Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Dear God,

How do you know us?  When you think of any one of your children, what first comes to mind?

Today when I asked about a person, I heard her described the same way as a year ago, by her mistake.  Rather than sharing positive qualities about the person she just reminded me of her deed. When I knew her, she was sweet and caring.  She had to put up with a number of challenging life issues including raising two children on her own, often not financially supported by their fathers.

That made me wonder how you think of us.  Do you first lift up our sin?  Do you look upon us with disdain?  Have you nothing more to say about us than this?

One of my great challenges is to reflect upon those who have hurt my husband and me.  Far too often when their faces come to mind, I feel a rush of sadness and then anger because I consider them by their unjust behavior.  If I go no further, I remain in an emotional upheaval.  However, by faith you urge me to reconsider my thoughts and my attitudes.  Just by coming to me with mercy, I bow my head because I realize you know every sin I have ever committed and, yet, you extend your love to me. You are kind and gentle and you expect the same from me.  You urge me to change myself, to reframe the difficulty, and to look upon the situation with compassionate love. You ask me to pray for them because you know praying will not only open the door to healing for others but also to me.  You transform me through prayer.

As I walk the spiritual path, you ask me daily to remember your everlasting love.  You send signs and symbols that translate that love.  When music opens my heart to you, I realize it is a sign of your loving spirit.  When a living word comes to me, it is a symbol of your presence.  All day long life presents images and sounds of your love in the world and I feel embraced by the only one whose love never goes away.  As I breathe in this light, I am aware I too need to be light as I deal with the sometimes harsh realities of life.

Great and Wondrous Teacher,
thank you
for lessons
that teach us
to be more
like you.
Forgive us
when we fail
to forgive others.
Remind us
of your love
that provides us
a fresh
new day
to begin anew.

Love, Andrea