Sunday, May 27, 2007

Dear God,

I climbed aboard the aircraft bound for Maine. I was ready to leave responsibility behind for four days. I needed some fresh air, new scenery.

Although weary from weeks of work at church, home, and in the yard, I was prepared to work on our old house, tackling the bedroom, closet and hall. My friend Cindy travels with me every year. We work solid for three or four days renovating, refurbishing a home left in disrepair. I love taking something old, forgotten, and making it beautiful, giving it new life. Cindy is good at just about everything. She will help me paint, install closet organizers, put in new plants. We are good at moving from inside to outside and back.

On the plane things were bumpy, the clouds showing this piece of steel that technology will never dominate the skies. So Cindy and I took our "Sky Mall" magazines and we went through page after page deciding what we would buy family and friends for Christmas. Outrageous gifts, we laughed like two crazy fools. I nearly fell out of my seat when she pointed to my "big" gift, a $2000 mechanized saddle for learning how to ride a horse for my upcoming stint as a circuit rider. I literally rode out the bumps imagining myself on the horse, whisking me from place to place.

You never cease to amaze me with your creative efforts toward conquering my fears. You know what I need when I need it. You provide for me, teaching me to listen, to trust, to observe your opportunities, to take advantage of them when they are presented, reminding me to realize, recognize again your lavish love poured out on me. My lips naturally fall into praise.

As I left the plane in Manchester on a late, gray afternoon, I could only say thank you.

You save me,
rescue me from fear.
You teach me
to trust in greater waves.
You galvanize my spine,
increase my ability,
then push me out of my "nest."
You show me
that I will never gain strength
if I do not weather the storms
that beset me.
Your voice urging me on,
I step out and up.
I am no mere human.
I am human
cradled in divine arms.
Like a baby
I look up
and see the face of God.

Love forever, Andrea