Saturday, July 28, 2007

Dear God,

A purely quiet day is truly a day of joy for me. I spent the day in silence with the exception of a couple of phone calls I needed to make. I did hear, however, the click-click of the ceiling fan.

Thoughts, ideas, reflections and memories have space to appear when quiet is embraced. And this type of quiet is even more than the absense of sound. It is the opening to the divine, that dwelling place of spiritual oneness. Without the monotonous daily sound of voices, television, and computer noises, one can live the life intended for the contemplative.

Someone very close to me teases me about entering the convent, living the monastic life. I am intrigued and find inner joy welling up within me when I think about it. Yet, I do not believe I am suited for this life. I prefer to live in a monastery without walls.

I have always been drawn to the sacred. As far back as I can remember, you have been very dear to me. Whether in prayer, sacred awe, worship, Sunday School or other "religious" activity, I have found my inner self, an inner life of faith that makes even greater sense and meaning of human living. I am certain this is the meeting place of God for me.

When I look out the window of my silent place, I see the beauty of life within and outside myself. This internal-external activity silences sound, allowing only the visual to speak. The quiet allows me to see more deeply the images before me. I can be more fully present with what I see.

I think the same thing is true about people. When I allow my inner life to open to you, I am able to see more in people. I see their great value, their promise and hope, their potential. I can see you within them or their need for you. I see transformation as it is developing. This does not mean I believe I am clairvoyant or of greater value than my human brother or sister, rather I think it means this is my gift or calling in the universe.

When I live out of this sacred space, I find my greatest meaning, joy, peace and love. Our spiritual friendship rejuvenates the very atoms that hold me together, giving me as an image to the world. This vital connection brings a divine dimension to my simple humanity. I recognize my smallness compared to your greatness.

I rest in your care, filled with the wondrous awe of God.

This filling of God,
one teeny particle
of sacred character
delights my soul.
The quiet
gives me space
to dwell
with you,
to reflect upon
the human-divine connection.
My innermost spirit
searches, seeking
for a closer union
with you.
What am I
without you?
Just so much
flesh and bone.
My heart dwells
in gratitude
for our quiet time.

Love, Andrea