Friday, April 29, 2016

Dear God,

You light up our lives.  You shine your light in our dark places.  You lighten our load. 

When we turn to you, already the light shines.  We come to you and the light offers us hope.  We see our way more clearly.  The more we lean on you the greater the light shines.

Sometimes we walk in darkness.  We may be afraid or despairing.  We may be doubtful and perplexed.  We may be dismayed or disheartened.  Or maybe our lives are lived in what seems to be perpetual darkness.  Those who live in war zones may feel the darkness encroaching 24/7.  Those who live in extreme poverty may feel darkness licking at their feet every meal time.  Those who are victimized by oppression, injustice, and slavery may wonder if the light will ever shine upon them.  But you, O Lord, are the true light bearer and you choose to shine your light on all of us, irrespective of who we are.

A musician once sang the song, "You light up my life..."  It is true, dear God, you light up our lives.

Thank you
for love
that shines
radiant light
upon us.
Thank you
for light
that warms us
when we
are cold,
lonely, and afraid.
Thank you
for light
that can
root out
our darkness.
Bless you,
Wondrous God,
bless you!

Thursday, April 28, 2016

Dear God,

Change is the name of the game.  Winter will change into spring and spring into summer.  A baby will become a child and then a teen before becoming an adult.  As humans we can be changed as a natural course or we can be transformed on an emotional and spiritual journey. 

Transformation always offers more than change it seems.  Change will happen but transformation can enable us to renew ourselves.  It can allow us to surrender one thing to pick up another much like a caterpillar makes a strange home and rises out of it as a butterfly.  We can intentionally participate in transformation and delight ourselves by your help and our progress.  We can take on a unique kind of beauty and celebrate life in new ways.

We can groan and moan about change kicking and screaming while it occurs or we can join you in a wondrous adventure on the road to transformation.

Help us
to trust you
in the
changing times
of our life.
Show us
the way
to transformation.
Thank you
for the opportunity.

Love, Andrea

Wednesday, April 27, 2016

Dear God,

When we don't know what to do, we have to trust you to help us.  When we don't know what to do, we have to listen for your voice.  When we don't know what to do, we have to follow your will.

Some things are very difficult to know what to do.  Sometimes we are just at a loss.  Sometimes we just don't have an answer to life's dilemma.  But you know our concerns even before we do.  You care like no one else.

More and more you reach out to us.  You give us a song to sing when we are at a loss for words.  You give us a picture to view your light while we walk through darkness.  You give us a sign of your presence when we are lonely.

As we awaken to the new day, you give us yourself.

Loving Father,
thank you
for your
compassionate mercy.
Thank you
for letting us
know you.
Thank you
for being
with us
when we
don't know
what to do.

Love, Andrea

Tuesday, April 26, 2016

Dear God,

Teach us to follow grace for there is no better way to live life than with and through grace.  Your son said "forgive them" on the cross.  Grace is nothing less than love, mercy, and forgiveness.

How do we ever turn our lives around without grace?  How do we ever make sense of the world without grace?  How do we ever change our relationships without grace?

I suppose we begin with receiving your grace for us.  All those times we messed up, when we failed, when we made mistakes, when we resisted the truth, and when we simply wanted to do our own thing regardless, we are aware we need grace.  In truth we want to clean up our lives.  We want to rid ourselves of those things that weigh us down.  We want to surrender thoughts and feelings that keep us stuck.  We want grace to help us find our way home.

When we open our eyes, minds, and souls to you, we recognize the value of grace to renew, restore, and revitalize us.  Not only that we know how we are to impart grace to others simply trying to find their own way.  Show us the way, the Lord, please show us the way.

Holy God,
giver of truth,
grace, and hope,
lead us
to you.
Show us
the way
to renewal,
restoration,
and revitalization.
Let your grace
do its work
on us
so we can
be grace-givers
to others.

Love, Andrea

Monday, April 25, 2016

Dear God,

You said it yourself, "You will know the truth and the truth will set you free."  You reached out to people not so much to tell them what to believe but to dig a faith in the soil of your love and to trust you to lead them to this truth.  As they discovered this call, they unearthed the truth and they marched in faith.

So it is today, in the muck of our lives, you call us to dig for truth because you know there is treasure in truth.  The benefit of knowing the truth is it sets us free to live a life of faith, love, and mercy.  In the joy of life, you show us how freedom can clear us from all that burdens us down and fills us with joy.  In the perplexities of life, you whisper compassion to us so we can follow your trail to truth.

Show us the way to this truth, O Lord, so we follow you.

Enable us
to trust you
and ourselves
so we
can walk
lives of faith.
Help us recognize
truth as
it is revealed.
Make us
faithful followers,
O Lord,
I pray.

Love, Andrea

Sunday, April 24, 2016

Dear God,

Joy erupts inside when we see your hand at work!  When we pause to reflect and take a deep look, we see what you have done.  We know your living presence and we celebrate the wonders of faith that enable us to witness life at a spirit level.

These last two weeks I have viewed the lives of several people whose faith in you is a beautiful thing to observe.  One is 98 years old, a true prayer warrior praying for the beloved whether a stranger in a far land, a struggling church, or children at risk.  One will soon turn 50 who teaches at a public school now instead of a Christian school because she wants to help teens in trouble.  Another is 12 years old whose love and compassion for others is a sight to behold.  In every case you work in lives such as these in order to bless the world in the here and now.

Thank you,
Gracious God,
for being
a force
for good
in this world.
Thank you
for the faithful
who want
to bless others.
Thank you
for the beauty
of faith.

Love, Andrea

Saturday, April 23, 2016

Dear God,

Slowly and surely your healing power heals us!  As we look to you for help, you assist us in facing hard times.  You enter our souls and heal us from the inside out.

Today I saw evidence and felt it as I attended a memorial service at a former church.  There were several people I love who attended.  We hugged and remembered together.  During the service itself I looked around and remembered the cross hanging above the organ.  I remembered when the organ was constructed over a period of six weeks.  I remembered the choir chair where I sat.  Such sweet memories flooded me, but they were sweet, no longer hurtful.

I realize more and more how you want to heal us.  You want to take our wounds and tenderly care for them.  You want us to trust you to knit the broken places back together and you do.

Merciful God,
thank you
for your
tender mercies.
Thank you
for touching
our lives
and healing us.
Thank you
for love,
grace, and faith
that blend together
to transform us.
Bless you!

Love, Andrea

Friday, April 22, 2016

Dear God,

Rest.  Awaking in the morning, feeling refreshed reminds us of the gift of rest, that restorative, renewing gift of life that gives us the energy to rise and go about our day.  Rest, your wondrous gift to us.

When we lack rest, we drag through the day.  We are irritable, grouchy and really, really tired.  We can hardly go.  We have trouble thinking and making positive, good decisions. We have difficulties  functioning normally.

Your rest makes all the difference.  Not only do you rest our bodies, you rest our minds and our souls.  Your spirit breeze blows to cleanse, open, and revitalize us.  You make us new.

Forgive us,
O Lord,
when we
take rest
for granted.
Forgive us
when we fail
to say
thank you
for your
amazing gift.
Bless you,
Lord,
for daily caring
for us.

Love always, Amdrea

Thursday, April 21, 2016

Dear God,

How blessed we are when you take us by the hand and walk us through the valley of the shadow of death to the other side!  When we are diagnosed with a life threatening illness and fear overtakes us, you reach out your hand and walk us through troubled times.

We each walk through that shadow, some of us numerous times.  We can feel pain, sorrow, grief, fear, and doubt but always your outstretched hand helps move us through the deep seasons of our life.  I know people who have taken that journey.  Although the emotional passage was fraught with difficulties, their faith in you moved them through the passes with a sense of trust, hope, and victory.

Tonight I had dinner with one such person, Lord, and I was blessed by her courage, peace, and trust.  How grateful to see signs of faith.  Once again blessed, Lord, once again blessed!

Heavenly Father,
thank you
for holy moments
that reveal
your grace
one more time.
Thank you
for faith
that makes
such a difference.
Thank you
for your
living presence
that feeds
our soul.

Love always, Andrea

Wednesday, April 20, 2016

Dear God,

Thank you for opportunities that present themselves to us in surprising ways!  Tonight we ate dinner at Olive Garden.  Next to us was a single mother with two beautiful little girls.  It was obvious it was the little girls' birthday because there were wrapped presents on the table.  As the children opened their simple, modest gifts they lined them up on the fireplace hearth next to the table.  They were so excited.  As the five-year-old caught my eye, she waved so I stepped over to the table to wish them a happy birthday.  They were all too happy to show me their gifts.

What I noticed was a tired mother eating a salad for her entrée.  I could tell it was a big deal for this little family to eat out and have a birthday party at the same time.  That triggered memories of my own three daughters when they were young and I too was a single mom trying to put myself through college.  We couldn't afford big birthday parties either so we did simple, small things and made a big celebration out of them.

During the time we lived on the poverty line, kind surprises came our way.  After leaving church one Sunday a man from our church noticed my car tire where the tread was so worn down that wires were showing through.  Without my knowledge he purchased a used tire, came to our house, and changed the tire free of charge.  One evening a lady showed up at our house and asked me to give her one of my bills.  Because I was having trouble paying the high electric bill even though we kept the thermostat down to 55 degrees (how did she know?), she took the bill and left with a firm response that we would never talk about it again.  My efforts to thank her were futile.  A friend brought a sack of groceries.  These were all gifts from heaven easing the pressure to provide for my family.

As my husband and I finished our meal, we anonymously paid for the birthday family's meal and counted it a blessing to us, to the family, and even to the server who got to share the good news.

Praise to you,
Lord God,
for gifts
of your spirit.
Thank you
for the
blessed chance
to bless
someone else
with your love.
Thank you
not only
for the blessing
to help
someone else
but also
to remember
and give thanks
for those
who helped
my family.
Glory to you!

Love, Andrea

Tuesday, April 19, 2016

Dear God,

Today I am thinking of the bells, the bells of churches in England, France, and Italy.  Every day on my renewal I heard the bells pealing, calling the people to prayer, to worship, and to faith. The bells were one of those mystery gifts that spoke volumes to me.  They reminded me just how close you are.

I believe you placed an inner bell in the soul of every child.  As we face hardships, sorrow, or fear, the inner bell rings calling us home to you where your love can warm us until we are able to face the issues that trouble us.  Our bell rings to remind us there is a savior, a healer, a comforter, a lover, a teacher, and a friend.  The bell sounds to challenge us to do something, to trust, to pray, and to walk in faith.

Although I heard no physical bell ringing this morning, I heard the bells from long ago and the bell inside and I gave thanks.

Holy God,
you are never
far away.
You ring
the bell
of faith
and call us
to it.
Thank you.

Love, Andrea

Monday, April 18, 2016

Dear God,

The birds start singing even before the sun comes up.  It is a happy song, a sound of contentment in the springtime.

Birds are one of your creatures that sing our your praise early in the morning.  Together they make up a symphony of sound.  Not only is it lovely, but also a sound of calm, peace, and harmony.

Even the birds speak to us of you.  Just like Jesus said, "Peace be with you," so do the birds in the early morning.  When we hear the first sound of the morning, it is as if you are speaking to us.  The sound of peace in the morning is a good one because it reminds us of you.  What a beautiful way to start the day!

Master of the Cosmos,
thank you
for the birdsong.
Thank you
for the sound
of peace.
Thank you
for love
that makes it all happen!

Love, Andrea

Sunday, April 17, 2016

Dear God,

Through your servant Pope Francis you have called for a year of mercy.  Mercy, if we could all be merciful to one another for one year, we would turn our world around.  The hungry would be fed.  The homeless would find shelter.  The lonely would discover friends.  The fearful would find faith.  The doubtful would find their way.  The unloved would surely walk into your embrace.  The warring would stop and think about what they are doing.  The angry would find respite.  The ugly would uncover beauty.  The hopeless would find hope.  The mean would find reason to surrender.  Evil would lose its hold on the earth.  Darkness would have to give way to the light. 

If only we had the desire for mercy, we would turn the world around.

O Lord,
teach us how
to be merciful.
Remove our need
to always
be right,
to be unloving,
to not care
for our neighbor.
Make us
like you,
Merciful Father.

Love, Andrea

Saturday, April 16, 2016

Dear God,

One pair of hands, the musician sang, one pair of hands.  Apparently a song of Elvis Presley was found in an archives a few years ago.  The song is all about you, how you formed the mountains, the sun and the moon, every bird, every flower, every tree, the valleys, the oceans, rivers, and sand.  But not only these but how one pair of hands heals the sick and calms the raging seas.  So very beautiful because it is a testimony to a living faith that sees through the visible to the invisible God who stands with creation and all her creatures.

Out of nowhere comes prized moments of your living presence.  Sometimes it comes through healing or nature scenes or a song.  Another time it comes through an insight, a word of scripture, a meditative moment, a hand reached out, or a special joy.  But always it comes, always!

Living God,
how wonderful
to be blessed
by you.
How beautiful
to know you
and to
be aware
of your presence
in the world.
My hearts
fills with gratitude
to you,
Blessed God!

Love always, Andrea

Friday, April 15, 2016

Dear God,

Thank you for the language of faith.  When we speak, we know we speak with you.

My first remembrance of the language of faith was my grandmother whose life of faith spoke volumes to all those around her.  Her kindness and compassion modeled your own son's.  Her life of love embraced us all, her family, her friends, the down and out, the lost and lonely, and the stranger who needed a lift.  Her gentle ways blessed us all.

When you speak to us of mercy, O Lord, we know you are calling us into a deeper life of faith.  When you speak of strength, we know you are inviting us to rise up with courage to do what is required of us.  When you speak of faith, we know you are asking us to come nearer, to reach out, and be surrounded with the most beautiful love of all time. 

This morning as I look out my window where stately trees reach to heaven, where birds drink from my teeny, tiny pond, and flowers grow in my contemplative garden, I only want to use the language of faith to express my gratitude and offer my praise.

Loving Father,
thank you
for the
language of faith,
that language
that ties us
to you.
Thank you
for all
the blessings
that come
with that language.
Thank you
for the opportunity
to let
that language
circle round
to give you
honor and praise.

Love, Andrea

Thursday, April 14, 2016

Dear God,

When you created the seasons, you planned for the seasons to teach us life lessons.  As we reflect upon spring, summer, fall, and winter, visions of loveliness and transformation come to mind.  In the spring plants and flowers rise up out of nowhere bringing surprise, new life, and joy.  Summer offers plenty of sunshine and rain giving us lush landscapes.  The fall leaves wow us with their color.  Wintertime brings a stark scene but one that reminds us of all the work happening beneath the ground.

Likewise, what rich gifts you give us during the human seasons of life!  In our springtime you call us to change and transformation, a spiritual renewal.  In the summer you invite us to look for beauty and goodness outside and in.  You show us the gifts of your spirit.  In the fall you remind us how surrender is always important in preparation for the work you want to do within us.  Winter teaches us to dig our roots deeper into the soil of your spirit where you nurture and nourish.

When we pause long enough to consider your amazing work outside and inside, you show us the way of your Holy Spirit.

What blessing
you give us,
O Lord.
Each season
teaches us
about human life.
Thank you
for caring
so much.

Love always, Andrea

Wednesday, April 13, 2016

Dear God,

The winds of change blow upon us daily.  When we are open to your grace we allow ourselves to be swept up by the wind of your Holy Spirit.  When we do not, we resist the power intended to guide, heal, and help us.  We can become rigid and face difficulties that can harm our spirit and our ability to have a meaningful and valuable life.

You constantly give us chances to "travel" with the wind of your spirit, Lord.  You simply ask us to grab hold and go where your wind takes us.  You invite us on spiritual adventures that can take us to new lands of opportunity where we can blossom and grow producing fruit for the world around us.  You want this for us and for the world.  You want to partner with us so together we can make peace happen for all people.

Blessed God,
teach us
to trust you,
to surrender
into your hands,
and to
give in
to the spirit
of your love.
Help us
to help others.
May we always
have gratitude
on our lips
for the wind
of your spirit.

Love, Andrea

Tuesday, April 12, 2016

Dear God,

Right now everything about our world seems fragile and shaky.  Politicians who long to lead our nation squabble with each other like children. Families suffer at home and abroad.  Millions of dislocated people sit in refugee camps with little or no hope for the future.  People are desperate for jobs to feed themselves and their families.  Children and teens wonder if their lives will be any better than their struggling parents.  And then there are those who misuse, abuse, and neglect the most vulnerable among us.

When all seems lost or ready to collapse, we look to you, Compassionate God.  When we realize there may be little we can do to change the world or the situation in which we live, we cry out to you.  When we are far away, we forget how to make contact.  We are like children without a parent.  But you hear our cries.  You come to us.  You ease our internal strife.  You bring us your peace to hold onto until we are able to rise and walk.  You speak words of hope.

Thank you,
Holy God,
for reaching out
to us
when we
are broken,
lost, in pain,
suffering, without hope,
and a way out.
Thank you
for amazing love
that lifts
our spirit.
Cradle us
in your arms,
Gracious Father,
so we
can see
the light
of your face.

Love, Andrea

Monday, April 11, 2016

Dear God,

When we are alone, you fill our space with your loving presence.  When we sit in darkness, you bring the light.  When we are despairing, you bring us hope.  When we are raw with pain, you bring ointment from heaven.  When we lose our way, you point us to the path that always leads home.

You give us so many gifts.  You are not a part-time God; you are always beside us.  You bless us with your living spirit that calls out to us daily.  You breathe your spirit breath into us.  You warm us when our hearts, mind, and soul grow cold from circumstances surrounding us.  You feed us the food of heaven when we are so hungry for your kind of love and mercy.

When we have the opportunity to wake from our sleep, you are the one who speaks to us first.  You guide us through our day.  You enable us to rise when we fall.  You show us the way to faith, that joyous blessing that allows us to see heaven's way. 

You are God; there is none like you!

Blessed God,
may we
not only recognize
but acknowledge
your presence
in this world.
Open our eyes
to your presence.
Open our ears
to your presence.
Open our hearts
to sing
your praise.

Love, Andrea

Sunday, April 10, 2016

Dear God,

Today I realized the healing work was done.  I used to still feel the pain.  I became sad and I grieved.  Then I became angry. I avoided people I loved.  But today in just the right setting I no longer felt these emotions.  I was happy.  I could be with the people I had to leave behind, yet, no longer feel the grief.  I came to the awareness that your healing power is just what you said it was.

Your will to heal us is certain.  You know what has to be done.  An incision in the heart, mind, and soul is difficult to imagine so we resist the healing process.  We step back away from you and your promise and remain in our painful situation but we continue to long for your healing restoration.

You do not walk away from us.  You stay with us reminding us of your promise to be with us always.  As we become cognizant of your spirit and we trust you, you place your hand on us, on our mind, our heart, and our soul.  The warmth of your love oozes into the hurting places.  It acts as a healing ointment.  In time the pain begins to wash away and what is left is the miracle mark on our soul.

Good and Gracious God,
your healing power
is a wonder.
Your love
is beyond measure.
Your kindness
is so beautiful.
Thank you
for healing me.

Love, An drea

Saturday, April 9, 2016

Dear God,

Your spirit moves in mighty and profound ways! When our eyes are opened to faith, we are enabled, empowered to see the amazing grace of a loving creator. We view life from above, witnessing not only actual events but also the movement of your Holy Spirit!

Today many of us gathered for the memorial service of a friend who recently died of cancer.  During that hour scriptures were read, songs were sung, eulogies were shared, prayers were offered, and a meditation was given.  But above the surface reconciliations were taking place, healing was coming from heaven, hope was being restored, faith was being renewed, forgiveness was being imparted, and joy was erupting. 

By day's end a new day had come because you came to us!

Blessed Lord,
thank you
for the work
of your
Holy Spirit.
Although we
are not worthy
of your
generous grace,
you give it anyway.
As recipients
we are grateful,
so very,
very grateful!

Love, Andrea

Friday, April 8, 2016

Dearest God,

You are the power that energizes the human spirit.  When our spirit is broken, weak, or failing, we can turn to you for power that will revive, restore, and renew us.

When we fail to attend to our spiritual life, when we forget to feed our soul with spiritual food, and when we stop plugging in to the greatest power in the cosmos, we begin to slump, get sloppy about the habits of our heart, mind, and soul, and spiral downward when life troubles arise.  We can feel alone, lifeless, and hopeless.  Life can appear very dark and abysmal. 

On the other hand, a miracle is wrought when we turn to you and find strength to rise up from our deathbed.  When we discover once again the amazing grace available to us in the midst of chaos,  disharmony, and pain, the miracle begins to do its work.  The dead can come back to life.

Praise to you,
Lord God;
praise to you.
Thank you
for the power
that inspires,
heals, and
and guides us
to a
new life.
Thank you
for merciful love
that fills us
and frees us.

Love, Andrea

Thursday, April 7, 2016

Dear God,

Reading Sacred Space - The Prayer Book 2016 by the Irish Jesuits, I read the devotion on the feeding of the 5,000 and walked away with more than ever before.  Yes, stretching the small amount of food a boy brought was miraculous; however, perhaps it was less about feeding hungry people and more about opening the eyes to faith and possibility.

Often we are hungry for our daily bread and after we eat it, we forget about the meal.  We may pray over our meal giving thanks but within minutes we forget it.  We fail to think about the farmers who follow their call to provide food for nations.  We don't remember how they put seeds in the ground and later harvested it.  We don't reflect upon those who took the wheat and made it into flour and still more of those who took the flour and baked the bread, even those who slipped it into a package to keep our food safe.  We forget the hands of those who produce food for us and the power of the One to grow the seeds in the first place.  We forget how faith is part of it all.

O Lord, you open us to wonder and awe.  Rarely do you feed us daily bread alone.  You feed us faith and possibility.  You widen our scope, our horizon to see beyond the bread to the holy, the magnificent, and the lavish love, but also to generosity, hope, and mercy.  The multitude who ate on the hill with Jesus walked away with much, much more than food in their belly.  They fed on the love of the Master and walked away with faith in you.

Loving God,
forgive us
when we
take for granted
our daily food.
Forgive us
when we fail
to look
more deeply
into the gifts
of your spirit.
Forgive us
when we fail
to see faith
at work.
Please open us
to you.

Love, Andrea

Wednesday, April 6, 2016

Dear God,

Your way always takes us to the light.  Wherever we may be in life, you take us where we are to the radiant light of faith.  You move us from darkness to the light.

We may forget the light exists.  We may look in many directions for the light but only you offer us the light of faith.  Only you can lift the veil, remove the blinders from our eyes, and escort us to true light that shines like no other.

One encounter with your light feeds our soul so much spiritual food.  When we feel your nearness we breathe differently because we know we do not need to fear, to be anxious, or to worry.  Your light warms our heart, fills our soul, and brings gladness to the surface where we most often live.  You change us because we realize we do not carry our burden alone.  There is One whose strength, mercy, and love will shoulder the greatest part of the load. 

Your light reveals your love for us.  In the face of such love, we naturally move to the light, the light of faith.

Compassionate God,
full of mercy,
thank you
for your light
that brightens
our path.
Thank you
for blessing us
with faith
that helps us
see the light.
Thank you
for love
that is never ending.

Love always, Andrea

Tuesday, April 5, 2016

Dear God,

Through the eyes of faith.  Through the eyes of faith, you show us a world so different than the every-day world we live in.  You reveal your spirit alive.

You direct us to exquisite landscapes, beautiful relationships, miracles-in-the-making, despair turned to hope, and the truth that sets people free.  The awesome nature of your spirit gives us a revived bounce in our step, a renewed trust, and revelations that restore our insides and move us meaningfully into the future.  Through the eyes of faith, we see you.

Blessed God,
you give us
eyes of faith
to see
the wonders
of your
living spirit.
You fill us
with blessings
from on high.
You replenish
our own spirits
and turn us
to you.

Love, Andrea

Monday, April 4, 2016

Dear God,

Help us see what you see.  Give us the view from heaven so we may see the whole of what is true.

So often we get stuck on one part of a story.  We may know there is more but if one part of the story emotionally impacts our life, we may just stick with that one part, particularly if it is negative.

I am guilty of this sin, O Lord.  I set up parameters and failed to allow you to knock down the walls so I could move beyond them.  You would have helped me inculcate the rest of the story and ease my way back as I healed day after day.  I could have built a better relationship because that is what you would have wanted.  The story could have become your story.  As it is, it is now impossible.  My friend died.

Loving God,
so often
we hold onto
the past.
We do
not give faith
a chance.
We protect ourselves
rather than
take another chance.
I am sorry,
O Lord,
I am
terribly sorry.

Love, Andrea

Sunday, April 3, 2016

Dear God,

How did it become April so fast?  What happened to January, February, and March?  The days slip by so quickly.  Some days it feels like there has been no time between rising and falling back into bed.

You hold time, Good Lord.  Daily you give us time to live our faith, to see the wonders of creation, to serve others, to love deeply, and to walk with your Holy Spirit living presence.  Each minute is precious.  In that minute there are a thousand images to see, so many sounds to hear, and much more to taste, smell, and touch.

Every minute is a prayer, O Lord, a prayer of respect, appreciation, and love.  As we breathe in the air of life, we accept the gift you give us.  As minutes become an hour and hours become a day, you fill us with yourself.  By day's end we have received the fullness of your love and mercy and another day is gone.

When we faithfully live the life you give us, there is so much to be thankful for.  So much gratitude need fill us to the brim to give to you.  Although the days move swiftly by, we acknowledge you as the great time keeper and give thanks.

Creator God,
thank you
for time
and all
its many gifts.
Thank you
for your presence
all day long.
Thank you
for filling us
with you.

Love, Andrea

Saturday, April 2, 2016

Dear God,

You heal memories of the soul so you can peel back yet another memory that needs exploration, reflection, and restoration.  Your intent is to heal us completely, to leave no painful memory within us.  You ask us to trust you, to let you do your divine work, and to give us mercy which is exceptional kindness.

I have watched people face their inner demons, their painful sufferings, and walk through life surrendering the past that held them captive.  I have witnessed the power of faith to open doors, to cleanse, and to heal from within.

Although we may have scars from the past, you take our pain with you, and leave behind the wonders of mercy.

Holy Father,
Healer of the Soul,
thank you
for heaven's favors.
Thank you
for extending mercy
to us.
Thank you
even for opening
the scabs
that never healed.
Your grace
can heal
like nothing else.

Love, Andrea

Friday, April 1, 2016

Dear God,

We can never take anything for granted.  We cannot assume all will be the same today as it was yesterday.  We cannot envision today's light will be enough for tomorrow.

Every day is fresh and new.  Darkness can sideswipe us knocking us off our foundation.  We cannot blithely believe all will be well.  Today a friend learned she will soon die from cancer.

What we know to be true is this:  Your promises are true.  You will be with us.  We will not ever be alone.  Even though we will walk through the valley of the shadow of death, we will not do it alone.  By faith you will walk us into eternity where your perpetual light will shine forever.

Loving God,
thank you
for your
amazing promises.
Thank you
for hope
in the midst
of darkness.
Thank you
for walking close
beside us.

Love always, Andrea

Thursday, March 31, 2016

Dear God,

Springtime challenges us at the deepest part of our soul.  It cries out, "Hey, you, wake up.  It's time to grow again." It awakens us from our sleep, our lethargy, and nudges us to move.  As we watch the soil shift and move, making way for the new flower, we know there is something amiss inside us.  It is love moving and shaking us.

What once appeared dead now shows new life.  It seems a miracle, really, a mystery unfolding.  We know it, we have seen it in the past, but there is a new joy as we watch it happen all over again.  We find ourselves celebrating both for nature but also for ourselves.  Who wants to live dead?

Almighty God,
maker of creation,
thank you
for the
wondrous springtime love
you reveal
to us
each year.
Thank you
for holding us
in our lifelessness
until the
new day,
the new season.
All praise to you!

Love, Andrea

Wednesday, March 30, 2016

Dear God,

How blessed we are to know you, to call you by name, and to trust you.  But more than that, how blessed we are that you know us, call us by name, and walk with us.

Above all things, our relationship with you and your relationship with us is the most important gift, blessing, and hope in all creation.  To be united with the king of glory and for the king of glory to unite with us is beyond mind boggling.  Yet, often times we behave as if the relationship does not exist or if it does, it is of little value.  We pay little attention to the one relationship that is the greatest.

O Lord, we cannot manage a beautiful relationship on our own.  We need your help so we can rise to the highest level of love, loyalty, and commitment.  We need to awaken each morning with the sure knowledge that faith has opened our eyes to a new day, to new possibilities, and to greater hope.  As we breathe in the air of expectancy, we also become aware of your living spirit.  Peace comes to us as we acknowledge the air we breathe together.  Throughout the day we enjoy endless conversations that reveal freedom, truth, joy, strength, and grace.  By day's end we know that we know that we know we have been in the company of the Holy One.

Blessed Lord,
thank you
for the
many ways
you bless us.
Help us
take nothing
for granted.
Remind us
to begin
and end
each day
with you
giving praise
and thanksgiving.

Love always, Andrea