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