Tuesday, October 20, 2015

Dear God,

Recently at a gift shop you drew me to a picture of Pope Francis who stands in an outdoor setting, sunlight shining through the trees.  His right hand is raised toward the light and he is smiling, blessed with the warmth of faith.  I picked it up and decided to buy it.  It sits on my desk.

Each time I look at the photo, I think of you.  I think of your merciful love, the joy of your light, and the hope and peace you offer.  He and you call me to faith, to trust, and to love. 

Like the icons I stood before in the Russian Orthodox Church in Moscow and other cities back in 1988 at the millennial celebration of Christianity in the Soviet Union, the picture of Pope Francis draws me close to you.  Sitting next to my bible, book of worship, and hymnal, I realize your call to us is a daily one.  You use what is at hand to speak to us of faith, devotion, and love.

Blessed God,
thank you
for daily reminders
of faith.
Thank you
for your
living presence
that calls us
to you.
Thank you
for Pope Francis,
for his faith,
his love,
and his devotion.

Love always, Andrea