Saturday, April 19, 2008

Dear God,

I stood just to the right of the towering cross with the resurrected Christ. I looked forward. I could see the entrance to the sanctuary, lighted votives lining the way, encircling the baptistry where we had stood moments before stirring the water, renewing our baptism, blessing the hands, heart, and feet of our neighbor. I saw the women retreatants seated in chairs normally used by the Roman Catholic nuns who worship daily at the retreat center.

I watched as one woman after another stood before the altar just below the steps of the chancel, selecting beautiful ceramic African beads to symbolize the two greatest things they needed from you in order to move forward in their desire to live a full, free life. The music stirring my soul, I observed how the women carried the two beads to the altar, handing them to a sister soul who strung them on the cord with the clay beads representing courage, freedom and hope they had made earlier in the day and then placing the necklace around their neck. I witnessed the hug they shared and the smile on their faces as they walked toward me for prayer. I held each one in my arms as I whispered a prayer of freedom, light and love.

All I wanted to do the whole time was dance. My feet moved and my body swayed at times, my whole body wanting to erupt in dance at such a glorious moment, giving thanks to you for your work in our lives during the retreat.

The lighting was such that each woman's face was aglow as she neared the cross of Christ. Something had happened in each one, an insight, a hope, forgiveness, an unexpected gift, a revelation, a lightening of the load of burdens. You and I saw the radiance together. We knew there was only one to be thanked. You were the giver of every gift.

As we stepped into the conference room following our worship experience, a party celebration awaited us. A confetti cake with every woman's name on it representing a "birth" day for each one, we lifted our clear, plastic wine glasses with sparkling grape juice to toast the God of the Universe, to you, our dear God to give thanks and praise for our experience.

As I entered my own bedroom for the night, I whispered my gratitude.

Who could ever care
so much,
Great and Gracious God?
Your love
extends so far,
reaching 'round
touching each one.
We are blessed,
so very blessed.
And full,
full of you.

Love, Andrea