Wednesday, May 27, 2015

Dear God,

Although we had a history-breaking snowfall record of more than 100 inches last winter, we are in a season of drought.  The ground is brown in places, flowers are limp, and everything is thirsty.  How can it be?

Somewhere in the human mind we have the idea that each day is to be normal, like 72 degrees.  We judge our day by the way it is off the mark.  If the temperature rises, we complain of the heat, humidity, and the crankiness it can bring with it.  If the temperature drops, we shiver and growl about it being cold and maybe dreary.  We have an expectation that everything should be "normal."

If life is really about the journey and not the destination, then taking the ride of a lifetime in its ups and downs will afford us a spectacular view.  As I consider the twists and turns of the spirit life, I realize the ups and downs give us incredible opportunities to grow, see life anew, and take risks to do things we have never done before.  We are enabled to see life from the underside, the upside, the side  view, the climbing view, and even going-around-the-curve view and it is true, life looks different from differing angles.  Whenever I am going around the curve, I know to hang on to you a little tighter.  When I am going upward, I get to let go altogether leaving my hands available to celebrate and praise you.  When I am going down, I squeeze real close.  In each moment no matter which direction life takes us, you teach us valuable life lessons because life is anything but normal.

Holy God,
giver of life,
thank you
for off-the-mark living.
Thank you
for the seat
right next
to you.
Thank you
for the view
wherever we are
because it
always gives us
a quick picture
of you.

Love, Andrea