Wednesday, October 31, 2007

Dearest God,

I just finished my letter to Lilly thanking them for the magnificent clergy renewal grant given two years ago. I tried in some small way to let them know how deep is my gratitude. I told them that the renewal was for me one of the five most important spiritual events of my life.

One of five. And what are the five? An overnight on the century old family farm where my cousin told me about God in the sky. A Lay Witness mission where I knew God loved me. The visitation of 40-70 biblical characters who came to me in my greatest hour of distress. My death and rebirth. My clergy renewal. Gifts, tremendous gifts from you.

I define my life by these events. Everything else falls in between these. These are the moments when my life was called to greater accountability, to live more fully in the light of God, to trust more, to walk more closely, to teach the great truth of God's active presence in our lives. When I stop, which I am doing at this moment, and assess my life, examine its inner core, I see these events etched in my flesh and upon my spirit. I realize that my life is more than the sum total of purely human experience. These are actual moments where God's hand touched my flesh. And I remember, yes, I remember.

Perhaps today is the day you chose to remind me of these events. I have not thought about these events in some time. I have not been quiet in silence to remember, to recall your gracious generosity. Perhaps today is the day I give thanks. That I rejoice.

When eyes are lifted
to heaven,
a great scene
awaits us.
The face of God
aglow in light
shines outward.
You need not
say a word.
The light is enough.
More than enough.
I remember.
I remember.

Love always, Andrea