Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Dear God,

The shift is coming; I feel it in my bones. Creation is drawing attention once again as summer begins to slip into autumn.

During my renewal leave in September 2005, I sat by the rushing stream at Christ in the Desert Monastery listening to the warm wind blowing in the canyon. I felt a shifting taking place. My life was shifting before my eyes.

I had gone to the monastery as part of my renewal plan but also because I carried within me doubts, fears and troubles that I knew I had to surrender. In a location where there was no electricity, no cell phone coverage, no land phone, and no communication save the remote gift shop and and a brief work time with the monks where conversation was permitted, I spent countless hours each day in silence as I blended in to the monastic way of life. Because the "world" was cut off, the door to my soul was opened wide and you and I began a dialogue that would slice deeply into my soul. By the time I left seven days later, I was lighter leaving behind much of the heavy luggage I had brought with me.

And now five years later as I watch an occasional leaf leave the safety of the copper beech tree along the fence row, I welcome creation's change.

You have painted
a grand design,
Wondrous God,
and given us
the opportunity
to be transformed.
Let this
glorious season
of alteration
be a time
of letting go
and renewing
our trust
in you.

Love, Andrea