Wednesday, June 23, 2010

My dearest God,

Today I saw your face. I heard your voice. I experienced your presence.

We took our granddaughters to a concert in the park. We'd made it part of every summer's fun. We fixed a picnic, packed it up and drove it over. We set up our lawn chairs and dug in to the yummy fixings.

What a lovely setting I thought: blue skies with soft billowy clouds, cool temperature, family together, good eating and music. Usually the musical sounds are jazz, country, classical, 50's and 60's tunes or big band. The sound rocked my grandchildren but not my husband and me. It was when I started listening carefully to the words that I realized they were inappropriate for children. Harold leaned over and suggested we leave. His description of the music was "vile." I asked the kids what they thought. They didn't like the music but they were having fun making fun. It was definitely time to go.

As we drove away Harold suggested going to the beach. With a squeal in the back seat, we made our way at sunset. The girls asked to wade in the water. Who could say no to that? Before long they were wet to the waist. It was a most beautiful view: two girls, ages 9 and 10, romping in the water with their backs to the setting sun, the waves crashing and rolling in to shore, people throwing balls and letting their pets run to retrieve them, the waves crashing and rolling into shore, a mom and her three kids in wet suits frolicking in the ocean, lobster boats returning home with their catch, a cool breeze and my husband standing beside me with his arm wrapped around my shoulder.

But what was most beautiful to me was our granddaughters as the waves hit. They would laugh so hard, turn toward one another, and laugh again. As I stood back watching, I saw their profiles as the sun glowed on their faces. I heard their sweet voices yield to pure joy. I saw favorite cousins enjoying the moment together and I was certain I saw and heard you.

You appear
in so many
unexpected ways,
O God,
and what joy
fills my heart
when I
become aware
of your loving presence.
Fill me
to overflowing
with generous
love and faith
that I
may become
a waterfall
of pleasure
for you.

Love, Andrea