Friday, August 15, 2008

Dearest God,

Learning to flow like a river is a case in trust. Trying to swim upstream or fighting the current is a challenge, one that can lead to one's own demise.

This retreat I am leading has been one where together we've been flowing like a river. Flexibility, being able to adapt in every situation has lead us to learn from one another. I had more fun and found more meaning creating this retreat than any I have written for our east coast gathering. The questions for reflection were deeper and came from your wonderful resource.

On Wednesday evening we sat at a picnic table eating our hand-packed dinner and listening to music from the heart. The band played jazz, country, rock and roll and other kinds of music. Our conversation lead us to talk about memories of the past. And there was joy.

As we left the mini park located in the heart of town next to the Mousam River, we walked and talked. Enjoying an ice cream cone at the corner, we shared our lives with one another. We revealed more about ourselves and found that bonding grows relationships.

As we sat in the front room warmed by the small, old lamp covered with a wine-colored shade on my antique desk, there was a deep sense that you were in the room. We felt your presence and realized that there is sometimes a mystical feel to this home on Pleasant Street. We talk more freely when we know you are here.

We have learned to trust each other more and are even learning how to trust ourselves better. And because we know you are present we are more open to take hold of your outstretched hand, leaning in to you, then sharing our lives with one another.

We know that what happens to us is your miraculous work. We know that the joy we feel comes from you. We know that our ability to open our lives more to our own self, to you and others causes us to grow. We know that the spiritual path can lead us to places we could hardly conceive on our own. We know your strength and power and call it faith.

You are
our breath
of fresh air.
The breeze
of your spirit
blows upon us
and we experience
the winds of change.
You refresh
our stale spirits
and show us
higher levels
of joy and peace.
Blow as you will,
Fresh Spirit of God,
create in us
a new spirit
willing to flow,
to soar
to you.

Love, Andrea