Saturday, January 10, 2009

Dearest God,

I held my Epiphany party last night. My staff and their spouses joined us for a beautiful, delicious dinner. We started with Shrimp and Corn Chowder and in the middle shared Pepper Seared Beef Tenderloin with Horseradish Cream Sauce ending with Coconut Chocolate Almond Cheesecake, Cranberry-Lime Sherbert and Pumpkin Cream Pie, all made from scratch. My daughter who was helping me said she never saw such clean plates following a meal.

The meal was delightful but the time in the uncommon room was of the greatest value. I read the story of the wise men bringing gifts to the Christ in the manger. I love the story because the men were simply responding in faith to the wondrous discovery that they had been lead to find. Jesus, Savior, Messiah, King.

They brought gifts of great value. So I asked my friends what one gift they would want to give to the world this new year. Hope, tolerance, family, love, faith, patience and understanding to name a few. My friends wanted to give big gifts too.

As I looked around the room I realized how blessed I have been to work with these saints in the faith, men and women whose love for you is real, who take their faith and make it real to the world, who offer themselves in service simply for love of you. I felt incredibly rich.

As I snuffed out the candles at 11:00 p.m. and fell into bed, I counted my blessings.

God of great blessing,
you sat
among us
last night.
Amid the twinkling lights
on the Christmas tree
and mantle,
glowing scented candles burning,
a warm fire
in the fireplace,
and rich,
wonderful fellowship,
you shared
your life
with us.
You whispered
the goodness
of your life
in the world.
You revealed yourself
to us
in our stories
of faith.
Can anything
be more wonderful?

So very grateful, Andrea