Tuesday, July 10, 2007

Dearest God,

Something happens to the human heart when it prepares itself for a coming together with friends. Persons you trust and love, people who make you smile, persons who restore balance to your being, people who warm you from the inside.

I knew our friends would be here at 2:00 p.m. but I had a lot of work to finish before they came. I worked hard to get everything done. But all the while I thought of the time we would share together. The laughter, the friendship, the comraderie, the fun. Working to get everything done was done with a happy heart.

When they arrived, I saw them through my front screened door. They were climbing out of their car. I hopped up from what I was doing and charged outside. I opened my arms to greet them, first Leslie, then Rick. My heart was happy to have our friends with us.

We spent the evening at the Wayfarer, some of the best food in this area, then took a drive out to Goat's Island to see the lighthouse, then a drive along the coast with some of the beautiful old homes. We ended our time at Ben and Jerry's for ice cream, then returned home. We did what we do best, laughing, sharing, and laughing some more.

By the time we dropped dead into bed, we had grown our loving friendship. And what I knew as I fell asleep was that such moments are God moments. For friends instill something sacred inside. They inspire the heart. They titillate the soul. They warm the being. The love they share stretches our center, giving more room for beauty and goodness.

I know you are present when they are with us. You whisper to the soul that friends are good, friends who share a common faith and purpose, friends who know that humor cleans out the cobwebs of whatever troubles. Time with our friends means an investment in my life with you for you walk with us, ride with us in the car. You sit at our table, nourishing every part of us.

How grateful my heart is to be included in their friendship, in yours.

You guide us
toward meaningful relationships
that give life,
dear God.
You bring joy,
scooting away temporary annoyances.
You sing to us
the song of friendship
and remind us
that we are more
than human beings
walking on the face
of the earth.
We are part of you,
that divine image
that we carry with us
cries out
for deeper sharing.
And we are blessed
by you,
once again.

Love, Andrea