I stand in the kitchen one evening
busily preparing the dinner
for my family.
In the background I can hear my new CD –
the debut album of The Priests.
Some of the songs I recognise
but many are unfamiliar to me.
I continue to prepare the dinner.
Another song begins.
I later learn that it is called “Benedictus”.
For some reason
I find myself drawn into this song,
which I have never heard before
and whose words I don’t understand.
The singing is gentle, reassuring, comforting.
I stop what I’m doing.
I feel as if I’m in another world
in which I am about eight years old,
with dark hair tied up in a pig tail.
I am curled up
in the corner of a dark red couch
before a blazing fire.
The room is cosy.
I feel welcome, safe and loved.
I am at rest.
I see no-one but I have a strong sense
of being in the presence of My God,
My Daddy
and I have a conviction
that I’m in God’s study,
that everything’s going to be alright.
The song ends
and I find myself back in the kitchen,
stunned
and I think, “Wow!”
© Claire Murray