Sunday, June 26, 2016

Dear God,

I was told it was a 10 minute walk straight down the street.  Within a minute of stepping out of the hotel door it started drizzling rain.  With no umbrella I kept walking faster and faster.  Ten minutes passed, then 15.  At 20 minutes I was certain I was lost but I kept speed walking, rain dripping down my face.  Almost ready to turn around I looked up and saw the church spire, the cross reaching to the sky.

How good it felt to slide into the pew at Our Lady, Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Dublin.  Just five minutes late and soaked, it didn't matter because I was home.  The readings, the prayers, and the message all connected to the one place within me, faith.  I drank in living water and ate spiritual food.  I was so blessed when I watched a beautiful, dark Indian boy, with big round eyes and a happy face place his one coin in the offering basket next to me.  As we sang the final song of thanksgiving, I was filled with gratitude for the blessings I found these last 19 days in England, Wales, and Ireland.

Sometimes things don't work out as I think they will.  Sometimes I lose my way and am late making my destination.  Sometimes I am sure I am lost.  But then, when I finally look up, I know exactly where I am.

Holy Father,
blessed be
your name.
Thank you
for all
the blessings
of life.
Thank you
for life lessons
that teach us
to look up.
Thank you
for the cross
that led me home.

Always, Andrea