Friday, March 30, 2018

Dear God,

Holy Friday, Good Friday, the Friday of death, the Friday of extreme love, the Friday of faith, the Friday of mercy, the Friday of transformation, the Friday.  Who can dismiss faith while standing in your presence?  Who can deny Christ when at the cross of suffering?  Who can?

As I sit at table with my beloved covenant group and blessed sisters of St. Benedict and listen to the Good Friday story being shared, I can't help but give thanks for faith that allows me inside the story of Jesus' crucifixion.  As I look around the room, I reflect and cherish the stories of faith all around me.  And to think I am invited to the awesome table of Jesus.  I am humbled and can hardly believe it.  Gift, just another blessed gift of Jesus.

You are God;
there is none
like you,
O Lord.
I am happy,
joy-filled.
Thank you
for the blessings
all around me.
I do not deserve even one;
yet, here you are
permitting me
to sit with you.
I am
so very,
very grateful.

Love, Andrea

Thursday, March 29, 2018

Dear God,

Maundy Thursday, sacred silence, a love feast and worship service...aaahhh, what grace, beauty and peace.  Here at the Benedictine monastery we find your presence so stimulating, so inspiring, and yet so peaceful.  It was if we were sitting with you and your beloved friends.  Perhaps we were.

It was by a fluke really that we rescheduled the retreat for Holy Week but then nothing is coincidence for you.  You had us here for a purpose and we were/are living into that reality and finding it exceedingly meaningful. 

Sitting in your presence  is always breathtakingly beautiful.

Thank you,
Holy God,
for these minutes,
hours and days
at the monastery.
Thank you
for your
holy presence
keeping our faith alive
and fresh.
Thank you
for Holy Week,
for reminders,
awful and sweet.
Thank you.

Love, Andrea

Wednesday, March 28, 2018

Dear God,

Where could there be a better place to be than at a monastery during holy week?  Our covenant group is holding our covenant retreat this week.  We had to reschedule it because of a scheduling problem last fall.  We didn't thoroughly think it through when we scheduled it this week.  But you did.  You called us here.

To wander the halls of a sacred space dedicated to faith, growth, hope, peace and joy is such a delight, a true blessing.  As we gathered together for our first session, our hearts were happy, our minds were tuned and our spirits at peace. 

Bless you,
O Lord,
for your
special kindness.
Thank you
for blessing us
with faith.
Thank you
for the Benedictines,
for their hospitality,
kindness and
and amazing faith.

Love, Andrea

Tuesday, March 27, 2018

Dear God,

Why must there always be an enemy?  Why must we find someone to pin our hatred upon?  My devotional readings lead me to ask the question.  My experience of what is happening in our country and world cause me to ponder the meaning of enemies.  Why must we point our finger at someone in order to raise ourselves up?  And even with that, what is its value?

Are we not supposed to love one another?  Aren't we to care for our neighbor, the poor in spirit, the lost, the lonely and the forgotten?  Have we forgotten we are one among many, not the only one or the better one or the best of all?  Must we have a ladder of enemies that we must climb over in order to get to the top?

I am troubled, O Lord; I am troubled!

Great God of Heaven and Earth,
I call upon
your name.
Teach us
your way,
your way
of love
and mercy
and compassion.
Forgive our
foolish ways.
Make us
your children
once again.
Remind us
our neighbor
near or far
is our brother
or sister.
Remake us
in your image,
I pray.

Love, Andrea

Monday, March 26, 2018

Dear God,

Last Saturday I walked with our nation's teenagers in the March Against Gun Violence.  My insides sicken when I think of any child going to school afraid.  Any child anywhere in the world!  When you said, "Love one another as I have loved you," you meant love all the world's children, not just some.

When I looked into teen's eyes, I saw a desire, a resolve to make a difference.  They want to help others.  They want to better the world.  They want to crack open those hard-rock-solid organizations who are out for the money and power.  They want to lock arms with other kids, strangers even simply to say, "I care about you."  More than once tears welled in my eyes.  Kids are doing that for one another where we adults have failed to do the same.

Thank you, O Lord, for raising up kids who care and are willing to do their part to change the world for good!

You are God;
there is none
like you.
You call us
to your side.
You hold us close.
You challenge us
to build
a world
of love
for all.
Thank you.

Love, Andrea

Sunday, March 25, 2018

Dear God,

How can the cross be both sorrow and joy?  Our Palm Sunday liturgy seemed to take us up and then drop us down, only to lift us back up again.  How can that be possible?

In all my devotional readings I hear Dietrich Bonhoeffer talking about the cross.  He says everything has to go through the cross in order to better understand faith and grace and hope.  I wonder.  I really wonder.

Gracious God,
help me live
the Holy Week experience.
Help me
carry the cross
of Jesus.
There can be
no celebration
of the resurrection
without the death
on the cross.
Show me
the way,
I pray.

Love, Andrea

Saturday, March 24, 2018

Dear God,

There are times when you lead us to deep places.  There we tap into living water.  We stand and allow the waters to flow over us.  We lean our heads to the heavens and drink and drink and drink.  We stay until we are fed, nourished and stilled.

Later when difficult times come, when we are parched and thirsty for the spirit and we lack faith and courage, we...remember...and we are fed once again.  We find our way.  We drink in your spirit and find strength, bravery, hope and peace.  We smile because we know you have stored up within us reserves where we can go and find what we need.

Blessed God,
you bless us
again and again.
We discover
your mercy
leading us
to the well.
We drink
and know
for sure
we are drinking you.

Love always, Andrea

Friday, March 23, 2018

Dear God,

Each morning as I sit with theologians like Martin Luther, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, John Ortberg, Etty Hillisum, the Psalmist and more, they are calling to me to rise up to faith, to move forward with courage and to reach out to others in community.  No moment is free from challenge and the call to lead a transformed life.

I could never have imagined sitting in a circle of people whose lives inspire people decades or centuries later.  Yet, it is happening.  Their words, their faith and their hope astound.

Blessed God,
thank you
for the
great challenges
set before us.
Reshape us
for this hour
in the cosmos.
Make us yours.

Love, Andrea

Thursday, March 22, 2018

Dear God,

I want to sing a song of peace.  I want to erase fear from all who are paralyzed by it.  I want to give breath to those who can't breathe because of anxiety, threats and hopelessness.  I want to sing a song of peace.

Bless all those
who need peace today,
Lord.
May we learn
to sing songs
of peace
to one another.
May peace come,
I pray.

Love, Andrea

Wednesday, March 21, 2018

Dear God,

Your ways are not our ways.  When you move in our lives, we discover the fallacy of our own way.

It is only when we are following our own way and find ourselves in strange places that we become aware of your way which always leads home.  And what is home?  Home is where you dwell, where your ways are revealed and your will is offered.  When we attend to the movement of your spirit in our lives, we will see things we could not have imagined.  Only you, O Lord, know the way home.

Blessed God,
thank you
for the lessons
of faith.
Lead us,
guide us home.
Make us there
to dwell
with you.

Love, Andrea

Tuesday, March 20, 2018

Dear God,

As I sat reading about the cup of sorrow from Henri Nouwen and about the Nazi death of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the chimes on my front porch blew in the wind.  It was if they were announcing the presence of the Lord in the midst of suffering death and despair.

I believe there are ways you let us know you are with us no matter the condition.  I believe there are signs and symbols.  Etty Hillisum who died young in the death camps had a remarkable way of knowing your living presence among the horrors of torture and death.  She wrote in her diaries just like Bonhoeffer and their writings speak even today in my own home.

I believe you give us hope when all hope seems gone.  I believe you give us breath to breathe, the breath of your spirit.  I believe you rain down your living water when we are parched and lifeless.

Thank you
for the sound
of faith.
Thank you
for simple reminders.
Thank you
for changing
the way
we see life
when it
is difficult.

Love, Andrea

Monday, March 19, 2018

Dear God,

There are just some things we simply cannot orchestrate but you can.  As Yvonne and I sat garbed in our liturgical garments ready for the worship to begin, I leaned over and said, "Who would have ever thought two United Methodist clergy would be sitting in a school designed for special needs kids to preside and preach in an Episcopal Church led by a gay priest?"  "Only God."  She responded.

Every Sunday I am in worship at Good Samaritan, the more comfortable I am in knowing I am where you want me to be.  I don't know why but the question doesn't seem important.  The fact that I find great meaning where I worship and assist is of great joy.  I well up deep inside with gratitude.

Holy Father,
you lead us
where you
want us
to be.
You call us
to serve
where you
need us.
You bless us
so much.

Love, Andrea

Sunday, March 18, 2018

Dear God,

The birds are singing outside my study window.  Although I can't quite make them out yet because the night is still turning to day, I can hear their sweet songs.

What are the birds singing, O Lord?  Are they singing your praise?  Are they giving thanks?  Are they singing their songs to all the other birds who have joined them in song?  For me they are witnesses to your incredible plan for creation.  They sing because they can.  They sing because theirs is a song of joy this morning.  How wonderful to listen and hear!

Bless you,
Holy Father,
for your song.
Whether sung
by the birds
or humans,
it is
a beautiful song
of faith
and trust
and love
and peace
and hope.
Now I
can see them
sitting in
the branches
of the
Serviceberry tree.
Beautiful, absolutely beautiful!

Love always, Andrea

Saturday, March 17, 2018

Dear God,

Although snow and cold temperatures came, the crocus still stand tall in my flower garden.  A sign of strength they remind me life is not perfect.  Storms and rain showers come but we have an inner strength that helps us remain steadfast.

As I sit with my circle of theologians in my devotional reading, they speak of suffering, pain, injustice and oppression.  They share their stories of horror, personal loss and faith.  I am humbled in their presence.  My needless whines fizzle in the midst of their storytelling.

Every day somewhere, somehow you give us examples of strength in difficulty.  You offer us yourself, your hope, your mercy and your strength to endure, to overcome and to triumph.  As we fight the good fight, it is because you are with us.  You give us tools to use to deal with things that come our way.  And always, always you whisper your amazing grace to us.

All glory
to you, Lord,
all glory
to you.
Joy fills
my soul
when I think
of your
living presence.
Your reminders
wow and
humble me.
May I
bless you today
for crocus,
love
and faith.

Love, Andrea

Friday, March 16, 2018

Dear God,

The small gray, water-worn heartstone rests on the windowsill in our study.  It washed up on the ocean beach in Kennebunk, Maine.  I look at it and smile because it was then and is now a symbol of your loving mercy in the world.  When I picked it up I held it tight and gave thanks.

So often we forget that your loving mercy is always present.  We some times feel far off, away from you; however, it is not because you have moved away.  We fail to keep close through prayer, sacred silence (sitting at your feet quietly), meditation, worship and service.  We fill our life with distractions that can isolate us from all that is important.

But not today, the heartstone reminds me.

Heavenly Father,
thank you
for gifts
that wash up
on the shores
of our lives.
Thank you
for gentle reminders
of your
living presence.
Thank you
for gifts
that wait
for us.

Love, Andrea

Thursday, March 15, 2018

Dear God,

What does it mean to be a Christian in this crazy, divided world?  Perhaps it is because the world is crazy now or maybe because it is the season of Lent or maybe because the earth is erupting in this transitional time of winter to spring that I feel off kilter, off center.  It is as if the veil is lifting, the fog is slowly slipping away and the night is turning into day that causes me to get real, to see myself as I really am.

Yesterday after spending time with Christian friends in my devotional reading, you asked me to live one day with compassion.  Can you do just one day, Andrea?  You asked me.  Can you?  I felt the call to change this one day, to be compassionate in a place where I am not always.  Can you be compassionate one day? 

Teach me
your way,
O Lord,
your way.
Guide me
to your side.
Change me
from the
inside out.

Love, Andrea

Wednesday, March 14, 2018

Dear God,

What is the value of one life if it is given only to itself? 

Each day I am tempted to live for myself only.  I like my thoughts, my beliefs, my practices, my understanding and my will.  I have drawn my own conclusions about life and how it is to be lived.  Therefore, I tend to think my way is the way.  Oh my, to even confess those words.  But isn't it true for all of us, O Lord?  Isn't it?

As I sit with my new circle of friends like Henri Nouwen, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Ann Voskamp, John Ortberg, St. Paul and St. James, David the psalmist and the Carmelites, I listen more carefully to their words, truths, hopes, dreams, confessions, disappointments and faith and I find more and more to consider, to reflect upon, to accept, to believe, and to help me adjust the many areas of my life that need adjusting.  They stretch me, challenge me, move and inspire me, make me think and cause me to apologize, confess, and change.  There is so much of me that needs transforming.

Bless you,
O Lord,
for bringing me
such inspiring friends.
Thank you
for their honesty,
authenticity,
their faith,
their questions,
and their stories.
By your power,
through their lives,
melt me,
mold me,
fill me,
use me.

Love, Andrea

Tuesday, March 13, 2018

Dear God,

The Star Magnolia tree outside our window has been forming teeny buds for months.  Protected by a little hard fuzzy shell, I can tell they are almost ready to burst out of their dark cocoon.  How does it know it will undergo yet another birth?

There are so many mysteries in the cosmos, O God, so very many.  The Star Magnolia reminds me of this truth every late winter.  Each time I am called to remember your grace that is constant in every day living.  When one season gives way to another, I stop and pause and reflect upon your amazing plan for creation.  How can we not stop and give praise, offer our prayers of thanksgiving and bless you with our wonderment, hope and trust?

Thank you,
O God,
for spring-time reminders.
Thank you
for grace
that bursts forth
every season.
Thank you
for this
blessed in-between season,
the time
of transition,
the time
of forthcoming.
I love you.

Yours, Andrea

Monday, March 12, 2018

Dear God,

In the early morning hours I turned out the light to pray.  Sometimes I like to do that.  As my eyes attuned themselves to the darkness I watched as the light appeared.  I sat for a while taking in the truth of the reality of the light even in darkness.

The more I sit with the light in the darkness, the more I realize how powerful your light is, how present it is and how much hope it gives.  There is comfort and peace when it comes.

As I reflect upon times of deepest darkness in my own life, I can see the ways your light shined.  I can remember how relieved I was to see the light, how it helped to allay certain fears and how it helped me overcome the pain I was feeling.  When I pause long enough to let the truth of your light settle inside me, the more my faith, gratitude and joy increases.

Bless you,
Lord of Faith,
for the
wondrous gifts
of your spirit.
Thank you
for your light
particularly as
it shines
in the darkness.
You are God;
there is none
like you.

Love always, Andrea

Sunday, March 11, 2018

Dear God,

Funny how your word comes to us.  It can come through devotional reading, a worship service, a song, a sunrise, a friend's concern or even waking up in a warm bed.  When joy emerges, gratitude is not far behind.

It's true, I am always looking for your word to bring a word to me.  A truth, a challenge, a hope, a correction or an insight.  I know you are near and I know I need your word for my life to have purpose, meaning and value.  Each day I look for you, anticipate your presence and give thanks for faith that opens doors to your spirit in my life. 

As you draw near I feel your warmth.  You light helps me see.  Your joy bubbles up within me.  Your hope raises my own.  And your loving mercy, well, it humbles me in so many good ways.  I am blessed.

Nourishing God,
every day
you feed me.
You speak
to me.
You love me.
I am not worthy
to be sure
but oh,
so very grateful.

Love, Andrea

Saturday, March 10, 2018

Dear God,

You are always about the work of reconciliation.  You have made us to bend, to be flexible in your hands.  You want us to come together in ways that bring healing and hope.

Today I was invited to attend a baptism of two great grandchildren.  Although family squabbles had kept us apart at times today my husband and I were welcomed in.  He conducted the ceremony in a beautiful way.  Using several traditions he showed the way how we can be different and yet brought together for the purpose of faith.  Through his wonderful gift, we found ourselves drawn in to the center where you reside. 

Thank you,
Holy God,
for the power
of your
Holy Spirit.
Thank you
for its
gentle, persuasive mercy.
Thank you
for blessing us
with faith today.

Love, Andrea

Friday, March 9, 2018

Dear God,

When injustice hearkens, when oppression takes over and when selfishness reigns, it is hard to enter into prayer.  We get angry, we want to fight.  We want to turn out the lights.  Yet, your still small voice whispers out.

You do not want hardened hearts.  Rather you want softened hearts who are willing to do their part.  You want compassionate openings where you may dwell as you lead us to do the work of peace and justice.  You want ready access to all that is good within us. 

Sometimes, O Lord, we forget who we are and whose we are.  We forget to awaken to your spirit.  We forget to step toward you, not away.  In your great love and compassion you want to guide us to do the gracious work of your kingdom.  You want to break down barriers but not with hard, crusty souls whose only mission is to hurt back. 

You promise to lead us, O God.  Help us get out of the way and follow.  Show us the way to go and give us the will to do what you need us to do.

Merciful God,
all are
your children.
Forgive us
when we want
to hurt others
for their
evil ways.
Help us remember
we too suffer
from evil
from time
to time.
Help us
restore the earth
and all
her people
to love
and mercy,
we pray.

Love, Andrea

Thursday, March 8, 2018

Dear God,

During this winter season the ground looked hard and dead.  No sound rumbled beneath the earth; yet, so much was happening that I did not see.

At some point a few days ago, tiny yellow, white and purple crocus broke through the ground in my flower garden.  I totally missed it.  It happened without my knowing.  I didn't hear the call of spring or the sound of breaking ground but it occurred nonetheless.  Wow!

Is there more I am missing, Lord?  Have I failed to hear you as you moved in my life? 

Give me
a listening ear,
O God.
Give me
a listening heart.
Give me
a listening mind
so I
may hear
and see you,
I pray.
Thank you
for the blessing
of the crocus.

Love, Andrea

Wednesday, March 7, 2018

Dear God,

If the computer is not plugged in, it loses power until it stops dead.  Simply plugging it into the electrical outlet gives countless hours of power.

As I leaned down to plug in my computer after leaving it on unplugged overnight, your voice whispered to me, the spiritual life is the same.  If you do not plug yourself into the ultimate energy source, you will lose energy and finally fizzle.  The world will go dark, pitch black.  On the other hand reconnecting to you brings the light back on, the power re-energizes and hope comes back to life.

Some things are simple truths.  A decision to reconnect to you can change everything almost instantly.  It doesn't mean our difficulties will suddenly be over.  What it does mean is we will have the spiritual and emotional energy and power to help us in our difficulties.  We will have the ability to have a new perspective, fewer bouts of anxiety and fear and extra resources enabling us to move forward with hope and confidence.

Blessed God,
thank you
for this
morning's lesson.
Thank you
for stopping me
on my tracks
and speaking
to me.
I often fail
to plug in.
Thanks for
the invitation
and the
welcome back.

Love, Andrea

Tuesday, March 6, 2018

Dear God,

Is it really time to prune again, Lord?  Is it time to come under the knife?  Is it really time to cut away the dead places, the broken and the overgrowth?  Of course it is.

The tease of spring reminds us it is indeed time to deal with the overindulgence of winter.  As we sat back growing lax rather than doing the work of faith, it is now time to reflect upon what we added that needs to be surrendered, what was lost that needs finding and what we need to see that we have been blinded to.  It is time for the cutters in the hands of the tender God.

Blessed Lord,
be gentle
with us.
Make a way
for us.
Help us
be honest
with ourselves
so we
can make ready
for the cut.

Love, Andrea

Monday, March 5, 2018

Dear God,

Why do we insist on seeing through our own eyes rather than through the eyes of the one who can see all?  Perhaps we wish only to see part rather than the whole because we want to move on our own self-prescribed path.  We want to believe a particular way and follow only what we want to our own selfish end.

I believe I am guilty of such blindness.  I often throw my arms up believing one thing, seeing the impossibility of a situation.  Yet, you, O Lord, you always see more because you know there is more.  Why do we grab for the small hand when we can grab for the big one?

When we pause to consider you, your will, your way, everything seems so big.  But then you pare it down, a piece here, a piece there until we are able to grab hold of the smaller piece and run with it.  When we trust you, when we take your outstretched hand, when we take steps beside you, there is still a bit of fear, but also a peace that comes because we know you are greater than we.  We know your presence and power is greater still than any one thing we see or sense or feel.  Only then are we enabled to overcome our blindness, let the veil fall and see you standing before us ready, willing to lead us into the future.

Holy God,
help us,
guide us,
move us
with you.
Forgive us
when we fail
to see you,
to follow you
and to
trust you.
Empower us
with your strength,
your power
and your grace,
I pray.

Love, Andrea

Sunday, March 4, 2018

Dear God,

The tall, majestic steeple rose high in the sky as we walked across the parking lot to enter Second Presbyterian Church.  Home to a mayor, star football players, a television anchor, physicians and simple people like my husband and me, we stepped inside knowing your amazing presence would greet us at the door.  You welcomed us in and blessed us in the community of faith.

Faith drives us to church on Sunday mornings.  Faith whispers hope, joy and peace as we drive from our own home to our spiritual home.  Faith grows as we pray, listen to the Word spoken and broken and as we affirm our faith in speaking the creed.  Faith has us sing, sing, oh, how wonderful to sing our faith, letting it warm our hearts and all those around us.  Faith gives us opportunity to take the hand of our neighbor and to wish him and her the peace of Christ.

As we left the worship service I looked up once again at the steeple and thought how faith had lifted us up that high and I whispered my thanks.

Loving God,
thank you
for the blessing
of faith.
Thank you
for worship centers,
edifices designed
for worshipers,
and for teeples
that remind us
to rise up
higher and higher.
Thank you,
Wondrous God.

Love, Andrea

Saturday, March 3, 2018

Dear God,

Shades of brown, beautiful shades of brown.  As I drove the final 480 plus miles home, all I saw for miles was brown.  Instead of seeing the deadness of winter, I witnessed all colors of brown especially when the sun's rays kissed the trees and ground.  There was golden brown, auburn brown, blonde, creamy brown and milk chocolate.  Each amazing color glowed in the warm sunshine on a cold, winter day.

We are so used to seeing things a particular way.  Day after day, year after year, decade after decade we get bored seeing the "same old thing."  In the "dead"of winter we cry out for spring so we frequently miss out on the majesty of your creation right before our eyes. Yet, on my drive home this week you invited me to look deeper, to see something more and I did.  For the first time in my life I celebrated brown, the beautiful shades of brown.

Creator God,
thank you
for pointing me
in the
right direction.
Thank you
for your beauty
all around us.
Thank you
for awakening me
to the
amazing color
of brown.
I love you.

Love always, Andrea

Friday, March 2, 2018

Dear God,

At 5:00 a.m. I peered out my hotel window to find snow blowing side ways in the mountains.  Everything told me to stay put, to remain inside and to rest.  Severe weather warnings of high winds, blowing snow and cold temperatures reinforced the message.  And so I did.

All day long I cherished the quiet time with you.  I napped, threw on clothes over my pjs just long enough to drive 30 seconds to the restaurant to pick up some food.  I gave my body time to recover from working long days before I left home for the drive to Indiana and from driving 562 miles to Pennsylvania.  Throughout the day I reflected upon how you call us to rest in you, to trust you to bless our weary bodies and minds when we need it and to let you do your healing work.  I was not disappointed to stay an additional night.

Holy God,
thank you
for your
sweet companionship.
Thank you
for your
quiet mercy.
Thank you too
for important messages
and the desire
to listen
and follow.

Love always, Andrea

Thursday, March 1, 2018

Dear God,

I love finding you in the darkness as well as in the light.  Leaving my home at 4:30 a.m. today to drive 1,000 miles meant I spent more than two hours in the dark before the sun rose on the horizon.  How beautiful were the stars and especially the full moon casting its shadows.  Several times I peeked over the steering wheel to gaze upon the twinkling skies.

You always give us glimmers of your light.  It is as though you are speaking your love to us.  Each time I see the tiniest light I know it is you gazing back and I smile.

Thank you,
Loving God,
for lighting
my life today.
Thank you
for lighting
my way.
Thank you
for the
most beautiful light
in the cosmos.

Love, Andrea

Wednesday, February 28, 2018

Dear God,

What drives us to kill one another?  Why are we bent on destruction?  What lives inside us that compels us to injure, damage and destroy?

I don't understand, Lord, I don't understand.  Is there some DNA flaw that causes us to do horrible things?  Are we innately inferior humans who only want to rise to the top no matter what it takes to get there?  Do we want to win at all costs?  Must we always find an enemy?

How can any of this be true if we are made in your image, given shape by your hands?

O God of Holy Hands,
how far
must we fall
before we realize
what we
have become?
Cleanse us,
Loving Father,
make us clean.
Remake, reshape,
reconstruct and renew us,
I pray
for the sake
of the
whole world.

Love, Andrea

Tuesday, February 27, 2018

Dear God,

The snow came one last time blanketing the ground.  Tiny flakes collected together, each one unique, exquisite and beautiful.  I oohhed and aahhed one more time.

You have made us like those gorgeous snowflakes, O Lord.  Uniquely made, you fashioned each of us.  What two can be exactly alike?  Although you crafted each one differently you created us to be together, to collect, to be beautiful together.

Sometimes we want to stand out, to show off or to display ourselves.  While there is always a time and season for all things, our greater beauty is when we gather together as one.  Why in your name can't we do that in our world today?

Help us,
O God,
help us
become more
our true selves
united with you
and one another.
Teach us again
your will,
your way.
Help us
show you
in our appearance,
our actions
and our service.

Love, Andrea

Monday, February 26, 2018

Dear God,

Joy filled the room as we six women sewed Christmas aprons. We shared stories and laughed.  We hugged and prayed and gave thanks.  We wanted to get an early start on the big event we are planning next December.  We plan to make 35 Bethlehem shopkeeper aprons.

What was amazing was that we were conservatives and liberals.  We were old and young.  We were Republicans and Democrats.  We were friends made and inspired by faith.  The aprons gave us the opportunity to be one together.  Sweet!

Holy God,
you use
so many ways
to bring us together.
You want us
to be one.
You want us
to love one another.
Aprons,
you used aprons
to bring us together.
Bless you,
O Lord,
bless you.

Love, Andrea

Saturday, February 24, 2018

Dear God,

Two aprons, two aprons hang at the opening of the basement door.  Simple aprons given to me by two special ladies, one an elderly lady at our church, the other by one of my favorite aunts.  When I see them, I remember them, their love, their faith and their kindness.

Both women have passed from this life to the next.  Both made big impressions on me.  One I had known for only a few years, the other all my life.  The aprons bring them back to me.  I see Ruth, her really big smile and her even bigger hug.  I could count on that hug every Sunday at church.  Every body loved Ruth.  And then there is Aunt Caroline, I always called her Audrey Caroline, a name of endearment.  Aunt Caroline always loved me.  She was the best cook, most faithful caregiver and sweetest cranky aunt.  She accepted me and was always there for me.  I miss them both.

What I realize is there are people who love us who help us see beyond their love, to yours.  They inspire us to see the gift love is.  They point us to the One who loves us most, who is ever present and ever caring.  The aprons take me on a little journey to you, my God, to you.

Thank you
for the blessing
of special people
in our lives.
Thank you
for their grace
and kindness
to us.
Thank you
for love
that directs us
to the
living well.

Love, Andrea