Monday, August 4, 2014

Dearest God,

When hearts are opened to your message of faith, we see, touch, taste, smell, and hear your living spirit.  We know you are with us because it is evident through all our senses.

The theme of our retreat, The Inner Journey of Faith, took us to Spiritual Food, yesterday's topic.  As we worshipped together in Taize form, we were offered fruit of the vine communion, spiritual food at your table.  What delight it gave us since we did not expect Holy Communion at church.  Later in the day we participated in a Farm to Chef Celebration where farmers, brewers, and chefs came together to provide a magnificent feast of fresh, organic foods.  As we ate and drank from the produce provided by the earth and sea, we marveled in the goodness of the conserved land, the organic gardeners, the skilled chefs, all committed to providing the healthy best for local people.  In our time together we truly celebrated your good earth and the other gifts of those who tend it in so many ways. We recognized the sacred in all we experienced.

Just before bedtime we talked about your spirit food and the countless ways you feed us.  Our hearts and bellies were full of your goodness.

Holy God,
lover and creator
of all,
thank you
for the blessing
of good land,
food, and those
who tend
and prepare it.
May we
regard it
with holy hands
and thanksgiving.

Love, Andrea