Friday, January 13, 2012

Dearest God,

You have beautiful ways of bringing people together.  Although we may be strangers to one another, you know how to draw people together with you and make them one.

A few days ago I stumbled into my blog stats not really knowing what they were.  One click and another lead me to "audience" where I learned that I have readers from Russia.  Suddenly, it was 1988 and I was back in the Soviet Union and Ukraine for the 1,000 year celebration of Christianity.  For 17 glorious days I spent time with Christian believers in that vast land.  Daily I sensed your wondrous spirit.  I was lifted up by faith forged out of persecution.  I watched the celebration of the return of the relics of St. Andrew on Pentecost.  I saw joy, deep down joy coming from the well of your living water.  I was moved and inspired by their devotion.  My life was changed there and my faith was reshaped.

Often I find myself in spiritual places where you have taken me.  I relive sacred moments of great joy where you have spoken and challenged me.  I dwell there for a while remembering your awesome grace and incomprehensible compassion.  I realize once again the depth of your love and the strength of your power.  Out of humble gratitude I give thanks again and again because I know from the depths of my own inner being that you have fashioned my faith greatly through experience with strangers in foreign lands.  You have shown me how alike we are when we are both devoted to you or at least are making a pilgrimage of faith through the course of a lifetime. 

As I consider your marvelous workings in this world, I sing my song of praise to you.  For you alone, O God, are the very breath I breathe.

Most Gracious and Loving God,
I turn
to you
in the
early morning hours
to sing out
your praise,
to give thanks,
and to
renew my devotion.
I celebrate
your many gifts
and pray
that I
will live up
to your expectations.
Lead me,
Living God,
to the well
to drink
so that
I may
lead others,
I pray.

Love, Andrea