Thursday, November 19, 2015

Dearest God,

When pain is all we have, you invite us to look deeper to discover the wonders of creation.  When we weep over great loss, you invite us to draw near to the air of love.  When we despair, anguish, and are tempted to give up all hope, you invite us to listen to nature sing.

What can I possibly know of the personal loss of war, poverty, famine, violence, and terrorism?  I sit in my comfortable home with everything I need.  Yet, when I hear the story of great pain in others, I feel a rip and tear in my own heart.  I am supposed to.  It is your master design that we feel humanity's pain, that we bow down and pray, and that we change our own attitudes, beliefs, and actions toward others.  It is always a call for a clean up of the human soul.

In the process of agonizing, sorrowing, and healing, you give us glimpses of the best in creation.  You give us sunrises and sunsets that can never be fully captured by the artist's brush.  You give us the sound of birds singing, children playing, and families sharing I love you.  You give us breath to keep on breathing, the ability to reclaim our faith and peace, and the assurance that life goes on with a greater resolve to become people of courage, compassion, and love.  You remind us no one can steal these from us.

Almighty God,
lift our eyes
to the heavens
so we
may see
the beauty
of creation.
Open our ears
so we
may hear
the sounds
of nature.
Open our minds,
hearts, and souls
to the working
of your
blessed Holy Spirit.

Love, Andrea