Wednesday, December 30, 2015

Dear God,

We gather by phone every Wednesday, each of us in our own homes or at the monastery.  We greet one another.  One person leads us to silence, offers a devotion, and then prays.  One of us shares a slice of our lives.  We are then quiet, waiting for the leading of your spirit.  We share as we are nudged asking questions, sharing visions, and offering hope, faith, and love.  At the end of the hour we pray once again giving thanks to you.

Today our sharing led our colleague to new insights, an unexpected challenge, and joy overflowing.  As we lived in the spirit moment we knew you had moved among us once again. 

Bless you
for blessing us,
O Lord.
Your spirit nudge
is the best
in all
the world.
Thank you
for our group,
for our faith
in you
and one another.
Thank you,
Heavenly Father,
for the
wondrous gift
we share.

Love, Andrea

Tuesday, December 29, 2015

Dear God,

"My eyes have seen your salvation."  Simeon prayed to you giving thanks for Jesus and then he surrendered himself into your hands.  This story always touches me deeply.  I look forward to reading it in December every year.

You open our eyes to you, O Lord; you allow us to participate in your salvation.  You challenge us to keep our eyes open to see your salvation.  Every time a miracle occurs, an insight comes, a healing repairs, an unexpected grace appears, or hope is born, we witness your salvation.  You save us over and over.  You give us your unconditional love and bless us with faith.

Every year Simeon is a witness to Christian faith.  He calls to us not from the grave but from eternity to turn our eyes toward you.  He knows the benefits, the utter joy, and all the blessings that come when we open our eyes, our ears, our mind, our heart, and our soul to you.  He offers the same to us.

Bless you, Lord,
and bless
your servant Simeon.
Thank you
for those
who inspire us
long after
they have passed
from death
to life.
May we
bless you
with our faith.

Love always, Andrea

Monday, December 28, 2015

Dearest God,

How good it is to come to you first thing in the morning.  How good to listen for your voice, to dwell in your presence, and to quiet myself for you. How good, O Lord, how good.

As the lights twinkle on the tree just to my left in the living room and to my right outside on the patio, I think of you and the reason for putting up Christmas lights.  When I look into the faces of my children and grandchildren, pictures sitting on my desk in front of me, I count my blessings and think of you and your many gifts.  When I look up at the homemade wire and simple symbols of the cosmos made by Catholic sisters in Illinois, I think of you and breathe in joy.  When I look at my bible and devotion book waiting to be read after writing, I think of you and faith, its beauty, its grace, and its wisdom.  When I look at the picture of a smiling Pope Francis, his hand upstretched toward the light, I think of you and your love.  When I look at the stand-up calendar entitled, Treasures and Truths of a Hope-filled Life given to me by my covenant group member, I think of you and the wonder of faith, devotion, and trust.  When I look at my scribbled calendar before me, I think of you and the gift of health you have given me to live my life meaningfully.  When I listen to the faint sounds of a Christmas tune playing on the clock in the entryway, I think of you and the song of faith at Christmas.  As I look all around me, I see you, dear God, because each thing directs me to you.

Living God,
thank you
for faith
that always
leads me
to you.
I am blessed.
Thank you
for the blessings.

Love, Andrea

Sunday, December 27, 2015

Dear God,

Remnants of Christmas joy remain in the air!  Reflections of being with family, grandchildren, covenant group, and my covenant sister Jan all spending time with us in December continue to bring joy to my heart.  Attending special events, programs, and activities remind me of the power of Christmas to bring joy.  As I get ready for our Christmas movie extravaganza and games with grandchildren on Tuesday, I am counting my blessings!

I realize life is not about hoping for more but reflecting upon what has already been given.  As I consider all my Christmas gifts of presence, not presents, I sit in blessing and give thanks.

Holy God,
giver of all good gifts,
thank you
for Advent,
Christmas,
and all
the special days
of the season.
You are
my greatest blessing!

Love, Andrea

Saturday, December 26, 2015

Dear God,

You make all things holy through faith.  Only you have the power to transform!

Yesterday morning, Christmas Day, I walked into the dark living room and plugged in the Christmas tree and the mantle lights.  Although the tree was a Charlie Brown tree, one you could see through, it was beautiful.  As I looked at the tree that I have made fun of since the first of December, the words that popped out of my mouth were directed to you, "Your light makes all things holy."  The tree was beautiful, the lights glowing, the happy snowmen faces smiling, the ornaments reflecting the light, the angel standing atop the tree, and the pine, a meaningful symbol of your creation.

As I reflect upon this Advent and Christmas, I realize it was one of the best, not because I attended many programs, concerts, and activities or because I received many thoughtful gifts but rather because I witnessed your love, your light, and your grace all season long.

Holy God,
thank you
for your touch,
your inspiration,
your beauty,
your hope,
your grace,
your joy,
and your peace.
Thank you
for the holy,
that dimension
of visibility
that reveals
your wonder
and glory.
Thank you
for the
amazing gift
of faith
that transforms
the ordinary
into the extraordinary,
the common
into the uncommon,
and the
present moment
into a
holy moment.
Praise to you,
Wondrous and Loving God,
all praise
to you.

Love, Andrea

Friday, December 25, 2015

Dearest God,

We walked in the door 40 minutes early for the Christmas Eve service at Second Presbyterian Church and made our way to the third pew center.  I wanted to begin my Christmas preparation by gazing at the wondrous picture of Jesus high above the altar.  Because the lights were low and no spotlight was behind the stained glass window, I could not really see him although I knew he stood in full array, the folds of his white robe glistening.  As I gazed the music softly played from the balcony behind us.  What happened during the next hour filled me with such joy and astonishment that I could hardly contain myself.  This is my account of faith, Christmas Eve, 2015.

Steadily and quietly parts of Jesus' robe began to show its glory, first the hem, then up and up to his shoulders until his whole robe dazzled.  As the orchestra and choir began to sing, I saw the town of Bethlehem, the people gathering far and wide.  I kept hearing the words, "There is room for one more; there is always room for one more. We came from the far corners of the world. There was no one to prohibit us from coming.  All were welcome.  Pilgrims stood on land and water.  The dead rose and stepped toward the holy town.  The dead and the living, the holy and not-so-holy gathered together.  There was such quiet joy in all those who came, millions, billions hungry for the savior came.  As the pastors read the lessons and the congregation sang, the people of faith joined in.  When the choir began singing O Magnus Mysterium I saw and heard the angels sing among the masses of people gathered at the stable place.  The saints joined them and their sweet voices caused us to rise higher and higher in faith.  Surely where we stood was holy ground although we stretched for miles even out into the ocean as people stood in awe.  Faith held them above the water so they too could join the holy throng.  And then it happened.  A holy light shone up breaking through the earth and spreading out, touching each pilgrim and moving out, out, and out until it shone in every person.  The light warmed those gathered but more than that the light transformed itself into love, pure, unbounded love, divine from earth and heaven.  Peace filled the people and the whole of creation.  As we sang Silent Night, Holy Night, we all sang together those in Bethlehem and even to the city of Indianapolis.  We sang with one great voice in praise to the savior.

As the service ended and we blew out our lighted candles, I knew we were still carrying the light inside us, the light of Jesus, the light of love, the light of faith.

Wondrous God,
your light shines,
nothing can
overcome it.
Your light
is the light
of love
and love
is the light
of faith
and faith
is the light
of peace.
Joy,
our Lord,
pure joy.

Love, Andrea

Thursday, December 24, 2015

Dear God,

This is what you do for us:  You open us to your spirit.  You fill us with anticipation.  You put a song in our heart.  You give us people to bless.  You spread your love to those around us.

This morning at 5:20 a.m. I drove to Meijer's, a 20 minute drive, to pick up some special items for Christmas.  Just moments after driving my car out of the driveway, I was rocking in my car to the song "Jingle Bell Rock".  I sang every Christmas song that came on the radio.  Inside the store, I offered Christmas greetings to every person within reach.  For those who did not celebrate Christmas, I shared the blessing of a wonderful day.  As I stepped inside Kroger's a little later, I encouraged a man who was trying to find just the right flowers and then wished him a Merry Christmas.  As I carried my packages into the house before the sun rose, I felt full, full of Christmas, full of joy, and full of you. 

As I began my work at home setting the tables, putting out dishes, and getting ready to fill photo albums, I realized my experience this morning was much more than just feeling good and spreading good cheer.  You filled me up to the brim with faith and that faith spilled out as joy and good will.

Blessed are you,
Good Lord;
thank you
for blessing me
and others
this morning.
Thank you
for faith
that does
remarkable things
to us.
Thank you
for joy
that spills out
to others.

Love, Andrea

Wednesday, December 23, 2015

Dearest God,

Joy fills my soul as I sit in the monastery chapel with the sisters for liturgy and worship.  When we sing, "The glory of the Lord shall be revealed," I begin to listen, to watch, and to wait for your presence to appear.  I am never disappointed.

Words from scripture lift off the page. "Know that the Lord is God," the psalmist speaks.  Know.  I smile.  I do know.  "I am your salvation." He continues.  Salvation, yes, God saves me every day.  Salvation is the glory of the Lord, mine too.  As these two lines stir in my soul, I feel the awesome presence of the Lord just to be able to dwell here for a while, to tarry with the beloved, and to give voice to the Word of the Lord.  As we sing and pray and meditate and worship and silence ourselves before the Living God and the altar of faith, I sit in the middle of blessing and adore the God of my faith.  Is there any better way to spend Advent?

Holy God,
I feel like
the favored one
simply because
I am here
and am blessed.
I am
spiritually glad,
full of devotion,
and humbled.
Your light
is bright;
there is
no darkness here.

Love always, Andrea

Tuesday, December 22, 2015

Dearest God,

Stepping inside ancient Galilee, watching and listening as the story of Zechariah and Elizabeth unfolds, and then to witness Mary and the angel Gabriel is thrilling!  This morning as I read the account from the gospel of Luke, a smile spread wide across my face.  I could see joy, bewilderment, amazement, hope, and lots and lots of grace. 

Always during the week of Christmas I reread the stories again.  I read them because I want to step inside their lives, their faith, and their hope.  I want to be one who stands with them and shares their joy.  I want to increase my hope, grow my love, and recharge my faith.  Then I want to bless others as Zechariah, Elizabeth, Mary, Gabriel, and Luke bless mine and so many million others.

Let faith fly,
Great God,
let it fly.
May the light
of faith
pierce the darkness
of all
those whose
light has dimmed.
Let faith fly
to the
whole earth
giving hope
and peace
a chance,
I pray.

Love, Andrea

Monday, December 21, 2015

Dear God,

So often we see faith as a dry belief system without power, joy, hope, grace, or peace.  We say we believe but other than a brief declaration of faith, there is little else. 

In the midst of little belief, sometimes the light will come and shine bright.  It will awaken our senses, drive the light deeper into our dark faith, and bring renewed joy.  Such was the case today.  Linda T sent us her Christmas letter and told us how she was traveling with her husband to different cities with his work.  In every case she searches out Catholic churches where she prays for a list of family and friends.  She named the churches where she prayed for my husband and me.  She shared extraordinary stories of faith, entering heaven as she prayed and worshipped, and dancing with God and weeping for joy. 

We were blessed as we listened to Linda not because we could literally hear her voice but because her testimony of faith opened us so we could listen and experience the power and joy of faith once again. 

Yes, indeed when life begins to look dark, the light will come.

Jesus,
Light of the World,
thank you
for brightening
our home
with faith today.
Thank you
for light
that shines bright.
Thank you
for joy
and peace
that follows.

Love always, Andrea

Sunday, December 20, 2015

Dear God,

They told the story again today, the story of Mary, Joseph, and Jesus.  That story is an old, old story but a fresh, new story every time I hear it.  Mary, Joseph, a baby, a stable, a manger.  I never get tired hearing the wondrous story of Christmas.

Because you are a living God, we love to hear stories about you.  We love to listen to stories of healing, compassion, love, friendship, and grace.  We love to sit at your feet, to look into your face, and dwell with you.  We have faith because of you.  We live lives that are full with you.  Yes, we want to hear your stories, again and again and again.

Tell us
the stories
of faith,
O God;
tell us
the stories
of Jesus.
Thank you
for faith
that helps us hear
the stories
like they
are happening
right now.
Thank you
for placing us
in the stable
at the manger.
Thank you,
Wondrous God,
for the gift,
the gifts,
the many gifts
you give us.
Blessed are you,
Lord;
blessed are you.

Love, Andrea

Saturday, December 19, 2015

Dearest God,

Not only did you chase me in faith, you laid out a simple plan to put feet on that faith.  The reassurance I found from you in my early morning prayer gave me confidence and courage to make a phone call, to clarify, to apologize, to offer love, and to open the door for further discussion. 

How wondrous is your love, O God; how mystical and so full of hope.  You do not push your way into our lives but always make yourself available to us.  You stand ready to assist us, to stretch us, and to change us.  You show us the way to transformation, that amazing power that can shift the way we see things, experience them, and respond.  Your love can do that, does do that, and will always do that when we trust you.

Gracious and Merciful God,
thank you
for the beauty
of divine love
that has
no beginning
and no end.
Thank you
for love
that encircles us
and fills us up.
Thank you
for faith
that directs us
not only
to you
but others
waiting for you too.

Love always, Andrea

Friday, December 18, 2015

Dearest God,

How beautiful is faith!  There is a sweetness, a mercy, a grace, an open door, and an overflowing fountain of love in faith.  As we enter into faith, a whole other world opens to us.  At the entrance we find you standing at the door waiting for us.

Early this morning just as I was awakening, I did not know I was about to chase myself in faith.  In my consciousness a family issue presented itself.  I reacted to it.  I was troubled, irritated, and found myself getting angry.  I wanted to step off the crazy bus of family life.  I wanted to rid myself of all the unresolved issues.  As my anger increased, I heard a soft voice, my own actually repeating, "Your will, your way.  Your will, your way.  Your will, your way."  As the voice of faith became louder and louder, my anger dissolved and I realized you were present with me leading me to an action, a positive, loving gesture.  As I began my prayer for the world and for many others, I felt the peace of faith creeping into my soul filling me with joy.

Lord, I believe you show us the way to you, to faith, to love.  You remind us you have a better way.  If we let ourselves go, we can travel down the road of resentment, bitterness, and even hatred and only you know what deeper darkness we may enter.  But faith halts the journey making us aware of what is happening so we can drink from the flowing fountain, quench our thirst for belonging, and adjust our perspective, our attitude, and our behavior.  When find our self at love's door, faith is always nearby.

Holy God,
thank you
for early morning lessons.
Thank you
for faith
that has
the potential
to turn us around.
Thank you
for love
that always
meets us
when we
are troubled
by life circumstances.
My heart
is full
of love
for you.

Forever yours, Andrea

Thursday, December 17, 2015

Dear God,

Spiritual friends, those special people who inspire us to dig deep into the well of faith, are truly gifts from heaven.  When my covenant group and their spouses sat around our festive winter table, candles glowing, frosties smiling, and Christmas music playing, we spoke of your wondrous spirit.  We recalled precious moments with you at Christmas long ago.  We shared from the depths of our spirit because there you dwell within.

The gift of love and friendship we offer one another is something to behold.  We all believe and know you brought us together nearly 30 years ago.  You wove our spirits and hearts together.  You called us as individuals and as a group to climb the heights of faith.  You called us to accountability, to live up to heaven's standards, to reach and grow, and to surrender and trust.  You gave us the capacity to be vulnerable and to share in ways we share with no other.  You made us your own.

Today we counted our blessings as we prayed together, laughed, and sang the song of our faith.

Thank you,
Loving God,
for the gift
of Christmas
every day.
Thank you
for spiritual friends
who bless us
in so
many ways.
Thank you
for faith,
the foundation
of a
truly, wondrous life.

Love always, Andrea

Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Dearest God,

Bend.  One word rose above all the rest, bend.  In the monastery liturgy every Wednesday morning, you speak to all who gather.  You draw near through music, the psalms, morning readings, the lighted candles, or in the silence; always you speak.  This morning you spoke the word, bend.

Bend.  I remember a spiritual exercise I once did and later offered it to women retreatants.  It was simply to stand with a glowing candle for one hour and bend as it does when the air shifts the flame.  During that exercise I realized how we are to bend when your Holy Spirit wind blows upon us.  When we are pliable, willing, and determined to follow you, we will bend and happily so.  We will bend because bending will grow our faith, our trust, and our love for you and others.

I know what it is like to remain in one place and rigid.  I know what it is like to refuse the spirit's powerful wind.  I know what it is like to resent the spirit's challenge.  I confess my unwilling spirit.  But I also know what it is like to bend and bend and bend.  I know the freshness of your spirit upon my cheek, the freedom of movement, and the joy of bending to see what is hidden from my eyes if I do not bend.  Bending keeps me from having a sour attitude, a cynical spirit, and a shriveled faith.  Bending keeps me close to you.

Thank you
for the
spirit word
of the morning.
Thank you
for speaking
your love
to me.
Thank you
for faith
that gives
eyes to see,
ears to hear,
and a heart
open to you.

Love always, Andrea

Tuesday, December 15, 2015

Dear God,

I sit here in the quiet, the Christmas tree all aglow.  The mantle lights reveal the angels with Joseph as he holds the baby Christ.  The Bethlehem crèche adorns the altar table in front of the sofa.  The countless snow people smile atop the old upright piano.  The soft white candle waits to be lighted.  Everything points to Christmas.

What a glorious season to remember you and give thanks.  What an amazing time to count blessings.  What a beautiful time to remember special graces, miracles, and promises fulfilled.  This is the time to pause, to reflect upon your beauty, goodness, and love.

It is also the time to pray for others.  You call us to think of others, to help, and to reach out where we can.  You challenge us to reprioritize our lives with family.

More than all this, you call us to accountability for faith.  Do we believe?  You ask.  Do we live our faith?  Do we care about others, the stranger, the refugee, the brokenhearted, the frightened, and the lonely?  Do we live deeply our relationship with you?  Do we live in love?

O Lord,
make Christmas
all about
the interior life
with you.
Make way
for your spirit
to dwell
more deeply.
Form, reform,
and transform us
to be
loving ambassadors
of spiritual love,
I pray.

Love, Andrea

Monday, December 14, 2015

Dear God,

Down deep we all long for peace, real peace, not just the absence of conflict.  We want that deep peace where contentment resides, where serenity comforts and gives hope, and where generosity and love function naturally, normally, and properly.  We long for peace because we long for you.

Surely, Lord, we all know we are short on peace and long on everything else.  We long for peace because we are not peace-filled people.  We are restless, irritable, and distracted.  We do not give peace to others because we are not at peace with ourselves. 

Perhaps your best name is prince of peace.  Perhaps that is why many of us are drawn to you.  Perhaps we need to open ourselves more to you and less to our distractions. 

Bring us peace,
O Lover of Peace,
bring us peace
so we
can become peacemakers.
Teach us how
to do
our part
to bring peace
to the world,
one person
at a time.
Thank you
for peace
you bring us daily
when we
operate out
of faith.

Love, Andrea

Sunday, December 13, 2015

Dearest God,

Today the light of faith burned brightly at Second Presbyterian Church.  As my grandchildren filed into the pew and took their seats, I watched as they fully engaged in the hymns, the prayers, and the message.  They listened, even anticipated the events as they unfolded.  I watched my beloved be touched, moved, and inspired by faith.

What greater gift is there than this?  Faith that comes together to sing, to pray, to listen, to greet with signs of peace, and to worship is a wondrous occasion particularly at Advent when the air is pregnant with anticipation of the spirit's presence.  As we breathe in faith and breathe out faith, we participate in your son's living spirit.  We bless you and one another.  We radiate the light of faith because faith is in us, living and breathing in and out of us.

What gift this Advent is, what blessing!

Your light shines,
O Lord;
it radiates
in your church
and in
your people.
Thank you
for the blessing
of your light.
Let it glow
in us
so that
we too
will be beacons
of faith
for others.

Love always, Andrea

Saturday, December 12, 2015

Dear God,

There are so many beautiful gifts in life!  All of them come from you, Lord, all of them.

With the tree up, the outdoor lights displayed, and most of the gifts purchased, all that is left to do is to clean up, clean up the heart, mind, and soul.  What good is Christmas if our whole person is not clean and pure, ready for your son to come once again?  How can we expect to find Christ, the messiah, the king, the savior if our spiritual house is too dirty, too cluttered, and too unprepared for him to enter?

The call and challenge you give us each Advent is to make ready not with cookies, lights, gifts, shopping, and busyness but with faithful attention to the dwelling place inside.

Cleanse us all,
dear God,
cleanse us all,
particularly me,
I pray.
Make a place,
a holy space
in me
for you.
Ready us,
ready me
for you.

Love always, Andrea

Friday, December 11, 2015

Dearest God,

In the early morning hours I heard your voice to watch, listen, and anticipate the mysteries of Advent. 

This morning I was in a rush to go to the grocery store to get items for my big weekend with my grandchildren, a weekend with a flurry of activities, church, service project, Christmas movies, a trip to St. Mary of the Woods for Christmas fun, floor picnic, candlelight breakfast, crafts, prayers, and so much more.  I did not know I would meet you three times in 15 minutes.  First was the woman behind the deli counter.  We talked about the fog and that led her to tell me she lived nearby with her daughter and two grandchildren who moved in away from an abusive husband and father.  I told her I would pray for all of them as she told me she is sometimes impatient and doesn't want to be.  Next was an employee who was picking up day old breadstuff goods.  In our conversation I discovered she gathered pastries, breads, and other foods for food pantries in our town.  The last person was a man from Senegal who became a citizen in our country 12 years ago.  We wished each other a merry Christmas and he left saying, "God bless you."

So often I miss the mystery, the miracle, or the moment of faith but this morning I was blessed to see you three times.  Hallelujah!

Bless are you,
Lord God of Faith.
Thank you
for blessings
that come
in the
early morning.
Thank you
for Advent mystery,
for love,
faith, and hope.
You are surely
the light
that shines
in the world!

Love always, Andrea

Thursday, December 10, 2015

Dear God,

"The glory of the Lord shall be revealed," the Catholic sister read from the liturgical readings.  The glory of the Lord shall be revealed, I thought, yes, indeed every day.  Just yesterday morning in the dark as I drove to the monastery my eyes lifted to the skies and there it was, the glory of the Lord!  There was but a teeny tiny sliver of the moon among the clouds.  She looked like a cradle for a king, a cupped hand where the Lord lay.  Spectacular!

Not only was the glory revealed in the sky, it was in another reading in the liturgy of morning prayer with the sisters.  "Sing a new song to the Lord," she read from Isaiah.  Immediately I heard the words in my soul.  Sing a new song of faith, not fear.  Sing a new song of hope, not despair.  Sing a new song of light, not darkness.  Sing a new song, the old is passed away.

What old song was I singing, I thought to myself.  All too quickly I recognized the song.  It was anything but faith, hope, and light.  I realized the glory of the Lord was speaking to me and I too needed to sing the new song, the song of Jesus.

Holy God,
wonder of wonders,
thank you
for the blessing
of faith.
Thank you
for the message,
the challenge
of faith.
Thank you
for reminders
of Advent,
watch, pray,
and clean up
the soul
making a
holy place
for Jesus
to come.

Love always, Andrea

Wednesday, December 9, 2015

Dear God,

How do we find you in the darkness?  We look closely and anticipate the light.  I think Advent is like this, we look for the light amidst the darkness.

Like the song Christ in the Stranger's Guise, you came to worship Sunday morning looking like a young man with Down's Syndrome who came to the pulpit and sang This is the Day with his mother.  You came as an older woman driving a van who stopped to ask if she could help put my newly-purchased Christmas tree in the car.  Finally, you appeared seemingly out of nowhere before sunrise carrying a package and a red-tipped cane.  Three appearances, three messages, three carrying the light of Christ.

Holy God,
thank you
for the light
that shines
in the darkness.
Thank you
for appearing
in unexpected places.
Thank you
for the message
of hope.

Love always, Andrea

Tuesday, December 8, 2015

Dear God,

We are hungry, O Lord, hungry for you.  We want to make sense of world events.  We want to find the hope in the midst of fear and despair.  We want to eat of the food of your spirit.  We want to drink the drink of your spirit.

A hungry woman asked me to help her find you because of a recent betrayal.  Perhaps you have never been part of her marriage of over 30 years, she said about her husband and herself.  Although she rarely prays, she wants to find that glowing spirit that gives perspective, aids in healing and wholeness, and lifts the human spirit in ways nothing else can.  She knows and believes you are the fundamental foundation of human life; she has just lost her way there.

As we sat with a lighted candle, I asked her questions and let her talk assisting her in finding the path.  She doesn't know we can't magically make the spiritual path appear.  Each person must search for their own way.  What we can do is ask questions that will lead them to the best way to reach the path you have uniquely laid out for each person.  By the time we concluded with prayer, she had already begun to find the way.

Bless your name,
Holy God;
for you
are the way,
the truth,
and the life.
You want
to direct us
to our way home
to you.
You want
to minister
to us
in loss,
sorrow,
and grief.
You open
our eyes,
hearts,
and minds.
Only you
can reveal
the way,
only you.
Thank you.

Love, Andrea

Monday, December 7, 2015

Dear God,

Thank you for the early morning quiet.  Thank you for the early morning darkness.  Thank you for this sacred time when we may enter into the holy of holies and dwell there with you.

Whether we are alone and lonely or full of celebration, special moments with you give perspective on our days and our living.  We walk through hallowed halls and there we engage in the joy of faith.  We breathe in light and joy and gladness.  We see ourselves with the One who cares more than all the rest.  We understand life from your view.  We see how faith can lead us higher and higher.  And the air, the air of majesty and wonder fill not only our lungs but our whole being.  We shiver with the joy of eternity.

Thank you,
Wondrous God,
for holy visits.
Thank you
for sharing
your life
with us.
Thank you
for faith
that brings
so much more
to life
and living.

Love always, Andrea

Sunday, December 6, 2015

Dear God,

Sometimes hope and peace comes in fragments, a piece here and a piece there.  Sometimes they come in unexpected ways.  Sometimes they creep up on us and bless in marvelous ways.

When we live our lives day after day without any sense or commitment to your living presence in the world, we miss a holy dimension to life.  We miss the sweet mercies, the sacred encounters, and the wondrous scenes of grace and glory.  But when we live with anticipation, when we declare, "Today I will see the hand of the living God," we are keenly aware of our surroundings, we are watchful, and hope lives in us.  Then when the time comes, joy spreads through us, speaks powerfully its message, and blesses beyond measure.

Today at the Purdue Glee Club Christmas program, thousands watched and listened as talented college students sang and danced the beautiful spirit of Christmas.  Later in the program when they donned worship choir robes and appeared on stage, there was an anticipation that the songs they were about to sing would open our souls and fills us with the beauty and love of your son.  As they followed the lead of the conductor, their voices in full form filled the auditorium with the wondrous sounds of the holy taking us to the manger where we too could kneel and bow down.  There in the dark place your light shone and hope and peace were born...again.

Wondrous Father,
thank you
for your
living presence,
your living spirit,
your living power.
Thank you
for blessing us
with the music
and peace
of Christmas.
Thank you
for Advent
that gives us time
to prepare ourselves
for the blessing
of Christ.

Love always, Andrea

Saturday, December 5, 2015

Dear God,

You came in all your glory bringing hope, peace, and joy!  The scene was exquisite as one, then another and another came in carrying tall lighted candles to light the darkened candles in the sanctuary.  When the light permeated the darkness we realized no amount of terror could take away the light.  No amount of violence could steal the song.  No amount of fear could rob us of faith.  The orchestra and bells began to play and before long all the choirs, the chancel choir, the teen choir, the children, members, friends, and visitors alike squeezed into the pews were all standing to sing, Come Thou Long-Expected Jesus. We felt our hearts lifted, our souls filled, and our minds redirected from horrible events in our world.  We were drawn to the manger, the baby, the Christ.

Sometimes we get full up with tragedy, sorrow, and fear.  We feel bent over, our eyes to the ground instead of the skies.  We feel loss of hope, our peace shattered.  Our words betray our faith.  We sound more like fearful children than mighty witnesses of faith, hope, and love.  Then miracle of miracle, you come to us.  You step out, read the Word, sing the song, and pray the prayer.  You lead us to the stable where faith was borne for so many of us.  There in the silence you speak and fill and help and bless and love us.

Indeed, come,
Saving God;
come again
to us.
Renew and
restore us.
Inspire us
to faith,
not a
dry, dull,
lifeless faith,
but to
a lively,
hope-filled,
enthusiastic faith
that leaks out
into the world.
Let your love
come to life
inside us
so we overflow
to our neighbor,
our family,
and the stranger.
Help us
meet evil
and death
with love
so wide
and deep
nothing can
stop our commitment
to love
the world
to peace.

Love always, Andrea

Friday, December 4, 2015

Dear God,

What keeps us from loving one another?  Is it ideology, culture, religion, perspective, economic status, injustice, what, Lord?  Are we so narrow, blind, and arrogant that we refuse to give others a chance at being loved by us?

Whenever I look terror in the face, I remember Mary and her baby.  I remember love at its best, the light shining in the darkness, hope coming to life. 

I want to love like Mary.

Holy Father,
teach us
how to love.
Rid us
of obstacles
that keep us
from loving
one another.
Help us
reach out.

Love, Andrea

Thursday, December 3, 2015

Dear God,

Where is love when hatred appears somewhere in the world?  Where is love when darkness threatens the light?  Where is love when fear overtakes faltering faith?

Yesterday you came in insights.  Love is a prayer someone prays on behalf of another.  Love is when someone puts themselves in danger to help a person in need.  Love is when someone puts money in a Salvation Army bucket.  Love is kindness extended.  Love is "thank you."  Love is a hug.  Love is being charitable.  Love is providing a meal for the hungry.  Love is teaching someone else.  Love is a smile, a sacrifice, and understanding.  Love is really listening. Love is giving comfort. 

Sometimes in the midst of horror, we have to pause and think where love abides.  In this you speak to us reminding us to love one another as you have loved us.  As we receive love, we turn to give it to someone else and love as a living testimony lives on never being snuffed out by those who carry the banner of hate. 

Help us live
as lovers
rather than haters,
O Lord.
Soften our hearts
toward one another.
Show us
the way
to love,
I pray.

Love, Andrea

Wednesday, December 2, 2015

Dearest God,

Your living spirit is much like Christmas decorations that appear out of nowhere in yards, buildings, and homes and bring beauty and joy to all those around.  As I drove a grandchild to school early yesterday morning, I noticed beautiful lights twinkling in the dark.  What I realized was every decoration that is put up is an invitation to think about Advent and Christmas.

Every day more décor is popping up.  Some are elegant and beautiful.  Others not so much but all of it is in relation to Christmas, the day of faith, of light, of hope and peace.  We remember a young woman who said yes to carry Jesus to the world.  We think of shepherds and angels, animals and a manger, and even a bright star.  If we give ourselves to it all, we pause to consider our own relationship to the child of the manger.  We feel the urge to draw close, to let go of some things so we can make room for Christ.

Although Christmas has become so commercialized, still we stop, look, and listen for your living spirit to appear.

Come, Holy Jesus,
come to faith
in us.
Make us mangers
ready to
receive the gift
of Christmas.
Make us all
carriers of God,
I pray.

Love, Andrea

Tuesday, December 1, 2015

Dear God,

As we pilgrim our way through Advent, we pause to consider your light shining bright.  This morning the light appears before me, five pictures on my desk, all of family but one, a photograph of Pope Francis.  They are all light to me.  They all represent love of the deepest kind.  Yes, indeed the light shines bright.

As I consider the light coming my way, I realize you want us not only to receive light but to give it.  It is not enough to accumulate light for ourselves, we must shine for others, especially those who are desperately searching for the light.  A tiny spark can bring hope to the hopeless.

I want to be light, O Lord; I want to glow with your light.  Forgive me when I fail.  I want to bless others with the light of faith.

Holy Father,
giver of divine light,
thank you
for the light
in my study.
Thank you
for joy
that comes
with the light.
Make me
a beacon
for you
and the world,
I pray.

Love, Andrea