Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Dear God,

While drinking at this morning's well of living water, I reflect upon my yesterday. I think about conversations with people in varying stages of their life. Younger, older, sicker, dying. And I am left with the seasons of life.

I spoke with a woman who had just returned from New England who said she literally watched the leaves change color and how beautiful they were. I think of how the seasons of life can all be beautiful in their own time.

I thought about my own season, where I am right now and what it is you are teaching me. Clearly I am in the Autumn of my life. Perhaps some of my "leaves" are becoming more beautiful, full of color. I think some of my leaves have already turned brown and fallen to the ground, never to rise again. And yet, I know within me there is still a spring and summer left inside. At least one.

It seems that one thing remains constant in the changing of the seasons. And that is trust. We have to carry trust with us from one season to the next. If we let it go with the passing season, then we will not be equipped for the upcoming one. There are, after all, some things that are carried from one season to to the next.

At yesterday's well where I received my gifts of the day, I realize today every one was a gift of trust. I can't believe the light is shining even when the darkness has fallen unless I have trust. I could never have reconnected with a sister who left our family years ago without trust.

I think the "well" gift today is one of trust, a recognition that trust is the one fundamental footing to all other gifts. Without it, love withers. Faith falls apart. Hope dissolves. Strength is gone.

As I sit and drink from this wondrous well, I recount the times that trust has brought me closer to you, how it has lifted me, guided me, helped me, held me. I may sit a little longer this morning, drinking in the trust you have built inside me. I may linger, giving praise and giving thanks. And maybe that is my second "well" gift of the morning. The ability to be grateful, to express gratitude. Trust and gratitude, today's well gifts.

I walked
to the well
early this morning.
I met
you there.
You were waiting
for me.
My gifts
sat by the well.
They always do.
But more
than that.
Your love
provided them.
Yet another gift.
The gift
of discernment.
I'm blessed.

Love, Andrea