Monday, May 26, 2008

Dearest God,

Waking up in the morning, the window wide open inches from my face, smelling the ocean air wafting into my home is a glorious way to begin the day. The sweet, moist air of Maine always calls me home.

Our quiet neighborhood slowly awakens to the new day. A neighbor walks his dog. A man walks to the corner for breakfast. Someone else goes out for a newspaper. The birds sing their songs, talk to each other. I simply lie in bed taking it all in.

As the breeze blows it breath through my window screen, I pull the covers up close around my neck. I want to feel the air and listen to the birds. I want to give thanks.

And so I do. My friend accompanies me to the ocean. Carrying our mugs of steaming, hot coffee, we walk to the crest of the path where the rolling waves race to shore. We sit in the sand, listening to the roar of the ocean. We talk a bit, pretty much alone on the beach except for a couple of fishermen doing their own morning thing.

My friend decides to talk a walk along the shoreline. And I pull on my white flowing skirt and head for the water myself. With the sun's radiance pouring from the sky, its fingers touching and warming my skin, I close my eyes and listen for the call. It comes.

"I love you, Lord, and I lift my voice to worship you, oh my soul rejoice. Take joy, my King, in what I bring. May it be a sweet, sweet sound in your ear." How easy it is to dance to you, my King, to lift my arms and hands to heaven, to bow, to lift up my heart, to open my soul, to feel your presence all around. I danced to you.

The fear I once felt about dancing left me long ago. I remember those first few times when I was so self conscious. I remember worrying about what others thought. But you whispered to me. "Don't be afraid." You said. "Don't worry." And from that moment on I just dance without effort, leaning into your arms, allowing my hands and feet, and heart and soul to go where they want because every gesture, every move is one toward you.

Time stands still when I'm on your wave length. Like a star rising effortlessly in the sky on time, so do I dance endlessly as if time had stopped, waiting for creation to give you praise all together, at one time. It's only when I stop that the world seems to resume its pace, me included.

The morning air spoke to me and I danced my response.

Wonder-Full God,
how grateful
I am
to dance
in your arms.
How grateful
I am
to be
in your presence.
How grateful
I am
to respond
to creation's call.
How grateful
I am
for you.

My love always, Andrea