Monday, June 23, 2008

My dearest God,

I lost my energy. This thing can happen at any time. Not sure how and why. Not always a warning. We were on our way back to the car about two long blocks away. Not so far unless you have no energy. I walked a few steps then sat down or leaned against a pole. My friend couldn't go get the car because we were in the midst of one way streets and we had already been lost a couple of times. I'm not complaining. It's where my exhaustion took us that the real story happens.

We were just half a block from St. Francis Cathedral, a great cathedral that literally rises up out of the middle of town. I whispered in my soul, "St. Francis, please help me." I finally walked up the steps and sat down on a bench in front of the church. As I sat there pondering, trying to take each breath offering me life, I turned to see my favorite people. St. Francis was standing nearby. The statue is a beautiful one, the familiar picture of him holding a bird. Even closer yet was Ketari Tekawitha, the Native American woman who was the first to become a Christian. A beautiful smile on her face, I know she surely must have felt she was in your presence. I felt happy to be so close to these spiritual friends.

Turning my head to the right just inches from me, in fact, so close that I could lean in and touch the sign were the words The Labryrinth. I read on...the path is like life...turns and twists, encounters and revelations... I looked ahead and realized I was inches from a wonderful labyrinth like the one in Chartres, France. Tears welled in my eyes. I could see the center from where I was seated. At a time when the life force seemed to be going out of me, I felt comfort being so near. I said to my friend, "How blessed I am that God would put me in the middle of faith."

You and my friend got me to the car and we made our way down the highway 70 miles to our destination. I recovered somewhat, but then it had been a long day. We ate and then I went to bed.

I write these words because I have come to believe that each day you place us with spiritual friends. Perhaps it is a saint, a wonder of nature, a special friend, a song, a thought, an act of compassion. Comfort can come from any direction at any time. When we are afraid, when I am afraid, you come to me, take my hand and lead me "home."

O God,
Good and Wondrous,
I can never
leave your presence.
For you are
all around me.
I do not
have to look elsewhere
to find you;
for you are here.
I breathe in
your spirit
and I am comforted.
A scene
will unfold
before me
and I see you
in the middle
of it.
My eyes
have seen glory
over and over again.
O God,
Good and Wondrous,
I give
to you
my offering
of love.

As always, Andrea