Friday, November 28, 2014

Dear God,

She stood trying to get hand soap out of a container.  I knew this was my opportunity.  I pointed to one I had used.  "Doesn't the word "Salaam" mean peace?"  I asked her.  She smiled at me and that began a conversation.  Before I left she put her hands together as if in prayer and bowed toward me.  I was grateful we had reached out to one another, she a Muslim and me a Christian.

All week long I had sung Let There Be Peace especially after attending the memorial service of a man murdered by terrorists.  I really wanted to create peace so I made a commitment to myself to extend a hand to Muslims that appeared before me at the grocery store, retail stores, and parking lots.  I did not expect to meet one in the public restroom; however, that is where I discovered her. 

I realized the only way for peace to be possible is if each person takes a step of peace toward another.  As the song goes, "Let peace begin me.

Thank you
for the
Muslim woman
you brought
to me,
O Lord.
Thank you
for a willingness
to do
our part
toward peace.
Thank you
for being
a peacemaker.

Love always, Andrea

Thursday, November 27, 2014

Dear God,

Although there are disappointments in life, there is always much more about which to give thanks.  When I fail and fall, often I fall back into your arms remembering my countless blessings.  I usually start with the air I breathe, for without it, there is no life.  You give us breath, O Lord, the breath of life.

As I ponder my blessings, I count faith as three because first, it connects me to you.  Second, it connects me with the deepest part of myself.  Third, it unites me with others.  When I reflect upon faith, I discover the profound influence it has upon human life, particularly my own.  Faith builds bridges.  Faith uncovers strength and courage.  Faith gives power to overcome.  Faith loves forward and backward.  Faith shows us the way to health, healing, and wholeness.  Faith defines the better way.  Faith forgives self and others.  Faith offers opportunities.  Faith reveals the truth that sets us free.  Faith teaches.

On this Thanksgiving Day I praise you.

Thank you,
O God,
for the
many gifts
of life.
Thank you
for faith
and all
its benefits.
Thank you
for your presence.

Love always, Andrea

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Dear God,

Every day I have the privilege of meeting you here.  You call to me and we sit in the quiet.  In time the words come meaning I more often listen for you than speak, a real challenge for me at times.  I cherish these daily times together.

Have I told you the meaning and value of our relationship?  There is none better.  There is not one I love more than yours and mine.  I know I will meet love and not judgment.  I am confident grace will always appear although often I need correction, guidance, and assistance.  I can always count on your compassion and mercy but you remind me compassion and mercy are never possessed but are always meant to be shared with others. 

As I sit here I give thanks one more time.

My heart
is full
of gratitude,
O Lord.
You are
a wonder
to me.
Thank you
for everything.

Love, Andrea

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Dear God,

Who can heal us?  You can.  Who can transform our lives?  You can.  Who can turn our darkness into light?  You can.  Who can give us mercy?  You can.  Who can forgive us?  You can.  Who can fill us with love?  You can.  Who can make us able to do the impossible?  You can.  Who can give us the truth that can set us free?  You can.

Periodically, O Lord, I think of your strength and power.  I reflect upon your goodness and mercy.  I do so because I want to always be mindful of your work in human life.  I want to confirm my faith and trust you.  I want to rid myself of all barriers between us and others.  I want to live in the light remembering the very light is yours.

This morning I read Psalm 32 which reads like a dying man pleading for help.  I remembered having those feelings; yet, I recall being sustained by your living presence.  I knew the darkness was but a challenge to reach for the light.  I knew despair was just one step from hope.  I knew that fear would lead me to love. 

As I walk
this journey
of life,
help me
take into account
all your work.
Help me
be gracious
and grateful.
Guide me
to faith
where the light
always shines.

Love always, Andrea

Monday, November 24, 2014

Dear God,

We remembered, grieved, and celebrated together.  We were truly one body, one people, one community of faith believing in the God we all loved.

We gathered at Clowes Hall to pay tribute to Peter Kassig, the 26-year-old humanitarian who was killed by terrorist hands.  A recent convert to Islam, Peter gave his life to help suffering people.  We who gathered knew the significance of joining together the Islamic and Christian communities because as one body we wanted to make for peace for the whole of humanity.  We wanted to be present for each other.  We wanted to make witness to the faith of us all.  We wanted to offer peace, salaam to one another.  We wanted to touch one another, shake hands, hug tightly, and look into the sad eyes of each other.  We wanted to extend love and mercy.  We wanted to have permission to reach out and make a difference.  We wanted to be one.  I found myself saying, "It is such a blessing  to be with you tonight, to be together."

On the way home I realized even more the joy of being a people together.  I realized if names and titles had not been on the program, we would not have known who was Muslim and who was Christian.  The messages, remarks, and testimonies were all of peace and the extraordinary things one ordinary man in the name of compassionate love did for injured, sick, and dying people in a dangerous war zone.  He was there because he chose to be there to help.

I will never forget the holy hugs we gave each other last night.  I will never look at a Muslim in the same way.  I will reach out because they are kin.

Your way
is always
the better way,
Gracious God.
Thank you
for Peter,
his merciful love,
and his willingness
to give
his life
to aid
the suffering.
Teach us
to be
like him.
Make us one,
I pray.

Love, Andrea

Sunday, November 23, 2014

Dear God,

With you, O God, all things are possible.  Hope arises when we trust in you.

This morning's scripture reading led me to offer you a prayer of thanksgiving.  I knew exactly what the psalmist was talking about.  "There may be tears in the night but joy comes in the morning."  Ps 30:5b  TEV  I know both the sorrow and the joy about which he speaks.  The process of transformation comes from your hands, Merciful God.

When we are in trouble, there is no better place to turn.  As we plead our case, you hear us, help us, and heal us.  It may not always be the way we would choose; yet, we can expect change of some sort.  When we experience your hand upon us, we have nothing better to do than sing your praise and pray prayers of thanksgiving.

Compassionate God,
thank you
for your kindness.
Thank you
for turning us around.
Thank you
for touching
our lives
and making us new.

Love always, Andrea

Saturday, November 22, 2014

Dear God,

What comfort comes to us when we put our hope in you!  Sometimes we conclude life situations are hopeless.  We feel despairing because we can only see dead ends and closed doors.  We think nothing can change.  To the human eye it may look that way; however, we see something else when we look through your divine lens.

This came home to me recently when things looked bleak.  It was hard to see light.  Yet, through a back door you stepped inside and juggled things.  Another look proved me wrong.  I began to see movement of sacred dimension.  I sensed your living spirit at work.  Before long things changed in a most wondrous way.  Through it all you reminded me there are no dead ends or closed doors with you.  How magnificent it was to see your glory shine!  I was brought to faith more deeply as I acknowledged my lack of faith.  When I was enabled to see the light, I bowed down and gave praise.

Holy God,
your spirit
is at work
even if
we cannot
see it immediately.
Thank you
for your light
that shines brightly.
Thank you.

Love always, Andrea

Friday, November 21, 2014

Dearest God,

Ebola is killing thousands but you are with us.
Human trafficking is destroying thousands but you are with us.
Children are starving but you are with us.
Families are coming apart at the seams but you are with us.
Injustice and oppression are damaging countless many but you are with us.
Politicians have forgotten what they originally set out to do, serve the people, but you are with us.
Millions have been displaced by war but you are with us.
Life is hard but you are with us.

You call each of us to do our part to eradicate human suffering.  You remind us to care for one another.  No child is more cherished than another; all are your children.  In the midst of suffering you are with us; we are never alone.

Thank you,
Heavenly Father,
for making
each of us
your children.
Help us remember
we are
one family.
Strengthen us
to function daily
in the knowledge
of your
constant presence.
Thank you.

Love, Andrea

Thursday, November 20, 2014

Dear God,

How can I pray for my own family and forget the world family to which we belong?  How can I pray for healing for my child and fail to pray for all children who are broken, wounded, and starving?  How can I celebrate my blessings and neglect to be part of the blessing of others?

Teach us
to pray
for the
whole world family,
O Lord.
Remind us
we are
part and parcel
of each other.
Show us
the way
to bless
each other,
I pray.

Love, Andrea

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Dear God,

We forget the benefits of transformation when through our own apathy and lack of interest, we remain unchanged.  We forget what new life is like.  We forget the beauty that comes from birth.  We forget what it is like to be in your hands.

So often, O Lord, days turn into weeks and weeks turn into months and months turn into years before we awaken to our own dying.  We cannot see the damage we are doing to ourselves by refusing to return to clay in the Master's hands.  We forfeit so much, a lifetime of hope, peace, and joy when we let time go by without offering ourselves to the change process.

Who does not know how an unremarkable creeping crawler turns into a magnificent winged creature?  Who cannot see the beautiful, exquisite colors the butterfly displays when lighting upon delicate summer blooms?  Such marvel is not to be missed.

We can be like the trusting caterpillar who exchanges his familiar life for an entirely new one.  When we give ourselves to you and trust in your work, we too can rise in spectacular ways showing the world what it looks like to be refashioned in the Creator's hands.  We can give witness to your glorious ability to remake us anew.

Gracious God,
forgive us
when we opt
for lesser lives.
Teach us
your way.
Make us
a new people
fashioned for
love, mercy,
and service,
I pray.

Love, Andrea

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Dear God,

So often we lose our way.  We forget who we were created to be.  We follow paths that can lead us to destruction. 

How do we stay connected to you so that every step we take, we are mindful of your presence?  How do we walk beside you knowing you will help us overcome our temptations and leanings toward sin?  How do we live in gratitude rather than in apathy?

How do we want what you want?

Awaken our senses
to your
living spirit,
O God.
Show us
the way home.
Point us
to the truth
that sets us free,
I pray.

Love, Andrea

Monday, November 17, 2014

Dear God,

Finally the snow came down from heaven and filled me with delight.  My favorite season opened with scenes of winter white beauty. 

I love the seasons and the way you have made them to unfold in the heart of the United States.  I thank you for everything that comes with this season.  When the snow began falling, the sides of my mouth curled up, my eyes squinted, my cheeks moved upward and my mouth began declaring your praise. 

O Lord, you thought of every detail when you created this planet.  You made sure every season had its own kind of rare beauty.  You breathed your love into each one.  You birthed life and showed us how things rise, grow, and die, only to rise and grow again.  You painted every color reminding us of your exquisite handiwork.  You made us allowing us to be captured by your creative imagination.  You gave it all to us blessing us beyond belief.

Thank you,
Wonderful God,
for every blessing.
Thank you
for the seasons,
especially the season
of winter.
Thank you
for the quiet
of winter
that teaches us
to let down
our roots
so we too
will deepen
our life
in you.

Love always, Andrea

Sunday, November 16, 2014

Dear God,

How grateful I am, O Lord, for regular times of worship, for each Sunday that directs me to give praise and thanksgiving with the Christian community.  As Sunday rolls around, I think of you and remember your goodness toward me.  I love the reading of the Word, the music, the common prayer of Jesus, the message, Holy Communion, and the hospitality and friendship of the church. 

When I worship I move out of my own skin and into the heavenly choir of those who love you.  I know I am not perfect, nor worthy of being counted as one of your own; yet, I know I am included with all my flaws and sins.  During worship I have opportunity to pray for my own self asking you to help rid me of obstacles that stand between you and me and me and others.  I also have the chance to pray for the healing and holiness of others at home and around the world.  More than anything I am given the privilege of expressing my gratitude.

High and Holy God,
thank you
for your
wondrous power
that gathers
people together
for worship.
Thank you
for your
living spirit
and time
to breathe in
your light
and grace.
Thank you
for praise
so I
can celebrate
with you
the wonders
of faith.

Love, Andrea

Saturday, November 15, 2014

Dear God,

Nothing is more important than time spent with you, Gracious God.  When we attend ourselves to your plan for our lives, when we quiet ourselves in faith, when we drink in your living water and eat heavenly manna, when we reach out to our neighbor, when we are kind and compassionate, when we listen rather than talk, when we love unconditionally, and when we forgive and move on, we are actively spending time with you. 

I suppose one of the reasons I love the early morning before the sun rises is because it is quiet and tranquil.  There are no distractions.  I can read scripture, pray my prayers, support the hungry and all the various needs on one website, and write you all the while listening for your voice in and through it all.  I can begin my day with intention and delight.

When I watch the darkness slowly fade in the morning and the light commences its process of coming forward, I love it.  I feel joy and peace.  I feel  a sense of wonder.  I feel a new beginning.  I sense your presence in the world and I know that I know that I know you are present.  What can be better?

Holy God,
thank you
for all
your many gifts.
Thank you
for blessing us
with faith.
Thank you
for giving us opportunity
to welcome you
in the
early morning.

Love always, Andrea

Friday, November 14, 2014

Dear God,

As we drove in our car on our way to have dinner with a friend, I sang along with the cantata tape learning my Christmas music.  As I sang Let There Be Peace on Earth, my husband recalled to mind our time in Russia in 1988 when we stood at a small Russian Orthodox Church just outside Moscow and sang the song to a group of babushkas. 

It was a historic time in their nation and in ours.  We were there to celebrate 1,000 years of Christianity, Pentecost, and the Peace Summit all taking place at the same time.  Our hearts were genuinely warmed as we worshipped daily for two weeks.  The song drew us to want peace for these aged faith-filled women, their church, their families, their nation, and our world. 

As I continued to sing in the car, I was flooded with love for all the world's peoples.  How could I possibly want peace for our nation alone?  I wanted hope to return to every nation experiencing war.  I wanted peace to be possible for every person on the planet.  I realized when singing that I was really praying in song for peace for everyone.

Sing a song
of peace
to us,
Almighty God;
put your song
on our lips
and in
our hearts.
Make us
a people
of peace.
Teach us
your loving way,
I pray.

Love, Andrea

Thursday, November 13, 2014

Dearest God,

When we keep an eye and ear open, we can find you in our midst.  We can see your face in an unfolding event.  We can hear your voice in the rustle of the wind.  We can know your presence because you live with us and challenge us to be daily attentive to your living spirit.

After facing some difficulties in the last few days, I opened myself to witness faith alive.  And as so often happens, I discovered you waiting for my attention.  I put my Christmas cantata tape in the car player and I listened as the message of Christmas came to life in me.  I hummed and sang and allowed my tears of frustration to flow.  In the melodic sounds of the wondrous mystery of the manger, I breathed in your spirit releasing all my pent-up emotions.

You are
a wonder
to me,
O God.
Your sweetness
turns me around
challenging me
to live
by faith daily,
trusting you
to lead me.
Guide my path,
I pray.
Receive my prayer
of praise
and thanksgiving.

Love, Andrea

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Dear God,

As the scriptures says, "I long for you, O Lord, like a deer pants for water" so do I long for you, Living God.  Your love and mercy, your wisdom and kindness, and your challenge and correction draw me to you.  There is no one who cares for me like you, O Lord.

You bring life to me, dear God.  You enliven my spirit and cause my soul to open to you.  You help me distinguish between truth and falsehood.  You offer me light in my darkness.

There is no relationship like the one we have with you, O God.  Today in the darkness of the early morning I give thanks.

I offer to you,
my undying devotion,
Loving God.
I offer to you
my praise
and my thanksgiving.
Help me
drink daily
from your hand.

Love, Andrea

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Dearest God,

This morning when I concluded my early morning prayers, I opened my eyes in the dark room and looked up.  There through the shadow of the old maple tree I saw diamonds sparkling in the night skies.  I blinked my eyes and then just stared.  What a wonderful and beautiful surprise!

As I crept into the hallway so as not to disturb my husband's sleep, I thought of the stars.  In the spring, summer, and fall I would not see the twinkling beauties because they would have been covered by the leaves.  Nevertheless, they were still there.  So much are the stars like faith.  Sometimes faith seems veiled but that does not mean it is not present.  A closer look from a different angle can reveal wondrous surprise.

I realize we cannot afford to look at life from only one dimension.  If we do, we will miss more obvious signs.  If at times we think we see nothing, no hope on the horizon, we need to take a second, third, and fourth look.  What may seem absent may be just hidden momentarily.  Moving from where we stand, lie, or sit may help give us a clearer picture and a scene of sacred wonder.

Thank you
for unexpected surprises,
dear God;
thank you
for sparkling beauty.
Thank you
for your kindness
that keeps
extending itself
to us.
Thank you
for making us
great benefactors
of your
incredible and
wondrous mystery.

Love, Andrea

Monday, November 10, 2014

Dearest God,

It is still dark outside.  The sun will rise soon.  The light will come.

After my morning prayer, I rose to begin my day.  When I started to write, I thought of how you infuse mus with light in the darkness.  I reflected upon the way our days are planned, the moon gives way to the sun and the sun gives way to the moon so there are defined times of light and darkness.

A little later I thought of how you want us to be light too.  You give us many opportunities to shine, to radiate your light, bringing hope, faith, and peace to those around us.  As you fill us with your light, you expect us to walk in the light so others will see their way.

Sometimes, O Lord, we are tempted to keep the light for ourselves, to store it up for dark days, and to be stingy.  We are shocked when we find our light diminishing only to discover that light that is not radiated outward slowly fades.  Eventually the light will give way to the darkness.

Teach us
to be light,
O Lord.
Shine upon us
so we
can glow
for others.
Help us
become light
for the
whole earth,
I pray.

Love, Andrea

Sunday, November 9, 2014

Dear God,

The words of the psalmist are powerful and life-giving.  "He is like a tree that grows beside a stream; it gives fruit at the right time, and its leaves do not dry up."  Faith is like the tree.  Oh, to settle our roots beside a stream where living water is always available, where it nourishes faith to life so it can live forever.

So often you remind me just how powerful faith is when connected to you as its living source.  When faith has the opportunity to drink and feed on your living spirit, it flourishes even in very dry environments.  It can renew, restore, and revitalize the human soul.

It is wondrous to consider how your living well never dries up.  It is ever-full and ever-flowing.  When I think on the number of times I have bent down and drunk from the stream, I too am ever-full and ever-flowing because I know the gift, the blessing of living water to a dry and weary soul.  Nothing refreshes like your living water.

When I find myself in a dry place, I think of your well and at once I realize my situation is not hopeless.  I recognize your living water has restorative values if I am willing to bend and drink. 

Make me
like the tree,
O Lord;
settle my roots
in you.
Thank you
for your
living water
that miraculously transforms.
Thank you
for your love
ever present
to us.

Love always, Andrea

Saturday, November 8, 2014

Dear God, 

The sound of laughter rang a bell with heaven.  My two teenage granddaughters and I spent the night and all day together.  So many times we fell into laughter tickled by one thing or another.  We simply could not help ourselves.  We had so much fun that they asked to stay another night.

When I started writing you in 2005, my intent was to look daily for heavenly events and write you about them.  I suddenly began to see the connection between the human and the divine.  I found you in so many ways that I was astounded.  I found great delight in the anticipation of sacred touches and inspiration.  On difficult days I discovered you in the trial helping me to cope.  On doubt-filled days I experienced you prodding me to look deeper for faith.  On fear-ridden days I felt your warm embrace reminding me that love can hold us while we work to overcome our troubles.  On wondrous days of celebration I knew your joy.

As I considered Sophie and Gabrielle's request to spend another day and night together, I realized the gift of their presence and yours, I smiled and quietly gave thanks to you.

Loving God,
thank you
for the awareness
of your
living presence
in the world.
Thank you
for your generosity.
Thank you
for memories
that feed us
when we
are alone.

Blessings to you always, Andrea

Friday, November 7, 2014

Dearest God,

We sang to high heaven.  We turned the radio up and sang all eleven songs together.  I looked over at my teenage granddaughter and I smiled real big.

I knew I was sitting in the middle of a wondrous blessing.  I remembered when this little girl was born creating great physical trauma for my daughter.  Bleeding heavily we thought she might die.  My newborn granddaughter was screaming so I simply put my pinky finger in her mouth and sang, "You are my sunshine, my only sunshine.  You make me happy when skies are gray.  You'll never know dear how much I love you.  Please don't take my sunshine away."  I sang for a long, long time as she clamped down on my finger.  Finally, she contentedly sucked on her first pacifier until she fell asleep surprisingly at the same time my daughter came out from under the dark, threatening cloud.

For fourteen years Gabrielle has given me great joy.  We have hunted for Christmas trees, camped out in a tent, made crafts, read together and played together, baked cookies, prayed, worshipped, laughed, sung and danced together.  As I watched my faith-filled granddaughter singing and playing her pretend harmonica to the song, On The Road Again, I breathed a grateful prayer of thanksgiving.

Thank you
for the light
I see
in my
granddaughter's eyes.
Thank you
for her
effervescent smile.
Thank you
for her
undying faith
that connects us
to one another
and to you.

Love always, Andrea

Thursday, November 6, 2014

Dear God,

Thank you for the deep roots of faith, for the amazing way you call us to attention by faith, and for speaking to us through faith when life shake ups come our way.  We learn very quickly just how deep or shallow our roots really are.

I was caught by surprise today.  I had to take stock in faith to help me balance myself.  As I leaned in to you, I heard your voice speak once again and I found peace in your words.

Everlasting God,
thank you
for quiet moments
of faith.
Thank you
for roots
and for
all those
who helped
shape faith.
Thank you
for your compassion
that is eternal.

Love, Andrea

Wednesday, November 5, 2014

Dear God,

Remembering, remembering your many acts in human history, what gift is ours to remember your goodness, O Lord.  Early this morning my covenant group met with each other in a conference call.  I read the psalm and we practiced silence.  In the silence we thought of you.

We remembered together the work of your hand.  One called to mind your kindness when she was a young child.  In her pain you spoke to her through nature.  The animals became her friends and there she found safety, acceptance, and mercy. 

As we continued to remember we found ourselves once again in the desert, the dwelling place where we learned many valuable lessons.  It was by the river where my nature friend found herself once again after a very long time.  We celebrated together your thoughtfulness and generosity.

When we closed we could say with the psalmist, "I will always put my hope in you.  I will praise you more and more."

Compassionate God,
thank you
for the ability
to search
and find you.
Thank you
for memory
where your
many graces
are stored.
Thank you
for spiritual friends
with whom
to wander
desert pathways.

Love, Andrea

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

Dear God,

You have a wonderful way of drawing us back to you.  Sometimes we wander off, not so much to reject or resist you but rather just to do our own thing.  Often we do not think of you.  But then, someone or something will trigger a reaction in us and suddenly, we are flooded with a memory, a song, an act or deed, a prayer, a thanksgiving, or even an unexpected mercy.  We don't have to run to you because you keep up with us all along the wandering way.

In the hectic busyness of my day today, somewhat irritable and impatient, I remembered the desert.  I recalled many desert thoughts and celebrated your countless many offerings.  I thought of your generosity, kindness, and compassion.  I stopped what I was doing and breathed in your spirit realizing there was no need for my irritability and impatience.

You drew me back this afternoon and I paused to give you thanks.

Holy God,
thank you
for compassionate power
than can
convert us.
Thank you
for drawing me
to your side.
Thank you
for reminding me
of living grace.

Love, Andrea

Monday, November 3, 2014

Dear God,

As I daily read the psalms, I hear the psalmist ask how long it will be before you move to change the situation for your people; however, when I pray the psalms it seems to me the real call is to the people to change, not you.  Do you ever weary of our nearly useless prayers?

It seems our prayers are always asking you to do all the work of faith.  God, do this; God, do that.  Is that what you want us to do?  Or do you ask us to partner with you in the work of transformation?  When I listen to my own prayers, my own askings, I realize I am a poor partner when I expect you to do my work.  I confess my expectations are often ones I have for you and not for myself. 

As I consider the work of faith, I realize faith is a verb not a noun.  If it is true you give us every resource we need to live a faith-filled life, then as partners we will hold up our part of the transformation equation.  We will give joy rather than always ask for it.  We will give peace as well as live like peace-loving people.  We will give hope and live hopeful lives.  We will return praise and thanksgiving daily recognizing the value of faith to change us.

Good and gracious God,
thank you
for the gift
of faith.
Thank you
for opportunities
to do
faith's work.
Thank you
for the joy
and gladness
that comes
when we partner
with you
in faith
not only
to change
the world
but to make
the world
a more
beautiful place
for all people.

Love, Andrea

Sunday, November 2, 2014

Dear God,

Following your lead I went to church early to be fitted for a choir robe.  My heart was heavy, filled with sadness and longing; yet, you urged me on calling me to trust you to do your new thing in me.  As we practiced our song and began the trek to the sanctuary, tears welled in my eyes.  As soon as I sat down in the choir loft and looked out for a face I knew, I felt very alone.  I blinked my eyes so my tears would stay put.  It was when the pastor invited us to stand and sing that I suddenly realized you put a song within my heart so I could be filled up with you.  As I sang I felt the "blues" fading and my heart swelling with love and appreciation for grace that works.

All throughout the service you spoke to me about hope, trust, and faith.  When I pointed out to you there was no one I knew, you asked me to take another look.  Then it came to me.  I was looking into the many faces of Jesus.  This was his family and I was part of his family.  A few minutes later as the family started down the aisle for Holy Communion, I saw Joyce who winked at me.  A retreatant and member of a former church, we both smiled somehow realizing you were at work.

At the close of the service a member of the choir took me by hand and walked me back to the sanctuary to meet her son who was also a United Methodist pastor.  When the pastor walked between us on his way back to the church office, he whispered to the visiting pastor that I was a good woman.  Like a child I felt welcomed, affirmed, and blessed.

You are God;
there truly is
none like you.
You guide us
when we
are willing
to follow.
You show us
the way.
Thank you
for your blessing.
May I be
a blessing
to you today,
I pray.

Love, Andrea

Saturday, November 1, 2014

Dear God,

Make your way clear to us, O Lord; show us your will.  When the way is unclear and we are muddled in our thinking, how can we know your way and fulfill your will?

Sometimes we walk in fog.  When we can't even discern where we are, how can we walk in faith when we can't even see the light?  So often circumstances are such that we are completely mired down, paralyzed, unable to move forward or backward, stuck in place.  Fear taunts us making us believe we are trapped, without resources to break free.  We remain where we are because we don't know what else to do.

In the midst of difficulty, you speak to us.  You will know the truth and the truth will set you free.  There is perhaps no greater words than these spoken by one who not only knows the truth personally but is the truth.  As we feel ourselves sinking deeper and deeper, these words, your words bring relief.  In those moments hope is born and suddenly we feel capable of moving, of freeing ourselves, and of rising out of our tomb.  You inspire us to take action and as we wiggle and wriggle to release the grip of fear upon our souls, the light begins to shine brighter and we reach toward it finding our way to you.

Almighty God,
you are
the power
of faith.
You give us
strength, courage,
and determination
to rise
out of difficulty.
Guide us
to trust you
in every circumstance,
I pray.

Love, Andrea

Friday, October 31, 2014

Dear God,

I listen to the psalmist pray for your help regarding his enemies.  I watch a World War II movie where men conspire and kill their enemies.  In both cases it is the story of we versus them, we always being the "good" guys while them are considered the "bad."  Why must we consider the other to be bad and ourselves as good?  Why can't we regard one another as us?

What do you want to say to us, O Lord?  What do you want to tell us about the human race, individuals within it?  What do you want to share with us about enemies?  Aren't the enemies we ourselves?  Aren't we all enemies when we fail to live up to the call to love one another?

Who sets the standards for human living?  Who has the right to judge the worthiness of human beings?  How can we change the way we look at one another?  How can we come together to transform all ourselves and make a better world for all?

Show us
the way
to live
as lovers
of humankind,
Great God.
Teach us
to love
one another
as you
love us.
Teach us
how to
transform ourselves
and our world.

Love, Andrea