Monday, November 13, 2017

Dear God,

A saint has the capacity to bless and challenge centuries later.  In my morning devotional reading, I felt a sense of warmth and connection when I read about St. Francis and St. Clare of Assisi.  Born into wealth, they gave up everything to follow you, to care for the poor, and to live a living faith that still reaches out so many years later.

I remember my time in Assisi.  What I remember most was the unfolding of mystery surrounding the life of St. Francis.  As I walked the streets and visited San Damiano, you challenged me to live a life of prayer, to listen for your voice, and to follow you.  As I wandered through the churches there, I had the sense that Francis and Clare still lived, but in a different form, still blessing and challenging.  My time there was rich in faith.

You weave people into our lives, those who live now and those who lived long ago.  You give them a living voice to speak to us.  So often, at least for me, it is a challenge toward change and transformation.  It is a living call to be different, to walk the path, to listen, to hope, to bless and to serve.  Although I have done nothing to deserve any of this, yet, they come and I am so blessed.

Thank you,
Heavenly Father,
for all
the gifts
of your spirit.
Who can take it all in?
Thank you
for spiritual challenge
that refines
and purifies.
I have
so much
within me
that needs
the fire
of change.
Help me,
O Lord,
to be
who you want.

Love, Andrea