Saturday, September 30, 2006

My dear God,

I sat outside in the crisp cold Autumn air as the light began to shine in the dark sky. In the early morning all was at peace and rest except for the rooster who was only doing his job. I watched as the cows made their way to the rolling hill pasture, mooing on occasion perhaps just to let me know they noticed my gazing.

It was a magnificent morning. An azure sky with a few billowy clouds. The sun rising in the east shining its rays on the grazing animals. The birds began to sing, one, then another in response, a symphony of sound on the farm.

I looked around, seeing for the first time smoke ascending from the old smokehouse which heated the tub outside our yurt. I watched the gentle breeze blow making ripples across the lily pad laden pond, cattails swaying in the wind.

It was an artist's canvas, one of awesome beauty painted by God. And I was alone, drawn into the rendering of creation. I began to write, inspired by the view. When all of a sudden, a soft, gray cat jumped up onto my lap. Not a cat person I wanted to shoo it away. I'm always a little frightened by cat's eyes. But there was something mysterious about this feline. I put down my writing pad as the cat circled until she found just the right position. If God has sent this cat my way, I thought, then I must welcome it. I patted its fur while it purred until finally comfortable, it fell asleep.

As I listened in silence to God's voice singing in the wind, I heard my friends begin to stir. The cat jumped down on the ground, grateful for the nap and the warm lap. And the day began in gratitude.

You are God of creation,
mystery and joy.
You speak
when we listen.
You offer us magical views
of life unfolding,
dawn emerging,
and you fill us with anticipation.
You and I,
we started our day together.
Joy filled my being.

Gratefully yours, Andrea