Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Dear God,

What makes faith grow? What inspires a person to envision God? What causes the soul to awaken? What pushes the mind to make a change? What creates an emotional response to a spiritual thought, event or activity?

I talked with a young woman today who wants to attend a Christian high school. She was a member of one of my confirmation classes and I have observed her with great interest because she has been influenced by you. She has not only been spiritually moved but she is also pursuing a deeper life of faith. When she asked me to write a letter of reference for her, I asked her why she wanted to attend a Christian school and she told me she had been so inspired by church that she wanted more.

I remember watching this change take place over many months, years now. I witnessed the awakening, the joy. I saw the light bulb come on. I gazed upon her face as she turned slowly toward the light. She's been walking toward it ever since. But then so has her parents.

One of my life joys is sharing in the lives of persons who quest for faith, who seek greater knowledge, who want an experience of God, who want to walk a new path, who wish to explore the deeper dimensions of a life with God. My own joy erupts as I eye faith coming to life in others. There is no joy like faith joy.

O God,
bless this daughter
of yours
with greater faith.
Pave the way
for her work
in the world.
Use her
sweet spirit
to revive
and renew
those around her.
Inspire her
to release
her own joy
so that others
may know
your eternal joy,
I pray.

Love, Andrea