Tuesday, February 26, 2019

Dear God,

Today I felt so wounded, wounded by my own denomination.  As a retired United Methodist pastor I was saddened by the vote of our General Conference to deny ordination and same sex marriage to gays.

There is no denying you call us to become pastors, counselors, teachers and many other things.  We don't always know why and sometimes we are perplexed and anxious; yet, in due time we follow your lead recognizing all as grace.

I know you have called brothers and sisters who are gay.  Their call was as significant and profound as my own.  Their love for you and their faith in you are just as real as my own.  So why do we want to rid ourselves of them?

There are many things I do not understand Good Lord and this is one of them.  Show us the way to love, acceptance, inclusion, understanding and mercy.

Holy God,
you call
who you call.
We are blessed
to have you
entrust us
to your service.
We are flawed,
everyone of us,
yet, you
call us
just the same.
Show us
the way
to a
holy union
I pray.

Love, Andrea

Monday, February 25, 2019

Dearest God,

Why must we be so judgmental?  Why do we forget we are all made in your image, not just some of us, not just those with white skin, blonde hair and blue eyes?  Or those who have gone to college, succeeded by the world's standards and are citizens of our country?  Why do we look down on so many people who we decide is not "really like us?"

Why do you put up with us?  Why do you still offer grace when we are mean spirited, unloving, callous, exclusive and ugly?  Why do you not destroy all of us for behaving the way we behave?  When will we ever learn we all wear the same flesh, breathe the air you have provided and are called the beloved?  When?

We are
a sinful people,
O God,
a very
sinful people.
We forget
who we are
and surely
we forget
who others are.
We want
to believe
we only
are the beloved
but not
the rest
because of
their skin color,
identity, economic status,
political view,
country citizenship
and more.
We fail
to offer
the same grace
you offer us.
We are
a sinful people,
O God,
a sinful people.
Teach us
the better way.

Love, Andrea

Sunday, February 24, 2019

Dearest God,

"Make your home in me," the scripture says, "Make your home in me."  O Christ, when I think of home, I think of the most joyous home where I lived, not every day, but a place that was very special to me.  I think of my grandmother's home.

Grandma's home on the farm was my happiest home.  On the edge of 80 acres, her home was the central location for my joy, love and faith.  The home was warm, except for upstairs that had no heat, where ice formed on the window sills and where my grandmother put layers of quilts on top of us, where she knelt on the old hardwood floor and prayed for each of us by name so we heard it.  Yes, it was warm in the kitchen where she sat at the antique wooden table, read her devotion and prayed, and where she cooked all our favorite foods when we came to visit.  Warm, in the front room where she played the old upright piano as long as we wanted to sing and where all of us kids, grandkids and great grandkids squeezed in for family gatherings, oh yes the house was warm with so much love and joy.

Faith was born for me in the old family home.  As I watched Grandma live what she believed, I wanted faith like hers, so much did I want it.  And it came in so many ways.

Although my grandmother's home was the very best on earth, I know our home with you surpasses even that.  When I long for home, in my mind and heart, I stop at Grandma's place first.  There I dwell for a while but then I reluctantly leave to move on to your home awaiting me as well, not just at my end time but every day where I can tarry, take up residence, sing, pray, dance, cry and live.  I breathe in your love and mercy and I am willing to be corrected, to have my course changed and my life transformed.  I allow you to clear my senses and emotions, my mind and my heart.  While there I open the door to my whole self so I can receive your love and leave behind all those things that have taken up residence inside me that keep me from rising up to you.

Yes, O Lord, make my home in you.  Your home is my all in all.

Gracious God,
no one
loves us
like you.
No home
is better
than yours.
Keep my eye
on you
and my
ears too.
Thank you
for inviting me
in and
inviting me back.
I love you.

Always, Andrea

Saturday, February 23, 2019

Dearest God,

The way home is complicated, full of unexpected twists and turns, ups and downs, dead ends, construction and thousands of exits.  How in the world are we expected to arrive home?

I've been on the long road home for a very, very long time.  I've gotten lost, taken wrong turns and missed my exits and on ramps.  I've spent a good deal of time at dead ends.  Oh, I don't even want to think of how long I spent there.  I've gone round and round on those rotaries failing to find the right road.

But the sweet thing is I never sensed your loss.  I always believed you were with me.  Your presence gave me courage to dwell for a while, then pick up, turn on and start all over again.  I never understood the constancy of your continuing presence except for love.

You are God;
there is
no one
who loves
like you.
Although we make
so many mistakes
on the
road home,
you still
ride along
with us.
Thank you.

Love, Andrea

Friday, February 22, 2019

Dear God,

"Make straight the highway for our Lord."  These scriptural words came to me as the tree experts cut down the last of the dead trees.  The ground is being prepared for the spiritual highway on our land.  From the beginning the spiritual path and hermitage were your idea; I have simply followed your lead.

For 12 years you whispered your will for our land.  You showed me the way to the opening of the spiritual path.  You invited me to dig and keep on digging.  As I came to a fork you told me which way to go.  As I laid stones and added plants and flowers, your spirit breeze blew and it was obvious your spirit was with me and all those who have been laborers in your spiritual work. And in a few weeks work will begin on the spiritual hermitage, a monastery in the woods.

You are good,
so very,
very good,
O God.
You whisper
your will
to us.
You invite us
to follow you.
You breathe
your spirit breath
upon us.
We are blessed.

Love always, Andrea

Thursday, February 21, 2019

Dear God,

The pull of the world is so strong.  Sometimes we are pulled in.  Sometimes we fight it and are still caused to stumble.  But the truth is your spirit is far greater and stronger.

When we trust you, really trust you, we are able to do far more than we can imagine!  When we take your outstretched hand, we feel your loving presence.  When we take one step toward you, we are enabled by your strength to go the distance, to follow, to walk beside, to take courage and to rise to higher levels of faith and joy.

It is your grace that enables, equips and make possible our opportunity to overcome all that holds us back from a full, abiding relationship with you.  You open the door to us offering the best you have.  We experience great joy when we follow the pilgrim way.

You, O God,
are mighty.
You are loving
and caring.
You are merciful
and full
of grace.
May we remember
all these things.

Love, Andrea

Wednesday, February 20, 2019

Dear God,

Just minutes ago I looked out my window and watched as you painted pink on the morning sky.  How beautiful the sunrise as the colors changed in a matter of seconds.

We miss so many displays of your beauty, O God.  Every morning you paint the sky gray, pink, yellow, red and blue.  No artist could ever paint what you paint every single morning.  And most of us miss it.  We sleep away, watch the morning news or are simply not interested.  We miss one of the most beautiful gifts of each day.  But you never stop.  At evening time you do the same thing again and again and again.

All praise
to you,
Almighty God.
You are worthy
of every bit
of praise
we can offer.
You give
so many gifts,
so very
many gifts.

Love, Andrea

Tuesday, February 19, 2019

Dear God,

I watched the seagull rise up and soar effortlessly.  It was so beautiful that I thought about it several times today.

Oh to be like a seagull, to ride upon the wind, the wind of your spirit.  To so trust, to let go of every obstacle that holds me back, to rise in faith and to soar with you.  When we let go and trust you, when we surrender the little gods we hold onto so tightly and raise our eyes to heaven, we can ride the spirit wind with you.  We can experience life's greatest joy!

So many times I made demands and held on to things that kept me grounded.  So many times I said no to your invitation.  So many times I resisted believing my obstacles were more important at the time than soaring in the spirit with you.  So foolish, so very foolish.

But those moments I said yes and let go, oh my goodness, the exhilaration was like nothing I had ever experienced before.  I remember one time, early just before dawn by the Rio Grande Bridge near Taos, New Mexico.  I wanted to trust you, really trust you with my fear of heights.  I knew I had so much to let go of in order to rise up with you.  I wanted to surrender.  I wanted to grow in my faith.  I wanted to trust.  Along with my daughter and a couple of other people, I crawled inside a hot air balloon basket.  My heart was pounding so hard.  My face was beet red.  I could hardly breathe.  We lifted off and I screamed, "Stop!"  He asked me the crucial question.  "You want to go back down?"  I felt your spirit breath upon my face, paused and said no.

During the next hour we let the wind take us where it wanted.  At one point we dropped down inside the gorge, looked at the sparkling water and then lifted up once more 1000 feet off the ground.  We witnessed so much beauty.  I felt such hope, courage and strength.  I felt so much merciful love from you that I cried tears of joy.  I prayed in thanksgiving over and over again.  I knew you like I had never known you.  What gifts I received...all from your hands.

Blessed Lord,
thank you
for daily invitations
to soar.
Thank you
for love behind
each invitation.
Thank you
for asking again
after I
refuse your offer.
You are God;
there is none
like you.
I am blessed
so blessed.

Love always and forever, Andrea

Monday, February 18, 2019

Dear God,

How long does it take to renovate, renew and restore a soul?  This question comes to me as I work long and hard daily to renovate, renew and restore a 200-year-old house.  I have been working for nearly three weeks on a closet and a bathroom and neither are yet done.  How long does it take to renovate, renew and restore a soul?

O Lord, do you ever want to give up on us?  Do you ever want to throw in the towel?  Do you ever think we will never learn?  As I pour over the scriptures in my daily devotional reading, it seems the Israelites never learned.  They kept making the same mistakes.  They would take your offerings, enjoy them and then turn to other gods.  That's what we do too, isn't it?

We need much work, O Father.  We need daily cleansing.  We need to sweep out all the cobwebs of neglect and lack of trust.  We need to fall at your feet to acknowledge our sin, our unwillingness to follow your best route for our lives.  We need to surrender all our gods that never ever take into account what is best for us.  Only you, O God, care deeply for our inner lives.

Teach us
the way
of faith,
Heavenly Father.
Return us
to our
first love.
Forgive our
recalcitrant ways.
Make us new
once again,
I pray.

Love, Andrea

Sunday, February 17, 2019

Dear God,

Our congregation has a faithful few in the pews on Sunday morning but their work for mission outreach through the week is great.  Even though we have a large sanctuary, only thirty of us are present.  Some may say it is empty.  Others say it is full.

As I sat in church today, I was mindful of our fullness.  You brought a vision of angels and saints filling the pews.  I saw the picture in my mind.  Who can do this amazing feat?  None other than our God.

You are worthy
of our praise,
Holy God.
You do
great things.
Thank you
for today's vision.
You are not
only the
light of the world.
You are
the hope of the world.
Thank you.

Love, Andrea

Saturday, February 16, 2019

Dear God,

Give us the heart of Christ, Living God; give us the heart of Christ.  When the heart that beats inside us is the heart of Christ, we see others in a different way.  We see them as you see them.  Our minds fill with compassion and mercy.  We want to help others.  We come to love them as Christ loves.

When our heart is the heart of Christ, we look at all life as Christ does.  We see our neighbor and we care.  We look at people and think community.  We listen to the hurts of the world and we want to do something to alleviate the many sorrows present.  When people hurt, we hurt too.  When people celebrate, we celebrate with them.  When we have the heart of Christ, we love so much more.

Give me
the heart
of Christ,
O God.
Carve out
a place
for Christ.
Make my heart
his own.
Clear out
the clutter
that keeps me
from having
a place
for Christ.
Wash my
heart clean
so it
can beat
for you.

Love, Andrea

Friday, February 15, 2019

Dear God,

Gratitude is a gift of great proportion.  It keeps us looking up, saying thank you and helps us focus on all the gifts of life.  It aids us in our suffering as we look for the positive, the good and the blessing.  Gratitude keeps us in touch with you, Giver of All Gifts.  It points us to faith.

Gratitude can help us start and end every day well no matter the circumstances.  Awakening fresh in the morning gives us opportunity for giving thanks for a good night's sleep, a warm bed and safe shelter.  Going about our day we have many chances to consider the gifts of the day, food, medicine, fresh water, people who love us and faith that keeps us on the spiritual journey.  As we climb back into bed, we can give praise to the author of life who kept us alive all day with oxygen, presence and love.

Gratitude keeps us from being stingy, self-centered and demanding.  When reflecting upon all you have given us, it hinders our penchant for thinking about what we don't have or lack in some way.  It keeps our minds clear from all the nasty things that color our thinking like jealousy, resentment and bitterness.  Gratitude keeps us in love with you.

Blessed Lord,
thank you
for faith
that leads us
to you.
Thank you
for making us aware
of life
and all
its many gifts.
Forgive us
for taking life
for granted.
Teach us
the way
of thankful living.

Love, Andrea

Thursday, February 14, 2019

Dear God,

You have the ability to weave our sorrow with joy, our fear with faith and our despair with hope.  If this were not true, we would remain in our pain, in our puddles and muddles and in our chaos.  You can create a new reality for us by interweaving all that is good with all that is bad, difficult or even evil.

How many times have you sown seeds of goodness into our great difficulties?  So many tell their stories of just how you did this.  You have certainly made a sweet garden from my own losses, disappointments, mistakes, fears and challenges.  I can look back on my breast cancer and what I see is your spirit causing me to soar to greater heights.  I reflect back on my divorce and can feel your arms of mercy holding me near the precipice.  I can remember the estrangement of my daughter and sense your amazing strength when all I wanted to do was die.

Every situation can be a moment of holy love that aids us in our time of deepest trial.

Holy God,
thank you
for blessing us
in deep,
dark times.
Thank you
for lifting us up
and holding us
until we
were ready
to climb down
into life
once again.
You are God,
an awesome God;
there is none
like you.
Blessed is your name!

Love always, Andrea

Wednesday, February 13, 2019

Dear God,

It is only when we quiet our inner voices can we hear your still, small voice.  Only then can we feel the warmth of a savior's love, the kindness of our redeemer and the mercy of our compassionate God. Truth be told we keep those voices speaking because we do not want to hear your voice.  We do not want to know your will.  We want to resist your challenge.  We want to think, believe and behave our way.

But who will sit with us in our selfish tantrum?  Who will applaud our craziness?  Who will agree with us to keep us in our turmoil?  No one.  But you, O Lord, will remain with us, be present to us and listen to us because no one loves us like you.  No one want our best like you.  No one, O Lord, but you.

As we reflect upon our lives, our today and all our yesterdays, we recognize and acknowledge your loving presence, your patience and your compassion.  As we trusted you, took your hand, acknowledged your presence, surrendered ourselves into your hands and lifted our foot to step forward, it was then we realize yours is the sweet voice that rises above all the others.

Help us listen
for your voice,
Holy God.
Attune our ears
to your voice.
Lead us
to the future
filled with
the promise
of your love
and presence.

Love, Andrea

Tuesday, February 12, 2019

Dear God,

So much clutter fills my mind, my list of things to do, calls I need to make, things I need to say to people, hopes for relationships and so much more.  Although I work on my daily tasks, I still feel the need to declutter in order to make more space for you.  If I fill myself up with all the debris of my life, I leave little space for you to dwell, to speak, to challenge, to whisper and to guide.

Why when I want more of you do I reach for more of me?

Help me declutter
my life,
O God;
help me create
a center
just for you.
Lift my eyes
to the heavens
and my heart
toward the soul.
Show me
the way,
Almighty God,
I pray.

Love, Andrea

Monday, February 11, 2019

Dear God,

No one can change us like you, O Lord, no one.  You always know what is best for us.  You know what needs transformation, our thoughts, beliefs, ways, practices and our behaviors.  You can go directly to the place that needs changing.

We think we can hide things from you but we cannot.  Our anger and resentment cannot be hidden.  It is just under the surface.  It taints us, leaving little room for the sweetness of faith, hope and joy.  The more we hate, are bitter or mean-spirited, the less space there is for you or solitude or gratitude.

Fill us up
with you,
O God;
fill us
with all
that is you
like love,
mercy and kindness.
We want
to be
like you.
We want
to shine
like the stars
in the
dark night skies
because we know
then we
will radiate
your light,
the most
beautiful light
of creation.

Love, Andrea

Sunday, February 10, 2019

Dear God,

Sometimes we hold tight to what we have for fear of losing it.  Money, children, friends, spouses and more.  The tighter we cling, the greater the fear.

Years ago I held fast, so tightly that I lost sight of everything around me.  I stopped eating, started losing weight.  I could hardly study thinking if I did not keep my mind on him, I would somehow lose him.  I let things go.  I forgot, was distracted and crazy.  In the end, I got what I wanted but the price I paid was a really big one.

When we trust you for everything, I mean everything, we need not hold fast to one thing.  The more we trust and release our hold, the more freedom we have, the greater the hope and joy.  We prepare ourselves for your will.  We anticipate our closeness, yours and ours, and we are able to be patient, to lean forward with you and to wait until the time is your time, not our own.

What we need hold fast to is our faith, that belief system, personal relationship and way of being.  When we cling to you, the more the future opens up to us.

You are God;
there is none
like you.
When we
trust you,
we discover
a great world
waiting for us.
Teach us
to trust more
and cling less.

Love, Andrea

Saturday, February 9, 2019

Dear God,

Mercy, heaven's mercy.  This morning Henri Nouwen brought mercy to our devotions.  Mercy, the never-ending love of God.

As I reflect upon my own life journey, I see mercy all along the way.  When I fell away, walked away or turned away, still I found mercy waiting for me.  When I was desperate, in the throes of despair or hopeless, mercy picked me up rocking me until I found my strength.  When I was crushed, afraid or lost, mercy whispered her love to me and out of that I discovered courage, insight and guidance.  Mercy has been the gift at intersections, dead ends and rotaries.  When all else is gone, mercy shows up to hold us until we are ready to go on.

Holy Spirit,
God of Love,
thank you
for your mercy.
Where would
we be
without it?
You are MERCY,
O God;
you are Mercy.

Love, Andrea

Friday, February 8, 2019

Dear God,

Nothing is hid from your eyes, O God, nothing.  We may try to hide our thoughts, actions and behaviors from you but to no avail.  You see everything.

 No one sees us in our "stripped down" condition.  You know us as no one else.  You see our flaws, prejudices and faults.  At the same time you see "all" in us.  You see our motives, intent, our weaknesses, our hopes and disappointments.  You know us at our core because you made our core.  You put together our cells, structure and organs.  You put your stamp on us.  Everyone of us has the stamp of approval at the moment of our birth.  We are yours before we belong to anyone else.

So why do we run way?

Blessed are you,
God Most Holy.
Thank you
for creating us
in your image.
Thank you
for freedom
to be.
Forgive us
when we err,
when we
turn away,
when we forget
who we are.
Show us
the way
to a
better us,
I pray.

Love, Andrea

Thursday, February 7, 2019

Dear God,

Round things...these two words came to me during my devotions...round things.  Round things, circles where we go round and round while thinking about living differently than the same old way.  Round things, moving inward to the inner circle where you and I can dwell together.  Round things, traveling around many times looking closely to see something more than we have seen before.

Sometimes round circles are places where we need to travel in order to listen better, see differently and reflect upon ways to move from where we are to the next step on our pilgrim journey.  I have gone round and round many times behaving the same old way expecting some new result.  But, of course, it never comes because it is designed to offer the same old answers.  Some times you allow us to travel round and round until we get something right, when the bell rings and we realize this is not where we want to be.  In the round, we can pause and even turn around because you are there to give us a new opportunity for life.

Loving God,
thank you
for round places
that teach us
life lessons.
Thank you
for showing us
the way.
Guide us
to you,
I pray.

Love, Andrea

Wednesday, February 6, 2019

Dearest God,

You sent him, the one I have been waiting for.  I did not know him, did not know what he would offer.  But like everything else the last decade plus years your timing was right, your love was apparent and your plan was being revealed.

My friends and I were talking about the spiritual hermitage you brought to my mind a few years ago.  Like the words that were spoken on that day when I stood looking out at the woods twelve years ago or so, "That is the opening to the spiritual path," you breathed the words about the spiritual hermitage.  I never planned to have a spiritual path or hermitage on our land.  But you did.  And when you whispered the words to me, I knew it was you. At some point I started digging, cutting, clearing, tearing down, and smoothing out, laying out one smooth stone at a time.  It was when we were talking that our restorationist interrupted us, "Tim Spaulding, call Tim Spaulding.  He's your man."  And so I called him and he came.

A stranger really Tim was.  I had never met him before but I found myself opening up to him as he quietly sat at my dining room table.  I told him about your voice and the spiritual path and the hermitage.  I told him about all the work my friends and I have done by hand.  He took a pad and started sketching.  When he turned it over and showed me what he had penned, I was awash with warm tears.  There it was a miniature monastery, exactly what it is supposed to me.  "You are the one," I said, "You are the one who is to build it!"

O God,
when we
really trust you,
we never
have to worry,
be anxious
or burdened.
When we
trust in you,
you lead us
in your time,
in your way
and in
your will.
The path
is yours
like the hermitage
will be.
Do what
you will
for all pilgrims
who will come.

Love, Andrea

Tuesday, February 5, 2019

Dear God,

No one loves like you.  No one picks up the pieces of our lives like you.  No one understands, helps, forgives, guides and cheers us on like you.

By faith you open doors to wider and higher realms.  I do not know how you do it.  I just know you do.  I remember the day you invited me to step inside a doorway where there was no inner knob.  I was terrified.  The space was dark, unfamiliar, frightening; yet, clearly it was your voice inviting me in.  When I stepped inside and heard the door slam shut behind me, I was filled with fear.  But then a peace like a warm blanket covered me and my fear instantly dissolved.  I realized I was home with you.  Although I did not know my dark space, I knew you.

That day changed my life forever.  As I stood in the darkness with a warm peace and even warmer love, I let go of everything I held onto so I could find my way to you.  Within minutes the light came and I took steps into a great big world of faith.  I learned many lessons particularly about trust, hope and surrender.  Like a little child I wandered through the halls and listened as you spoke truths I had never really listened to.  I found so much compassionate love that tears flowed and words of praise and gratitude flowed from my heart and mouth.

Today as I reflect back I remember, breathe the air of joy and give thanks all over again.

You are God,
a wondrous God
of hope
and love
and mercy.
I praise you,
Great God,
and give thanks
for all
the gifts
of faith.
Thank you
to all
of you
from all
of me.

Love always, Andrea

Monday, February 4, 2019

Dear God,

At the beginning of the day we are in your care.  At the end of the day we are in your care.  There is no time when you are not with us.  The question that comes is:  Have I desired you to come to my side or have I moved, shifted to you?

Often our prayers ask for your movement.  We ask you to come be with us, to be with our families and loved ones.  We ask you to do something, to move something or to change something.  Rarely do we ever say, "Lord, I am willing to move, to shift and to change my position to be with you.  There is something so radically different here.  I make the commitment to change not expecting you to do it all.

O God, how many times have I asked you to do all the work?  How often have I asked you to change my situation, my condition or that of my loved ones?  How many times did I want/desire/cry out for you to make my life different?  Too many, way too many.

But when I acknowledge you are God and I am human flesh, I realize I have much work to do, first of all listening to you and trusting you to guide me in the best plan of my life.  Secondly, I have to bend my will to yours.  Third, I need to take the steps following you rather than expecting you to follow me.  Finally, I have to prayerfully give thanks and praise you for being the creator instead of the other way around.

Bless you,
O God,
for putting up
with me.
Thank you
for loving me
in spite
of myself.
Remind me daily
to get ready
to move.

Love, Andrea

Sunday, February 3, 2019

Dear God,

Our preacher fell ill while preaching on Sunday.  A midwife cried out, "Are you all right, Jim?"  "No," he said emphatically.  The next few minutes were a testimony to the ways in which your spirit moves.  The midwife jumped up out of her seat and ran to him.  A doctor stepped up from the back of the sanctuary. A woman went to call his wife.  Another called his daughter.  Someone else retrieved the defibrillator.  Yet another stood and led the congregation in prayer for Jim.  Within minutes the EMS was there to take Jim to the hospital and as he left Rev. Susan offered us Holy Communion. As I sat in prayer myself I thought of how we were being the church, really being the church.

Holy God,
you bless us
with your spirit
every day.
You speak
to us,
help us,
move and
inspire us.
You lead us
to healing,
mercy
and love
and we
are grateful,
so very,
very grateful.

Love always, Andrea

Saturday, February 2, 2019

Dear God,

Your ways are always better than our ways.  We may have a good idea but you have a great idea.  When we trust you, seek your guidance and follow you, a beautiful world opens up to us.

Often when I think of a good way to do something, you whisper something else.  You lead me to places I might never find on my own.  Your spirit breeze blows and like a feather in the wind, I take the ride of a lifetime.

Why don't I do that every time?

My eyes
are too often
down on
the ground.
Lift my eyes
to the heavens.
Open my mind
and all
my senses
to your
gentle call.

Love, Andrea

Friday, February 1, 2019

Dear God,

Today you brought Thomas Merton to me.  You revealed his authenticity, openness and faith.  You showed me the way to an open and honest relationship with you.  Not one with clever and manipulative gestures, but one who is fully open from the inside out, Thomas Merton showed his raw courage, a rare gift in today's world.

You also invited him into my circle of friends, faith-filled authors who wrote books sharing their deepest thoughts, fearful times and amazing challenges.  So much truth spilled out for those wanting to listen.

Every day as I sit at your feet, I learn so much.  I discover my own inadequacies and ability to rise up out of my own ashes.  I find people of faith who walked the walk and talked the talk, pilgrims who lead us to high places and deep valleys.  As I enter silence, that deep, deep place of faith, I bump into these pilgrims who challenge me at the deepest level, who move me beyond my self-made obstacles and prod me to engage in honest conversations with you.

You are God,
a wondrous God.
Thank you
for spiritual friends
who make us
honest and open
with ourselves
and you.
Thank you
for the
pilgrim way,
the spiritual journey
and the
incredible people
we meet
along the way.

Love, Andrea

Thursday, January 31, 2019

Dear God,

Life can be lived many ways.  We can live life as it comes, on the surface.  We can take in all that is around us, getting up in the morning and returning to bed at night.  Or we can live in the deep, finding a world so wide and high, one that sees a shimmering wonderfulness, where eternity is revealed, where hope is not just hope but hope with gratitude, joy with peace and faith with courage, strength and wisdom.  It is a rich life with you.

I confess often I live life alone.  I consider my own thoughts, desires, passions, hope and will.  I want my own way.  I want to direct my life and sometimes others.  I want what I want when I want it...so many I's.  I fail to live a rich, meaningful and purposeful life.  I end up with a half cup, never reaching the top, never tasting the full sweetness of life or breathing in a spirit so full of beauty, compassion and love.  I never fully receive the "good" life.

BUT when I recognize there is another world, full of grace, majestic wonderfulness and love like no other, I fall to my knees in praise and thanksgiving.  I walk through the door left open for me.  I see the breeze of your spirit blowing and feel the light of your love upon my face.  I breathe clean, pure air that refreshes like nothing else.  In the depths of my soul, I discover the meaning and joy of gratitude, one that continually says thank you and smiles with praise.  I meet you, you meet me and together we dance the dance of eternal life even in the present and it is good, so very, very good.

Thank you,
Wondrous God,
for all
your gifts.
How can
I adequately say
thank you?
How can
I live
giving witness
to your spirit
in the world?
I offer you
my love
and devotion,
now and forever.

Always yours, Andrea