Saturday, May 23, 2015

Dear God,

The fence fell down.  Erected about fifty or so years ago a split rail fence was erected by the current owners.  It divided our property from the neighbor's.  It served to remind everyone they were on separate sides.

A few days ago when the fence fell, everything on "their" side looked different.  The reason it fell was the oak wood at the ground level simply rotted and three sections dropped.  As I stood and looked at it, I was amazed at how a simple fence changes things.

As I considered the spiritual life, I reflected upon the fences in my own family life.  Generations of relationships severed by fences.  Aunts, uncles, cousins, mothers and daughters separated by nonsense.  Once the fences were put up, it was really difficult to cross over.  Of course, both sides blamed the others for erecting the steel barriers and year after year went by.  Some died without reconciliation, no peace.  The fences were too tall, too menacing, no way over, under, or around so they gave up and died.

What I have learned in the spirit life is you are powerful enough to tear down fences we erect.  You want us to reconcile ourselves to you, to ourselves, and to others.  Yes, it is true there are sometimes heinous crimes that separate us; yet, you assist us in our bleeding.  You want to heal us, make us new, and give us and others a chance at a better life.  As we allow you to rip out the fences that separate us, we find you standing where the old fence stood and indeed, things do look different.

Thank you,
Heavenly Father,
for the gift
of grace
and reconciliation.
Thank you
for the power
to destroy
what separates us.
Please give us
the ability
to restore
and renew ourselves
with your help.
Make us peacemakers,
with hearts
filled with mercy
and love.
Help us create
a new landscape
where there
is only
one side,
yours.

Love, Andrea