Thursday, July 26, 2007

Dear God,

The storms of life can bend us low, leaving us vulnerable, weak, fragile. A friend called to spend time with me today. Bent by life's ebbs, the flow of his life is fleeting.

Life strength can be sucked away by illness, tragedy, and other life circumstances. And what we are left with can be fear, defeat, grief and sorrow. I have known this demon in my own life with cancer, loss, betrayal. To witness it in another, this loss of life energy is punishingly sad.

And what do I have to offer under these conditions? Normalcy, friendship, respectability, hope, love. Christ. I took my friend with me while I made calls to sick and recovering people. Hospitals and nursing homes, the realities of life, both of which he will no doubt partake. He waited for me as I spent time with my members.

And then I saw Evadene, my dear friend. We share the love of ice cream. Whenever I visit, I take a different flavor. She was too sick this time, her son told me. So I visited empty handed. She wanted to hear about my trip to Maine. I wanted to hear about her health. We talked about both but then we decided to talk about church. We also talked about traveling to Maine together, standing at the water's edge and dancing. Her weary eyes twinkled as she imagined us standing in the sand together, the water gathering at our ankles, moving to the spirit tune. A joyful vision for my friend who can't move from her bed.

The tragedies that strike us, you have taught me, are spectacular moments for spirit interception. Stepping with you into spirit walks, spirit breathing, spirit praying, spirit living has the potential of returning hope, joy, peace, comfort and love. When every bit of our life's energy is taken away by tragedy, we still have you. Or rather you still have us, we are held by you like a net over a dangerous place. Protected, safe, secure, no matter our situation.

Today I learned from these two friends who struggle with their situations.

Intervening God,
my eyes are opened
to your grace
through the struggle
of another soul.
I see
because I want to see
you.
I want to know
that our darkest hours
are filled
with your light.
May my trust
in you
ever grow
stronger, brighter, clearer.
May my life's joy
be a deterrent
to those facing fearful times.
May my hope
be a salve
to those whose wounds
are deep.
May my love
be a breath
of your love
overflowing
to others.

Love always, Andrea