Thursday, January 17, 2008

My dearest God,

I watch with great joy at the ways your children delight in your spirit. One does not always know the presence of God, until a door opens, a light is turned on, a voice speaks. The wonder, the awe sparks like a new star being born.

I see it in their faces, in their voices, in the slight pause in their speaking. Can this be? Is this true? Courage, risk taking, following your leading, strength, hope, comfort, joy and peace. I see it all. The spirit has come after all and we are aware, fully aware.

When a fire starts to burn, a true fire of the spirit, others bring their log, throw it into the fire, join the celebration. New life is born, a new spirit is birthed, a new church rises up out of ashes.

I stand back, watch, observe others standing at the wood pile. Is there one with my name on it? Yes. Humility, a humbleness of spirit rushes over us as we are grasped by the wonder that even I am included in this wonder. Slowly, gently moving toward the fire, I realize it has always been true. I had missed it for a long time, didn't really know it was real, authentic. But now, now...forever changed.

I watch the enthusiasm take root, spilling out onto others. Delight, an internal joy, begins to well up and floods the soul. It's contagious, more and more until there's so much that we say stop, I can't take it all in.

My own hearts floods with this joy as I watch my own beloved community of faith burn with your fire. You have come and we have joined you in keeping the fire burning.

Glorious One,
burn within us,
let the fire
of your spirit,
burn within us.
No longer willing
to stand alone, apart,
we join in.
Let the fire
of your spirit,
burn within us.

Love, Andrea