Monday, July 30, 2007

Dear God,

Our neighbors want to use our church facility to teach English to Hispanic workers. They had called to talk about this possibility. I was delighted since these men and women have been serving us at Puerta Vallarta for a long time.

The college professor and children's OR nurse visited with me for about 30 minutes. They are excited about partnering with us. They want to give something back since this business owner and his employees take good care of all of us and constantly give to our community. Along with others they want to teach the course in English.

As they were readying to leave, they remarked about the woods behind our church, woods that have become hallowed ground, a park for all to enjoy. Perhaps, I told them, even a meditation garden. She remarked that they were leaving for vacation as soon as they left the church and that her vacation had already begun when she sat down to talk. "I'll bet this is the first time anyone started their vacation in your office." She told me. "Oh no," I said, "several people have begun their spiritual vacation in this very room, walking into new vistas for the first time." Although this was our first meeting, I took hold of their hands and prayed for this new venture and their vacation.

New vistas. Yes, this holy ground is a doorway to new vistas, spiritual visitations, the beginning of pilgrimages of the spirit. And today I walked with three people to that entry. Persons who need a transformation. Individuals who feel trapped and need a new doorway through which to enter a different realm that will lead them to hope and peace.

The church may be a community of people. It may be a service-related institution. It may be a place for worship and prayer, for teaching and loving. But more than all of this it is your home, a mystical entry point to God. There is nothing ordinary about your home. It may look like a building with Sunday School rooms and a worship center. But it is much more. Sometimes we forget that. It is something much more.

As I drove home at 8:00 p.m. I reflected on the discoveries of the day. The smiles of the people I had worked with who experienced breakthroughs in their depression and despair, persons who discovered hope and a way to you. No longer alone, they entered a "land" where unions are possible, spiritual unions with God where they can breathe easier, be honest and lay down their fears temporarily, picking up hope and peace. A good day.

A day with you
energizes my spirit.
I learn
to trust you more.
I cannot help
ailing people
without your grace.
Together,
you and I,
we sit together
with persons
without hope.
We listen.
We interact.
Then your mystery unfolds,
bringing resolution
at some level.
Lighter,
the burden
is not so heavy.
Thank God.

Love, Andrea