Wednesday, January 30, 2019

Dear God,

It is so easy to return to shaky places where we lost ground in our faith.  Returning to old wounds, old bitterness and stinking thinking can take us down the same old road. We can encounter fresh injuries from old spots in our road where you visited us and helped us move forward.  We can re-infect our lives, minds and hearts that will not aid us in our pilgrimage of faith.  Or we can reinvest in our trust in you.

Today I returned to the past, felt the old resentment, relived the same old story, got upset and in some way "updated" my anger.  My friends and I talked about it while I told the story one more time.  We all felt bummed out and angry.

It was when I crawled into bed that I asked myself or perhaps you asked me why.  Why do that?  Why rob yourself of conversations that build faith instead of tear it down?  Why take the low road when the high one was right next to it?

Show me
the way home,
O Lord.
Cleanse me
of my sin.
Refresh me
in your spirit.
It is apparent
I still
do not
trust enough.
Clear my way,
I pray.

Love, Andrea

Tuesday, January 29, 2019

Dear God,

Sometimes we pray fervently for one thing only in the end not to receive it but in its place something much more valuable.  I remember praying when I learned I had breast cancer.  I didn't want to have surgery; yet, that surgery and another a couple of years later lead me to a much deeper relationship with you.  I learned to trust, to lean back and to follow you into uncharted territory.  I discovered how to offer up my fear and walk ahead in faith.

At times we think we are so smart.  We think we know what is best.  We put all our energy into something only to learn there is a better way.  If we continue in that vein, we may reach a brick wall and have to back up, return home and wait to find and take the better way.  When we are open to your leading, we discover the magnificence of taking your lead, following you and discovering some mighty fine scenery along the way.

Lead us,
guide us,
Holy God;
show us
the better way.
Align us
with your will
so we
may follow you
all the way.
We are yours.

Love, Andrea

Monday, January 28, 2019

Dear God,

Every time I drive the countryside from Indiana to Maine and back, I once again see how beautiful your creation is.  The hills and valleys, the mountains and fields, the trees, turning and twisting streams and beautiful shrubs, flowers and growing things all proclaim your praise.

As I cruise along, I breathe prayers of thanksgiving.  My heart fills with gratitude.  How can it not when I recognize your hand print on each living thing?

Holy and Living God,
you have
given us
so much.
You spread out
your beauty
before us.
You invite us
to breathe in
the fresh air,
to allow
the cosmos
to fill us
with good things
and to bend
in gratitude.

Love, Andrea

Sunday, January 27, 2019

Dear God,

In my reading today, I thought about water and how much it is like faith.  Water can be clear, pure, warm, flowing freely.  It can be cold, frozen, immovable.  Or something in between.

When faith is open, trusting and free, it can flow, remove obstacles and keep clear and clean.  When faith is not open, it can become murky, sludge-like and almost like concrete.  When that happens it is hard to crack open a space for you.  Hope falls away. Peace dies. Fear, anger and resentment can take up residence.

When I reflect upon both images, water freely flowing and water frozen in place, I know what makes for peace, clarity and joy.

You are God.
You invite us
to streams
of living water.
You want
to clear us
and clean us
so your spirit
may easily move
in our lives.
Forgive us
when we
shut off
the faucet
and forget
who made
the water
in the
first place.
There is none like you.

Love, Andrea

Saturday, January 26, 2019

Dear God,

When our eyes and ears are open, we recognize gifts and blessings when they come.  When a fear lessens, I know you have blessed me with courage.  When I breathe a little easier, I know you have sent a gentle breeze of peace.  When I smile after a difficulty, I know you have gifted me with perseverance and hope.

Sometimes I pause and reflect upon such gifts.  I think back and remember how changes in my mood came as I opened myself to you.  I consider how faith played a miraculous role in my transformation.  I discover myself praying, trusting and leaning on you and I know you have been at work in my life.  Today was one such day.  Thank you.

Blessed are you,
God of Creation.
Thank you
for thinking
of us.
Thank you
for breathing life
into us.
Thank you
for every gift
and every blessing.
You are
a good
and gracious God!

Love always, Andrea

Friday,January 25, 2019

Dear God,

Henri Nouwen joined my morning circle of friends.  This morning I listened to him as he convinced me that joy and sadness are born together.  I reflected upon his words and realized he is absolutely right.  When we love someone we know sadness will come but we also know joy will rise up even out of sadness.

When I think about these two emotions I think of the countless times joy has come out of sadness.  I can also say when I was so, so sad, you stretched me to open the door to joy.  Even though I may have opened it only a crack, the joy that oozed in was enough to widen the gap until I suddenly felt the drops of joy rising up and flowing over.

You are
the author
of joy,
Most Holy God.
You touch
our lives
and inspire us.
You make joy possible.
Thank you,
Blessed God,
for the
wondrous gift.

Love, Andrea

Thursday, January 24, 2019

Dear God,

While onboard my flight, I watched as the sun's rays began to peek through the clouds.  I sat mesmerized as little by little the sky began to lighten.  I thought about how those rays are like your light and love, how they stretch and reach out in every direction toward your people.  Selfishly, I thought about myself and wondered if today, this moment your light and love would reach me.  Strangely or wondrously, there was then a tiny break in the clouds and a shaft of light beamed straight down and I felt the rays touch me.

O God, you are God of all gods.  You are life to me.  When I hold too tight to this world, I grow fearful, sometimes angry, anxious and despairing.  I let go of all that gives me life.  But then when I look to you, when I speak your name and breathe, we touch and meet.  I feel the essence of your presence.  I feel your light and love and I am made new...one more time.

Blessed are you,
God of all things.
I praise you;
I praise you;
I praise you.
Thank you
for touching
my life again.

Love always, Andrea

Wednesday, January 23, 2019

Dear God,

When we are quiet, we can hear your voice.  When we silence our own desires, thoughts and plans, we can see your face.  When we release our homemade distractions, we can enter your presence.

I once thought I needed noise to follow my daily steps.  I was not comfortable with quiet spaces so I turned on the radio or television.  It didn't matter what it was, I needed sound.  Until one day I entered a very dark space where you led me to listen.  Only then did I discover silence is more than the absence of sound.

I entered a sacred realm I never knew existed, an extraordinary space so deep and wide and wondrous.  I wandered through halls so high and long, I could not see the top, bottom or sides.  I walked on grounds that were high up, very high up; yet, I did not feel afraid of falling.  Peace was everywhere.  As I wandered in your presence, I knew you.  I heard truth as never before.  I was humbled, learning my own weaknesses; yet, in my weakness I felt your strength.  I felt joy, oh my goodness, such joy that bubbled up from a deep, deep place within me.  I felt hope like never before.

Now, more than 20 years later silence is part of my life only because you invited me in and let me taste, touch, smell, see and hear you.  This moment is holy because you are holy.

Gracious God,
you are
my all in all.
I praise you
and give thanks.
There are
no adequate words
to express
my love.

Yours, Andrea

Tuesday, January 22, 2019

Dear God,

I stood looking out the windows at the magnificent view before me, an azure blue ocean with white caps crashing upon shore.  Standing four floors up I saw an almost panoramic view of amazing beauty and I thought about the drive we had just taken in Palm Beach, Florida.  In the midst of all the opulence, pleasure-seeking people and everything so good, the flowers, the architecture, the colors, the food and one-of-a-kind stores, I thought of all those who are working and receiving no pay for their work because our government is partially shut down.  I remembered the TSA workers I had spoken with earlier in the morning.  And I was troubled, so very troubled.

I don't understand the inequities in our world, Lord.  Why do the rich get richer and the poor poorer?  Why do powerful people work for themselves more than the people they are supposed to serve?  How can well-to-do-political officials dine on rich food and drink martinis when they know many of those workers' families are now making regular visits to food banks?

What do we do, Almighty God?

Sometimes I think
we have
totally lost
our way.
I think
of those
who are
paying great prices
for ill-conceived ideas.
People are hungry,
O God,
while some
gorge themselves
with pride
and control.
Show us
the way,
I pray.

Love, Andrea

Monday, January 21, 2019

Dear God,

As we rose higher and higher over Indianapolis, I looked down from the airplane window to see the lights in the very early morning.  As they sparkled in white, red and green, I thought of your goodness, how you created this incredible ball of life and then invited us to be part of your cosmos.

When we awaken in the morning, go about our day and crawl back into bed at night, we often fail to reflect upon the many gifts of the day.  We think about what we have accomplished, whether it was a good day or bad.  We forget who awakened us in the early hours, who fed us, clothed us and watched over us all day long.  We puff ourselves up and fail to say thank you.

Let gratitude
be the
first word
of our day.
Help us remember
you are God
and we
are your children.
Teach us daily
to give thanks.

Love, Andrea

Sunday, January 20, 2019

Dear God,

What do we do when we don't know what to do?  When we are not clear, cluttered in mind, body and soul?  When all seems lost and hopeless?  We turn to you.

So often we think we know it all.  We not only believe we know what to do for ourselves but we think we know what others should do.  We spout off suggestions to others or march forward to do what we want to do for ourselves.  Really?  Do we really want to rule everything and everyone or do we want to pause, wait and receive our marching orders from you?

There are times when we lose our way and lose sight of our God.  When we are going in the "other" direction we step further away...from hope, insight, love, mercy, and understanding.  Yet, still, our God, you, O Father, whisper our name inviting us to come home.

You are God;
there truly is
none like you.
No one
loves us
like you.
Forgive us
when we create
a tune
all our own.
Draw us
once again
to you,
Master Tuner,
sing us
your song
to help us
find our way home.

Love, Andrea

Saturday, January 19, 2019

Dear God,

The snow finally came with swirling winds and dropping temperatures.  Creating a perilous setting it was a time we prayed.  Some for safety.  Some for getting where we needed to be.  Some in gratitude for the beauty snow brings.

Although I worried and prayed for people out in the chaos of a wintry storm, still I sat like a child mesmerized by the beauty of winter in all its dimensions.  I loved the wind twirling around, snowflakes at times as large as a nickel and the growing ground white cover.  I had waited since October for winter to really appear in all its glory.

Thank you,
O God,
for the season
of winter.
Bless and
protect all
who are caught
in unsafe conditions.
Help us see
the blessing
of winter's glory.

Love, Andrea

Friday, January 18, 2019

Dear God,

Some days it is just hard to get on top of troubles.  Some time it takes so much energy to rise up from where we are.  Yet, the whisper of faith calls us to do just that:  rise up.

Faith knows the sun shines above the dark clouds.  Faith knows dark clouds do not last forever.  Faith knows there is One who sits with us during cloudy days, making sure we know we are not alone.  Faith offers us hope, courage and strength.  Faith stirs up the human soul shifting our mood, clearing our murky air and breathing new life into us.  Faith brings us closer to you.

Who can dispute
the power
of faith?
Who can challenge
the gifts
you provide?
Who is willing
to forfeit peace
in stormy weather?

Love, Andrea

Thursday, January 17, 2019

Dear God,

A simple smile can turn a hard day upside down.  Why or how?  A smile is an intentional gesture, a gift, unexpected, unwarranted and unnecessary; yet, it has power to change the human soul.

I remember a high school friend that I ran in to in a restroom in an airport in Chicago, Illinois.  Her face was splotchy.  It was clear she had been crying.  She was distressed and overwhelmed.  She had been sick and needed to get back home from the Mormon community in Salt Lake City to Elwood, Indiana.  Although I had not seen her for 30 years, I recognized her the moment I saw her.  The moment I identified myself from the past, she broke down and cried.

Over the course of the next several minutes I ascertained the problem.  She could no longer work because she had developed some sort of skin disease while working as a motel maid.  She had run out of money and hope.  I told her together we could resolve both.  As I smiled, she smiled back.  Giving a gift to her, she gave a gift right back.

Holy God,
you send us angels
to help us.
You smile down
upon us
allowing that smile
to change us,
bringing hope,
strength and courage.
There is
no god
like you.
Thank you
for my friend
of long ago.

Love, Andrea

Wednesday, January 16, 2019

Dearest God,

This morning I found the file that had apparently slipped down under the hanging files in my cabinet.  Working on pulling out 2018 papers for tax preparation, I discovered the file entitled:  Hope for Mom and Dad.  I opened the file and began flipping through the papers.  I was flooded with memories now over 20 years old.  Sadness, sorrow, anger, resentment and bitterness threatened.  Tears formed and wanted desperately to slide down my face.

Back in 1996 and 1997 I had spent months doing research on my parents' financial situation.  Things just were not adding up.  My dad had talked with me and so had my mother.  They gave me permission to dig deep, make calls and figure out what was going on.  And so I did dig deep, way deep and what I found was so disturbing that I was overwhelmed with pain and anguish.  What followed was a confrontation with the financial perpetrator.

Although I saved my parents from financial ruin, I paid the price for upsetting the family system of which I was a part.  My mother decided we would not have Christmas together because my "poor" brother couldn't afford it.  Not long afterward my mother died of heart problems.  Never before had she had problems with her heart.  I concluded she died of a broken heart.  Daddy's Alzheimer's stole him away and my family as we knew it was destroyed.  A hole formed in my heart and soul.  Just an hour ago it threatened to widen.

But you intervened.  "Do you want the old past to pervade your present and rob you of your future?  Do you want to give in to the temptation to relive the past, build new hate and descend into the depths of despair?  Do you want to exchange the hope of today and all your tomorrows for cynicism, anger and negative, hopeless living?"  I know I stand on the precipice waiting to decide.

Help me,
O Lord,
to cling
to you.
Help me
let go,
to surrender all
that threatens
to change me
into something
I am not.
Help me
trust you
for my moment,
my day
and the rest
of my life.

Love, Andrea

Tuesday, January 15, 2019

Dear God,

Faith always opens the door to the inner sanctum, the holy place of God.  When we live life in faith, we can dwell there discovering, examining, contemplating, meeting and transforming.  When we open ourselves to faith, we are lead to the holy of holies, the all in all.

Most of us most of the time live life on the surface.  We taste, touch, see, hear and smell the visible world.  However, faith moves us into the sacred dwelling place.  We see and hear and taste and smell and touch invisible things.  We are enabled to see beyond our troubles, anxieties and fears.  We are inspired to trust and move and change ourselves, our situations and our perspectives.  Life may still be difficult and painful but faith offers us hope, courage and breathing room.

This morning as I look out upon a snowy white scene, I think of how I see not only the beauty of snowfall but also I am witness to the hand of the Almighty.

All praise
to you,
Mighty and Loving God.
Thank you
for the gift
of faith
and the
dwelling place
of the
Divine Mystery.
Thank you
for infinite possibility.

Love, Andrea

Monday, January 14, 2019

Dear God,

I was swept up into the breeze of your Holy Spirit as I listened to the morning message in worship this morning.  Although I was listening to the preacher share a story about a teenage mother who wanted a baptism for her dying premature baby, what I heard was a story of your loving mercy.  I wept as I recognized once again how you work in ordinary human lives to give us extraordinary moments of supreme grace.

The amazing beauty of faith is that we hear and see more of the story.  We hear the story being told; however, faith whispers for us to listen more deeply for the deeper story of God.  As our ears perk up and our eyes lose their veil, we see and hear the stories of faith, the gentle movement of your spirit and love pouring out into the world.  If we really listen, if we attune ourselves to the tune of your spirit and we set aside all that swirls in our heads, we can hear the voice of God.

Thank you
for your word
this morning,
God of Grace.
Thank you
for your voice
that always
whispers faith
to us.
Thank you
for Amanda
and Jessica,
mother and baby,
and Gray,
a young,
nervous student
who brought
the waters
of baptism
to life.

Love, Andrea

Sunday, January 13, 2019

Dear God,

The snow fell and everything is so beautiful.  The trees and ground are blanketed in white.  It is the first snowfall of winter.

I am so drawn to this season of barrenness.  I know it is because it is the season of surrender, quiet and root work.  Tree roots are digging deeper.  They are looking for nutrients to feed on to get them ready for the spring when they will reveal the work they have done.

This season of wonder is always a call to my spirit to reflect, be quiet and dig my own roots into the soil of your spirit.  It is a time of accountability, a time for examination and a time for feeding on your word, your spirit, your mercy, your love and your challenge.  As I make our time, yours and mine a priority, I feel at one with you.  My spirit soars even as my roots go deeper.

My heart is full as I look outside and inside at the same time.  I am grateful.

You are wonderful,
O God.
I love
your ways.
I love faith
and our relationship.
I love
this amazing season
and I
am blessed.
You are God;
there is none
like you.

Love always, Andrea

Saturday, January 12, 2019

Dear God,

Even the darkness can lead us to you, Eternal God.  When we think we are in the deepest of the deep, even there you can take us to the light.

There have been times in my life where I felt myself in a deep, dark abyss.  I remember feeling despair and a sense of hopelessness.  It was at that moment that I fell backwards into the arms of my Maker and there my trust and faith allowed me to feel the nudge that leaned me toward the light.  I recall that first crack of light and then more and more.  Eventually I fell into that glorious white light where I knew that I knew that I knew I rested in the arms of God.

In the human experience the darkest of the dark can become light.  Why?  Because the darkness can never fully blot out the light.  How?  God is the author of light.  God is the light.  Nothing can completely erase the light.  Faith and trust in the One who said, I am the light of the world," can lead us to the light.

Gracious and Loving God,
you are
the light
that rescues,
saves, warms,
loves, guides
and helps.
Help us
always seek
your light.
Show us
the way
to you.

Love, Andrea

Friday, January 11, 2019

Dear God,

How faithful you are to give us life, O God, even new life.  Our situations may not be perfect or ideal.  Yet, in every situation you are present hearing our plea and you make real your promises, especially to be with us.  That means there is no moment when we are alone.

For three days my friend Cindy and I have spent time away from home in a rustic cabin in southern Indiana.  Here we have shared, laughed and enjoyed creation's beauty since our little "home" is deep in the woods complete with ravine and wandering stream.  Everywhere we look we see your handiwork.

As I sit each morning with my circle of friends reading and praying my devotions I feel your loving presence.  I see your face.  I experience your challenge to rise up with you, to dig deeper in faith and to present the best of myself to the world.  Oh no, I do not always faithfully follow but my heart is full of love for you.

In every case I know all this good comes from you.  I know you are the creator of joy and hope and grace.  I know you give life and the chance for new life when we falter and fail.  I give all praise and glory to you, Giver of Good Gifts.

Holy Father,
there is
no god
like you.
Thank you
for allowing us
and me
to follow you,
to walk
with you
and to linger
in your presence.
All praise
to you.
May I
say it again?
All praise
to you.

Love, Andrea

Thursday, January 10, 2019

Dearest God,

A hundred times a day we have to decide whether our cup is half empty or half full.  We are capable of both, have been both.  When it is half empty we see through the lens of scarcity.  When it is half full, we peer through the glass of abundance.  One leads to moaning, groaning and complaint.  The other moves us to joy and gladness.

In daily life I have discovered so many hidden joys.  I like gray days because I like your all-encompassing palette of color.  When I embrace a gray day, I have opportunity to look for small joys.  Instead of making blue skies, yellow sun and white, puffy clouds my all-in-all, I am enabled to see smaller signs of joy like a beautiful red cardinal alight on a bare branch, the sight of a gentle breeze making willow trees dance and my own smile when I see one of my grandchildren.  Every day is full of hidden joys.

Faith inspires us to half to full cups.  Our loneliness can be dispelled by faith that helps us see our plenty.  Our want can be transformed to the gift where we are.  Our darkness can change to light by faith.  Every day.

Today I
choose joy
because I
choose you.
You show me
the way
to faith
and to
cups that overflow.
Please forgive
my decisions
to see less
and live less.
May I
reach for
the cup
containing you.

Love, Andrea

Wednesday, January 9, 2019

Dear God,

I sit in the quiet, the darkness still claiming the night.  I just breathe in and breathe out, believing by faith I am in you and you are in me and together we breathe the same air.

Isn't that the way faith is?  Why must we always pray for you to be with us or to come to us?  Aren't we already living in the same space?  Aren't we already together, one body?  Although I am positive you are the better and good half and I am everything less than that, I am blessed to know you still want me to be part of you and you me.

As I sit quietly writing, I feel your presence and am glad, so very, very glad.

I give you
my love
and devotion,
Heavenly Father.
I owe you
all I have.
Thank you
for faith
that breaks down
every barrier.
Thank you
for joy
that fills
my heart.

Love always, Andrea

Tuesday, January 8, 2019

Dear God,

When we are weary and worn, you speak to our soul  You remind us you are God and we are your children.  Rest comes from you.  Peace comes on a spirit breeze.  Mercy washes over us.

Every year you make it possible for my dear friend and me to step away for a while from the busyness and chaos of life.  We camp out in a tent in cold October.  Wearing a few layers, watching the leaves fall from the trees and sitting by the campfire reveling in life and relishing faith, I breathe new air filling my heart, mind and soul.

In January we find some rustic cabin in a woods somewhere.  This year it is Dugan Hollow.  Although we made a fire in the fireplace and within an hour smoke filled the two-story structure and the smoke alarm went off for an hour as we fanned the doors and used blankets and towels to fan the smoke outside, still the setting and the cabin clears the air and cobwebs that frequently collect in my mind.

Every year these precious days remind me of your compassion and tender love.  Through your kindness I return to myself celebrating our relationship, yours and mine and mine and Cindy's.  I realize I am blessed as I let go of yesterday and live fully in today.

Great and Gracious God,
thank you
for the
old year
and the new.
Thank you
for opportunities
to debrief
and to surrender.
Thank you
for blessings
that remind me
who you are
and whose
I am.

Love, Andrea

Monday, January 7, 2019

Dearest God,

Surrender, I realize it is the season of surrender. There are moments when you call us to let go, to release and move deeper in faith by trusting you more.  It seems faith is always about trust.  You are calling me to surrender.

This morning while I was cleaning the closet full of retreat supplies, craft and hobby materials and fabrics of all colors, my eyes fell on items I used on many of my retreats.  I found myself taking things out, moving them to useful places like office supplies and tossing things that once held great value but now are simply things that need to go.  I had been cleaning for about 45 minutes before I realized what I was doing.  I heard myself say, "It is over, done, finished."  Suddenly, my heart and mind began remembering hallowed moments when your spirit washed over us bringing healing, hope, miracles, answers to prayer, and changed lives. 

You never want us to cling too tightly to anything for they can become gods to us.  You want us to hold on lightly always ready to let go if it is time.  Today is sacred time.

Blessed are you,
Most Loving God.
All belongs
to you.
What I possess
is temporary.
You have
loaned them
to me
for a while.
May I remember
and give thanks.

Love, Andrea

Sunday, January 6, 2019

Dear God,

A star, a bright, white shining star.  I have always been fascinated by the Star of Bethlehem.  Every Christmas Eve I look for it.  Sometimes it is so radiant that I want to jump in my car and follow it.  At other times the sky is black, clouded over, hiding everything bright.  But I know that I know that I know it is there.

On January 6 I always celebrate Epiphany, this day in the Christian calendar.  I have held beautiful Epiphany parties complete with a three-hour gourmet meal, devotions, story telling, gifts, scripture readings and prayers.  I have also spent the day quiet remembering the star and the wise ones.  But always, always I reflect upon the star and those that followed it.

I always imagined those who journeyed to the stable were simply responding to the light of that star.  Believing that something was sacredly amiss, they sought to seek and find, to discover and kneel down and to come and give gifts in response to the gift of, first, the star and then the savior.  When I contemplate the story I find myself there too looking up at the wondrous glow and down into a simple manger where the real light shone.

Glory to you,
Lord of the Cosmos.
Thank you
for a
simple star,
a  bright light
and an
incredible journey.
Thank you
for all
who seek
to follow
the star.

Love, Andrea

Saturday, January 5, 2019

Dear God,

Yesterday you circled four people together who only every few years get together but suddenly there we were for hours.  Very quickly we realized this was your work.  It was your doing and how good it was.

My cousin and I are a thousand miles apart politically.  We are different in a number of ways.  However, yesterday you showed us the ways we are alike.  You increased our awareness of one another.  You grew our love, respect and appreciation for one another.  You showed us the ways we have been wounded through the years.  You gave us the same language to speak.  We knew you were present in the room.

At one point two of our family members walked into the sunny garden room and that left just my cousin and me together.  We moved into the depths and spoke from there for nearly an hour.  We shared our pain but also our victories through faith.  We spoke of you, of your healing power and great love.  We gave thanks and praise and glory only to you.  You filled us with joy, so much joy.

Only you
can make possible
what we
might consider impossible.
Only you
can take
broken hearts
and heal them.
Only you
can restore love
for one another.
Only you,
Lord,
only you.

Love, Andrea

Friday, January 4, 2018

Dear God,

In this life we search for meaning.  We may have much or little but if we have no meaning, we are lost.

You show us the way to meaning, purpose and value.  As we look at a tree, you make us mindful of its great value.  It may provide shade or beauty or a place to sit but it also provides the meaningful value of thinking about its roots.  Roots that stretch and grow always searching for water and nutrients.

A simple tree can lead us to think of you and faith and the spiritual life because we too need water, living water and spiritual nutrients to not only survive but thrive.  Like the tree we too can provide beauty and a place of rest.  But we can also become a well of living water to thirsty souls around us.  Our lives can provide nourishment to hungry people in search for their own value and meaning.  We can point to you, author and creator of all that is good.

Blessed God,
we marvel
at your goodness.
We need you.
We need all
you have
to offer.
Really, we
are lost
without you.
You give
our lives
great meaning.
Daily remind us
to stretch
and grow
more and more
toward you.

Love, Andrea

Thursday, January 3, 2019

Dear God,

Sometimes only in barrenness can we see the beauty all around us.  In the spring and summer, colorful birds make their nests in bushes and trees.  More often than not we cannot see them.  We know they are there but they are not visible.

But in the winter, ah, yes, the winter when trees and bushes have shed their leaves, we can watch blue jays and red cardinals fly and land on branches and limbs.  We are struck by their beauty as they eat red berries and hop around.  We can watch them for hours because they are so beautiful.

We are like the birds.  When life is seemingly void of all we may want or need at the time, we search for a divine place where you are present. When you appear in our void, we are captured by your goodness and beauty, your kindness and mercy and your love and understanding. When we let go of all those wants and needs, we can rest, dwell and be fully present to all that you are. 

Thank you,
Heavenly Father,
for the gift
of spiritual awareness.
Thank you
for faith
that helps us
see more deeply.
Thank you
for meeting us
in our want
so we
can turn
and discover you
in all
your radiant beauty.

Love always, Andrea

Wednesday, January 2, 2019

Dear God,

There is so much of me that needs changing.  I am not the beautiful child you made me.  When I grow frustrated and annoyed with someone or something, I am only filled with anger and resentment.  And when anger and resentment fills me up, there is no room for love, understanding, kindness, mercy and forgiveness.  When I am full up with all that is not of you, I am simply filled up with yuck.

Why do I do this, O Lord?  When I am full of love and kindness, I experience great joy.  I feel your presence and your delight.  I am one with you.  But I depart when I follow the path of discontent, argumentation and outright unforgiveness.  I don't like myself at those moments.  I know I am less than you made me, less than you want me to be right now.  To be sure, I am less, not more.

Holy Father,
you are all
that is good.
I only want you.
I only
want to
be full
of you.
Please forgive me
when I fail
to live
by faith,
in faith
and around faith.
Help me start anew.

Love, Andrea

Tuesday, January 1, 2019

Dear God,

Gratitude...when my heart is full of gratitude, I find myself in a sacred dwelling place with you.  And why not?  Offering gratitude is to place one's self with the one who provides gifts for which to give thanks.

My first thought each morning is of you.  As I lay in my warm bed and breathe in the cool air of your presence, I say thank you for my home, my family, my comfort, my health, and above all my faith.  It is my faith that leads me in my prayers of gratitude.

I am so aware that all good things come from you.  And the bad things?  Well, they come and you help transform them into some kind of good.  A loss can be a gain when I turn to you, cleave unto you and spend time with you sharing my pain.  And what can I do but give thanks?

Holy God,
you are worthy
of all praise.
You give
great gifts
to your children.
Help me
become more
and more grateful
that I
may lift
your name
higher and higher.

Love, Andrea

Monday, December 31, 2018

Dear God,

The last day of the year, the last day motivated me to reflect upon the old year.  A year full of blessings, yes, disappointments but blessings that came out of hurts and disappointments.  You, O Lord, have the power to redeem every hurt, every disappointment and every loss and you did.

How good it is to be called to reflect, to remember and to count gifts, healings and blessings.  Every sorrow has a gift attached, a means by which to let faith change and transform.  To examine the gifts with my name written on the tag is to find you in every aspect of my life.

Todays reflections took me on a journey of faith, one that lead me right back to you.

Thank you,
Loving Father,
for the gift
of this year.
Thank you
for the difficulties
that gave me opportunity
to grow,
to increase my faith
and to
turn my sorrows
into gains.
I am blessed,
so very blessed.

Love, Andrea

Sunday, December 30, 2018

Dear God,

So long ago you pointed to children and said the little children would lead us.  I have discovered the truth in your promise.  In their simple ways they show us how to love, forgive, share, bless and give.  As I watched them come forward for Holy Communion, I realized they too are hungry for you.  They want what you have to offer.  They come to worship with their parents and they always are the first to step forward for the food of faith.  Today as I bent down to offer the Eucharist, I saw you in their eyes and I remembered your words.

Holy Father,
thank you
for the gifts
of faith.
Thank you
for little children
who teach us
so much.
Thank you
for the blessing.

Love, Andrea