Friday, August 21, 2009

Dearest God,

She has red hair, hazel eyes, freckles and a wide smile. Stella Rose ushers me into heaven every time she smiles and she smiles a lot.

My granddaughter will be five on 9/11. I remember how my daughter did not want her to be born on that day. But I was certain that babies born on that day gave new hope to a nation still in terror.

I'm spending a lot of time at the library writing a reflection paper that people will read to discover you anew. A commissioned work I am sharing the amazing journey of renewal with a seminary library on the east coast. Interested in the benefits of a clergy renewal journey, it will be posted on a website to be read by churches and pastors and anyone else interested.

I took Stella with me to the library. Sitting at a low table in the children's section I worked on my paper. But I couldn't help looking up to watch Stella play on the computer, with puzzles, stuffed animals and other children. She was enthralled with the place and every activity she engaged in. I was, on the other hand, enthralled with her as she helped other children younger than her. She showed a little girl how to work the computer game. She helped children build a tower with legos. She assisted a two year old with a giant stuffed dog. She showed her how to play hopscotch with numbered rubber mats on the floor. Periodically she would turn to see if I was still in the room. That's when she smiled at me.

I write these daily letters to you to tell you how, where, and when I have spotted you throughout my day. I write because I want it known that you are living among your people. I want to share the infinite diverse ways to uncover a sighting of the holy.

Stella was today's holy. Embracing a sense of wonder, beauty and goodness, she gives it back to those around her. Her loving kindness sparks joy in others. Her smile is a reminder that good is happening. It is a way to tell the world this is the way it could be all the time. She epitomizes love because she is a loving example of how humans can be to one another.

In my paper I tell of the ways my renewal journey set my feet on a moving ground toward the divine. I point the way toward the sacred as I share the church's journey. All in all it is yet another way I am letting the world know that you are not only alive but positively at work in our weary, dusty world. By participating with you Stella is helping paint pictures of you.

Thank you
for today's sighting,
dear God.
Stella is
a beautiful example
of joy
in the universe.
She takes
her cues
from you.
Her meal time prayer,
sometimes sung
in very
unusual ways,
offers us all
up to
the heavenlies
and for
just a moment
we are reminded
that there
is a purpose
to human living,
one beyond
the way
we each
daily live.

Love, Andrea