Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Dearest God,

Meditation keeps my faith fresh as I focus upon your spirit's work in the world and in my life.  Frequently, I turn to music to stir my heart, awakening my faith.

In preparation for your spiritual direction in our covenant group this morning, I turned on It's a Wonderful World by Willie Nelson.  The song describes a wonderful world with "trees of green, skies of blue, red roses, bright blessed days, and dark sacred nights".  I always look at the sky, trees, and flowers and think to my own self what a wonderful world it is and I give thanks.

However, today was different.  When I sang along the line "dark sacred nights" in my mind's eye I saw frightened children.  Images of poverty, war, and abuse became vivid in my mind.  I could see mothers who weren't able to feed her starving children.  Suddenly, I realized that the world is not wonderful for every person. I wept. The scenes of horror replaced my beautiful picture of the world.

I began to pray for all those I had seen in my mind, unknown women, men, and children who face harsh conditions every day.  I prayed for little ones who are preyed upon at night, who don't want to sleep so they can be on guard for lurking predators.  I prayed for a world where every person is safe, loved, and cared for.

Gracious God,
remind me
to see
the world
the way
all your people
see it,
some beautiful
and inviting,
others frightening
and deadly.
Keep my
heart soft
and tender;
cause me
to pray
for all
your children.

Love, Andrea