Tuesday, September 26, 2006

Dearest God,

One year ago today I was lamenting over the fact that I would be returning the next day from New Mexico to Indiana on the first leg of my renewal leave. I reflected upon my early days of the renewal, of fear and anxiety, the unknown and the unfamiliar, the call for surrender and utter trust. How frightened I was in the early hours. But the learnings at Christ's feet taught me much about cleaving unto God and walking the prepared path.

I left a portion of my soul, the wounded, injured part behind. In safe keeping I surrendered that unhealed piece, setting it aside in the desert land of the monastery. Holy ground, that part of myself resides now on holy ground. God cares for it now. I no longer need it.

When I remember the many graces of God during those days, I am brought to my knees in prayer and thanksgiving. God breathed on me, so close, so incredibly close. A visible shadow of the Almighty drew me to a place I never knew. In the dry, hot desert I found God and he found me. Together we worked on my soul, God revealing the parched areas in dire need of living water. I soaked up that spirit life, dropping the broken parts on the sacred ground where God would reshape them into healing agents for others who would come in search of the Divine.

And in my study today I saw my own joy when I met with the Pastor Luis, the Hispanic pastor and his interpreter Yvette. Together we hailed God, bringing him glory for the miracle we all recognize. Miracles one year ago, miracles today.

The magnificence of God goes beyond our human understanding but our inner spirit knows the joy of God, the deep inner knowing. The sacred sound and space, the movement of spirit, love from Love, light from Light. Dwelling in the deep brings God's joy to the surface.

By the end of this day I had celebrated his majesty many times alone and with others. The life of faith enriches the human soul to live out of the well of living water. That's where joy comes from and today was filled with divine joy.

We walked together today.
We drank from the well together.
We laughed and smiled at one another.
This great God and I.
We absorbed the beauty all around us,
then breathed it back out into the world.
It is not ours.
It has been recycled by others who journeyed with the Divine,
then released it into the universe,
awaiting the next sojourner.
God is life in the world
and the human who discovers it
walks in great joy.

Love always, Andrea