Saturday, September 4, 2010

My dearest God,

In my mind's eye I returned to my grandmother's farm as I stood at the ocean's edge gazing at the dark starry night. How old was I? Six, seven, eight years old? I remember it was a hot summer night. Everyone was sleeping except my cousin who was two years older. As we lay in our sleeping bags near the screen door, I could see up into the skies. Something, someone spoke to me from very far away or were you as close as my breath. I think that may have been one of the first times you came revealing your magnificent presence.

When I left Grandma's house, I found myself at Christ in the Desert, a monastic community in the remote mountains of New Mexico. Again I stood under starry skies only this time the Milky Way was evident, bright and radiant. You took my breath away as I stepped out of the small chapel into the deeply dark night and was struck by the awesomeness of eternity. As I walked along the rocky uneven dirt path, I kept stumbling because my eyes were on the skies. "Oh, my God! Oh, my God!" I whispered as I made my way back to my small rustic barren room. You spoke so powerfully to me then.

I heard my name as my husband turned on the car lights and called out to me to leave the pounding waves kicked up by Hurricane Earl. As I put my head out the window as he drove us home, I looked up and listened remembering how you had spoken to me through the years as I turned my head upward. Once again I felt a special grace as I stilled my soul before you.

Speak and
I will listen,
Holy God;
your word
is to me
spiritual manna.
As I
fix my eyes heavenward,
let your
heart's desire
be known
to me
that I may
fulfill your
perfect will.

Love, Andrea