Friday, June 24, 2011

Dear God,

Every morning is the same. I get up early and write. In the midst of my writing my granddaughter Sophie, 10, rises from her bed, descends the stairs, walks over to my desk, and then waits for me to stop, push back my chair, and allow her to sit on my lap while I rock her. When she is thoroughly awake, we talk about her night of rest and then anything that comes to mind.

This morning she asked me a very personal question. "Grandma, how did you and Grandpa come back together (following our separation and near divorce)? During the next 30 minutes I talked about you, Lord. I told her that you had planted a vision within me and gave me the power to share it with my husband who also believed and acted upon it. I continued, telling her how all the people who had prayed for us had participated in our miracle. Her eyes got real big as she hung on to every word I spoke. Finally she responded to my faith story. "Grandma, that's amazing!"

One thing I know for sure, you give us opportunity to tell our stories to others. You make room, stop time, and then invite us to open our hearts to someone else. Faith, I've learned, is the best story to tell. It has all the elements of mystery and surprise. It both amazes and challenges. It sometimes uproots old beliefs and begins to sprout new thoughts and ideas. It always, always includes love at its deepest level.

As I shared my story with Sophie, I could see that she was thinking and wondering about it all. Although she asked only one question, I could tell that other thoughts were forming as she listened. In her prayer before bedtime she prayed for her grandpa and me.

Almighty and Powerful God,
thank you
for moments
in time
that give
us chances
to share
our faith
in you.
Thank you
even more
for telling
your own story
and creating faith
in us.

Love, Andrea