Sunday, January 27, 2008

Dearest God,

To you I owe all glory, thanksgiving and praise. For you, you alone are worthy of all my blessings to you.

So many blessings are coming my way. My daughter. My "newest" four grandchildren whom I am coming to know for the first time. My church. Specific people now witnessing the glory of God. How can it be that so much joy is erupting in so many places?

I could feel it when I entered church carrying boxes of shoes. I could see it in the handbell ringers, the director of music, the mission chair. I could sense it in the bathroom when I overheard two excited women talking about the day. And then there were the others who came bringing in more shoes.

The worship service was all about you. From beginning to end, you had orchestrated the whole thing. Your joy slipped into us and we smiled, sang, praised, prayed, listened, hoped, cried, rejoiced. You were ever so present; who could have missed it?

I felt that Spirit thing get inside my skin. The music, the African drum I carried back from Africa, its sounds transported me back to where I witnessed an agape love from Africans who truly worship. I looked down and saw my feet starting to dance. And I remembered those feet who praised on another continent so far away. I don't know that I made a decision to dance; I just danced the African way. I was so full of Spirit that it could only be expressed by the dance. I danced for you, unafraid, no inhibitions.

What joy is expressed when your people are filled with your Spirit. We could not contain ourselves. We were so ready to worship and praise.

That piece of your glory that is in me is like leaven making more joy. It cannot exist on its own. It works to do more, to express more, to share more. It worked to bring more joy to me, to my people. Oh how I love your glory at work in others. I can smile this little inward smile knowing that what I see is more of you.

You are the source
of my joy.
My heart overflows
with heavenly joy.
My spirit dances
with joy.
My soul,
so deep within me
sings joy
to every part
of my being.
My whole body
just wants to trust,
more and more.
My faith is working,
filling itself with joy,
your joy,
heavenly joy.
All I want to do
right now
is fill you
with blessings,
my Lord and God.
Maranatha!

Love, Andrea