Tuesday, March 29, 2016

Dear God,

An African woman who lived in a refuge camp watched her young son die for lack of medicine.  She was forced to stand and watch her uncle murdered during one of the civil wars.  She was stopped by police several times for breaking the curfew one night on her way to give birth to her child.  She endured so much pain of every kind.  Yet, this battered woman, a dear friend, taught me so much about faith.

How do you turn hardship into transforming power?  How do you heal human hearts that have been betrayed?  How do you make people new in the midst of chaos, loss, and suffering?

Matilda would say, "Love God."  I have such a long way to go.

Gracious God,
the way
of love
makes room
for transformation,
healing, and hope.
You bless us
when we
trust you.
You touch
and inspire us
to walk
the way
of faith.
Bless those souls
whose lives
radiate the love
of Jesus.
Bless Matilda.

Love, Andrea

Monday, March 28, 2016

Dear God,

Your good news is this:  The Easter spirit is present on Monday just as it was on Sunday.  Easter is not the only day of resurrection.  Any day where we are lifted up by your spirit is yet another Easter Sunday, another resurrection day.

If faith is real, it must be just as alive on Monday or Tuesday or Wednesday as it was on Sunday.  The beautiful gift of faith is that we can carry it with us every day.  It is available and accessible and has the power to transform our life and our situation.  Faith opens doors and windows to the possible.  It helps us see a dimension of life that is lost to those who are blind to it.  Faith is a living organism breathing its life in us.

This is what my friend and I talked about last night under a lamppost on the parking lot of Puerta Vallarta Restaurant.  We shared how it is you have renewed us in faith and how enthused, excited, and passionate we felt today as much as Sunday.  We blessed your name tonight because you blessed us through the day.

Great God,
thank you
for Easter Sundays
that occur
on Thursday
or Friday
or Monday.
Thank you
for the power
of your
living spirit
that touches
and inspires.
We are
so grateful
to you,
O God.

Love, Andrea

Easter Sunday, March 27, 2016

Dearest God,

I stood outside in the darkness at 5:00 a.m. listening for the birdsong.  But there was none.  It seemed as if darkness and death still held sway over the earth.  It was almost an hour later when I returned to the patio looking up at the bright, twinkling stars in the night sky.  It was then I heard a cacophony of birds singing.  So many different happy sounds.  It reaffirmed my belief that the animal kingdom knew of the resurrection before sleeping people.

For decades I have started my Easter celebration in the darkness waiting for the light to come.  This morning the light and the song came at the same time.  Joy always overcomes me when I recognize the first sounds of Easter joy.

Preparing foods for the glorious celebration with my family always blesses me.  I think of the first celebration.  Surely first century Christians prepared their finest meals to celebrate the rising of Jesus.  I cooked for three hours before dressing for worship.

Driving into the parking lot, watching families walk together toward the church edifice with the magnolia trees in full bloom, brought a heavenly kind of gladness to my soul.  Because we arrived early we waited outside the sanctuary for the ending of the first service as we listened to the choir, people, orchestra, and organ sing and play together the song, "Thine is the Glory" followed by the choir singing the passion from Messiah.  I could hardly wait for worship to begin again.

All throughout the service I caught glimpses of your living presence, from the people passing the peace to one another, to the music, to the reading of the Easter story, to the morning message, to the palms and Easter lilies and to the glorious stained glass window of Jesus in a flowing white gown high and lifted up in the chancel area.  What joy we felt in your glorious presence!

Later as my family, children and grandchildren, held hands around the dining room table filled with delectable foods and family favorites, and prayed, I knew you were with us too.

Heavenly Father,
thank you
for the
blessed remembrance
of Easter resurrection.
Thank you
for the joy
of new life
rising out
of death.
Thank you
for your
beloved church
who unveiled
your wondrous gift
one more time.

Love always, Andrea

Saturday, March 26, 2016

Dear God,

Your timing is perfect.  The day between Good Friday and Easter Sunday is a day to prepare our hearts and minds.  It is a day to reflect upon our faith.  Do we have any?  Do we believe?  Is our faith like every other part of our life or is it different?  If we have faith, is it lively, believable, and authentic?  Are we really ready to meet a resurrected Christ?

The day is always filled with a flurry of activity, grocery shopping, cleaning, cooking, baking, and setting up for a big dinner.  More often than not, I am ready to drop at the end of the day just like today. 

But deep down inside, there is a stirring, an anticipation, and a realization that I am loved in spite of my own lack of obedience, devotion, and service.  Because of that all day long I think of you, the cross, the tomb, and the unconditional love.  I come to the awareness of the great gift on Good Friday and I find myself repenting, wanting to cleanse myself of sin, and to be a better citizen of your kingdom here on earth.  My heart is softened toward others because I know the gift is based on a kind of love this world knows nothing about, not really.  How can I not love if I am so loved?  By day's end I have done the work of faith, not perfectly, but I have journeyed from morning to night thinking your life and my own, deeply connected together and I offer my thanks.

Holy God,
giver of reflecting days,
thank you
for this day,
this Saturday,
this holy day
of remembering,
cleaning up,
and making ready.
Thank you
for faith
that makes Easter
in my soul possible.
I love you.

Love always, Andrea

Friday, March 25, 2016

Dear God,

Good Friday.  I searched for a church in our community where I could attend the Good Friday service.  Little did I realize you had a surprise waiting for me.  I slipped into St. Malachi Catholic Church which was packed with pilgrims.  Bowing to the altar, I stepped into a pew where two women were sitting.  As I started to sit, I realized the two women, both United Methodist, were dear friends whom I had not seen in many years.  What was the chance we would all wind up in the same pew at 3:00 p.m. on Good Friday in a Catholic Church?  We hugged, then knelt in silence as mass began.

We heard the story repeated of Jesus' betrayal, crucifixion, and death.  Then the veil was removed revealing the crucified Christ.  The priest invited us to make a pilgrimage to the cross to offer our prayer of adoration.  For well over an hour, one by one, individuals, couples, children, old and young, some in wheelchairs and on walkers, made their way in long lines to the cross, genuflecting, touching Jesus' feet, and kissing them.  Tears rolled down my face as I watched the intimate encounters of faith, love, and devotion.  As I too stood before the 20' cross, I wrapped my arms around the cross, his feet, and legs.  I too kissed his feet as I looked upward into his face.

As I returned to my seat the people sang "Now We Remain," one of my favorite songs sung at the Carmelite Monastery for 18 years.  The lyrics speak of how we receive Jesus as bread and how when we eat and go out we become bread for others.  I thought of the cross and how each endearing moment of devotion was bread for the soul for all the others who witnessed the many acts of grace.  I let the tears flow in gratitude and thanksgiving.  For surely I had seen Jesus.

Blessed Lord,
your crucifixion
reminds us
of your
dramatic gift
of grace.
In some way
or another
we all
wind up
at the foot
of the cross
wondering what
to do.
But then
our faith
steps forward
and touches
the hem
of your garment
and you
heal us
with grace.
Blessings to you,
our beloved Lord.

Forever yours, Andrea

Thursday, March 24, 2016

Dear God,

The table was set for the people.  All were invited.  Manna from heaven, the bread and wine, sat on the table.

We entered in silence, the sanctuary lighted by glowing candles.  We knew our host was Jesus.  We listened as the choir sang and then we ate spiritual food.  Then we heard the story told by the elders, one after another, who read their part of scripture and then extinguished a candle. The story of betrayal, desertion, temptation, loneliness, resignation, accusation, denial, injustice, mockery, crucifixion, death, and the tomb was told.  We sat in darkness with the light of Christ until it too was extinguished.  Then there was silence and darkness.

The realization of Jesus' crucifixion sunk in.  Love spread in the silence and the darkness.  Christ.  God.

Holy Father,
lover of the soul,
bless you
for your gifts
from on high.
In the darkness
and the silence
you poured
your love
upon us.
One more time.

Love always, Andrea

Wednesday, March 23, 2016

Dear God,

The word of the Lord came to us in liturgy and mass today.  "The Lord has become my stronghold, and my God the rock of my refuge."  When the world looks bleak and dark, when despair washes over us, and when we feel afraid, we call out to you, O Lord.  We cry out to you for help, for sustenance, for guidance, for comfort, and for assistance to lift us up when we fall. 

When we witness the horror of the murder of so many innocent people anywhere in the world by any kind of destructionists, it is incumbent on all of us to pray, to lift up the hurt and the dying, the dead and their loved ones, and even for those who seek to destroy.  We must all do our part to come together in love to pray for so much pain.  All the world's people are your beloved, O God, all of them, even those who kill.  We must pray for peace, hope, and transformation.

Holy God,
give us hearts
for brothers
and sisters
all over
the world.
Teach us
to love
rather than hate.
Move us
to prayer,
to compassion,
and to
merciful living.

Love, Andrea

Tuesday, March 22, 2016

Dear God,

Some days we simply have to fall backward into your arms!  When we lose hope, when we are blinded by hatred, and when we are lost, we forfeit the ability to rise and walk.  But when we fall into the savior's arms, we gain strength, resolve, and courage.  Not only do we rise and walk, we step forward with a renewed sense of faith and its power to move forward in hope.

Today's horrific events are yet another example of the ways fear grips and paralyzes people.  Fear with loss, pain, and suffering can rob us of everything that keeps us going in life.  Fear can kill us.  Some people are simply led by fear.  They do horrible things because they are afraid, afraid of a philosophy, a freedom, and a hope.  They want to destroy, to wound, and to rip and tear the hearts of many.  For a moment they do and we mourn, we really mourn.  We cry out to you to help, to heal, and to hold.  We still cry.

Blessed Lord,
lay your hand
on your
broken people.
Bless those
who hurt, Lord;
bless those
who hurt.
Teach us
the way
of love,
charity,
and compassion,
I pray.

Love, Andrea

Monday, March 21, 2016

Dear God,

Not only do you provide miracles, you give us the gift of memory.  At any time we can call up those prized moments when you touched our lives, when you inspired us, and when you literally transformed us.  We remember with fond affection and lift our hearts in praise.

Today is one such day.  My husband and I cannot stop talking about your wondrous grace, how you effectuated a change in our hearts and the hearts of others close to us, and made your spirit so evident all day yesterday.  From the timing, to the "yes" of several people, to the brilliant message in the worship service, to the tearing down the barriers we erected, to the moving inspiration of all those who gathered round two boys who grew up in the church and one celebrated his baptism 80 years ago, to the offer of dinner around a common table, and the desire among all to contribute to the healing of a family torn apart by death and greed.  So many times in so many ways, you restored and renewed us individually and as a family.

We praise you; we praise you; we praise you!

Holy Father,
giver of all good gifts,
we thank you
for your compassion.
Pope Francis
is right,
this is
the year
of mercy.
Thank you
for taking away
our grief
and sorrow
and replacing it
with kindness
and love.

Always, Andrea

Sunday, March 20, 2016

Dearest God,

You led us straight into the miracle!  From the time we arrived yesterday until the end of this day, we viewed extraordinary pictures of your miracle.  You pointed us to your healing power and all of us tasted of the sweet honey.

We have been estranged for years.  Out of the blue (your timing really) a brother-in-law called to invite us for dinner after my husband preached in his home church.  We stayed at Harold's brother's home, a first for me after many years.  How wonderful it was to be included.  Then this morning we all went to church together and there, yes, there in your beloved home, the community of faith participated in the miracle as they received the gift of a beloved family come home.  I sat in the pew and watched you work the miracle, blessing each person.  I listened as Harold preached his finest sermon.  There were nods and tears in the congregation as they too recognized your mighty power at work.  At the conclusion of the worship service, there were many hugs, handshakes, and acknowledgment of your hand upon everyone in the service.  Then we gathered for a meal, several broken people beginning to heal at the same time.  I sat and observed, so full of gratitude and joy as I witnessed the mending of wounded spirits.

Only you,
O God,
have the power
to heal.
Only you
have the
know how
to bring people together
at just
the right time.
Only you,
O Lord,
have enough love
to make us new.
Only you.
Thank you,
Great Holy Spirit.

Love always, Andrea

Saturday, March 19, 2016

Dear God,

Today we began a journey into the middle of a miracle.  We got into the car and started driving north toward what has been broken for years but has finally begun healing. We can see the mending beginning to take place.

Sometimes we lose hope.  We give up.  We imagine life the same old way.  We let go of faith to change us.  But then we feel movement under our feet, like the earth shifting, and we know that we know that it is your hand at work.

We don't know what the future holds but we know who holds the future!

Blessed God,
thank you
for blessings
that stir
within us.
Thank you
for healing power.
Thank you
for spirit hope
that opens
the possibility
for a miracle.

Love always, Andrea

Friday, March 18, 2016

Dearest God,

We fail so to reach for the light.  We grab for the quick and the easy, the shiny, and the thing that promotes itself.  We may get everything we grab for but it quickly turns to dust in our hands.

So often we miss opportunities to live, breathe, and dance in the light.  We choose cheap substitutes over the real thing.  We forfeit the glorious light of God.

But in those moments when we stumble into the light, when we dare look up, and our eyes stretch to see your intoxicating light, the warmth of your living spirit shoots through our spine penetrating every single pore filling us with the light of your face.  Your glory fills us, joy rises up and spills over, and praise erupts from our mouths.  We know the blessing of faith and realize there is no duplicate.

Holy God,
precious memories
of meeting you
fill us
with hope
and faith.
Thank you
for every encounter.
Thank you
for blessing us
with the
best gift
of all.

Love always, Andrea

Thursday, March 17, 2016

Dear God,

There are those who do amazing things for you.  They reach out to others.  They build houses.  They tutor and mentor young people.  They build wells.  They take care of others who are sick and/or disabled.  They listen.  They volunteer.  They give gifts.

Your call to care changes people's lives.  Your love becomes visible to those who are blinded by doubt, mistrust, anxiety, fear, and indecision.  Your mercy lifts the downtrodden.  Your hope propels people forward in trust, courage, and action. 

You call us all to your side where we can be guided to fulfill your purpose in this world.  You enrich our lives with joy and gladness as we listen, take your lead, and move forward to do your will.

Thank you
for faithful people
who do
your will.
Thank you
for those
who make
a difference.
Thank you
for blessing others
as you
bless us.

Love, Andrea

Wednesday, March 16, 2016

Dear God,

Sometimes we have to remove clutter and debris to find hidden beauty. Remnants of last year's flower garden stood tall after flowers bloomed and died in the fall.  Yet, I saw tiny green leaves at the base of several plants.  Today was a beautiful day so I took clippers and a bag and I began cutting away the old so the new might rise uninhibited.  At once the clump of green became visible bringing a renewal to the contemplative garden.

So it is with the spiritual life!  You remind us that growth and transformation are necessary ingredients to a valuable, meaningful, and inspiring spiritual life.  Without them our own spiritual garden will become dormant and die.  When we do not prune and cut away the old, the unwanted, and the pesky messes, we simply live dull, boring, and lifeless lives.  We forget how beautiful your spirit is in us when we tend to the garden of our soul.

You give us amazing examples of people who went under your cutting knife and rose up to inspire millions.  Such people awaken us to faith reminding us to reconsider, to reflect, and to renew our spirit souls.  Only then can your wondrous beauty be found.

Gracious God,
thank you
for giving
second chances.
Thank you
for opportunities
to grow
new lives.
Thank you
for those
who bless us
with models
of faith.

Love, Andrea

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

Dear God,

Who can resist the sound of the birdsong?  Yesterday as blue jays swooshed through the contemplative garden, the cardinals and robins sang their melodic songs of spring.  What a beautiful display just outside the windows in our writing room.

Weeks ago the birds, perched on tree limbs, began singing their songs, first one, then another.  The symphony of sound awakened me from my sick bed.  I listened as the sweet music called me to prayer.  I listened as they sang all day long, perhaps offering their own prayers of thanksgiving.

Loving God,
thank you
for messengers
of hope.
Thank you
for the beauty
of a
budding spring.
Thank you
for the sound
of heaven.

Love, Andrea

Monday, March 14, 2016

Dear God,

Fear, great fear can open the door to you, God Most High.  When we hear news of a dreaded diagnosis, the loss of a loved one, or some tragedy that has befallen us, the fear that shoots straight up our spine can move us to you.

How often has fear struck us, sucking the air from our lungs?  How often has fear ground our mind to a halt?  How often has fear stopped us in our tracks?  So many times, it is hard to count.  Paralyzed, we simply stop and feel fear. 

Yet, in our deepest need, in our most paralyzing fear, you appear to us in the light, in a gentle voice, or in hope.  You speak love and compassion to us.  You bring to us a word of comfort.  You remind us we are not alone, you are with us.  You give us the air of faith and breathe into us peace.

Although fear can rob us, it can take us to you and we are grateful.

Loving God,
thank you
for all
the times
you came
to us
when we
were afraid.
Thank you
for your touch,
your word,
and your comfort.
Thank you
for strength
that comes
from you.

Love, Andrea

Sunday, March 13, 2016

Dear God,

Like Elijah we often search for you in the wind and in the fire.  We forget to be still, to wait, and to settle in silence knowing only in the stillness will we hear your voice.

Heaven's silence, the divine, sacred silence is perhaps the most beautiful place on the face of the earth.  We don't have to leave where we are to enter into your silence, Holy God.  We can close our eyes, breathe in heaven's scent, and quiet ourselves for your entrance into our soul.  You come to us as we wait for your word.

We often fear silence.  We know something awaits us but we are afraid to hear.  We busy ourselves with countless noises and distractions and forfeit the holy word of God.  We miss heaven's voice, its message, and great comfort, challenge, and peace.  We lose that moment of opportunity for faith to swell and grow.

But when we turn every substitute off, when we unclutter our minds and souls, and when we open ourselves to the beauty of your voice, O God, what joy is ours, what peace comes, what insight, wisdom, and guiding direction is spoken.  You speak and our hearts are full!

Wondrous God,
thank you
for quiet silence.
Thank you
for quieting
our hearts,
minds, and souls.
Thank you
for your word,
your holy word,
your loving word.

Love always, Andrea

Saturday, March 12, 2016

Dear God,

The tree stood dormant all winter long.  Every time I looked out the window, everything remained the same.  Then a few weeks ago buds began to appear, gray and fuzzy and I knew spring was coming to life on each branch.

This week I noticed the buds looked fuller, like they were ready to burst.  When I peeked out my bedroom window I was anxious to see what would happen next.  This morning I noticed soft, white tips, the first sign of a flower growing inside.  Before we know it the star magnolia will pop with exquisite, delicate white flowers, the first to proclaim the glory of spring, resurrection, and new life.

I realize you have placed so many signs and symbols of your living spirit.  If we are open and anticipating, we will discover right around the corner the tiny gems that bespeak the glory of the Lord
.
Blessed God,
thank you
for signs
and symbols
of your
living presence.
Thank you
for constant reminders
of faith
that open us
to divine mysteries.
Thank you
for my
star magnolia,
the most
beautiful tree
in the garden.

Love always, Andrea

Friday, March 11, 2016

Dearest God,

Your agents of love are everywhere!  When they are revealed to us, we find you.

Our colleague fell ill with pain on our covenant retreat.  Within 18 hours we had to take him to a tiny, rural hospital located in a coal-mining community down on the river in southern Illinois.  Old, small and a bit run down, we weren't sure we could get adequate care for our brother.  But in the emergency room where you had to knock on the old, worn door and wait for someone to allow entrance, we found loving, competent, and tender care. 

During our four-hour stay as two of us waited in the lobby, every staff member smiled at us, letting us know their hospitality, compassion, and comfort.  In fact I can't remember ever receiving so many smiles at a hospital.  They tended to all our needs as we waited for news.

Later as we drove away with a diagnosis, medicine, and instructions for further care, I realized it was you who walked the halls providing not only for the locals but also for out-of-staters whose little faith was enriched by the movement of your Holy Spirit.

Blessed God,
thank you
for life lessons
that sometimes
teach from
the backside.
Forgive us
when we
close ourselves
to your wisdom.
Thank you,
Lord,
for reaching out
to us.

Love, Andrea

Thursday, March 10, 2016

Dear God,

When we are open to your grace, you always lead us to your light.   Like lost souls in the darkness, you shine your light so we may find our way.

Every day is a gift.  From beginning to end we see signs of your faithful leading.  The warmth and glow of your light remind us we are not alone.  We are drawn to those whose own faithfulness shines light upon us.

When we are touched by your light, we are blessed to give thanks, to celebrate, and to share the good news with others who are also touched.  Then you give us opportunity to shine your light as well. 

Thank you,
Blessed Father,
for blessing
our lives
with your light.
Whether it comes
to heal,
to love,
or to
give comfort,
we are thankful.
Make us all
light bearers,
I pray.

Love, Andrea

Wednesday, March 9, 2016

Dear God,

Forty seven years ago today you gave me the gift of my first child, a daughter.  The moment the nurse placed her in my arms, I kissed her and prayed a prayer for her.  I trusted you to give her life, love, purpose, hope, and blessing.  And you did.

Every day you bless someone through her.  Her love comes from a deep well.  Even before she goes to work in the morning she has already blessed her husband and children with the love she feels for them.  At school in the front office she blesses staff and children who come through the office.  Her smile and laughter are infectious.  When kids are sick or need special attention she gives them what they need.  Co-workers love her for the way she blesses them with her witty ways.  By day's end many have known her blessing.

Thank you
for Janice,
for filling her
with blessing
for others.
Thank you
for her kindness
and desire
to help others.
Thank you
for all
the gifts
she possesses
to share
with others.

Love, Andrea

Tuesday, March 8, 2016

Dear God,

Who can forget the truth that sets us free?  Who can forget the One whose truth is divine, eternal, and freedom giving?  Who can forget you, O Lord?

We often live in half truths.  We are satisfied with what we know, not desiring more.  Yet, our souls long for more.  We want the truth that sets us free.  We want release and relief.  We want to rise to the highest level of spiritual awareness, listening for your voice. 

When we are able to say, "I want you, O Lord, you, and nothing less," it is then your truth can be revealed.

Father,
holy and good,
thank you
for the truth
designed to
set us free.
You, Great God,
know how important
the truth
is for us.
You want us
to live
in the light
where truth resides.
Lead us
to the light,
your light,
we pray,
O Lord.

Love always, Andrea

Monday, March 7, 2016

Dear God,

Who can heal like you, O Lord?  Who can tell injured tissues to rest, repair, and renew like you?  Who can soothe irritated passages like you?  Who can call an end to fevers, pain, and suffering like you?  Who can woo the body back to health like you?

We are made of you, Holy God.  As creator you make us in your image making us part of you.  You direct two cells to merge and divide and in time, you breathe life into us and scoot us from our home in the dark, safe womb into the light of the new world.  What a wonder, what a miracle!

As we reflect upon your infinite number of gifts to us, we want to call out..."Abba, Father."  We are grateful, O God, we are grateful for your creative, healing power!

There is
no great physician
like you,
Almighty God.
Thank you
for your
tender care.
Help us acknowledge
no healing
can take place
without you.
You made us
to heal,
to be renewed,
and restored.
Bless you.

Love, Andrea

Sunday, March 6, 2016

Dear God,

Who can forget your tender mercies?  When our hearts are lifted, when our bodies are made well, when we receive insights in our confusion, when peace comes in our turmoil, when joy comes out of sadness, when grace appears in the midst of sin and temptation, when bitterness is dissolved, when hope arises out of our ashes, and faith dispels our fear, we know the tender mercy of our God.  Who can forget?  Who can count, like so many stars in the sky?

What is life, if not recounting the great gifts that seemingly come out of nowhere?  Even when we use the blessings of mind, reason, skill, talents, and resources innate to our being, there is still more.  When our minds are foggy and we cannot find our way out of the thin veil, you come bringing more gifts.

We busy our life with distractions.  We fill our calendar spaces.  We connect with so many communication networks that we make it nearly impossible to have time and space for silence, clearing our minds, and quietly reflecting on the extraordinary gifts of faith.  We give ourselves to cheap substitutes, not even realizing what we give up in exchange.  We miss the tender mercies.  We miss the tender mercies.  We miss the tender mercies.

Wondrous God,
remake us,
remold us,
renew us
in faith.
Forgive us
when we fail
to recognize
gifts of heaven.
Light our path
to you,
O Lord,
let eternity's
light shine
so we
may find you
every day.

Love, Andrea

Saturday, March 5, 2016

Dear God,

When we trust you, really, really trust you, we relieve ourselves of fear, doubt, and worry.  When we take the full reigns of our lives, we second guess, feel anxious, and live with fear.  What is faith but a radical trust in you?

What is there to do on days when we suffer with ill health but trust you?  When we realize we do not have the power to overcome alone, we can moan and groan, complain and judge, and get irritated and angry or we can take our concerns and hand them over to the Great Physician who will do a far better job taking care of us than we can take care of ourselves. 

Every day we have the option of doing our own thing or doing yours.  Why would we ever choose our own? 

Loving God,
thank you
for allowing us
to trust you.
Thank you
for blessing us
with faith
that connects us
to you.
Thank you
for eternal love
that never ends.

Always, Andrea

Friday, March 4, 2016

Dear God,

Rarely, if ever, do we make provision for a sick day.  We live daily believing all will be well.  But then we are brought down low by an illness that sucks the life out of us.  When our temperature rises, a cough develops, and our bodily functions go haywire, we realize once again how vulnerable our bodies are.

We are arrogant beings, O Lord.  We like to think we can control life all around us.  We like to be masters over our own destiny.  We forget how little control we really have.

As I fell ill today, I simply had to stop what I was doing and go to bed.  I simply had no energy or wherewithal to do anything but rest, take medicine, drink water, go to the bathroom, and sleep.  At those moments, I let everything else go, trusted you, and rested in your care.

Thank you,
Great Comforter,
for being
with us
when we
are ill.
Thank you
for blessing us
with mercy
and tender care.
Thank you
for sick days
that remind us
of our dependency
on you.

Love, Andrea

Thursday, March 3, 2016

Dear God,

How often, O Lord, have we described a day as an "ordinary" day, nothing special, just ordinary.  Yet, what is ordinary about any 24-hour period we call a day?  The Catholics call a specific time in the liturgical year "ordinary time".  Perhaps it is because it is not Advent or Lent or Epiphany or Pentecost.  But ordinary?  There is no ordinary time in human living, nor really.

We often fail to reflect upon time and really explore the value in it.  If we think of it as ordinary, we see no value in taking a deeper look.  But when we pause to consider any given day of life, we see so much more and the more is extraordinary.  A morning sunrise, the sound of a bird singing, a smile, clean air, a hug, an unexpected grace, food on the table, or the birth of faith makes every day so much, much more. 

When we stop and think about the extraordinariness of each day, we see your gifts, so many of them.  We see blessings hidden in each small thing, waking up feeling refreshed, stepping into a hot shower, sitting down to breakfast, taking medicine that keeps us healthy, knowing we are loved by family and friends, having money in our pockets to pay for our needs, and faith that waits to be realized more fully when troubles arise.  Each and all of these are extraordinary gifts, blessings from on high and what can possibly be ordinary in that?

Blessed God,
you awaken us
in the morning
to say
I love you.
You provide
all day
simply saying
I love you.
As we
fall into bed
at night,
we close
our eyes
in slumber
to have you
speak to us
in our dreams.
Bless you,
Lord,
bless you.

Love always, Andrea

Wednesday, March 2, 2016

Dear God,

Every Wednesday morning we sit in silence waiting for your spirit voice.  We close our eyes and our mouths, tune our ears, and open our souls.  We breathe in your living presence.  We wait.  Wherever any of us travel, the US, Africa, Europe, and India, we do the same thing.  No matter where we are, we long for your living presence.

There is an anticipation within us to hear, to see, and to experience your spirit movement.  You come to us or maybe we come to you, either way our hearts, minds, and souls are one as we seek you, O Lord.  You stir in us, you speak, you challenge, you invite, you heal, forgive, and awaken.  This Wednesday morning time is precious to us all as we convene our covenant group in Springfield, Illinois, Indianapolis, Indiana, Brownsburg, Indiana and Ridgeville, Indiana.  Although we are apart in distance, our souls congeal as one with you and one another.

You make a way for us all to be with you, don't you, Great God?  Hearts that beat in rhythm with you always find you and others gathering nearby.  You make us one because you want us to be a true community of faith.  You want us to realize we were never made for ourselves alone but rather to be one body with you as the head.  When our spirits come together with you, there is such sweet grace, sweet, sweet grace.

Holy God,
giver of all good gifts,
thank you
for the sweetness
of your grace.
Thank you
for your
living presence,
loving mercy,
and lingering spirit.
We are blessed
because you
are our
greatest blessing.

Love always, Andrea

Tuesday, March 1, 2016

Dear God,

In our covenant retreat next week we have decided to look at the Lord's Prayer paying particular attention to forgiveness.  We all agreed it was a good subject to explore and experience.  As I began to consider what I might offer the group in the session I will lead, I picked up the book Forgive for Good, a book I read 14 years ago.  As I reread some of my highlighted lines, I realized I needed a refresher course on forgiveness myself.

Sometimes we are blind to our own ways.  We forge a life without doing daily, weekly, or monthly checks on ourselves asking questions like:  Am I loving?  Am I understanding?  Am I forgiving?  Do I ask for God's guidance?  Do I regularly check in with God to see if I am on God's track rather than my own?  Do I apologize to others for my mistakes?  Do I please God?  If we honestly reflect upon our own ways, you will lead us to the truth that will set us free.

This morning you alerted me to my own attitudes and behaviors.  You urged me to take another look at myself.  Your loving compassion set me on the judgment seat and helped me see the truth.  Now, I have to go about my work to earn the freedom that comes with truth.

Blessed God,
thank you
for challenges
that work
on our
rough edges.
Help us become
lovers of God
who seek you
every day
in every situation.
Thank you
for today's word.
I am grateful.

Love, Andrea

Monday, February 29, 2016

Dear God,

Rain washes the earth clean, taking with it clutter and debris, dirt, and fallen twigs and branches. It cleans the air, ridding it of polluting elements. At the same time it feeds the earth, living water that brings necessary moisture to roots of trees, bushes, and plants.  It inspires all things to grow and fulfill their purpose in the world.

As the rain washes the earth, so does spiritual rain cleanse the human soul.  When we are full of disturbed emotions, worries and burdens, and crud from sin and temptation, we too need a deep cleansing, a clean up, and a "good riddance" of all that threatens our well being.  We need living water to come inside, to quench our thirst for goodness and righteousness, and to hydrate every pore for healthy living.  We need a waterfall to bring new life to us.

Often times when the rains come, we moan and complain; yet, the rain has critical value in the world.  When spiritual rain befalls us, we too can fall into negative thinking and blame.  However, spiritual rain is vital to our spiritual, physical, and psychological wellness.  We need it to slough off the unwanted, drink in the life-giving water, and to live again.  All this happens by your hand, O Lord, by your hand.

Thank you
for living water
that nourishes
the soul,
the earth,
and all
that lives.
Thank you
for new life
that reminds us
how good
and caring
you are.
Thank you
for faith
that helps us see
your good gifts.

Love, Andrea