Monday, June 7, 2010

Dearest God,

A few weeks ago I wandered through a department store looking for an item of clothing I needed. I saw many lovely things. I bought the article and left.

On a daily basis I receive all kinds of emails from specialty stores. There is always a sale on this and that and free coupons for books, apparel, lotions and coffee. Sometimes I see something that is really beautiful and I think about buying it. But then I consider for a moment and decide to refrain.

Last week I stopped at the curtain shop and saw many things that would look nice in our centuries-old house. That stop on the way back from the airport reenforced what I had been pondering. So what if I have more pretty stuff? It's just stuff and more of it. What difference does it make whether I have the latest and the best?

When I reduce everything down, I realize the one thing I need in my life is meaning. Is it meaningful to buy so much? No! Is it meaningful to hang with certain big-name people? No! Is it meaningful to rearrange my life to please others or receive their approval? No! What is meaningful is a life with you and precious others, making a contribution to the world, caring for the earth, making a difference where I can, giving to bringing joy, and scattering your light and love into the cosmos praying that it will light on others as a gift.

The air I breathe is yours. The land I stand on is yours. The water I drink is yours. The life I experience is yours. The love I know comes from you. The grace I receive comes from heaven. The mercy that has poured upon me originates from your hand. The renewal of my spirit is your work. The meaning to life, its purpose and intent and the goodness that follows all belong to you with love to us.

Oh thank you,
my gracious
loving God,
for the
enormous meaning
that touches
and inspires
my life
every day.
Who would
I be
without you?
What would
I be
without you?
What life
would I experience
without you?
Without you,
what is
truly meaningful?

Love, Andrea