Sunday, June 3, 2013

Dearest God,

Where in the world can we go to look into your face, to hear your voice, and to experience your sweet spirit?  We go to your beloved home, the church.

While church may not always be what we want it to be because we humans are part of it, still it is yours, your presence resides there.  Your love is present because your word is spoken.

This morning as I entered the doorway of your house, I smiled because I anticipated a special time with you. I knew my heart would beat fast as we sang old and contemporary hymns.  I knew our time together as a community of faith would be rich as each one of us brought our faith with us hoping, believing it would be strengthened and enriched.  I knew I would discover you in the worship service particularly as we made our personal pilgrimage down the center aisle to partake in Holy Communion.  As we bowed for prayer, I knew you would wander among us touching us on the place where it hurts.  As the service concluded and we gathered to fellowship where smiles are everywhere and where they are not, someone will bring one to us, we offered our gift of joy to one another.  As we moved into our cars and drove away, I knew we would take our gifts with us to share with people around us.  I knew.

Most Gracious God,
why are
we so blessed
by you?
Why do
you give us
so much?
Forgive us
we pray
when we
walk away untouched,
uninspired because
we have
not fully opened
our hearts
to you.
Teach us
your way
and help us
to receive you
so we
can give you
away.

Love, Andrea