Sunday, August 23, 2015

Dearest God,

The morning hymn sing blessed my soul as I listened to every word of every song.  I listened as we sang of faith, faith alive, faith renewed, faith restored, faith reconciled, and faith challenged.  I breathed in the joy that came to us.

But it was when the guest organist and pianist played "Blessed Assurance" that literally the halls of heaven opened to me.  Having closed my eyes to listen with the whole of me, I saw the deep and wide halls, lighted up, inviting.  I let the song draw me in and I rested in your loving, living presence. 

As the service continued you spoke to me through the morning anthem.  As we sang, "I then shall live as one who's been forgiven..." you revealed a prized moment of forgiveness you imparted to me some time ago and how that forgiveness soothed my soul and challenged me to forgive others.  You opened the window to trust in you that would help me reach out to those who hurt me.  You showed me how divine forgiveness opens the door to human forgiveness.  You replayed my YES to you as we sang, "So greatly pardoned, I'll forgive my brother; The law of love I gladly will obey." 

Blessed God,
you speak
every day
to your children.
You stretch us.
In giving us gifts,
you invite us
to gift others.
You remind us
forgiveness from one
always requires
forgiveness for others.
Teach us
your way.
Blessings to you,
Lord,
blessings to you.

Love, Andrea