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