Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Dearest God,

Thank you for witnesses to the good life! Thank you for those who speak out carrying a message of divine power, faith, perseverance in adversity, courage and hope. Thank you for Elizabeth Edwards whose own life modeled all of these. As an example of the good life in the midst of great difficulty and challenge, she has left behind a flag to which we can look in good times and bad.

O God, so much do I want my grandchildren to have a great opportunity to make a difference in the world like Elizabeth and others. I want them to have persons to whom they can look for guidance, leadership, joy and wisdom. I want them to operate out of faith not fear, hope not despair, love not hate and joy not bitterness. I want them to have the advantage of seeing before their eyes persons who live the good life of trust in you and in themselves.

I know life can be hard and painful at times. I know that joy can slip away replaced by resentment and a poor attitude. I know that hope can be stomped on and kicked around. I know that loss and grief can rob the soul of invaluable resources. At the same time you have shown me how pain, sorrow and suffering can become fertile ground for growth, insight, revelation and creative living. The more I lean toward you while in distress, the more space you make within me to learn, think and create. Nothing is total loss you've said; there is always the chance to triumph through faith.

Living God,
teach us
every day
how to trust
in you
and ourselves.
Show us
the way
to healing,
restoration
and reconciliation.
Make us
your witness,
I pray.

Love, Andrea