Sunday, July 13, 2014

Dear God,

My soul melded with other souls as I bowed to the altar of faith and took my seat in the pew. Almost as quickly as the blink of my eye, I felt at home, my burdened heart at peace.

My sister and her husband had stayed all night and they slept where all my church clothes were hanging so I waited until they awakened.  Since it was almost noon I decided to attend worship at St. Malachy Catholic Church, a worship center that I find to be a place of refuge in time of struggle.

As I frequently do, I opened the door to my heart and mind where you could see the turmoil and difficulties I was facing.  My trust in you so complete, you came near.  Every song spoke to my heart, each scripture reading offering comfort, and the message spiritual food.  When the lay woman read my favorite scripture, Romans 8:18, tears filled my eyes with joy.  I so believe St. Paul when he writes, "I consider this present suffering is nothing to be compared to the glory that will come."  I was so glad to be in your home where you promised your living spirit to reside.

As I made the sign of the cross on myself with all the others departing from church, I could still feel the water on my fingers as I walked to my car in the parking lot.  I made a ball with my hand considering the living water I had received from the morning worship.  I get to carry this water with me throughout my day, I thought to myself.

As I drove away, I sang my praises to you for the gifts so lavishly poured onto me.

You are God;
there is none
like you.
You are
to be
lifted up,
high and holy,
for giving gifts
to the hungry,
the thirsty,
the poor
and needy.
Thank you
for feeding me.

Love always, Andrea