Friday, February 17, 2012

Dearest God,

The six hour ride home gave me a beautiful opportunity to count my blessings.  I thought about my time away with friends and the meaningful time we shared together.  I thought of my husband pining away for me (well, maybe not pining but certainly looking forward to my return after several days), my children, grandchildren, and friends.  I looked upon the horizon as the sun was setting and I thought of how many of those beauties I have I had the chance to enjoy.  I thought of faith and its tempting power to overcome the ills and ails of human living.  I thought of love and how many times its arms have wrapped around me.  I thought of a young woman who recently asked me to be her spiritual mentor and the amazing steps she is already taking toward healing and wholeness.  I thought of laughter and how it has danced in my heart the last few months, especially the last few days.  I thought...all the way home.

I realize that faith is not just a belief system with attitudes, practices, and rituals.  It is a living breathing reality of hope, relationship, acceptance, love, and joy.  It exists 24/7 and serves as a transforming agent not only in personal lives but also in families, churches, and communities.  Faith is about one hand taking the other and walking through life to paint an exquisite picture of peace.

O God,
how I love
our times together!
Thank you
for the
spiritual adventure
of faith.
I am grateful
for the time
to look
at all
my blessings,
to revel
in gratitude,
and to
give thanks.

Love, Andrea