Monday, July 14, 2008

Dearest God,

Joy was at the table. Friends, a family gathered around the table to brainstorm, think and share ideas. We laughed and teased. We thought through solutions to a budget challenge. By the end of the meeting we had come to some conclusions, together. The church at work.

For three years we have been ascending the mountain, raising our eyes to heaven, looking for a way to climb yet higher. And surprisingly, joyously we have continued our trek. What began as a handful of the faithful became a much larger community, your family commited to you, desirous of pleasing you, serving you, giving ourselves in deeper and more meaningful ways.

We have walked out of the darkness into the light of your day. We huddled together, bonding in a way we could not have imagined at first. But we all wanted to get to the top together. We wanted to share the joy together, reach the goal line as one body, feel the pulse of a people pulling for one another, lifting one another up, feeling the tug as one wanted at the top. Such journeys can be laborious, difficult work and at some junctures it has been. But when so many want to walk together, making a common pilgrimage, I know something wonderful is happening.

I'm smelling the fragrance of the journey, seeing the joy in eyes all around me. One people meeting you at the top, in awe, in joy.

Wondrous God,
joining you
along the way,
feeling your presence
as a people,
not just a solitary moment
is worth
the church's weight
in gold.
I was asked
to lead the way
and I have.
But some
are doing
what you asked them
to do,
taking their turn
in the lead.
What a sight,
so beautiful,
a breathtaking display
of wonderment.

Always grateful, Andrea