Monday, January 28, 2008

Dear God,

How wonderful to make our love real, to put faith on the line, to be courageous in our acts of kindness. I watched the clip, "Shoeless Service", on television last night. I saw the blessing of the faces of my flock, a handbell ringer, children, a barefoot pastor swaying. And shoes, shoes and plenty of them, every one a blessing to bare feet somewhere in the world. I thought to myself, "This is as good as it gets."

What awesome joy comes our way as we live the spirit life. For we know the source of our strength and power. We know that courage builds character and character finds its source in you. We risk because we know its source is love, a river of love and joy that has no end.

How grateful I am to you for persons who see the spirit life, who dig into their souls uncovering their doubts, fears, and shortcomings, who then give them all to you. Persons who know that a life in you is greater than any other kind of life. There is nothing in the world more moving or inspiring than a life with you.

Oh Lord,
never let me
grab for a cheap substitute.
One that rusts and tarnishes,
turning ugly over time.
May I stand
in the brightness
of your radiance,
allowing my own self
to be filled with light
so that I too,
like the night stars,
will shine bright.
Shine in me, Lord,
so I may shine
and shine and shine
for the world.

Oh how I love you, Andrea