Friday, November 5, 2010

Dear God,

I witnessed the fruition of many prayers, a giant leap of faith, and sacrificial giving. Our church had prayed for a sign from heaven to move forward in ministry to others. Because we were located in an incredibly diverse township, a medium size congregation (so named by those who do those things) with an older populus median age of 55 plus, and in the midst of a flat-line population in the township with a good number fleeing west to the next county, it was difficult to trust you and ourselves. We labored for years to step up to the plate, to commit to the next move and to take off running to the destination you had chosen for us. Whew! What a time!

Yet, there I sat in the new Family Life Center, a gym for sports, and community building for those groups who needed it. We were participating in a missions fundraiser where dollars meant bridges to needy persons downtown and around the world. Although retired I was delighted to share in the meal and auction.

What I find, what I have discovered, what you have revealed is that trusting you always leads to a good place, a meaningful experience, a deepened level of faith, significant joy and a sense of your grace. Trusting you, saying yes to a pilgrimage into the relative unknown and walking, sometimes skipping, running and jumping along the journey with our very best Friend is an amazing occasion that creates memories for a lifetime, memories that will pop from the page and speak in dark, despairing or frightening times. It births courage and strength where doubt and fear tend to reside. Trust, the true gift of heaven!

How gracious
you are,
Master of Creation,
how loving,
kind and full
of compassion.
Thank you
for never
giving up
on us.
Thank you
for lining
our paths
with mercy,
hope, comfort,
and love.
We are
so blessed,
so very blessed.

Love, Andrea