Sunday, July 29, 2012

My dearest God,

What can I say?  Stepping inside your church, being welcomed by your face upon the face of so many, and listening to the word become flesh inside me through the music, the written word, and the morning message literally turn me inside out.  I want my insides to be warmed by your spirit so that I can be fully alive to celebrate and praise you for faith at work in me.

Every Sunday something happens to me as I make ready to meet you.  It's not anything special that I do; however, I allow an air of expectancy to well up within me so that I might do my part in my relationship with you.  I get ready for worship by cleansing my own internal self, by expressing words of gratitude, by feeling love for you and those around me, and by believing you are the greatest living presence in the world.  This opens me up, heightening my senses to become aware of my surroundings.  As I walk in anticipation and watch for signs and symbols of your presence I am never disappointed!  You come or I come to you, I am never sure which but we connect, link up, and humbly I receive you so I may truly with all of me share my grateful thanksgiving.  Today was just such a day!

Holy God,
full of joy
and grace,
thank you
for your presence,
your life,
your love,
and your challenge.
I am grateful
to be counted
among your children
and I
am filled
with the
oil of gladness.

Love, Andrea