Sunday, August 8, 2010

My dearest God,

Together we soared into the heavenlies, a band of happy travelers. We had rehearsed for the festival for weeks. Several churches, Episcopal, Baptist, Congregational, Presbyterian and United Methodist blended their voices together to sing just one song, your song. And what a song it was that inspired us to climb aboard your Spirit plane.

For more than one hour we sang with full hearts, our souls bursting with joy to connect to the Divine. Although the room grew warmer and warmer with so many squeezed into the pews, in chairs in the back hall, the tiny narthex and outside, we lifted our voices until 50 voices became heaven's angelic choir. Our conductor, a man of deep faith and spirit, moved us in ways I had never experienced before. In him I saw the eyes of Jesus leading us to relay the gospel message of hope, love and joy.

I felt my own spirit ascend as we sang first one song and then another. When the violinist joined the organist and pianist we stepped up higher. As the soloists sang Shepherd Me, O God and Precious Lord, Take My Hand, I must confess that gratitude welled up within me and spilled over. How could God love us so much, I wondered to myself.

The blessing of your presence was powerful and inviting. I watched with a profound sense of your grace as I observed a little girl, maybe four years of age, walk up the steps to the front of the church and gaze upon the choir as we sang during the afternoon rehearsal. Three times she and her daddy walked by, the doors open for both the breeze coming in and the spirit going out. The child stood quietly only walking away when urged by her father. How I wished they would have taken one step further and stayed. In her eyes I witnessed a longing like the deer that pants for water.

I have discovered that one day with you is better than a thousand without you. I have found heaven's door always open, the spirit breeze blowing both ways kissing earth and heaven at the same time. And I have seen revealed the glory of a Savior's love all embracing for every man, woman and child. Today the melodies of heaven drew us in, filled us up, and sent us home rejoicing!

To you,
O Great God of All Creation,
we give you
all our praise!
Our hearts
are full
with rejoicing
and thanksgiving.
We acknowledge
your song,
your power,
your love,
and your grace.
We thank you
for a song
to sing
and voices
instruments
with which
to express
our heart's devotion.

All my love now and forever, Andrea