Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Dear God,

Chance encounters remind me of a connection far deeper. I was just leaving the hospital, paying my fee when a woman asked me to pray for her son. I had only told her that I was a minister because she had asked me to pay for my parking and ministers receive free parking when we visit parishoners. And then she told me she was praying for four others. "Could I pray for them?" She asked me. I reached out my hand from my car and she reached out from her booth. We held hands as I promised to pray.

As I drove away, Lord, I felt the urgency to pray for her son and friends. With tears in her eyes she had seemed so pleased that you had had a minister visit her to pray for her loved ones. She held tightly to my hand out of desperation.

I don't know what the problems are. I don't know how serious. This woman was a stranger, still is. But she's also my sister, my human sister in need. I could see the heavy burdens in her eyes. I reached out my hand because she looked like she needed a human touch and I was the one you asked to do it. She reached back.

My sister
cries for help,
O Lord.
My sister
has burdens
too heavy
to carry.
My sister,
Lord,
my sister,
may she know
your loving presence.
A stranger
my sister.
Thank you.

Love, Andrea