Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Dear God,

Our covenant group has changed throughout our 22 years together. As individuals we have changed. The way we see things has changed. Our preconceived notions of how life works has changed.

Today as we shared together at the Benedictine monastery, we recounted the ways you have moved in our lives changing who we are, how we are, who we trust and how we act. Even through our resistance, unwillingness, doubt, anger, frustration and mistrust, you have whispered invitations to walk a distance with you. You have breathed encouragement into us, reminding us that your way always works out although it may be different from the way we envisioned it. You have held our hands tightly recalling to mind that you never let go. You have penetrated our hearts giving us more room to receive and give love. You have challenged us to the core teaching us new ways to surrender, to let go of certain beliefs, attitudes and behaviors that inhibit growth and understanding. You have lovingly forgiven us when we have failed miserably and given us second chances when we least deserved it. You have set us upright when we have fallen and shown us the path that leads us home with new learnings. You have counted and held every tear when we wept and laughed heartily when we were tickled to our toes. When we were nearly dead inside you awakened us to eternity's song.

Gracious, Loving and Living God,
you have been
our north star.
When we
as individuals stumbled
in the way
of life,
you have been
our teacher,
comforter, guide,
mainstay and friend.
You have
pointed us
to wells
of living water
to refresh
our dry,
weary souls.
As individuals
you have worked
inside us
so that
we could move
from caterpillars
to butterflies.
You alone,
O God,
are the source
of goodness
and beauty
in our lives.
We offer you
our grateful thanks.

Love, Andrea