Wednesday, September 28, 2016

Dearest God,

Only you can heal a broken heart.  Only you can bring people together.  Only you can make a relationship new!

Our family has experienced so much brokenness.  We have been laid low with sorrow and grief but it has brought us to our knees in prayer.  We have trusted you and tried to do what you have asked of us.  At the same time you have shown us to be patient, to lean on you, to forgive, to be merciful, and to take one day at a time.

We were so surprised when a family member asked to visit us.  We had planned to leave for Indiana but you delayed us so we could accommodate the request.  In so doing we made plans to follow your lead.  He will arrive tomorrow, yet, another miracle of your making.

Thank you,
O Lord,
for your compassion
and your mercy.
Thank you
for touching
our lives.
Thank you
for changing
our hearts.

Love, Andrea

Tuesday, September 27, 2016

Dear God,

Today you brought to me memories of my mother and father.  I thought about them in the early hours after my birth seventy years ago.  I was the first born of my parents.  It was a sweet memory especially since my parents have been dead for several years.

You give us memory so we can store up beautiful stories and pictures.  You give us tender moments made holy by your hand.  You bring to us miracles, healings, surprises, learnings, and valuable life lessons.  You come to us carrying the greatest times of our lives and we are very grateful.

Loving God,
thank you
for blessing us
with special memories.
Thank you
for incredible times
when you
filled us
with joy,
hope, and love.
Thank you
for gratitude
that keeps us
in perpetual thanksgiving.

Love, Andrea

Monday, September 26, 2016

Dearest God,

I said it before and I will say it again.  You put a song in our heart and the angels sing it over and over again.  This morning I heard it.  "O God, you are my God and I will ever praise you."  It is a popular contemporary song we sang in worship last Sunday.  All day long the angels sang.

Often throughout my life you have put songs in my heart.  I remember the time several years ago when you put excerpts from It is Well with my Soul.  I was ill; my blood pressure way over stroke level.  I was driving up a mountain to pick up church members who had been on retreat. There was no phone service at the monastery, my destination.  I was in the middle of nowhere, the nearest hospital almost an hour away.  My head was pounding.  And you began to sing.  I breathed in the music, especially the lyrics. "Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come, let this blest assurance control, that Christ hath regarded my helpless estate, and hath shed his own blood for my soul."  Over and over you sang.  You brought peace and help to my side.  When I arrived at the top one of the retreatants took over driving and all prayed until I was out of trouble.  I will never forget that day or the angels in heaven and earth who sang and prayed.

You are the God
of the helpless.
You come
and tarry.
You bless
and heal.
Thank you
for the song,
all the songs.
Thank you,
most of all,
for your
compassionate presence.

Love, Andrea

Sunday, September 25, 2016

Dearest God,

We worship, praise, and adore you.  You are God; there is none like you.

One day a week we gather to remember, to celebrate, and to pray.  As we lift our voices in song, we fill up with your joy and express our thanksgiving.  In our togetherness we feel your palpable presence and are so grateful.

This morning when I looked around the sanctuary, I saw so many who have lived through great hardship and sorrow.  But more than that, they have overcome through faith, trust, and belief.  Their testimony strengthens us for our own difficulties.  They inspire us to look up and look out for the creator of the cosmos.  Their faith fills us with courage.

As we sing our final hymn making ready for our departure home, we know the joy of the Lord and spill over with praise.

Holy God,
giver of all good things,
thank you
for Sunday mornings,
for worship,
for grace,
and faith.
Thank you
for the
divine mystery
that unfolds
when we gather.
Thank you
for blessing us
so we
can bless others.

Love, Andrea

Saturday, September 24, 2016

Dear God,

We cannot see what you can see until we have eyes of faith.  Only then can the vision come to life for us.

When we first came to this property 12 years ago all I could see in the back was a wall of ugly, menacing, thorny bushes that rose up and met the low-hanging invasive Norway Maple trees.  It was an ominous place, a space I could never imagine walking into so I ignored it.  But then one day you whispered to me and that was the beginning of a wondrous, fascinating spiritual journey.

I began the labor of love by cutting down and digging up the first cow rose, at least that's what they called it.  Supposedly a century ago it was a nasty hedge to keep the cows in the pasture but then the cows vanished and a woods grew up and so did the hedges.  But when you said there was a spiritual path inside and pointed to what would become an opening, I believed you even when I couldn't see it.
For more than seven years I worked to reveal the path that was waiting.

Blessed Lord,
thank you
for entrusting
the path
to me.
Thank you
for spiritual openings
that came
when I listened
and followed you.
Thank you
for the beauty
that is
revealing itself.

Always, Andrea

Friday, September 23, 2016

Dear God,

Soon I will be 70 years old.  I can hardly believe it.  I remember when my grandmother was 70 and my mother.  Now me.

Several years ago you gave me opportunity through breast cancer to count my blessings, to let go of the stigma of age, and to regard every day as a gift.  Each morning before I rise I begin my gratitude prayer.

Often we get mired in all the things we do not have rather than celebrate all we do.  Although we may suffer from an illness or have a difficult job or situations don't go the way we hope, still we are blessed because you are always with us.  You give us family, food, and abilities to work and play.  You teach us valuable life lessons and you promise your presence with us always.  You make a place for us in this world no matter our age, condition, or situation.

Thank you,
O Lord,
for this
God-given day.
Thank you
for every day.
Thank you
for gratitude
that swells
our heart
with love
for you.

Love always, Andrea

Thursday, September 22, 2016

Dear God,

The way to peace is trust in you.  When our stomachs churn, our heart beats fast, and our breathing is labored, we feel anxious, worried, and afraid.  Our minds spin.  No peace is to be found because we are fixed on whatever ails us.  But when we turn to you and trust you to help us, we find inner peace, the kind that comes only from you.

How many times have I tossed and turned because I could not let go of worry or fear?  How often have I raged inside over an injustice?  When I gave in to all my concerns and could not see a way out, I fretted and stewed.  However, what I discover is when I trust you and breathe in your light and breathe out my own darkness, I find you standing with peace in your hand.

Heavenly Father,
thank you
for your
sweet peace.
Thank you
for your compassion
and gentle way.
Thank you
for meeting us
at the point
of our need.

Love always, Andrea

Wednesday, September 21, 2016

Dear God,

How can a simple plot of ground bring such peace?  As I sit in the dirt, pluck up roots, and set stones for the spiritual path, I find quiet solitude.  You put a song in my heart and gratitude in my soul.

For seven years I have worked on our spiritual path.  I have had so much dirt under my fingernails that I could grow a garden.  Yet, there is something so beautiful every time I step into the woods.  It was never my idea to create a sacred space.  It was you who pointed the way.  As I labor there, I think of you.  I pray, meditate, and contemplate upon your spirit and its amazing beauty.

Through the years as I dug and plucked, pulled and cut, raked and planted, I found numerous items from the past, a coin, marbles, a rusted child's stove, barbed wire, broken glass, pounds of it, lead pipes, and old bottles, I also discovered valuable lessons about life.  You spoke to me and I learned from you.  Sometimes I sang aloud.  Sometimes I cried thinking about brokenness in my own life or my family's or even the world.  Sometimes I laughed.  But always I felt near to you and the way you challenged me to clear out my own clutter, to surrender and let go of things that weigh me down, and to trust you to lead me higher and higher.  The lessons of the path have been lessons in life.

Holy Spirit God,
thank you
for entrusting
this plot
of ground
to me.
Thank you
for your vision
and plan.
Thank you
for your
compassionate nudge
that always
pushes me
to consider
your leading.
I love you.

Always, Andrea

Tuesday, September 20, 2016

Dear God,

Thank you for calling your children to serve in ministry to others!  Thank you especially for those who lead the way to healing.

Sometimes we get lost in the darkness and then we just sit down and wait for despair to overtake us.  We feel hopeless, powerless, and finished.  As we begin to decay and mire ourselves deeper and deeper, we can only dare to pray someone will come along, offer us a hand, and help us up and out.

A few months ago someone very special to me lost herself in that very darkness.  She wanted to end her life because she could not see a future bright and happy.  But then her mother rose from her bed and came to her aid and then her father.  Taken first to the hospital and later to a specialized facility for many, many weeks, one after another of your servants took her hand and slowly began to lead her to the light, to hope, and to courage.  She began to trust again, to eat and drink, and to put one foot in front of the other.  Your children, your compassionate children painted a hopeful future for her through various therapies and soon she will return to us, not altogether healed but on her way. 

Gracious God,
thank you
for giving us back
our beloved
family member.
Thank you
for saving her
from the brink.
Thank you
for devoted souls
that work diligently
for you
and others.

Love always, Andrea

Monday, September 19, 2016

My dearest God,

You show us your power and quiet beauty.  How can it be that a teeny seed can become a tall, shiny, green blade of grass?

Just days ago I cleared two large areas, raked onto it shellfish compost and loam mixture, spread sun/shade grass mixture, spread straw, and watered.  Today I discovered tiny blades springing from the soil.  What a miracle!

You constantly reveal your power to us, O Lord.  You show us your spirit work.  You paint beauty all around us, blue skies, white billowy clouds, and every color of the rainbow.  You give it to us free of charge.  You make real your love for your creatures through creation.  What can we say?

Creator God,
thank you
for the
magnificent beauty
of your cosmos.
Thank you
for blessing us
each day.
Thank you
for your power
that can make
all things possible.

Love, Andrea

Sunday, September 18, 2016

Dear God,

Yesterday the priest spoke of living in the light.  This morning he talked about the light of faith in Mother Teresa.  As he spoke her light glowed in the sanctuary as we contemplated her love and compassion.  Wherever there is faith, love, and compassion there is always light.

We are drawn to the light, O Lord.  We want to climb out of darkness and into the light.  We want to gaze on light that warms, calms, and beautifies.  We transform in the light.  We shed the weight of fear, worry, and anxiety.  And when we fill with your light, we too radiate.

Merciful God,
Light of the World,
shine your light
upon us.
Help us turn
toward the light
so we
can embrace
your light.
Take our darkness,
we pray,
let your light
fill us
with you
so we too
can light
the world
with faith,
love, and mercy.

Yours, Andrea

Saturday, September 17, 2016

Dear God,

When is a cup more than a cup, a picture more than a picture, and a stone more than a stone?  We listened and reflected upon this question as we retreated by the seashore.  All things are more when your spirit rests upon them.

The week before the retreat we were asked to bring an item that was sacred to us.  Immediately I knew what I would take with me.  Almost forty years ago I was given a very early picture of my grandmother.  Perhaps she was 18 or 20 years old. In an antique black frame she seems to peer out of the picture, innocent, beautiful, and kind.  The picture sits on my bedroom dresser.

My grandmother, what do I say about a faith-filled woman whose love was apparent to all those around her?  A woman who played the church organ for 60 years as a volunteer, who grew a truck patch so she had plenty of vegetables and fruits to feed adult children, grandchildren, and many needy families in her teeny community of 500.  A woman who read her bible and devotional every day, who knelt by her bed every night and prayed for every family member by name, and who grew dozens of beautiful violets with little care but they grew because her hand touched them.

All during the weekend my grandmother was present at the retreat and everywhere I sat, it seemed her eyes were looking straight at me.  My grandmother led me in faith by her quiet, loving, and gentle ways.  She loved you very much and served you well for a long, long time.  I adored her, still do because her faith was authentic, her love deep, and her compassion oh, so wide.

My grandmother's picture is so much more because she was so much more.  She is a picture of you, dear Lord, an image of the holy.

Blessed Lord,
you bless
and bless
and bless
some more.
Your spirit
touches us
and faith
appears before us.
You move us
to sacred depths
through holy people
and we
are grateful,
very grateful.

Love, Andrea

Friday, September 16, 2016

Dear God,

You are the God with a tender heart.  You look upon your children with compassion.  You whisper our names.

I saw signs of you at the retreat center.  Art work on the walls, the crucified Christ at the altar, and the fellowship of the Catholic sisters presented you to us.  As we each one shared our sacred object from home, it was clear you were in our midst.

It was the love expressed to Theresa, a middle age mother who had just lost her 24-year-old son a few weeks ago where I saw you the most.  Your hand was outstretched to her tonight as retreatants reached out to her.  Stumbling in heart-felt grief, still she proclaimed her faith and called your name.  
You brought relief as she put her hand in yours.

Help us
be still
and know you,
O God.
Thank you
for your
sweet compassion.
May we be
bright lights
for you.

Love, Andrea

Thursday, September 15, 2016

Dearest God,

You bring us aid when we need it.  When you inspire us to fulfill your will for our lives, when you give us a mission, and when you set forth your work for us, you call others to help us.

I think it was nine years ago when you whispered your design to me.  You pointed to the woods behind our house and said, "There will be a spiritual path and it will open there."  The "opening" was a massive, tangled mess of tall, threatening cow roses complete with the biggest, nastiest  thorns I had ever seen.  The trouble was I couldn't see into any part of the long, wide woods and I was afraid.  I could only imagine what lurked in there.  For two years I thought about it.  I prayed about it.  I couldn't see what you could see but I was determined to partner with you.

First, you sent me Cindy, my dear friend, from Indiana.  She flew out that first year and we began work in our nearly 200-year-old house.  Then we moved to the path a few years later and we commenced the gargantuan task of cutting, digging, and pulling up roots the size of my thumb.  Sometime later you sent Susan and then a small group of retreatants who worked on the path for a spiritual exercise.  Then you brought Ginny out.  Cindy came every year starting in 2004 when I closed on the house.  She wasn't able to come this year because she was laboring  on a home back in Indiana.  But Susan became a fixture on the path when she wasn't working at her job. 

The path has been taking shape revealing the wonder of your creation.  Not only can we see through the beautiful woods, we are able to gaze upon the river just over the hill.  The rooms have formed, the altar, the table, the sanctuary, and the secret garden.  Another area is revealing itself.  It is a place of solitude, peace, and harmony.  Although I have spent hours daily working alone, you brought your friends to assist in the mission.  The work is far from done but the labor of love has brought others to bless and be blessed.

Almighty God,
lover of creation
and your creatures,
thank you
for the privilege
of working
with you.
Thank you
for others
who are willing
to assist
in your plan.
Thank you
for all
the amazing gifts
that have come
from your hand.

Love always, Andrea

Wednesday, September 14, 2016

Dear God,

I heard the sound of chimes blowing in the wind.  What a beautiful sound they rendered.  And I remembered...

On my clergy renewal leave in 2005 I traveled to New Mexico, France, Italy, England, and Ghana.  During that time I listened for the bells that rang.  Those bells were the sound of heaven to me.  They drew me to you.  They spoke of the joy of eternity.  They challenged me to pray and praise.  They blessed me and those who traveled with me.  They spoke of the mercies of heaven.  They always spoke every day.

Whenever I hear the sound of bells, I think of you, Lord.  I think of your goodness, your friendship, and your love.  I remember insights, miracles, healings, help, guidance, and wisdom that came.  I remember you.

Almighty God,
you come
in a whisper,
the twinkling
of bells,
and the sound
of music.
I feel
so blessed,
so incredibly blessed.
Thank you
for the sound
of faith.

Love, Andrea

Tuesday, September 13, 2016

Dear God,

The change has begun.  Green is giving way to red, yellow, gold, orange, and brown.  Temperatures are dropping.  The season of Fall is taking over where summer left off. 

You could have made a world without change.  You could have painted the cosmos gray.  You could have created a world without song.  But you didn't; you designed a world of melody, harmony, and marvelous lyrics.  You created beauty, amazing beauty, stupendous beauty.

You bless us with your creation, Great God of Heaven, every day you bless us.

Glorious Creator,
thank you
for your creation.
Thank you
for making us
as creatures
in the cosmos.
Thank you
for blessing us
with change
and transformation.

Love, Andrea

Monday, September 12, 2016

Dear God,

There are moments of sublime joy with you.  When we see and feel your Holy Spirit working in our lives, we know that we know that we know we have a powerful relationship to the God of the cosmos.

How many times have I feared, felt paralyzed and when your Holy Spirit overturned that fear, I felt humbled and overjoyed.  When an answer came to an earnest prayer, I felt such mercy that my whole  body wanted to dance with joy (sometimes I did).  When an insight came to what I thought had no more possibilities, I felt overwhelmed with joy from on high.

You are the author of joy, O God.  When you give us hope to what seems a hopeless situation, you give us joy.  You let that joy change us from the inside out.  Joy brings light to a dark situation.  It brings peace and quiet (unless, of course, we jump for joy).  You are joy, Lord, you are joy!

Loving God,
thank you
for the
countless times
your spirit
has touched
our lives.
Thank you
for all
those moments
when you
helped us
conquer fear,
hopelessness,
and doubt.
Thank you
for blessing us
when we fall.

Love you, Andrea

Sunday, September 11, 2016

Dearest God,

You are the light, the light that shines in every darkness.  When you shine your light on us, you give us opportunity to join you in that same light.

This morning in worship our pastor lit a candle and placed it on the altar.  She prayed a prayer for all those who lost loved ones in 9/11.  I remember that dark day.  It seemed as though the light would never shine again.  As we relived the scenes of death on the television, the darkness tried to suck us in leaving us in despair and deep darkness.  But someone, many someones lighted candles at the scenes and around the world.  Slowly the light captured us stealing away the power of the darkness.

You told us we are people of the light.  You told us to shine our light.  You told us to live in the light.  You are the light, O Lord, the light that always shines.  May we remember to shine our light for the world.

Holy God,
thank you
for the
original light
that came
into the earth.
Thank you
for light
that continues
to shine
even when
darkness threatens.
Thank you
for hope
that restores us
to the light.

Love, Andrea

Saturday, September 10, 2016

Dear God,

Let silence speak.  Let silence have a chance to improve our life.  Let silence tell us the mysteries of the universe.

Years ago you challenged me to let go of my need to talk.  You whispered to me, "There is so much more."  You revealed my fear of silence and what I might come to know if I stopped talking or stopped filling my life with noise.  I confessed my fear and you gave me another chance to surrender and let be.  That distinct moment in time changed my life forever.

When we are distracted by the world's noise and our own surroundings, we leave no space or time for you.  By giving in to the busy distractions, we say we don't want to make space and time for you so we squeeze you out, Lord; we squeeze you out.  And we miss a whole other world, the world of your spirit, the calm assurance of your presence, the awareness of life in the deep, the joy of knowing you, and the conversation that can begin to make us new.  We miss your glory, the wonderment of creation, and awe-inspiring days filled with visions of your spirit presence.

When we let go and give in to silence, we participate in an ongoing living relationship with you like no other.  You bless us and give us opportunity to bless you back.

Blessed Lord,
thank you
for the gift
of silence,
for its power,
its truth,
its beauty,
its joy,
and its peace.
Thank you
for your spirit
that dwells
within us.
Thank you
for opportunities
to give thanks
and mean it.

Love, Andrea

Friday, September 9, 2016

Dear God,

The sun rises.  The sun sets.  In all its magnificent colors.  When we can't count on much else, we know the sun will rise and set.

Tonight at a dinner with friends, we watched the sun slowly drop from the sky to the lake.  We drank in the beauty realizing that tomorrow it will all happen again.

There is a steadfastness in you, O Lord.  We can always count on you for a constant daily rhythm.  We know certain things will occur.  As we open ourselves to you and follow you, we too can be engulfed in first morning light.  We can watch the sun rise in colors of yellow, blue, red, pink, gray, and gold, varying from day to day, but as beautiful as the day before.  As the evening wears on, we can observe the sun changing its course from this continent.  We can sit and wait and watch and eventually the sun will disappear before us but not without first a colorful display.

We look to you, Wondrous God, and when we follow your lead, we see what you see.  We know what you know about certain things that effect our lives.  When we tune ourselves to your channel, we can experience the wonder of life and all its valuable lessons.  Thanks be to God!

Holy God,
thank you
for the wonders
of creation.
Thank you
for your faithfulness.
Thank you
for gifts
that happen
every day
and we get
to see it.

Love, Andrea

Thursday, September 8, 2016

Dear God,

Most things don't happen without preparation.  A meal isn't a meal unless it is prepared.  A basketball player doesn't become a star without preparation.  Barren soil will not become part of a yard unless it is prepared. 

Today I began working on a large patch of ground in our back yard.  I cleaned and cleared it, brought in compost and loam mixture, spread it and raked it out leaving about 1" or 2" in place, covered it with straw, and finally watered it.  I will water twice daily preparing the soil to bring forth a lush area of new green grass.  I am hoping for a nice stand of grass.

While working in the dirt, I thought how a man or woman cannot become spiritual beings without preparation.  We need to clear our psychological obstacles.  We need to open our mind and our ears to you.  We need to listen and watch and anticipate realizing that you come to us in an infinite number of ways.  We need to take your hand when it is offered.

Each time I work in the garden, my spiritual path, or back yard, you whisper little truths to me.  You challenge my faith especially when I am thinking too small.  You stretch my mind, heart, and ears.  You inspire me to take steps toward growth, service, and love.  As I give myself to you, I realize how you and I work together to prepare me for time with you and others.  You expect me to grow.  You expect me to serve.  You expect me to love.  You expect me and I am glad.

Holy Father,
thank you
for your attention
to detail.
Thank you
for stirring
inside me.
Thank you
for teaching me
while in
the garden.

Love, Andrea

Wednesday, September 7, 2016

Dear God,

How can we be 100% content with our own lives when there are 60 million refugees in the world?  How can we rest well with full bellies, medicines in our cabinets, and clean water in our faucets?  How can we purchase more clothing when our closets are full and not think of those who have just what is on their backs?

You made us part and parcel of one another.  You made us as one human community.  You put us all on one planet that no one owns.  You made us to consider one another, to help one another, and to reach out.  You did not make us an island unto ourselves.

Show us
the way
to one another,
O Lord.
Point the way
to compassionate love.
Thank you
for discontent
that reminds us
of our neighbors,
I pray.

Love, Andrea

Tuesday, September 6, 2016

Dear God,

Recently in a covenant group conference call, a colleague listened as I shared a slice of my life where I reported a number of issues in which  I have no control to change things.  Although at times I feel helpless, nonetheless, I have tried to go with the flow realizing there is a greater power than my own. I said.  My colleague shared his vision of my plight.  "You are like a rowboat without oars floating down the river with a special kind of anchor pointing you in the right direction." 

I liked that thought.  I liked it a lot.  When he said it, I saw the picture.  When I looked into my tiny boat, I saw inside a water bottle and a song.  I realized that the bottle represented the living water you give us daily to drink, to quench our thirst, and to keep us healthy and well.  The song, well, the song, is the spirit of your love, your kindness, and the joy that comes with wholly trusting you.  Yes, I liked the thought, the vision, and the hope.

Thank you,
Guiding God,
for the
spirit awareness
you give us.
Thank you
for pictures
that form
when we
truly listen
for your voice.
Thank you
for compassionate love
that keeps us going.

Love always, Andrea

Monday, September 5, 2016

Dear God,

Change is in the air, not only in the seasons but in my life as well.  Life lessons are coming as you point me to the seasons to show me the way.

Nothing appears to be the same.  Relationships with children and grandchildren seem to be changing.  I can't count on the predictability of life as it once was.  I can't change it, don't really want to, but it is different and I am learning how to adapt to a new normal.

You have taught me that we can't cling to summer.  The flowers are fading and the trees are waiting to color and then let go.  I resonate with that.  What once was is familiar, predictable, and without fuss.  But that is no longer.  I too have to make ready to color and let go, surrender unto the next season that is coming.

Through it all you are teaching me to trust, to give myself over to you, to let you guide my little boat.  Just like summer plants, flowers, trees, and shrubs follow your lead, so must I crawl into the boat, fix the anchor thing in the back that keeps me going in the right direction, and then let the oars go, letting the stream take me.

Loving God,
take me
where you
want me
to go.
Lead me downstream
where opportunity
awaits me.
Fill me
with trust
from on high
so I
will fully surrender
into your care.
Guide my boat home,
I pray.

Love always, Andrea

Sunday, September 4, 2016

Dear God,

How wonderful are the seasons of creation.  How blessed are those transitions that begin at the end of one and pick up at the start of the next.  Just as summer is beginning to fade, there are gentle hints of Autumn.  You give us time to celebrate the gifts of summer and tease us with the beauty of what is to come.

Just today I smelled Autumn in the air.  I thought of the change that is coming when the leaves turn red, gold, yellow, orange, and brown.  I thought of chilly days and cold nights.  I thought of pumpkins, apples, and harvest.  But, it is not yet, but it is coming.

You bless us
with creation.
You provide us
so much beauty
in summer
but then,
there is Fall
in all
its glory.
You bring us
to you,
Holy One,
every season
brings us
to you.

Love, Andrea

Saturday, September 3, 2016

Dear God,

It is easy to love family and friends, our community, and our nation for we are part of them.  Yet, who could fail to love strangers across the ocean, people who live on other continents?  Recently at church we sang This is My Song.  The first verse speaks profoundly to our need to love our neighbors near and far. "This is my song, O God of all the nations, a song of peace for lands afar and mine.  This is my home, the country where my heart is; here are my hopes, my dreams, my holy shrine; but other hearts in other lands are beating with hopes and dreams as true and high as mine."  Lord, I couldn't help but think of those who live so far away.

You constantly remind us that far or near, we are children of the same God.  You ask us to love them too like family.  They are like us with needs, hopes, and dreams.  You teach us to remember we share one planet.  We are one family because we are all made in your image, brothers and sisters to one another.  Help us to live as one, Heavenly Father.

Thank you
for reminding us
we are
one human family.
Thank you
for creating hearts
for loving many.
Thank you
for making us one.

Love always, Andrea

Friday, September 2, 2016

Dear God,

It was easy to give thanks this morning as I celebrated my daughter's 46th birthday.  I remembered her birth all those years ago and then reflected upon her generosity to me as a daughter.  How could one not be grateful and celebrate?

You made this daughter, O Lord.  You gave her a compassionate heart and a loving way.  You gave her sensitivity and thoughtfulness.  She uses her gifts to bless others.

As I ponder your activity in my life, all my blessings, and your living presence, I am humbled to be part of your family.  I thank you for daily reminders of your many treasures and gifts.  When I gaze upon an early-morning sunrise, I think of you and am grateful.  When I consider healings, insights, and openings to faith, I think of you and am grateful.  When I look at family and friends, your church, and heavenly music, I think of you and am indeed grateful.

Loving Creator,
thank you
for your
living, loving presence.
Thank you
for spiritual awareness
that keeps me
in touch
with you.
Thank you
for reminders
that keep
me on
the path home.

Love, Andrea

Thursday, September 1, 2016

Dear God,

The way to joy and peace is through trust in you.  When conflict arises and injustice seems to rule the day, it is easy to fall prey to anger, resentment, and bitterness.  We can spew our anger on others or we can pray and trust you to lead us to creative solutions and greater ways to peace.

Recently a person was nasty, offensive, and blaming.  She walked out onto our property and appeared like she was looking for a fight.  She said some things meant to hurt, disappoint, and judge.  I listened and let it all go.  I didn't take the bait; however, I was fuming on the inside.  I was hurt and disappointed.  I made up my mind to tell her what I thought but then, I thought again.  I prayed instead asking you to lead me to do the right and good thing.  After three days I did just as you asked.  You led me to the path of truth where I listened and finally followed through on the right and good way you asked me to follow.  Although I don't know how it will end, I do know I followed you.

Blessed Lord,
your way
is always
the right way.
You ask us
to listen
and to
trust you.
When we do,
we are blessed.
You blessed me today.
Thank you.

Love, Andrea

Wednesday, August 31, 2016

Dear God,

You have shown us how to trust you, Lord.  You have guided us to deeper levels of trust where we have tarried in spiritual pools of blessedness.  You have reminded us of the power of trust to open pathways to peace, hope, joy, light, and inspiration.

When our covenant group convened by conference call this morning, we sat in silence in Illinois, northern Indiana, central Indiana, and Maine.  We quieted our souls to make space for you.  We listened to your spirit voice.  We opened ourselves to the amazing depths of faith so we might sit with you for one hour as our hearts were attuned to the things of heaven. 

Every week we begin with sacred silence, devotion, and prayer.  One of us shares while the others wait for the movement of your spirit to share in response.  At the end we pray again and bid "God bless" to one another as we conclude our time together.

None of this is possible without you, Lord.  You brought us together nearly 30 years ago.  You have deepened our faith and trust in you and one another.  You have guided us to depths we could never have imagined.  You have blessed us because you taught us the value of faith and trust.  This morning in our intimate spiritual sharing, we saw your face and heard your voice.

Thank you,
Wondrous God,
for your presence
this morning.
Thank you
for trust
that paves
the way
to peace.
Thank you
for touching
our lives again.
Thank you
for stretching
our faith
to accommodate
more trust.
Thank you
for grace-filled love
that invites us in
for a
prized moment
with you.

Love always, Andrea

Tuesday, August 30, 2016

Dear God,

We never know what will come from prayer.  We never know how you will lead us.  We never know how life will touch us until we follow you.

Two Sundays ago on my way to worship, I drove by the church where a former president and his wife usually attend until the summer chapel opens.  I thought of them because I knew they were not in good health and have not been able to attend worship for a while.  So I prayed for them knowing how much they must miss gathering at your table.  As quickly as I began to pray, an idea came to me.  If they couldn't come to church, then the church could go to them.  Later when I arrived home, I sent an email to their daughter offering to have our choir visit them to sing their favorite hymns.  In three minutes there was a reply.  They loved the idea.

Tonight thirty five of us gathered in the living room of President and Mrs. Bush.  As we sang their favorite hymns, they sang along.  The music filled the room with your spirit peace, love, and joy.  We were all moved, inspired, and touched by the experience of one prayer that blessed so many.

Holy Father,
thank you
for prayer
and its power.
Thank you
for your love
that embraces us
in ways
we cannot
fully conceive.
Thank you
for blessing
beyond imagination.

Love always, Andrea

Monday, August 29, 2016

Dear God,

There is a sweet, sweet scent to grace.  Grace reaches out, forgives, erases, heals, and makes whole.  The smell of grace lingers for a long, long time.

I've made many mistakes in my nearly 70 years.  I have failed to live up to your hope for me.  I have lost my way and traveled down paths that warned of trouble.  I have set aside my faith and trust in you to follow my own desire.  I have held on to resentment and bitterness just so I could remain stuck in the proverbial mud.  I have lowered my head to the ground instead of lifting my eyes to heaven. 

Yet, grace found me each time.  Although I thought I was well hidden away, grace chased after me and was never far behind.  When your grace caught up with me, I fell to my knees acknowledging your grace is always better than anything else I would choose to cling to.  And there in the mud, smudged, dirty, and repentant, your grace kissed me leaving a scent I would never forget.

Holy God,
powerful and forgiving,
thank you
for grace
that changes us.
Thank you
for extraordinary moments
when you
leaned down
and took
my face
into your hands.
Thank you
for the
sweet kiss
of unconditional love,
grace at its best.

Love always, Andrea