Monday, April 30, 2012

Dearest God,

A room full of stories, relationships built through tragedy, birth, biology, reunions, shared hobbies, church, "living next door", and friendships.  My uncle's death afforded me the opportunity to spend time with many special people.  As I gazed down the center aisle of the church where people stood to pay their respects, I remembered precious stories tucked away in my memory, some for more than 60 years.

You have taught me the value of story.  As I read the bible, I read one story after another.  The church and synagogue read stories every week.  The story then begins to live inside the person hearing the story.

My dad told me a lot of stories, so did Uncle Merrill.  On occasion when I am missing these beloved twins, I hear a story in my head, usually a funny story of some variety.  A smile comes across my face when I suddenly realize their story has become my own.

I am cognizant of the fact that I am making stories with my grandchildren.  Every time we get together we sing songs, do silly things, pray together, make up words, plan very fun events, sleep on the floor...it goes on and on.  I am purposefully making stories because I want my precious grandchildren to have plenty of wonderful stories tucked away inside them just like me.  I want to give them stories to call up anytime they need to laugh or remember or cry or to get through a tough time.  I want them to have stories that tie them to family, to me, to you, or to special moments and places.

But as I think about story, I really think about your story and how you have tucked it away inside me.  You and I have made many stories of faith.  Stories of encouragement, hope, courage, love, help, mobilization, trust, risk, "leaping tall building in a single bound", miracles, silence, sacred dance, insight, revelation, death, surrender, light and life.  Even now as I think about it, I have to acknowledge the wondrous stories of your glory that have become part of my life.

Thank you
for entrusting me
with your story
and for
giving me
my own stories
to share
with others,
family, friends,
retreatants, parishioners,
and even
to strangers.
I am blessed.
and filled
with gratitude
to you.
Thank you
for the joy
that comes
with every story.

Love, Andrea