Sunday, July 15, 2007

My dearest God,

Most of us awakened by 5:00 a.m. Eleven of us needing showers, makeup, hair done, dressing in our best, stripping beds, doing laundry, preparing for worship. All women. We had looked forward to today, especially those who had worshipped at St. Ann's a year ago. An exceptional preacher, the ocean, an outdoor marble altar, a gentle breeze and Christ bid us come. We walked out the door at 7:20 a.m. Not bad!

We entered the sacred space, an outdoor sanctuary. The moment my shoes touched the cold stones, I knew I was on holy ground. We took our places on the second pew, same place as always. And we prepared ourselves to meet God. And so we did...in the singing, in the scriptures, the gospel message, in passing the peace and the Eucharist. Worship, for me, always touches that deep place in me, doesn't make a difference whether I am worshipping with United Methodists, Episcopalians, or Catholics. I always find you.

But it was in the casual conversation later when I realized our retreat had touched divine bases. At the ocean, during a walk, sitting on a storytelling bench, digging in sand, laughing at ourselves. We never had to search far. You were present in all our daily activities.

Someone once asked, "If everything was taken from you, what one thing would you need to have faith? Mine was worship. In worship there is praise and petition, there is offering and supplication, there is friendship and fellowship, there is heartfelt secret sharing with you and open displays of rejoicing. There is compassion and comfort, love and sacred intersections. There is grace. Yes, worship, to me is faith.

As we drove away I noticed the flag blowing in the wind and I realized it was the breath of the Holy Spirit.

Holy One of Heaven,
you are constantly present,
although more often than not,
we are not aware.
You are in our churches,
in our communities,
in the streets
and in our bedrooms.
Nothing is hidden from you.
You kindliness spreads outward
where we find you
waiting to greet us
in amazing places.
Forgive us
when we fail
to acknowledge
your presence.
Thank you,
Great Lord,
for our retreat,
for feeding us spiritual food,
emotional renewal,
physical balance.
We lift our hearts
to you.

Loving thanks, Andrea