Friday, October 16, 2010

Dear God,

Twenty two years. For twenty two years my covenant group has been getting together every week, sharing silence, devotion and faith. It had been months since we had gathered because I was away in Maine. Today we sat in our common circle at the Benedictine monastery.

We sat still in your presence, dearest God, allowing your spirit to speak, our hearts, souls and minds ready and willing to listen. We read our favorite group scripture from Ecclesiastes 3 reminding us of sacred time and happenings. We prayed and then spent nearly two hours updating one another on the movement of your spirit in our lives.

Sharing miracles and the ways they have impacted our lives brought joy and smiles to our faces as we recounted the specifics of faith being lived out. We connected the dots of influence you have had in our lives in the last few months and the countless many times your spirit worked wonders in our personal lives. As one was touched by your spirit and began to live out your guiding insight, we shared how their transformation had impacted others in our circle. There is no doubt in our group as to who lead us toward change, conversion, hope, and peace.

As we drew to a close, we held hands and gave thanks for the communities of faith that have given so much to us, the Carmelites and the Benedictines, their hospitality, spirituality, love, and compassion. We ended our time together as we always do, a threesome hug with heads right and then heads left.

Thank you,
Most Gracious Heavenly Father,
for your
many gestures
of love,
correction, discipline,
challenge and mercy.
You have
touched us
like no one else.
You have
radically entered
our lives
inspiring and
stirring us
to action.
We have
no adequate way
to fully express
our gratitude.
We offer you
our love
and devotion.

Always, Andrea