Sunday, July 13, 2008

My dearest God,

Where in any other church is there as much joy as there is in ours? We have a beautiful spirit, one that manifests itself in so many ways through hospitality, service, love, faith and mission. We extend not only our hand but also our hearts to one another. Joy bubbles in our service.

I prayed that one day we would be like we are. I prayed that we would become sincere, loving people whose faith is ever growing, a people who live inspired lives, sharing generously with your church and community. I prayed that we would smile more often and reach out to our neighbor, even the stranger sitting nearby. I prayed for an explosion of your spirit.

As my time is winding down with less than a year to go, I am spending more time in gratitude for this wonderful flock, sheep of your own pasture. My guidance is more in growing their spirit and teaching them the ways of sharing it with others. Without that what good is the church? I pray for them mostly daily.

I'm reflecting on their willingness to grow their individual spirits. I see some soaring in the heavenlies, those who have thrown their will to the wind of your spirit. I see their joy, their anticipation of where God is leading them. I see their openness to grow in ways beyond anything they ever imagined in their lives. I see the twinkle of your spirit within them. And what joy that gives me.

I have hope for the church, not only the one to whom I have been called to serve, but also your universal church. I know that there are those who have lost hope in the institutional church, who have turned away from daily faith, and stopped praying. But I also know that the spirit alive within your people called the church can revitalize others in the world, in the small corners where people live and need to know that God still exists. The joy that bubbles within our church doesn't stay there. It streams out our church every Sunday. It goes home with folks and to their workplace. And when they run out, they come back for more. Great plan.

Let your joy
flow in us,
Great River
of Spirit.
Your joy
is like no other.
Plunge us
into a deeper well
that we
may know you
in the depths.
Let your joy
flow in us,
Great River
of Spirit,
now and forever.

Love, Andrea