring.

© Claire Murray, August 2014