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