Tuesday, April 24, 2007

Dearest God,

Courage comes from a sense of well being, a real trust in God. Women's Sunday is scheduled for May 6. The women of our church will lead our worship service. Traditionally lay women share in place of the pastoral sermon. Persuading women to speak is not easy, especially when they are afraid of speaking in public.

The name of a woman came to mind. She can do it, my small voice told me. When I called her, she almost immediately said yes. "I will do it if you can help me." She told me. "Sure!" I affirmed her.

This woman's story is not her own story. It is your story working within her. A life of abuse has become a life of power, spiritual power. Overcoming, conquering the pain of the past, she has risen up like the first flower of Spring bursts forth from the hard-crusted winter soil. She is now ready to tell your story.

Courage has given birth in this woman. She has reached for this power and found it accessible. Your hand has given it to her. Like a new outfit she is trying on this newfound power because she believes God has the power to transform human lives. She has seen your face, felt your hand upon her life. Just days ago she realized for the first time that you were with her all during the early sorrowful years. She has a new strength about her.

Giving birth is hard labor. At times you want to hold back, stop the whole process. You want to stop all the pain. You want to scream and shout, "It hurts too much. Give me something for the pain." Sometimes you just want to be numbed out. Forget it. Stay where you are. But the baby keeps coming. Something natural inside is at work, pushing, prodding, giving way, releasing. Suddenly after a seemingly long time you begin to work with it, a natural rhythm of give and take, breathing and pushing, working with it, allowing it to happen. And then out of nowhere, the child is born, taking a deep breath of Spirit air, hollering out, "I'm here, I'm here, no longer invisible." Sweat, blood, and tears come together in faith and new life comes forth.

There is a well of joy that follows a new birth. Arising out of the ashes it cries out in rich happiness. A cleansing of the soul takes place as new life is emerging. God is being birthed.

You are the power,
the only power of the Spirit.
You enter our lives
at the beginning,
giving us all we need
to give birth.
You are the coach
reminding us that
we can do it.
You show signs
of your presence
and tell us
we are not alone.
You are the midwife
who works gently
beside us.
A natural flow
of loving energy
guides us
in the birthing process.
Courage is born.

Love always, Andrea