Monday, November 6, 2006

Dear God,

A fresh new day is stirring. The cold Autumn day holds promise as humanity awakens in Indiana.

I love this season of the year. (The truth is every season is my favorite) Fall colors, leaves blowing in the wind, and cold, blustery days where I have to don my winter coat and gloves always reminds me of the Ecclesiastes passage in the Bible. "There is a time and season for all things..." Although some read that text feeling blah, I read it with anticipation. God is in every season and no season remains forever. "...a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to pluck up plants..." In my dying moments I know that birth is around the corner. As I plant I know that soon I will be plucking up.

I lived in California when I was 16 years old. (Didn't like it, missed Indiana) There were only two seasons, warm and cold. I felt something missing. I was thrilled when I moved back at age 18. (To say nothing of leaving the California of the '60's)

Every day I know it is the season of God's love. This season never changes. The look may change, the mode and expression, but this season is constant. I see evidence every day.

And if the season of love never changes, then I am propelled by God's generosity to live out that love daily. It is true, I am a hugger. I let people know I care. Not everyone is comfortable with my form of love's expression and that's okay. We're just not all wired the same. But I do know that love changes things. When persons feel love's embrace, they are changed, assured of love's presence. They can live different lives knowing that love will hold them. When love feels absent, crazy things happen.

I am anticipating today's expression of love. I plan to watch for it, to enter it beside God. I can make a difference for someone else. They can make a difference in me.

Source of all love,
I bask in your presence.
When I know
our relationship is in tact
because we spend time together,
I know I will be held in love's control.
I will revel
in the joy of it all.
Make me an instrument
of your love,
O God,
make me an ever-present instrument
of your love.
For my soul
is so full of love for you
that I want to share that love
so I may become even more full
than I am now.
You are gracious,
generous,
a lover of every child.
I bow in your presence,
O God on High.
I love you.

Always, Andrea