Thursday, January 17, 2013

Dear God,

Yesterday on my usual early morning drive to the monastery, you brought two thoughts to me.  One, how you unearth unexpected things within us and others.  Two, how often we take the slow lane in faith because we choose not to take the risks to move into the fast lane.

The first thought came as I was praying about the beautiful thing you did a few years ago with a British woman on a talent show.  As she walked to the middle of the stage people snickered and made fun.  They expected nothing from the woman.  But when she opened her mouth and sang the first notes, wide surprises spread across their faces.  People began clapping, some weeping, more standing.  They witnessed the unearthing of lovely music that touched and inspired the hearts of the entire audience.  Just by singing she reminded us how resplendent gifts can be unearthed within us at any time surprising us to tears.

The second thought came as I moved off one interstate highway to another.  I moved into the far right lane because the rush hour traffic was flying right by me.  As I remained in the slow lane, your thought came to me how safe the slow lane feels at times.  It may get us where we are going but not very fast.  I remembered times when I gripped the far lane in my life because I was afraid.  Fear was my driver and I didn't really move.  But when I decided to change lanes, I had the opportunity to soar, to move along, to see things I couldn't see in the slow lane, and to experience a kind of freedom moving with you on the journey of a lifetime.

I have discovered as I follow the spiritual discipline of faith, you do remarkable things in my life.  When I fail by saying no or by just being lazy, not much happens, sometimes nothing at all.  Why would I ever choose the latter?

Mysterious God,
thank you
for insights
that come
reminding us
how you work
in human life.
Thank you
for blessing us
with exquisite gifts
of your spirit.

Love, Andrea