Monday, February 14, 2011

My dearest God,

A hard life lesson you taught me was about expectations. One of the major shifts that took place in my soul had to do with changing what I expected from myself and others. Learning what was reasonable, rational and life-giving was very challenging as I faced difficulty on seemingly every level of my life. Yet, you had me walk through a thin veil to see life from an altered perspective. There you sat me down and began to speak of hope in transformation.

That conversation brought great benefits and rewards, one that I received just today. There was a time when I wanted the ideal. I wanted the picture perfect relationship in the magazine. I wanted what I perceived to be the joy shown on their picture perfect faces. Nonsense, I realize today, nonsense.

As you did your mind and soul altering work on me, I realized that faith had a mighty role to play in setting expectations. What freedom came when I rearranged my thoughts, beliefs, hopes and dreams allowing you to participate at a deeper level. What praise bubbled up as I listened and followed you into blessed arenas of change.

Today as I sat with my husband I realized how much work you have done to change us. And as a result our reconstructed expectations have given us far more than either of us could have envisioned. What blessing came as we prayed giving thanks.

Loving God,
gratitude seems
so small
compared to
your mighty
change work.
Yet it is
what I
bring today,
a heart
full of gratitude.
All glory
is due you,
O Great One.

Always yours, Andrea