Monday, June 19, 2017

Dear God,

Is it possible trees, shrubs, and dirt can speak?  Sounds like a silly, silly question.  Yet, as I stood at the porch window nine or ten years ago and looked out into the woods, it was if the ugly, noxious thicket spoke to me.  "This is where the spiritual path will open."  It said.  I hadn't even thought of a spiritual path in the woods.  In fact I hadn't thought of the woods at all except for acknowledging its border around our property.  That day, that conversation began a new conversation with you.  There would be a spiritual path through the woods.

I thought about it for a couple of years.  Then one day I went out, put on my sun bonnet, and started digging out the tall, wicked "cow" roses with thorns the size of...what?  Roots, the size of my thumb.  I dug for nearly five years.  Once I cleared the opening, it seemed as if the earth spoke.  Later it was a circle of ferns, then a couple lines of trees, a clearing and a little incline, more ferns, and a decaying tree, no two. 

I never had a thought about a path or a master plan or any kind of plan for sections of the path.  Somehow it just developed as I followed the voice.  Now, you know, Lord, I am not crazy, well, maybe a little but now I have a sanctuary, the table, the altar, the secret garden and the water way.  Through your creation you speak to me as creator and I simply follow.  No stress, anxiety, only peace, joy, and gratitude.  How humbling to participate as a handmaid.

God of Grace,
you are God;
there is none
like you.
You bless
and bless again.
You have
a plan,
a purpose
for us all.
You just
ask us
to follow.

Love, Andrea