Thursday, February 12, 2015

Dear God,

Thank you for special friends whose lives of faith speak profoundly to those around them.  Thank you for their witness that challenges us to rise to higher levels of faithful living.

As we ate lunch at the Friendly Tavern, a local spot with really good food, we talked faith.  My dear 83-year-old friend radiated the beauty of Christ as we shared together.  She talked of an important transition she is making, leaving her apartment for what she called "the home."  Hesitant to live among walkers, wheelchairs, and canes, she said, she realizes it is the best decision for her as she too lives with the aging process.

It was the discussion of the costs of breaking a lease, losing her deposit, paying two extra months of rent at the apartment and a costly deposit at the home, another deposit for her cat, and an extra month's rent that had her in a dither.  As she looked over her finances she realized the only place she could cut back was her church tithe.  She thought about it and thought about it and decided she simply would not cut her tithe.  She would not take the money from you to move forward in her decision.  She decided that was that.  She continued to pray for a solution.  A few days later she learned that a doctor's note would rid her of all the expenses of the apartment.  At another conversation at the home she was told she did not have to pay an additional amount for the cat.  Saving thousands of dollars she was able to determine she could move after all.  (And this is where the beautiful radiating smile took place)  She shared, "I know the reason everything fell into place like it did.  It was because I refused to cut back on my tithe and instead relied on God to help me.
As I continued to listen to my friend, I gave thanks to you because I knew what she said was true.

Thank you
for holy moments
even in
a tavern
where your light
can still shine
among your people.
Thank you
for living faith
that challenges us
to live
faithful lives.
Thank you
for holy intersections
where you
speak to us
reminding us
to trust you
once again.

Love, Andrea