Friday, February 15, 2013

Dearest God,

So much to learn and so little time to learn it.  So much more to know about your will, your ways, your spirit, your grace, and your mystery.  I don't want to waste a single day in ignorance.

Years ago when I had cancer my children and a friend  urged me to do a little Christmas shopping.  I know they just wanted to get me out before my surgery.  But when I mingled with thousands of shoppers in the hallways of a large mall, I was repulsed while shopping.  "What are we doing with our lives?"  I asked myself. "Do we really want to spend time this way?  Do we want to fill our days with a 'mess of pottage?'"

I felt stricken by a need to live differently, to relish life as gift, and to contribute something meaningful to the world.  I wanted to carry a new attitude and live life more fully doing what mattered.  You remember how that become one of the historic moments in my own life.

How easily we can slip back into meaningless activities!  It's not that they are bad; it's just that they are meaningless.  Trying to fill a day to avoid boredom is no way to live.  Living without considering the author of life is an abomination.  The only full, thoughtful life is one lived intentionally being mindful of the small things you call blessing and giving thanks.  It's a way to revel in the walk of faith recognizing you in all things, even in the bad that moves us more desperately to your side.  How I long to make every moment count, to leave an imprint of goodness in some tiny way, and to live as if every moment counts because it does.

Thank you,
Creative God,
for recreating us
by teaching us
life lessons.
Refashion us
in your image
so that
we sparkle
with life
and thanksgiving.
Allow us
to make
a difference
where we are
rather than expecting
the world
to give us
what we
don't need.
Make us aware
of you.

Love, Andrea