Lord,
Today I had this image of the two of us.
I was a wee girl
picking my way carefully
along a flooded path,
trying to step on stones that jutted
out of the water
so that my red, plastic sandals
wouldn’t get wet.
Some of the stones shifted or wobbled
when I walked on them.
My journey was slow and painstaking.
I had to really concentrate
as I didn’t really know
which stones were safe to walk on;
they all seemed precarious.

But you, Lord, were walking
right beside me,
holding my hand,
steadying me each time that I walked
on a stone that tipped to one side.
I could feel your strength
as you bore my weight
each time that I stumbled.
The journey was difficult
but I felt a conviction
that with you by my side
I had no need to worry
about anything at all.

I was only wee
and you were so tall beside me.
My steps were faltering and tentative.
Yours were so firm and certain.
Two figures that were different
in so many ways
and yet , in one respect, very similar.
We were both absolutely determined
to do our best to ensure
that I should reach my destination,
wherever that is,
no matter how slow the progress,
no matter how long it takes.

© Claire Murray