Waiting

 

Several others have already written enthusiastically about our WOWiG weekend, so I’m not going to rehash the highs and lows not-quite-so-highs yet again except to say that I’ve just about caught up on my sleep.

 

However, when Jonathan Bryan invited us to be silent for a couple of minutes as part of his session, it put me in mind of something I wrote several years ago while at Scargill.

 

Waiting

 

A friend of mine said I should look in the chapel:

“The vicar’ll help you; she knows what to do.”

But the church is quite empty, no sign of the priest,

So I’ll rest in this corner and wait here for you.

 

I ought to be making a list for my shopping.

I need some potatoes, and meat for a stew.

But I’ve not brought a pen and my i-pad’s at home,

So I’ll savour the silence and wait here for you.

 

I wonder how Grandpa has coped with the children –

He promised he’d take them both out to the zoo.

But Georgina gets car-sick and Joseph hates snakes,

So I’m thankful I’m sitting here, waiting for you.

 

I imagine this place takes a fair bit of dusting;

I’ve seen by the door there’s a cobweb or two.

But there’s beauty and grace in those intricate threads,

So I’ll marvel and stare as I wait here for you.

 

You’d think that the countryside might be more peaceful:

Outside there’s a terrible hullabaloo

From the bleating of sheep and the clucking of birds -

Don’t they know that I’m trying to focus on you?

 

So where have you gone Lord? I need you to help me

Untangle my prayers as I sit in this pew.

And the harder I’ve tried the more distant you seem

As I’ve wrestled impatiently, waiting for you.

 

A voice whispers gently: “My child, don’t be anxious.

The things that concern you are in my heart too.

Can’t you hear my creation all shouting my praise

As I sit here enjoying this moment with you?”

 

 

As Christians who write, we recognise that all our words grow out of our faith. So, how do you find space for God – and how does it affect your writing?

Fiona Lloyd is Chair of the Association of Christian Writers and writes regularly for Together magazine. Her novel, The Diary of a (trying to be holy) Mum, was published by Instant Apostle in January 2018. Fiona also works for Christians Against Poverty.

 

Twitter: @FionaJLloyd & @FionaLloyd16