Welcome to the latest newsletter from The Distant Spire.

After a technology glitch that caused The Distant Spire to be down for a week, I am happy to be back on track and bringing some new devotional music for you to help in finding quiet time with God in prayer.

This week’s offering is called Waiting. Recorded in my home studio, it features sparse piano chords, arpeggiated guitar, synthesiser pads and a peaceful melody, all against the ambience of a gently burning fireplace. I invite you to listen to the music as you pray and reflect, and be renewed in strength by His grace. The following is a short reflection to also provoke some thought on what it means to wait upon the Lord.

The Virtue of Waiting

“…what then shall those things be which are prepared for such as wait for Him? The Creator and Father of all worlds, the Most Holy, alone knows their amount and their beauty. Let us therefore earnestly strive to be found in the number of those that wait for Him.”

These words from Clement of Rome remind us to patiently wait with anticipation and a quiet confidence in God’s faithfulness. We wait patiently for the return of Christ and the promise of heaven for the faithful. Isaiah 40:31 speaks of faithfulness and forbearance in the face of trial and failing strength, but is also an encouragement to make this fruit a characteristic of our lives as we abide in Christ and follow him in humble obedience. Waiting upon God can look different depending on circumstance; it can mean endurance through earthly trial, and perseverance through the marathon of life. In either sense, we can rise above with renewed strength continually if we learn to wait upon the Lord.

Where Else Can I Listen?

🎵My music is available through the links below. I invite you to listen and subscribe to The Distant Spire for regular updates of music for meditation.

I recommend headphones or full range speakers both for listening quality and to provide some isolation from the noise and business so you can more easily enter into a quiet time with the Lord.

Some Additional Notes

As I write I am sitting in the reading room on a cool day at New Norcia Monastery and I have a clear of the abbey from my window. Its bells are ringing again after a long period of being out of action; mainly because there were not enough monks available to manually ring them as in times past. They are now automated and bring a nice aspect of town tradition back.

In my priest’s absence on sabbatical, our bible study group has been meeting weekly for lectio divina, or divine reading. It has been a wonderful time of ruminating on scripture and letting God speak to us. It is truly amazing how just sitting in a verse so to speak, rather than consuming it like it is a quick meal can generate so many rich insights and meanings. Next week I must bring my journal to capture all of these spiritual gems I am receiving! If you are not familiar with lectio divina and want to learn more the Carmelite Order has a very good introduction.

I recently researched dumbphones to see if it was possible to do away with my iPhone, such is my frustration at the attachment I have to technology. I came to the regrettable conclusion they were not an option for me, at least not permanently, but that is a story for another day. Instead I think No Internet August is a more realistic goal (thanks Matt Fradd).

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🎵 The Distant Spire is a reader supported project that does not currently receive any financial support and content is free. Music from The Distant Spire is also available through the links below.

I highly value your comments and encouragement so please leave a comment if what you enjoy what you hear, and if it resonates with you or helps you in any way.

You can read more about The Distant Spire and the concept behind it on my About Page.

God bless you and keep you,

D.A SigleyThe Distant Spire

Footnotes and Resources

Music written, recorded and produced by Dale Sigley ©2025

Scripture quotes are from Revised Stand Version Catholic Edition.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thedistantspire.substack.com