Saturday, August 16, 2008

Dear God,

My fear was made visible in the sand. What was not suddenly became what is.

A spiritual exercise at the beach lead us to draw a picture of our fear. I saw it in my head and I began to dig until the sand was moist, nearly wet. Inches from me I picked up discarded items and natural objects washed and weathered by the sun and water. I threw the objects at will into my drawing. The precipice, the fall and the pit. At the slightest tremor of wind, tiny grains of sand fell downward just like me when fear strikes. I sat watching the shift of sand in the breeze, felt the rush that comes to me when fear attacks my own soul.

But then an image of peace came. With my finger I drew a large whirlwind and in the middle I placed a piece of bark curled by the weather, my boat in the center. A weathered piece of wood, the shape of a heart, I placed in my boat. And there we were, you and I, together in the storm, in the center where peace and calm resides. I sighed a breath of relief, knowing it was true that you and I ride in the boat. We weather the storm together. You and I. I am not alone. I felt joy in my own center.

Although I could see that I would have to make my way in some direction out of the whirlwind, I knew that our boat would hold because you can even quiet the storm, if it be your will. But if not, I could see that we were in it together. We would make our way as one.

As I scanned the fear, my own chaos, and the peace, I realized your power. You provided the images, the boat, and a wondrous symbol of your own self. You showed me the way out of my fear and into the boat that only you can offer. I felt such sweet peace, hope, and joy filled me as I shared it with my friends in Christ.

Hope of My Life,
you are
the strength
by which
I breathe,
and get up
in the mornings.
You display
your love
even before
the sun rises.
You whisper
words of hope
and encouragement
of love
and grace.
You urge me
to give
my best
to the world
to sing
one song
of love
for the creation.
You sing me
the song
of joy
and you
fill me
with gratitude.

And I am yours, Andrea