Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Dear God,

You are the truth teller. You help us discover the truth about ourselves and then you give us opportunity to trust you to help us live with the truth.

Some truths I have not wanted to know. Others I have been desperate to learn. In learning the truth I have generally had to stand with you, to take your lead in how I would live with the truth.

A friend challenged me to research my own health condition. He said he and his wife were praying for me every night and they believe I can be healed. Finally after two episodes in 72 hours, I began the search. I didn't like what I learned; however, the healing may have come in my understanding of what happened to me in surgery a few years back and what the life-long consequences would be. I was never told the whole truth and so I have suffered physically, emotionally, and psychologically. I have paid some great prices and it was all to be expected except that I didn't know it. I was never prepared for what would follow. The truth left me overwhelmed, sad, disturbed, and pained.

Now that I know the truth, I have choices to make. I can be angry, resentful, and even perhaps take legal action. I can be accepting, allowing my healing to be in the truth. I can be sad for the rest of my life. I can build a wall around myself to "protect" me from other medical personnel and simply not trust again. Or I can tarry longer with you, allowing my own wounds to be healed with the salve of salvation, and find the peace, hope, and comfort you alone bring. I can savor the joy of every day knowing the gift you bring.

Let no bitterness
take root
in me,
O Lord;
teach me
to trust you
in everything.
Help me
to walk
in grace,
realizing that
as I
offer grace,
grace will
be returned
to me
by you.
Thank you
for love
that leads
to truth.

Love, Andrea

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Dearest God,

I wonder why we celebrate Christmas every year. Is it just to commemorate a wondrous event, the birth of Jesus Christ so many, many years ago or is it to glorify his birth in us yesterday, today, and even tomorrow? If we can't rejoice in his birthing process in us today, then how can we possibly honor an ancient happening 2,000 years ago?

I've come to realize that birthing faith in the man of Bethlehem is my greatest challenge every day and not just in my own life but I feel called to assist as a midwife in the birth of faith in others.

I write my letters with you every day because I believe we share a living relationship, you and I. Every time I write I sense your abiding presence. Like a journalist, I discover the news of your appearance and it so delights me that I want to share it.

As I open myself to yet a deeper place with you, I know I am making way for new birth to happen in me. More than anything I want my life with you to be alive, vibrant, joyous, real, and an authentic testimony of faith in this world. I want to walk my talk and live my beliefs. I am blessed and so I want my relationship with you to be a possible birthing event in others.

Gracious and Wonderful God,
today give birth
in me
and all
your children
in creation.
Remind us
that faith
is the
greatest gift
of Christmas,
anything less
is of
no great value.
Daily teach us
to stretch ourselves,
making room
for new life
in you.

Love, Andrea

Monday, November 28, 2011

My dear God,

The early morning darkness reminds me that each day begins with a blank slate. I determine how I will live my day. Will I be faith filled giving way to your slightest leading? Will I listen and obey? Or will I choose a different route, one of my own making?

As I begin this new day, a fresh gift from you, I recognize that my choices will lead me through this day. At the end of the day I will be able to celebrate good choices or regret poor choices. I will also give thanks or ask for forgiveness. Either way I will stand before you giving an account remembering your grace freely given.

Lead me
all day long,
Gracious God.
Give me
the will
to choose well
living gratefully,
I pray.

Love, Andrea

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Dearest God,

How many times have you taught me life lessons? So many. I have come to realize that my own life's journey has taken me to pivotal moments of learning. Rarely have I wanted to know what I needed to comprehend because generally the lessons took place during difficult moments. While wriggling or at least trying to wriggle out of my situation, you met me where I was and there you invited me to pause, to listen, to surrender, to change, and to move forward afresh and new.

There is something glorious about intersections of time spent with you. Face to face truth is revealed and in my vulnerability your grace reaches out, piercing my soul. The warm rush of affection goes directly to the wounded places, to the hidden sin, or to the broken fractures in my soul causing tears to well up and spill over. When I recognize your deep and abiding love what else can I do? The gift of unconditional love overwhelms me and in my gratitude, I let fear give way to hope and hope to peace and joy.

Today you
came to me
in truth.
The leading
of your spirit
through a person
who prays
for me
every day
challenged me
once again
to trust you
more and more,
deeper and deeper.
You remind me
that I
have so
much more
to learn.
Make me
a willing learner,
I pray.

Love, Andrea

Saturday, November 26, 2011

Dear God,

As I drove up the street to my daughter's home, I saw the happy expression on my granddaughter's face as she was being pulled in a wagon by her sister. The recognition of joy based on a close relationship brought joy to my own heart.

I am filled with wonder about how you build relationships with people. You connect people in ways beyond our imagination and comprehension. Even small things can link strangers together. When you build families you give us the potential for relationships that can fulfill our own need to connect with humanity, a most necessary ingredient for the creation of community. You give us opportunity to grow, to come alive, and to become our more full selves within a community of loved ones. You make relationships so we can build a healthier and happier planet. You connect us to you which makes every other relationship come to life.

Wondrous God,
full of love
for all
your children,
I thank you
for healthy relationships
that give life
to every person.
But thank you
most of all
for allowing us
to be
in relationship
with you,
the most
beautiful relationship
of all.

Love, Andrea

Friday, November 25, 2011

Dear God,

You create love in us. You cause a stirring of the heart, an awakening, an enlivening experience that motivates a person to look afresh on the scene before them. Whether a budding relationship with a person or a magnificent view of nature or a picture of a newborn or whatever, you inspire us to get connected, to link up with something or someone that instills a new kind of living inside us. Love is born when we allow the stimulus to shake us.

As I reflect on love in my own life, I realize I am in love with so much. I love my husband, my children, and my grandchildren. I love the rest of my family and friends. I love the church, nature, hope, faith, and every picture associated with them. I love life, the gift of breath, the countless things I hear from a grandchild's voice saying I love you, Grandma, to the sound of bells ringing or gonging pervading a space with beautiful melodies. I love music, the sound of joy, and hope when it is found. I love you.

Thank you,
dearest God,
for love
outside and
inside me.
Thank you
for love
that binds wounds
and heals souls.
Thank you
for love
that makes me smile.
Thank you
for faith
that shapes
new eyes
for seeing
and new ears
for hearing love
when it
comes along.
Thank you
for loving us,
for loving me.

Forever yours, Andrea

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Dear God,

I love the voices of joy, children, teens, men, and women! On this Thanksgiving Day, all I heard was joy. Greeting one another with hugs and kisses led to so much joy because everyone was drawn into the festivities of family being together.

Whether in our own family with my children and their familes and my son-in-law's parents or with my siblings and all their families and my family, joy met us at the door. Joy erupted again and again as we welcomed each other to Thanksgiving.

And so on this Thanksgiving night I come to you with joy, giving thanks for each and every one. I acknowledge you as the joy maker, joy being eternity's gift. I recognize that joy is possible when hearts and souls are open to you and when you give us joy, we return to you in gratitude.

Grateful I come
to you,
Joymaking God;
I thank you
for family,
a family
who loves
one another.
Thank you
for the
many gifts
you daily offer
to us.
Keep us mindful
of your work
in creation
and in
creation's creatures.
Let us
forever sing
your praise
with thankful hearts.

Love, Andrea

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Dearest God,

My friend's young stepson died tonight. Another friend is facing a possible recurrence of cancer. Other friends are mired in distress from health and emotional issues. It is a hard time for many all over the world.

As I look forward to celebrating Thanksgiving I turn to you, O God. I lift up my friends and all your children who are suffering. I know that brothers and sisters by the millions are troubled with difficulty.

I believe it is time to dig deep in the soil of your grace, a time to search for treasure that has been hidden from our eyes until now, and a time to trust you to help us find comfort, answers to our dilemma, and peace in stormy seas. I believe faith, the gift of your spirit, is the key to open the door to everything we need. I know faith will develop uniquely for each person; yet, it still will provide what each needs to get through the hard times.

As I look to scriptures, listen to the stories of contemporary people, and even remember some of the events in my own life, I see faith alive leading and guiding people to varying levels of solace, wisdom, determination, and courage. I know you are the influencing power of change, of transformation, that leads to victory and triumph.

Lead and guide,
O Lord;
show us
the way
to peaceful pastures.
Raise your staff
so we
may see you
and follow.
As we walk
through the
valley of the
shadow of death,
lead us
to the light
of your love.
And finally
let praise
rise up
within us
so we
may give thanks.

Love, Andrea

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Dear God,

I am incredibly grateful for faith that gives so much life to every part of my life. Every corner is richer because you are there. The strength you give, the hope inherent, and the courage to climb, to soar, to be, and to grow are all gifts, blessings that come from faith.

Today I shared all this with a troubled friend. Not in so many words but rather I gave testimony to my faith that has been the most valuable of all my blessings.

You are the gift giver, the blessing maker whose gentle spirit breeze blows upon us again and again. Whether showering down upon us like tiny snowflakes from above or wading into pools of living water, you reveal yourself to us, making invitations to tarry together. You give us power to wander into unfamiliar territory so full of possibility and then you provide tools to make change, to overcome, to beat out the fears that plague us from time to time and to triumph over any obstacle that threatens us. And then you remain for the celebration. How glorious it is!

Loving God,
gratitude fills
my every pore
with love
for you.
I am
what I
am today
because of you.
Daily as
I walk
with you,
I find
more and
more reasons
to delight
in you,
to follow you,
and to trust
in you.

Love always, Andrea

Monday, November 21, 2011

Dearest God,

"When I gaze into the night sky and see the work of your fingers..." I sang along with the choir 1,100 miles away. With closed eyes and a heart so open to you, I sang with angels and saints giving praise to you, Great and Wondrous God. You are filled with glory and that glory reaches from eternity to hearts ready to receive you. As we embrace your goodness, we are filled with gratitude and gratitude begs to be expressed. As I sat at my desk looking out at the gentle rain falling upon the earth, I thought how much your love is like that coming to us from heaven.

Your glory fills me each time I step toward heaven, say yes to your challenge, or allow myself to be taken up as I witness your hand at work. The whole of me breathes in your living presence and I know for certain the god in whom I believe.

Let the love
my heart feels
for you
lift to you,
my Lord
and my creator.
Let me sing
heaven's song
again and again.
Let the
whole of me
remain in praise
forever.

Love, Andrea

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Dear God,

Who knows who you will choose to change the world? Who knows how young they will be?

In the last several months you have brought children to mind who have touched and inspired the world such as Alex, a three year old who wanted to have a lemonade stand to raise money for pediatric cancer research. She raised $1,000,000 before she died at age six. Mattie Stepanek wrote his first book of poetry at age 3. He was concerned about working together for peace. President Jimmy Carter said he was the most inspiring person he had ever met in his life. Mattie had five best sellers and met with people all over the world talking about peace before he died at age 13. Abigail is eight years old and is a Riley's Kid, a child who had a life-threatening condition when she was six months of age. At Riley they performed surgery and saved her life. Every year at Christmas she and her family return to Riley with gifts for children. This year she made a Christmas CD to sell with all proceeds being given to Riley Hospital. Two three year olds and an eight year old are touching lives, inspiring people, and challenging adults to rethink their priorities.

O God,
thank you
for children
who listen
to the
divine call
to serve.
Instill within us
the need
to care
for our neighbors
at home
and around
the world.
Remind us
that we
are not gods
set up
to have others
serve us
but rather
we are
to care
for others.
In so doing
all will
be loved,
tended, and
provided for.
Open our minds
and our hearts
so that
we can learn
from children.

Love, Andrea

Saturday, November 19, 2011

Dearest God,

I watched new life given birth at the wedding. As I gave the homily on the topic of love, I watched the bride and groom. Although I know every couple is in love when they marry (at least most of the time), I rarely witness something deeper happening when I marry two people. I am not sure what this new life will be like; I just know it will unfold over time.

Gracious God,
Giver of New Life,
thank you
for your
wondrous gifts.
Thank you
for not
abandoning us,
leaving us
on our own.
Thank you
for gentle reshapings
that provide
new possibilities
in human living.
Thank you
for sacred,
holy moments
that renew us.

Love, Andrea

Friday, November 18, 2011

Dear God,

When a friend told me that my sharing had triggered a positive action in her husband and herself to get counselling, I turned to you to say thanks. I did not know troubles were brewing. I did not know they had taken a sad turn. I wasn't even talking about them when I spoke with her. What I do know is you nudged me to share an experience in my own life that awakened her to something in hers. New life is returning to their marriage.

Sometimes I wonder how you orchestrate divine happenings. I ponder upon the small miracles that occur all the time and I am amazed. But what is really mindboggling is the way my husband's and my miracle seems to continue inspiring others in their own lives. And it is not I who first connected the dots but a covenant group colleague who announced that their marriage had also made a dramatic turn for the good because our miracle touched them in such a way that lead their relationship toward healing. Wow!

If it is true that a single miracle can guide others toward their own miracle, then I say hallelujah! It was only recently that I realized the power of one miracle to touch lives for a long time. I thought that when a miracle occured, it just touched those who received it and those who heard about it. I did not know that a miracle had tiny strands of influencing power that not only touches others but can move them to a miracle in their own lives. I had no idea a miracle is not a once and for all thing but rather like yeast that keeps giving new life.

Only you,
Glorious God,
have the power
to recreate
human life.
Only you
can change us
at the
cellular level.
Only you
can give
unending love
that keeps
renewing the
human spirit.
Only you,
Loving God,
only you.

Love, Andrea

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Dearest God,

How can we grow our love for you? What can we do to more fully open the doors of our hearts to you?

As I lay in bed, the night skies still dark in the early morning hours, I wondered how our human love could multiply so that our devotion, our affection, and our care for one another could increase. I thought about how my own thoughts, my attitudes, and my dedication to loving service could enlarge so that I would get more in rhythm with you. As long as I walk my own path without benefit of a greater relationship to you, I shall never truly follow you, allowing you to fulfill your will in my life. If we all do that, I am confident that our world will not grow more loving and kind, more charitable to our neighbor, and more supportive in making our world a better place in which to live and love.

Grow your love
in me,
O God;
make me
more loving.
Bend my will
to yours,
I pray.

Love, Andrea

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Dear God,

We joined the angels and saints in singing for you. Advent has already begun in our hearts and spirits. Come, come, Emmanuel, child of God, man of God's own being, Lord of Lords, King of Kings, Love from Love, we cry out to you with praise.

How blessed I am with your holy grace to be able to sing in your church, to sing of your love coming into the world again and again, again and again. We lifted our voices not only to sing but to declare our faith in you, our love for your living presence, and our commitment to be the voice of heaven to sing eternity's song.

Every blessing is ours when we know and love you, when we trust you to fulfill your greatest will for our lives, and when we give you our hand and heart. These gems of faith grow and spill out, grow and spill out, grow and spill out. Who can turn away such love, hope, and peace?

Great God of all Creation,
retune our voices
to sing
your song.
Retool our lives
to serve you well,
to care
for your children,
to lead them
to the
highest love
made known
in the savior.
Refashion us
to make peace
in your world,
I pray.

Love, Andrea

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Dearest God,

You are the god of miracles, the god of love and faith. Who can deny your efforts to touch, inspire, heal, help, and guide? You are the great jewel, clear, magnificent, and beautiful.

I want to tell your story, sing your song, and dance with you forever. I want to be a lily of the valley who grows for you, reaching and stretching toward heaven. I want to rise up in the light, warming my soul with your love, and giving off the sweet perfume of your grace.

In every direction I look I see your hand, hear your voice, and feel the pulse of your tender care. If my belief counts for anything, then you are the greatest among all the greats in this world.

As I rest in the knowledge of your living presence, I fill with praise and gratitude, my Lord.

Let me
shower you
with the blessing
of my joy
toward eternity.
Let my faith
be the voice
of grateful thanksgiving.
Let my life
be a testimony
of your love.

Forever yours, Andrea

Monday, November 14, 2011

Dearest God,

How do you melt a hard heart? How do you break it down allowing it to naturally breathe and flow once again?

Last weekend I witnessed a hard heart, one that is so tough that it is difficult to imagine how it labors to function on a daily basis. I observed its power to keep things the way they are rather than to reach out for living water, spiritual power, and radical redemption. I could hardly watch it so I prayed.

Do your
miracle work,
O God;
reduce bitterness down
to nothing
so love
can enter
from every side.
Pour out
your grace
upon her
so love
can find
its way,
I pray.

Love, Andrea

Sunday, November 13, 2011

Dear God,

I believe there is a wideness in your mercy. I believe it expands far beyond the eye can see. I believe it drips down from heaven particularly when we least expect it.

As we drove across the plains of Iowa, the land seemed to stretch on forever. Now and then a farm would crop up, a windmill would be seen in the distance, and the sky would lift up from the horizon giving the eye a majestic look at your creation. As large as it all appeared, I imagined your mercy to be greater than these.

For me the long trip from Indiana to Iowa and back provided a picture of length and height. Although we enjoyed the landscape the three states provided, it was the length and height that reminded me how vast your mercy is.

At our destination, a tiny town in Iowa, I not only witnessed your mercy but experienced it first hand. I felt it come down upon those of us who had traveled the thousand mile round trip. As we celebrated our being together, we knew who it was that had blessed us.

Good and Gracious God,
thank you
for the gift
of your mercy.
Remind us
that mercy received
is to be
mercy given.
Help us
to be merciful
to one another.

Love, Andrea

Saturday, November 12, 2011

My dearest God,

So many life lessons! You have taught me so many life lessons. I have been a hard nut to crack at times. There have been moments when I resisted with all my power, put up obstacles to your grace, and talked back as if I was equal to your living presence. Yet, you did not give up on me. Quietly, you invited me to let down my defenses, to trust you like never before, and to surrender all that kept me from you. Finally, when I was too weary to maintain the fight, to keep holding up my false faces, and insisting on my own way, you stepped across my invisible wall, took me into your waiting arms and hope was born.

Today that life lesson came to me once again, only this time it came as a reminder that trust and faith can take us into eternity's joy. It did so today as another gift of grace. I recognized that grace is not a one time event that lives for the moment and then fizzles out over time. Rather it is a living testimony to your love so lavishly given to your children.

This evening as I held my 24 year old soldier grandson in my arms, grace sang its beautiful song one more time. I acknowledged your power to recover what is lost and to make it found in the most beautiful way. I realized that hope is a sacred gift coming from your heart alone and that nothing can fully douse the fire of your love. As hope enters our soul and our spirit begins to live more fully from its power, we are to be hope bearers for others whose hopeless, worn, and drooping spirits feel the drain and sorrow of life circumstances that rob them of the delicate, yet powerful life force.

As I breathed a grandmother's grateful prayer, I gave thanks to all those who kept the hope light burning for me while I walked the dark roads of despair and I prayed that I too could do my part to keep the light burning for those whose pain often keeps the light from breaking through.

Gracious and Loving God,
restorer of
worn and weary souls,
I offer
my whole devotion
to you
for the
wonderful and magnificent gifts
of your spirit.
My heart
is full
to overflowing
and my determination
to be
an example
of your grace,
I pray,
is an
act of faith
and love
for you.

As always, Andrea

Friday, November 11, 2011

Dearest God,

I stood with his arms tight around me. My grandson whispered, "It's been soooo long, Grandma." I squeezed him tighter so aware that the power to grip my grandchild was the power of heaven.

Later he, his other grandma, his aunt, his grandpa, and I sat on the kingsize bed while we talked about painful memories that had kept us apart. But we also laughed, a sign of healing and hope that we were reshaping a new life together, one that would put us on a path of joy and praise.

My love
for you
has never
been greater.
My recognition
of you
as the
greatest power
in creation
has never been
more keen.
My gratitude
is at
its peak
threatening once again
to spill over,
flooding the earth.

Love always, Andrea

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Dear God,

How do we let go of loved ones who are dying? How do we say our goodbyes without breaking the thread that has held us together?

My friend's stepson is dying of cancer. He's so young, just married, no children and now no earthly future. I can't imagine the process of their surrender.

Bind them together,
Lord,
bind them together
for eternity.
Give them
a vision
of loveliness,
an eternal connection
that will
hold them together
even here
on earth.
Grant them time,
Gracious Redeemer,
time to live
a little longer,
I pray.

Love, Andrea

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Dearest God,

How far will a prayer travel? How long will it last? How much good will it do?

Will my prayers for victims of human trafficking do anything to transform and help anyone? Will my prayers and the prayers of others do anything to eradicate global poverty? Will prayer change the hearts of evil doers, lift up the despairing, and save the starving?

When I pray, sometimes I see the suffering in my mind. The horrors of painful living touch so many so deeply. Although many are so far away, I believe them to be my family, my brothers and sisters. Do my prayers nudge you to do more or are my prayers intended to make me to do more? How does prayer bring change, easing the suffering of countless millions of people?

Keep my feet
to the fire,
O God;
make me responsible
to do
my part
to help,
to save,
and to alleviate
the sorrows
of your children,
my worldwide
human family.

Love, Andrea

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Dearest God,

How do I make you my number one priority? How do I give you the deepest place in my heart? How do I shift all my loyalties and place you first?

If the goal of life is to love and serve you and our neighbor, how do we rid ourselves of selfish, self-centered ways? How do we allow you to erase our sin, recollect our goodness, and give us the ability to be all we can become?

The more I see you, the more I know about you, and the more I feel love and grace from you, the more I want to love and serve you. I want to walk in your light, radiate that light to the world, and be a beacon of light to those close to me. Like you I want to shine light on dark places. I want to give off light that warms the heart and soul. I want to be light that dispels fear, giving way to faith.

Make me light,
Gracious God,
let your light
shine in
and through me.
I want
to be light
that clears
the way,
allowing for courage
to step ahead.
Let me hold
your light
for others,
I pray.

Love, Andrea

Monday, November 7, 2011

Dear God,

How do we epitomize holiness? How do we become truly holy?

As I stood before the pictures of six nuns who had died in the last year, five in the last six months, I saw the faces of holiness. I remember most of them. I recall their warmth and love, their hospitality and generous prayers, and their undying devotion to you. I saw you every time I saw them.

What is the process by which we become holy, dear God? How will we know if we attain even a small part of your holiness? Is it when our minds are stayed on you? Or when we give ourselves away to your service?

The nuns I have met in the last 30 years of my life have touched and inspired me deeply. Their spirituality shows. Their love for you is so apparent. Their desire to be your hands, feet, and mouthpiece appears as they see a need and go to meet it.

How, O Lord,
do we
radiate your grace?
How do
we shine
with your love
drawing others
to the blessing?
Show me,
I pray.

Love, Andrea

Sunday, November 6, 2011

Dear God,

I had heard her headstone had finally been erected. Following the retreat I was determined to take the easy walk by the stations of the cross to the little cemetery filled with simple white grave markers. There before her resting place I knelt down, ran my finger across her name, and felt the rush of tears as I uttered my prayer of thanksgiving.

I hardly knew the sister. I had only talked with her for 30 minutes one time when she was 102. But it was her kindly spirit, her loving way, her gentle touch, and her affirmation that she was present at my birth assisting my mother at Mercy Hospital on that September day in 1946. My mother was so taken by her and her name that she named me after Sister Andrea.

I will never forget my conversation with her in the motherhouse infirmary in 2006. Suffering from Alzheimer's and illnesses associated with the dreaded disease, she was perfectly lucid when I queried her about her work at the hospital. She confirmed that she had been a delivery nurse and had helped a lot of babies come into the world. She had smiled, taken my hands in hers, and prayed for me.

As the wind blew, the dead brown leaves rising in the drafts around me, I wiped away my tears and stood, bewildered once again by the wondrous mysteries of the divine/human connection.

Holy God,
full of grace
and mercy,
you constantly
fill me
with eternity's gifts.
I am blessed
to overflowing.

Loving you always, Andrea

Saturday, November 5, 2011

Dear God,

As I peered out the dining hall window at the retreat center in the early morning, I gazed upon the wavy pink lines on the horizon. I stepped closer to get a better view. I was mesmerized by the magnificent beauty so present in the skies. It was as if an artist's brush had colored the sky teasing my eye to look up. And so I did.

Perhaps it was because I was home at the Sisters of St. Joseph. Maybe it was the quiet morning so pregnant with possibilities. Or perchance it was a holy moment waiting for my response.

Although I am convinced daily that you are present in human life, there are those occasions when time pauses, the clock stops ticking, and I am enabled to see a still shot of glory. My spirit is drawn to a place more wondrous than my current location. In such instances I feel the rush of warmth to my heart; I suddenly have an overflow of love and gratitude. My eyes fill with wonderment and appreciation and I want to express my heartfelt feelings for you. Although the sisters would have accepted my spontaneous desire to dance, I held back and simply said thank you over and over again.

Instill within me
the desire
to love you
more and more.
Make me ready
to hear
the slightest whisper
of your voice
and to catch
the smallest movement
of your spirit.
I don't want
to miss anything,
dear Lord.
Thank you
for the
sacred space,
the holy moment
with you.

Love, Andrea

Friday, November 4, 2011

Dear God,

From the angle I was sitting at, from the side I saw Christ on the cross. Arms outstretched, his whole midsection was vulnerable to assault. On the other hand he was completely open to you.

Although I do not fully understand the trinity, three persons in one, I do know openness to the forces and to the divine force at work in the world. I saw Jesus in a whole new way and tears filled my eyes as I pondered the revelation.

I am sure I have always known this truth; yet, I saw it anew, afresh, from a side view. I prayed, "O Lord, make me that vulnerable before you. Make me that open, fully open to you."

What would it take for me to completely thrust myself into your arms with complete abandon? What must I surrender in order to be completely trusting? How vulnerable shall I become?

Teach me
to be
wholly yours,
Gracious and Loving God.
Teach me
the way
of trust
and surrender.
Hold me
to your side.
Remind me
of the costs
of discipleship
and the benefits
of following you.

Love, Andrea

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Dearest God,

I felt the tug, the draw, the nudge and I heard the whisper, the call, the urging to come. When the prioress opened the door and I walked in, I wanted to say I'm home. Why is it, Lord? What is it about the monastic faith, life, and practice that touches and inspires my heart so deeply?

As we sang the psalms together, I whispered back, "Write the psalms upon the walls of my soul, O God, so that I might awaken each morning singing them to you." Those gathered are women who said yes to you. They chose you above all else. By staying in community with others who have affirmed the same call, daily they continue to choose you. They inspire me. They call to the deepest place in my soul. They awaken my spiritual senses challenging me to love and serve you more.

When the service concluded and I stood and bowed to the altar, words of inspiration came to me and I uttered them back to you. When I shared my "Christ sighting" with my colleague in our covenant group setting, I spoke from the light that was shining within me. I smiled the smile of contentment, of joy, and of gratitude. I still do.

Most Gracious and Loving God,
may the
heavens erupt
in praise.
May all
your people
celebrate your goodness,
your grace,
and your love.
No one travels
so deeply
with me
like you,
Great Wise One,
no one.
May all
my days
be spent
loving you.

Always, Andrea

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Dearest God,

How by phone do you bring perfect strangers together 1200 miles away for sixty eight minutes to do your spirit work and give them joy in the conversation? How do you do it?

This morning I called a mini retreat center in Maine. As the woman and I talked we discovered we had traveled to some of the same places in the world. We were both ordained pastors and retreat leaders. We celebrated a philosophy of wedding psychology with spirituality with the goal of introducing our retreatants to higher levels of faith, spiritual growth, courage to change, and spirit compassion to trust the work of transformation. We laughed and sighed with your spirit as we recognized and acknowledged your living presence in our sharing.

In talking with Joanne I invited her to stay with us a night on her way across the country to her winter home. We believe we have so much to talk about to create safe sacred space whereby women in particular could enter silence allowing your spirit to speak. We hold so much faith in common and a commitment to teach, accept, include, uplift, and bless persons who are on a spiritual journey, a path leading to you.

What do you know of what you want us to do in your ministry to others? How would you have us work together to create posits of loving faith that calls others to peace, contentment, hope, joy, and love? What would you have us do for you?

Loving God,
thank you
for trust
in me,
in us
to do
your work
of faith.
Thank you
for bringing together
your people.
Thank you
for your mission
to help,
to hold,
to love,
to grace,
and finally
to serve.

Love, Andrea

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Dear God,

How do you heal? How do you attack an infection of the heart, rid it of its awful symptons, cleanse the area, and then heal leaving only a faded scar?

Daily I pray for a person whose heart is filled with infection. She is full of venom perhaps rising from insecurity, disappointment, hurt, resentment, and bitterness. She cannot let go of attitudes and behaviors that serve as great obstacles to healing and wholeness. Can she be made new again?

Loving God,
do your work
of loving compassion.
Touch this heart
with your
caring hand.
Fill her
with your
divine antibiotic.
Renew her
for love,
I pray.

Love, Andrea