Sunday, October 20, 2013

Dear God,

I watched the elderly lady play the piano in the tiny rural church.  Celebrating her 63rd wedding anniversary she is 80 plus years old but what struck me the most was her arthritic, age-spotted hands.  They reminded me of my grandmother's hands who also played the piano in church for decades.  I gazed at her smile as she slowly played old hymns.  In her presence I was convicted of an irritable spirit.

When I used to be around my grandmother, I could never be angry for long.  Her winsome spirit, her faith, and her love inspired me to be a better person.  One look from her melted my heart causing me to rise up from wherever I was to wherever I could be with you.  She lived out of love.  I never heard her say a bad word about anyone or treat anyone poorly.

In the presence of holy love, who can hold on to resentment, fear, bitterness, or jealousy?  Who would want to darken the space with anything less than love?  Who would not want to surrender whatever ails the human soul in the face of such light?

There in the church pew I asked your forgiveness.  I said I was sorry and asked for your help.  I felt my burden lifted by love.

Holy Spirit,
power of the cosmos,
thank you
for your
convicting hand.
Thank you
for reminding me
of faith
that helps
sway us
from resentment
to patience.
Show me
the way
to trust.
Help me
when I fail,
I pray.

Love, Andrea