Wednesday, July 4, 2007

Dearest God,

To greet you first thing in the morning is to acknowledge you for all your greatness. Harold and I decided to attend the early morning Holy Communion Service at St. Ann’s. The sun was shining as the blue skies were bright over the ocean.

Two volunteers, one playing a guitar, lead us in singing patriotic hymns. “Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord…” The coming of the Lord, I thought, I have seen the coming of the Lord. Daily you appear in expected and unexpected ways. You speak so I can listen. You sing so I can dance. You pray so I can hear.

The priest read an excerpt from a writing written in 1777 by a man who described the celebration of the first anniversary of our nation’s birth. How wondrous to sit at the ocean near the altar listening to the godly thoughts of our forbearers. We are a nation built on principles of freedom, a costly freedom.

As the service continued and we walked to the altar, I opened my hands, held one in the other, lifted them up and I prepared my soul to receive the gift of food, the spiritual meal of my Lord. In freedom I practiced my faith, received the food from heaven, and sang songs of praise. As we ended our worship, a boom sounded, rocking everyone present. We had temporarily forgotten the priest's warning of a boom later in the service. A cannon was shot, one sound that stilled us for a brief moment reminding us of freedom's sacrifice.

Gracious God,
we are a people
blessed.
Our comings and goings
are blessed
as we walk
in freedom's way.
Sometimes we forget
to appreciate, to give thanks
for the gift
that belongs to our nation.
We forget to live
praiseworthy lives.
I offer you
my confession
and ask for your pardon.
Forgive me, us
as we fail to live lives
that bring honor
to your name,
glory to yourself.
Forgive us
when we put obstacles
in the way of other's freedom,
individuals, nations.
Make us true believers,
loving partakers
in the miraculous
gifts of God.
Then help us
by your grace
to give them away
to others along the way.
Our freedom
is won
as we offer freedom
to others.
We imprison ourselves
when we withhold freedom
for our neighbors
near and far.
We are blemished,
Holy God,
cleanse us from within
and from without.
Release in us
the freedoms
of grace, mercy and love.
Spread them
around the world.
Peace. Joy.

Love always, Andrea