Monday, September 28, 2015

Dearest God,

Memories.  When people we love leave us, when priceless moments conclude, when babies are born, when children leave home, when school proms, homecomings, and family reunions are over, when relationships change, when we sell our family home, when we say goodbye, or when we retire, we are still left with the precious memories.  They are like a treasure trove of goodness, prized gems we can pick up any time, hold them in our hands, and revel in their value.

Sometimes I miss my grandmother or my mother.  But then I pause and remember.  Sometimes I forget a detail of a special event but then I pause and reflect and the memory surfaces to bless again.  Sometimes I just want to return to a miracle, a special grace, or a faith event and there before me images come and I remember.  Sometimes I go back to an especially challenging time when it seemed there was no way out and despair began to form over me; yet, you came and lifted me up out of the mire.

The beautiful gift of memory is that you are with us.  When we look more deeply, we discover your presence in every situation.  We see your hand holding ours and we hear your encouraging words nudging us forward.  We remember and we find you.

Thank you,
Beloved,
for the
many gifts
of your spirit.
Thank you
for memory
that holds
all our
life events.
Thank you
for faith
that gives us
the opportunity
to discover you
in the midst
of our lives.
Thank you,
O God,
thank you.

Love, Andrea