Sunday, April 18, 2010

Dear God,

A house dedicated to you is one that exudes peace, calm and serenity. Only you know the many ways lives have been touched, inspired, challenged, and changed at the St. Joseph Retreat Center in Tipton, Indiana. Only you know how transformed retreatants have influenced their families, their churches, friends, neighbors and even strangers. Only you know what love and grace can do to make a significant difference.

Throughout the last nearly 20 years I have returned to my childhood hometown to share in the life of ministry through the sisters of St. Joseph. Their hospitality, kind gestures, and loving ways have embraced all who stepped through their doors. Women who go there for the first time feel the tranquility. This weekend several retreatants remarked what they felt as they walked the grounds, the hallways or moved along the stations of the cross. Indeed your presence was everywhere.

Frequently my own soul circles back to this holy site where I too find refreshment and renewal. This time it was no different. As I walked up and down the stairs I thought of moments in time when I watched women risk, took the challenge, reached out for you and grew in their faith. How beautiful it is to participate in the life change of a pilgrim seeking spiritual food.

You draw us
to you
like bees
to nectar.
There you provide
sweetness for
daily living.
When we taste
heaven's confection,
we want
nothing more.
You have
our gratitude,
Merciful God.

Love, Andrea