Friday, July 25, 2008

Dearest God,

In 1990 a spiritual mentor, a theological professor in Dallas, Texas, told me in a one hour interview that he could foresee me in a retreat center someday. Throughout the years while serving in your parishes I thought about that center. I couldn't imagine myself just as an administrator; I wanted to be hands on with people. So I wasn't sure how it would all work "some day."

But today I sat on the grounds at the House of Blessing Retreat Center. I looked up at the River Birch trees that I had had planted. They were supposed to die, a tree specialist warned me. I've been waiting for that to happen. But they've grown tall, so happy this year, spreading out, growing more beautiful...three trees in a landscaped area with two oriental grasses growing in between...the perfect place to sit in the shade, to contemplate, reflect, to meditate and pray, to sit at the feet of Jesus.

The House of Blessing is my home, dedicated to the promises of God. I have prayed for blessing in each room including the bathrooms, kitchen and dining room. Ever since I moved here in the 90's I have not known what to call the big room you see when you walk into the entryway. It's been the living room, the great room, but neither of them fit. When you gave me the challenge to create a retreat center right here in my home, I was more comfortable with the "common room" but when I sat down in the room today, I realized it was the uncommon room, the sacred space where uncommon things happen, the uncommon of God, where great and wondrous things happen because you are present. It fits right now. The uncommon room.

Last night the room was lighted with a single small white, round oil lamp. Instrumental hymns were playing as we each shared the ways in which your light was continuing to shine in our separate lives. You have been powerfully present for the two spiritual directees, the first in a string of others who will come. I can see your glory shining in them.

I sat in my chair, realizing a dream come true. I didn't have to go out looking for a center. You created one for me. Through the years the house was prepared, groomed for its work. A contemplative garden, a screened in porch with a small water fountain, candles and comfortable seating, tall pines on one side in the back and the River Birch on the other side. Flowers, shrubs and trees wrap entirely around the center except for the driveway. Two new wicker chairs, a table and flowers at the entry with wind chimes that sound angelic in the gentle breeze grace the front porch, long forgotten as a place to sit, to be still, to watch the sun rise and feel the warm sun in the early morning. Tears formed and gently rolled down my face. A dream, a vision, now a beautiful reality, happening before my eyes.

The test of faith is the movement of your spirit. Open hearts, minds and souls have been present, awaiting your word. And together beautiful things have happened. Gentle peace rests here in the House of Blessing and blessings are flowing, maybe even have been now for quite a while. I, myself, have been blessed.

God of blessing,
blessings have flowed
like a river.
In gentle, small ways
and earthquake size,
you have quieted us,
moved us,
spoken blessing
to us.
Such divine moments
lead always
to you.
The blessings
are your stamp,
your design
on each life.
We wear them,
a sacred mark
of your presence,
carrying them
with us
forever.
Wondrous!

Loving you always, Andrea