Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Dearest God,

When I asked you to help me keep clear of resentment because I knew resentment is the foothold of bitterness, you came to me cleansing my soul, ridding the corners of every dark and hidden enemy that sought to take me down. Your kindness not only washed me clean, you opened the doors to your gracious spirit allowing it to breathe new air into me.

A few weeks ago I confessed to my colleague that there were three people/families with whom I needed to meet at the intersection of your love and my faith in order to part company with resentment. I took steps, one baby step at a time. You opened doors; I simply walked through. I felt your gentle clearing. Only one remained.

Today in covenant group I shared a victory of your spirit. I gave praise to you for your miracle work, lavish love, and genuine grace. As I celebrated, my spiritual friend asked me about the message of the triumph as it pertained to the remaining person. As we talked letting your great spirit lead us, I realized it was time to take the next step.

You have spoken to me often about trust. You have reminded me, challenged, disciplined, and discipled me about the purpose of divine trust in human life. You have revealed to me that trust is the basis for all good in this life. You told me that I could remained hidden away, afraid to step out into the sunshine or I could take one step into the light that would prompt me to move into a life filled with hope, joy, faith and peace. You gave me choices to live fully or to wither, rot, and die. Many times I chose the latter but then you came to me again whispering hope to my hopelessness and with your help I moved on.

Today I realize there is really only one choice to make in life and that is the choice of trust, trust in you first and trust in myself. As we daily work together on that relationship my trust in others grows because you want it to be so. On this day I celebrate the many trusting relationships you have provided and I give thanks.

Thank you,
O Lord,
for your
extravagant love
and grace.
How many times
have you come
to me
bringing your
good news?
How many times?
My heart
is full
of gratitude.

Forever yours, Andrea