Friday, March 29, 2013

Dear God,

Tonight I couldn't help gazing at the cross during the Good Friday service.  Yes, we were supposed to be meditative and reflective but there was something about the cross being suspended from the ceiling.  I had to  look up.

I must confess I don't spend much time thinking about the cross.  When I speak to you, I call you God, not Jesus.  But this evening I thought of Jesus like the pastor suggested.  What man loves like that? Who considers the sin of the world and then steps forward to do something about it?  Who, but Jesus?

A cross, a lighted candle, a song all caused me to look up.  Where else would I look?

So often
I fail
to look up,
O God.
I look out
where I'm going
rather than
looking up
for direction.
Forgive me,
I pray.
Thank you
for the
wondrous gift
of Jesus.
No one
cares more.

Love, Andrea

Thursday, March 28, 2013

Dearest God,

Thank you for the invitation to your table.  Tonight as I stood around your holy table with the names of your disciples, listening to the your words, and eating and drinking spiritual refreshment, I was keenly aware of your warm welcome.  I realized your faithfulness in both your invitation and your welcome throughout the years.  Although I may not have been cheerful, hospitable, or clean, you wanted me there.  I am so very grateful.

That started me thinking of the many tables where I have found spiritual companionship.  My grandmother's table always had a place for you.  When I ate her food, I was also eating yours.  Our family table was always open to one more because love lived at our table.  My aunts' tables offered joy and love too.  The Carmelite table was a really big table because anyone who was hungry or thirsty was welcome.  I found so much spiritual food there.  Although I am not formally a Catholic, I have enjoyed the fellowship at many a monastic table.  Then there were the tables of churches, retreat centers, and spiritual sites.  Oh my how much I quenched my spiritual thirst there.

This evening I realized once again how open your table is to me and to everyone.  You invite us again and again.  We don't eat there because we don't go there.  But when we do, we always find you waiting, hungry to feed us, your children.  How blessed we are, how very blessed!

Please forgive me
for every time
I turned away
seeking food elsewhere.
Thank you
for your
sweet mercy
that never failed
to say yes
at the table.
Make my table
a welcoming center too.
May you always
have a place
at my table,
Lord;
please live in
my home,
my heart,
and my soul,
I pray.

Love, Andrea

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Dearest God,

This morning I witnessed two beautiful sights.  The first when I was writing to you, I watched as the moon, a bright orange ball slowly descend to earth.  The second a few minutes later when I drove to the monastery, I watched as the sun, a larger orange sphere appear from the horizon and begin its climb to the sky.  I could hardly keep my eyes on the road.  After being taken by their beauty, I was captured by the thought of their ability to rise and fall at the your word.

It seems nature has so many messages for us.  If we pause and look beyond the obvious we will gain much more as we trust you to show us heaven's communique.  And why wouldn't you speak to us?  You are God; we are children.  We have a relationship and like children we need to learn from you.

Speak to us,
O God,
help us see
the cosmos
through your eyes.
Teach us
the lessons
of life
and faith.
Draw us
to you,
I pray.

Love, Andrea

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Dear God,

Every day experiences can speak to us of you.  They can teach us life lessons reminding us just how much we still have to learn.

For years I failed to take really good care of the wood in our home. I worked long hours, was sick and heartsick, and too weary to do the work.  So heat, cold, grandchildren, our dog, sweepers, and natural wear took their toll.  Three weeks ago I started refurbishing, giving new life to the rich golden pecan wood.  I washed it and then used a stain marker to fill in the lost color.  I let it dry and then I oiled it well.  I let it dry again and then I buffed it.  The wood work and doors are looking beautiful once again.  I wasn't sure I could return them to their former luster.

It's obvious how this long and arduous task spoke to me.  The human soul is always in need of being renewed by your compassionate hand.  The elements of sin, lack of concern or care, belligerence, neglect, disregard, and abuse can take their toll on a human life.  When little or no care is given, the soul can fall into disrepair.  It can dry up, crack, bleed, and collapse.  It can fail to hold on to its resources like living water, faith, love, and even mercy.  I know from first-hand experience the way non care can disrupt and destroy.

But you, O Lord, you come along knowing the work it will take to repair and restore a human life.  You take the time necessary to begin the renovation.  First, you touch us giving us hope.  Next, you gently scrub away the dirt and grime revealing the raw wounds and running sores.  Then you apply holy salve, the healing ointment of heaven.  Finally you wait with us breathing your life into us, tending to our continued care, and loving us into wholeness and health.  When we are ready and willing to walk in the newness of life, you nudge us toward the future giving us the opportunity to shine once again.

O God,
how loving
you are,
how merciful.
Often we refuse
to give thanks
acknowledging the
constant care
you give us.
Forgive us,
I pray.
Show us
the way
once again.
Remind us
how transformation
can literally rebuild
a human life.
Thank you
for your
glorious mercy.

Love always, Andrea

Monday, March 25, 2013

Dear God,

Who is like you, O Lord?  Who can make the sun shine, the moon rise in the sky, the stars twinkle, and the snow  fall?  Who created this cosmos with a single word?  You, O God, only you.

I loved the surprise snowstorm over our town on Palm Sunday and today.  I loved watching each snowflake fall.  I loved watching it collect on our trees, shrubs, yard, little pond and even St. Francis.  I kept gazing outside giving thanks for the stunning scene.  Only you, Gracious God, give beauty each day.  The natural world hears your voice and gives sway.

As I look out upon the world you create, I give praise and thanksgiving.  Your handiwork does not go unnoticed.  You are a great God and worthy of every ounce of our praise!

Glory to you, Lord!
Thank you
for unexpected gifts
and blessings.
Thank you
for the luxury
of a
snowy landscape
that delights
my soul.

Love, Andrea

Sunday, March 24, 2013

Dearest God,

As a pastor I decided long ago worship needed to be a living dynamic experience of faith.  There needed to be a visible reminder of the man whose love was so great he would die for us.  Music needed to touch and inspire.  The word needed to truly speak becoming flesh.  Open folks who made the pilgrimage to church needed to get their fill of your living spirit leading pilgrims to express their gratitude to the living God. Anything less was not a viable worship experience.

Now retired I am drawn to church every Sunday.  I go expecting the same thing.  Only now I go beginning with gratitude.  I am thankful so I participate in church because I am so grateful for love and hope, faith and joy, blessing and mercy.  My heart is full of devotion for you.

Today our pastors led me to two thoughts that blessed me.  First, we were given silence as part of our Lenten discipline, silence before spoken prayer.  Accustomed to weekly silence at the monastery, I welcomed the quiet time.  As I sat in the choir loft, I quieted my own soul and breathed in the silence.  Each breath brought me your living presence.  I actually thought, "I am breathing in God."  I was grateful.

Secondly, our pastor talked about the spiritual path.  At once I could see my path.  You brought images to me.  I looked backward and witnessed the path, the turns and twists, the mountains and the valleys, truly the highs and lows.  I saw individuals, groups, and institutions that had encouraged me on my path, those who stood by the side cheering me on, some who picked me up and walked with me when I was broken or afraid, others who spoke life to me when I felt dead and weary, when I was lost and lonely, or when I was befuddled or just plain belligerent.  I saw a loving grandmother way back at the beginning when I was just a baby and a toddler how she showed me the path, invited me to walk with her on her path until I was enabled to find my own.  I saw some who had forgiven me for hurting or disappointing them.  I saw others who led me back to the path when a recalcitrant me decided to take a senseless side road.  The worship service was over but I was still thinking about the wondrous path of faith.

As I drove home I looked ahead and saw the open path before me.  I realized I will never reach the height of faith until eternity takes me home but I know the path is one where I will learn, be challenged and corrected, and given opportunities to hone my faith skills, to increase my love for you, and develop in ways I cannot know today.

I met you in church this morning and how joyous I am.

God of Sacred Mystery,
thank you
for the journey
this morning.
Thank you
for speaking life
to me.
Thank you
for the gifts
and blessings
you revealed.
Thank you
for hope
and joy
that greet us
every Sunday
in your home.
Forgive me
when I fail
to take gratitude
with me
thereby opening doors
to the journey
of a lifetime
every Sunday morning.

Love always, Andrea

Saturday, March 23, 2013

Dearest God,

Fear paralyzes, shuts off possibilities, destroys hope, and stops everything.  Trust opens doors, gives options, grows faith, and recharges spiritual batteries.

For a short time yesterday I opted for fear.  As I awakened this morning I elected trust because you came to me showing me the way trust works.  Basically when I trust you I can rise to any occasion.  Trust leads to hope.  Trust opens the door to inner peace.  Trust brings joy.  Trust offers courage and strength.  Trust means two of us are doing the difficult task, not just one.  Trust reveals a kind of spiritual yeast that has potential for rising faith.  Why would I ever give in to fear?

God Most High,
creator of
all that
is good
within me,
thank you
for gentle reminders
of the value
of trust,
hope, and faith.
Direct me
to you
every time
I pray.
Forgive my frailty,
my lack
of faith,
my leanings
toward fear,
and my penchant
for following
my own will.
Thank you
for your
loving compassion.

Forever yours, Andrea

Friday, March 22, 2013

Dear God,

The vision of the future is always different when viewed through the lens of faith.  When I fail to pick up the lens of faith, life can appear bleak, without the promise of hope or change.  But when I take hold of the lens of faith, what I see can wow my socks off!

When viewing through the lens of faith, I see not only the beauty of creation but also the love that created it.  I see the tools of faith to transform, reshape, and remake anew.  I see possibilities, no dead ends.  I see grace that forgives and life that can begin again.  I see life all about me but faith gives me more.  I see your sacred presence in all things one way or another.  Why would I ever forget to pick up the lens again?

Merciful God,
remind me
life is good
when faith
is applied
and trusted.
Forgive me
when I
choose not
to see
what faith shows.
Thank you
for faith
that reveals
the truth
that sets us free.

Love, Andrea

Thursday, March 21, 2013

Dear God,

When someone once asked me how I was doing, my immediate response was, "struggling and rising."  Strange I thought but so true.  I was struggling with a painful situation yet as I leaned on you I felt myself rising up out of my sorrow.

You show us how faith is the power to rise from death to new life.  You teach us how faith moves light into the darkness.  You reveal to us faith's ability to reconstruct a faulty belief system, reconcile broken relationships, and renew hope.  You remind us to refresh our faith in you daily.  No matter the situation you can cause us to rise from where we are into the lovely arms of faith that always leads us to you.

Thank you,
Generous God,
for your kindness,
your mercy,
and your love.
Thank you
for daily provisions
that feed
our spirit
showing us
the way
to wholeness.

Love, Andrea

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Dearest God,

You do not allow us to wander from the spiritual path very long.  You call our name.  You whisper to us in the wind.  You come to claim us as your own.

When I find myself wandering from some spiritual illness like disappointment, hurt, misunderstanding, resentment, or bitterness, you cause me to feel restless, unsettled, and pained, not because of the original sorrow but rather from my displacement from the spiritual path that always leads me home to peace, hope, mercy, and love.  You want me to feel the distance from my first love.  You want me to sense what I am missing when faith seems far away.

How grateful I am to be found by you, for taking my hand, and leading me home.

Holy and Wonderful God,
forgive me
for getting
off track,
for following
my own
self-made path
that leads nowhere.
Thank you
for spiritual loops
that turn
us around
to the place
of our
spiritual beginning...again.

Love, Andrea

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Dear God,

Remember when I said Sunday was full of extraordinary events?  One more was my twelve-year-old granddaughter's baptism.  Her church does it differently than my own.  It is not an integral part of the worship service but actually occurs as people are leaving the service. People are talking and the band is playing the postlude.  To the side at the baptistery, a full immersion pool, family and friends stand as the words of faith are asked, the person is baptized and the two turn and walk out.  No pastor, just close family and friends celebrate.

The extraordinary event was first my grandchild's decision to give her life in faith.  She was ready, desirous of fulfilling your desire for her life.   The second was the person she chose to baptize her.  Her twelve-year-old friend had walked with her in faith and she asked her to do the lovely deed.  As the girls waded in, walked around the corner, and stood in front of the standing stained glass window, I looked on as your living presence made itself known.  Brianna asked her to repeat the baptismal vow and she followed and then she bent her backward and down as Gabrielle went deep into the baptismal waters with you.  As she lifted her up and they stood, I thought of the River Jordan where Jesus had been baptized and the numerous persons I baptized there. The look of joy on Gabrielle's face and her friend's was the same as all who make the decision of a lifetime.  Beautiful!

Gracious God,
thank you
for receiving
my grandchild
into your arms
of faith.
Thank you
for her friend
and all those
who influenced
her life
in you.
Thank you
for love
that receives us
every time.

Love, Andrea

Monday, March 18, 2013

Dear God,

I have a week's worth of spiritually extraordinary events that came just today!  What makes them extraordinary?  They are events where you had a hand upon the participants.  No doubt!

This morning in worship when our pastor asked us to consider the best gifts we may have received or given, two came to me along with tears of thanksgiving.  The first came on December 24, 1997 and the other on December 25, 1997.

On Christmas Eve that year my covenant group had met at the Carmelite Monastery for our early morning weekly time together.  As we shared a devotion, prayer, and had begun our time of spiritual sharing, we heard the sound of angels singing.  The music got closer and closer until we realized it was the sisters sharing in their annual tradition of moving through the monastery with their creche and the holy family to prepare each room to receive Christ at Christmas.  They would move from room to room, pause, read a scripture, sing, and then move again.  As they stood singing outside our room, we moved to join them and then they moved once again.  When we concluded our sharing we walked through the doorway into the inner sanctum, down the hallway, around the corner and into the chapel where we all worshiped together with morning prayer, liturgy and Holy Communion.

Following that time they asked me to sit in a circle and one by one alone each sister came to me, placed her hands on my head, back, or shoulders and prayed for my healing from breast cancer.  I remember feeling the hands of angels.  It had to be one of the most meaningful events of my life.

The very next night on Christmas, the evening before my cancer surgery on December 26, my husband held me in his arms and sang hymns to me until I fell asleep.  To feel his loving embrace, to experience the wonder of faith, and to rest in trust left me spellbound and prepared to lose my breast and my cancer.

I realized once again that for me no gift is greater than the gift of love and faith.

You are God;
there is none
like you.
I am grateful
to be counted
as one
of your children.
I am blessed,
so very blessed
for I know
you are
the source,
the true source
of my joy!

Love, Andrea

Sunday, March 17, 2013

Dear God,

The process of cleaning and preparing the garden for its spring blossom reminds me of your work on the human soul.  The garden needs to be cleared of debris.  Only you know how much debris needs clearing in the human soul.  The garden needs cut back.  There are always temptations that need to be trimmed back.  The garden needs old roots pulled up.  There are human roots that date back a long way, roots that are beliefs that still feed on old habits.  The garden needs to be edged in order to have an aesthetic, beautiful look.  The soul needs its own work so our natural beauty can show.

There are so many correlations between nature and the soul.  A garden can teach us much when we work in it and you work in us, in me.

Thank you
for wonderful lessons
learned in
the garden.
Thank you
for nature's
gentle touch.
Thank you
for your
much-needed work
in me.

Love, Andrea

Saturday, March 16, 2013

Dearest God,

I admit it!  In my mind I was making a list of grievances when I found it.  I was working in my garden, clearing debris, cutting back plants, raking leaves, and smoothing mulch when I discovered a small smooth stone.  Once I cleared the dirt, I realized it was a polished purple heart stone. Although I had purchased polished rocks to put around my contemplative garden pond for my grandchildren to find, to my knowledge I never bought a heart stone.  They have all been round.  I could not believe it!  But, of course, I could believe it!

I laughed and then smiled really big.  Of course, you would lead me to a symbol of your living presence.  Although it was not near the pond or my statue of St. Francis (the two most likely places) it was where you knew I would work and find it.  You left it on purpose.  You challenged my attitude.  I sat for a while murmuring my thanksgiving, confessing my sin, and apologizing.  How could I put my hands in the soil of my beloved garden and then sit and complain?  Finally, I stood and walked over to St. Francis, sat down, prayed, kissed the stone, and then put it up close to his heart on his cowl.  I smiled and gave thanks for the amazing afternoon blessing.

Teach me
your way,
dear God;
I am
a slow learner.
Sometimes I get
sucked in
to feeling sorry
for myself
and forget
there is
no reason
to sulk
when I
am in
your presence.
Please forgive me.
Thank you
for your
merciful love
that never,
ever lets go.

Love, Andrea

Friday, March 15, 2013

Dear God,

Forgive my forgetfulness, I pray.  Any time I act as if you do not have enough power to work in me to do your will, I am guilt of forgetfulness.  If I believe your spirit power can help even the vilest offender to do your will, then when I do not act accordingly in the power of faith, I am guilty of sin.  I am sorry.

I must learn to stay steady and strong in the midst of any situation that presents itself before me.  This will not make me perfect or better than any other, it will simply keep me operating from a center of faith.  I want that more than anything.  It is my life's greatest goal to follow your lead in my life.  I am wise enough to know I cannot fulfill your will for my life alone. Besides your power I need your strength, love, and mercy.

I never want to forget you, dearest God, not even for a moment.  I do not want to act as if you do not exist in the crossroads or intersections of life.  When I do, what good is faith if it does not function as my moral and spiritual compass?  Forgive me, I pray.

You are
a generous God;
your power
can lift me up
or take me down
when I need
your challenge.
Make my spirit
constantly aware
of your love
at work
in my soul.
Teach me
to stand
in your mercy
and function
in faith
I pray.

Love, Andrea

Thursday, March 14, 2013

Dearest God,

What a magnificent view outside my study window yesterday morning when thousands of snow flakes were falling right in front of my eyes.  What is incredible was every flake was unique, each one different than all the others.  There were no duplicates, no fake replicas, and no common ordinary white models.  And to imagine...I was privileged to view them.

Sometimes I forget how unique your creation is.  I forget how rare each snow flake, cloud, and rainbow is.  I forget how sui generis each human is made.  I forget to celebrate your astonishing achievements.  After all, there would be no creation, no cosmos, and no collective community without you.  Forgive me, Great Creator, please forgive me.

Thank you for the morning blessing, for reminding me of your creative work, and for allowing me the joy of witnessing your spectacular grace.

Blessed God,
thank you
for unexpected surprises.
Thank you
for reminders
that direct us
to consider
what we
already know
to be true.
Thank you
for faith
that raises
our eyes,
our faith,
our devotion,
and our appreciation.

Love, Andrea

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Dear God,

Today is a blank slate.  The sun has not even yet begun to rise.  I look out into the darkness and I proclaim my faith.  You are God; there is none like you.

It is easy to speak of faith when the light is radiant, glowing in all its glory.  Sometimes it is not as easy when the darkness is all around.  Yet, perhaps the darkness is the best time to declare faith.  It is precisely when it is dark that faith is needed.

I think back over the dark times of my life.  When I had cancer, when my marriage was at an all-time low, when our family was estranged, when my daughter had cancer, when my parathyroid was inadvertently removed during surgery, when my child was having emotional difficulties, when my mother was dying next to me, when my church was struggling, not to speak of times of great national and international darkness like human trafficking, war, and global poverty.  In the midst of overwhelming darkness it is at times very difficult to declare faith; yet, there is no better time.

As I look at today yet unformed while the darkness has reign, you call to me to speak once again.  You are God; there is none like you.

Holy God,
Great Wonder,
thank you
for darkness
that points us
to the light.
Thank you
for light
that reminds us
of the nature
of darkness
and the call
to be light.

Love, Andrea

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Dear God,

Daily you give us opportunity to move forward in faith.  You speak, "Try me and find your way!"  We are never disappointed when we really trust your leading.

Today fed up and full up with bone weariness, an emptiness from giving away so much of myself, and lack of self care, I remembered how your living spirit came to transform me three years ago.  I realized that faith is only as good as we take steps forward practicing life lessons you have taught us.  If we do not live as faithful human beings, how will anyone know we walk with you?  Life's trials are not intended to end our faith but are meant as side journeys of faith that help us grow, mature, climb mountains, take spiritual adventures, and trust in the living author of faith.  Everything that happens can cause us to leap mountains because you raise us up with you.

As I lived out a life lesson this morning by sharing my raw emotions with a trusted loved one, I was met by grace once again.

Heavenly Father,
thank you
for your
gentle kindness,
your mercy,
and your compassion.
Thank you
for every situation
in life
that leads us
back to you.

Love, Andrea

Monday, March 11, 2013

Dear God,

How wonderful you are!  How merciful and kind!

I confess I was crabby this morning as I drove to church.  I was tired from a very hectic week.  I still had a gourmet meal to make and music to sing.  I was not looking forward to being with your family at church.  I am sorry.

Yet, you did not let that stop you from speaking to me.  You were not put off by my attitude and ingratitude. You did not set me aside for not adequately preparing myself to be in your house.  You met me at the door.

You came to me through a characterization of John Wesley and smoke from the snuffed Christ candle.  Who could guess?  A couple of years ago I had seen our district superintendent play the role of John Wesley.  Yet, his impassioned words of faith, his fervor, and his loyalty to the Master spoke to my heart reminding me it is precisely at moments when we are called to do what we do not want to do that faith oozes into us, when grace is made manifest, and when love embraces us.  I was drawn in.

At the end of the service as we sang A Charge to Keep I Have and the child snuffed the Christ candle, the smoke lingered and moved silently outward.  I thought how the light of your love reaches outward to your beloved.  I realized the error of my weary behavior and my lacking of appreciation for all you are in every situation.  I felt the sting of my own sin and at the same time your wondrous and loving mercy.

Gracious God,
thank you
for pouring out
your compassion
upon me today.
Thank you
for breathing
into me
your life-giving breath.
How blessed
I am.

Love always, Andrea

Sunday, March 10, 2013

Dearest God,

How hungry I am for you.  How I desire you above all else.  How thankful and blessed I am to know you.

As I reflect back upon this last week, two retreats, a gourmet meal prepared for friends dedicated to work in Kenya, an all-night stay at the hospital with a friend, and the diagnosis of an upper respiratory infection, I marvel at your kindness to keep steady my boat.  I consider the sights and sounds of your living presence made known in more ways than I can count.  Although very busy, bone weary, sleep deprived, and sick, I remember the gentle cradling, your loving hold on me as I attempted to be faithful.

How can I not praise you for your grace-filled mothering?  How can I not say thank you?  How can I not give the whole of myself to you for your purpose?

Blessed Lord,
Giver of All Good Gifts,
thank you
for the constancy
of your
living presence.
Thank you
for divine sightings
that remind me
to be grateful.
Thank you
for extending
to me
your sweet mercy.
Thank you,
Wondrous Savior,
for unmerited love.

Always, Andrea

Saturday, March 9, 2013

Dearest God,

I came home at 5:45 a.m. after sitting up with a friend all night in the emergency room.  I was very tired and cold.  I crawled into bed beside my sleeping husband.  Our bed was so warm and I felt drawn in, my cold and weariness dissolving so that I felt lulled into sleep.

Even as I lay weary in bed taking in the warmth, I thought how much your loving grace warms our soul in difficult times.  At first it seems a shock when we are cold and lifeless.  But then your compassion seeps into our bodies, minds, and souls and we are warmed by your loving spirit.  Release and relief take place as we receive your wondrous gifts.  Once drawn completely in, joy and peace revel.

Thank you,
Merciful God,
for the
ordinary gifts
of daily life.
Thank you
for the way
in which
they speak
for you,
drawing us
into your
lively spirit.
Thank you
for feeding
our spirit
and giving us
living water
to drink.
Thank you
for the power
that takes
the ordinary
and transforms it
into the extraordinary.

Love, Andrea

Friday, March 8, 2013

Dear God,

Your light can penetrate any darkness.  Darkness does not have the power to ultimately overcome the power of light.  Light can shine revealing the way to truth that can set us free.

How many times have I seen your light break into the darkness of our souls?  How many times have I watched the power of darkness weaken as the light made its way into the deepest hidden places?  How many times have I watched light dispel the darkness that held us captive?  Oh, so many times!

As I reflect upon the two retreats in which I have either lead or participated in in the last week, I celebrate your miracle-working light.  How sweet your light is, how comforting!  How beautiful and grace filled!

How I give thanks to you for your light!

Thank you
for blessing us
with your light,
Great Light of the Cosmos!
Shine upon us
and let us
shine on others.
Show us
the way
to the light.
Then make
our joy full
so it
will spill out
in the form
of light
to the world
around us.
Make us beacons,
I pray.

Love, Andrea

Thursday, March 7, 2013

Dear God,

Is it true that the truths in our soul only rise to the surface when we are ready to explore them?  In our covenant retreat I watched as insights opened new doors to us.  We traveled through and down the hallways seeking for the mystery of faith.  As we paused, waited, and listened, we were lead to our own truths, one in particular.

As I observed your inner workings, I saw love at work once again.  Why else would you offer insights, grace, and healing if it were not for eternity's kind of love?

As we journeyed together, we discovered the power of community to be the salve that anoints and heals.  We remembered your grace who gave us to one another for faith's pilgrimage.  We gave thanks allowing gratitude to return to us so we could use it to express our joy and thanksgiving.

You are God;
there is
no other.
Thank you
for your gifts.
Thank you
for challenges
that remind us
to trust you
so doors
can be opened
to faith.

Love, Andrea

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Dear God,

He stands as a quiet presence in my contemplative garden.  In inclement weather or sunshine he offers peace staving off the temptation to give in to a busy, sometimes chaotic life.  Today his hands hold piles of snow.

St. Francis has been with me for forty years.   The statue has been around for seven or eight.  Many years ago during a very difficult time I had a vision and felt a presence.  No, he did not stand before me; however, he was clear in my mind's eye.  In the interior of my soul he was a monk in dark heavy robes.  He did not speak audibly but I could hear him.  At the time I didn't even know about saints.  He told me his name was John.  Thirty years later in Italy during a spiritual renewal I learned St. Francis was first named John by his mother until his father's return when he named him Francis.  He became very alive to me during the renewal teaching me about faith, trust, love, and hope.  I was moved, inspired, and challenged.

As I made my pilgrimage to visit the homes and sites of saints nearly eight years ago, I allowed my whole self to be changed by their awe-inspired devotion, love, and faith.  You know how much transformation I needed, how cluttered my soul was with resentment and bitterness.  St. Francis was in the midst of all that charging me to renew my mind, heart, and soul.

This morning as I look out my windows at the beautiful wintry scene and see St. Francis, I smile.

Gracious God,
you are
the hope
of the world.
You are
the light
of the world.
You are
the song
of eternity.
Thank you.

Love, Andrea

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Dear God,

As I drove home weary and worn from leading the retreat, I turned on a CD.  Within minutes I heard the singer's words.  "Return to me..."  Tears welled in my eyes as I considered the countless times in my life you sang to me the same words..."return to me."  I thought of the women I had lead on retreat during the weekend.  Each and every one of them had a longing to return to deeper wells of living water and they drank.  They really drank.

On the way home once again I learned a valuable lesson.  You use the ordinary, the common, the daily events of the day to speak to us.  In so many ways you come and engage us.  When our eyes, heart, soul, and mind are open we are enabled to see a layer of spirit world that we do not normally see.  I believe this with all my heart.

As I allowed my mind to remember the last 72 hours, I just breathed my gratitude.  You were our breath, our living water, and our manna from heaven.

Let me sing
your praise,
O God.
You spoke
and we listened.
You loved
and we received.
You fed
and we ate.
You watered
and our thirst
was quenched.
Thank you,
Great and Loving God.

Always yours, Andrea

Monday, March 4, 2013

Dear God,

I am nothing special, nothing.  Yet, I saw you at the door of faith this weekend.  I met you at your table, ate your meal, breathed your air.

I am nothing special, nothing.  Yet, you spoke profoundly this weekend.  Your word pierced the air and rained down on us, on me.

I am nothing special, nothing.  Yet, your tender love penetrated every heart, my heart this weekend.  You came in a wave, a beautiful wave of compassion.  You lingered, loved, and lavished us with goodness.

I am nothing special, nothing.  Yet you enlivened me with boldness to proclaim your living power this weekend.  I spoke your words, opened your door to others, and lead them deeper into the sacred halls of eternity.

I am nothing special, nothing really and yet you lived in me this weekend and in every woman who came away for a hallowed time with you.  We were nothing special, nothing really yet you breathed new life into us.

Praise to you,
Lord God!
Praise to you,
Heavenly Father!
Praise to you,
Powerful Spirit!
Praise to you
for gifts,
blessings and
unmerited grace!
Praise to you,
Living God!

Forever yours, Andrea

Sunday, March 3, 2013

Dearest God,

We each one in turn knelt down and washed the feet of the retreatant on our right.  We held their feet and prayed for your blessing and then dried them.  Minutes later we turned to the left and offered your holy feast to the woman who had washed our feet.  Your spirit filled us with such love.

Who can deny your existence, Great God?  Who can say you do not live among us?  Who can say your love is not present?  As we concluded our retreat together, we challenged one another to live an exceptional life of gratitude using St. Paul's words:  "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of Christ Jesus for you."

Thank you,
Wondrous God,
for holy moments
filled with grace.
Thank you
for making
your presence
visible to pilgrims
on the journey
of faith.
Thank you
for love
that is endless.

Always, Andrea

Saturday, March 2, 2013

Dear God,

The sweet harmonic sound of women singing in the chapel sounded like angels.  Nearly all of us retreatants had decided to participate in morning prayer with the monastic community.  Truly it was the beginning of a profound day of your spirit's breeze blowing upon us.

We had gathered around the theme:  Gratitude:  An Exceptional Way of Living.  We had talked about the benefits of gratitude, the effects of being grateful.  After morning prayer we moved into a discussion of ingratitude.  We had listed characteristics of an ungrateful person.  An artist among us had drawn a picture.  We had laughed and realized we saw traits in ourselves.  Yes, we too were ungrateful people.  But just the night before we had carved space in our own souls, space in which gratitude could dwell.

In the afternoon we moved to building an attitude of gratitude.  We created gratitude journals in anticipation of recording gratitude moments.  We held hands and prayed for one another.

But it was in the evening when your spirit filled our conference room.  We watched a movie clip that displayed the meaningful value of gratitude and the ways in which human lives are deeply inspired when touched by gratitude.  Then a woman among us, a courageous woman who had outlived her tormentors, physical and emotional, spoke sharing a powerful testimony of love conquering evil.  In the end she had said thank you to you, Living God, because she discovered the power of gratitude to overcome.  By night's end we sat on the floor around an altar of hearts and burning candles as we each shared our own story of gratitude.  As we sang in rich harmony in rounds of Father, I Adore You, we all knew your living spirit breeze had touched each one of us.

Breathe on us,
Living God;
breathe on us.
Enliven us
with faith
so our hearts
will wildly pound
with loving gratitude.
We are grateful,
oh, so
very grateful.

Love, Andrea

Friday, March 1, 2013

Dear God,

Thank you for spiritual homes, those spaces of holy ground dedicated to the work of your spirit.  Thank you for residences of eternal love where people can gather and know there is spiritual power and yes, even forgiveness and grace.  Thank you for spiritual people whose hearts beat in rhythm with your very own and who have given their lives to be door openers to faith.  Thank you for monastic women and men who know you, follow you, and make space for you every day.  Thank you for every door you have opened to us.

Today, O Lord, I am so grateful for all the spiritual homes you have opened to me throughout the years.  A grandmother's home, church homes, monasteries, retreat centers, religious sites, and historic landmarks.  Thank you too for planes and trains in which you touched my life.  Even street corners and coffee shops and  bars where there were internet connections so I could write you.  Even garbage dumps where Christian workers minister to generations who live there.  Thank you for all the holy ground where your spirit breeze  blows.

Teach me
to revere
holy ground,
to anticipate
your living presence
everywhere I go.
Open my eyes
to faith
every day
so I
will not miss
the opportunity
to praise you.
Thank you
for all those
who opened
the doors
of faith
for me.
I am
so grateful.

Love always, Andrea

Thursday, February 28, 2013

Dear God,

As I sit here at my computer I anticipate the sun rising.  I anticipate the cold, crisp air hitting me in the face as I step out into the winter weather.  I anticipate enough air to breathe ten minutes from now.  I anticipate your living presence in today.

This morning as I pack up and head out to the monastery to lead a retreat, I anticipate your spirit power to be at work this weekend.  I do not know what you will do, with whom, or how you will do it, I just know you will do something with those who will gather to be close to you.  Each one comes to be inspired by your loving, gracious, holy spirit.  Every woman wants a brush of your presence these next 72 hours.

I anticipate the joy of working with you, opening doors to your spirit, and waiting for you to move.  My role is so teeny tiny, yet, you have chosen me for this work.  I am honored to step back and anticipate...you.

Who is
more powerful,
more gracious,
more loving,
more challenging
than you,
O Lord?
Who cares more?
Thank you
for the blessing
of anticipation,
that heart warming,
soul opening,
mind expanding,
peace giving experience
of faith.

Love, Andrea