Friday, August 30, 2019

Dear God,

Compassion, you make the heart soft for loved ones, friends and even strangers in need.  We don't know how that happens, we only know it does happen.

When people are hurt through natural disasters or catastrophic events like mass shootings, our hearts are pierced and love flows out.  You make us that way so we can care for one another.

Right now our church is working on a Peace Gathering where we can bring people together to remember and pray.  We want to do something to help.  We want to channel our love forward to aid in their distress.  Compassion, so defined as your love in us, comes out, goes out and is shared.

Thank you,
Great God of Heaven,
for the gift
of compassion.
You touch us
in deep ways
so love
will continue.
Lead us
in compassion,
we pray.

Love, Andrea

Thursday, August 29, 2019

Dear God,

"Do you need to have forgiveness in order to experience reconciliation?"  The new pastor of a former church had come to visit my husband and me.  After us sharing for a while, she asked the question.  I was taken aback until I realized it was your word through her.

You are always speaking to us, O Lord.  You never leave us alone.  You want us to tackle the hard things of life so we can strengthen our spirit life.  You want to rid us of those things that are stuck in our soul where we harbor resentment and bitterness.  You want to clean us up making us free from all obstacles that keep us in bondage.  You want to give us full use of your spirit power.

Thank you,
Gracious and Loving God,
for the gift
of your
loving mercy.
Thank you
for caring
so much.
Thank you
for today's challenge.

Love, Andrea

Wednesday, August 28, 2019

Dear God,

As we met to discuss the peace gathering in the church basement, I saw the little boy peek around the corner.  I waved and smiled at him as he quickly disappeared.  Later I saw his parents as they looked at a sofa.  They smiled from ear to ear.

They are new immigrants who have just landed in our area.  With nothing more than a blanket and a pillow each, they are in need of so much.  What they came to learn was Marilyn would stick with them until they have everything they need.  They went through our upstairs rooms where we have mattresses and bedding, housewares, personal hygiene items, linens and a few pieces of furniture.

I saw up close what joy can come from being a compassionate people.  As a "warehouse" for used and new items, so many friends in our community have brought items to share with those who need them.  And I thought of you and how you place compassion in every heart.

Thank you,
Compassionate God,
for caring
so much.
Thank you
for nudging us
to share
with our neighbor
near and
far away.
Thank you
for the mother,
father and
little boy
and the
newfound joy
they now have.

Love, Andrea

Tuesday, August 27, 2019

Dear God,

Although we do not always turn to you when we need help, others are praying for us.  Those prayers from family, friends and even those who pray for strangers around the world help us find our way.

When my granddaughter was three years old, she announced she was never leaving home.  She would live with mommy and daddy forever.  We all smiled and remembered her words.  As she grew up she faced challenges.  She was insecure and often fell prey to bullying.  It looked like she really might never leave home.  But we all prayed for her.

Today I saw a facetime picture of her in her college dorm.  She was smiling from ear to ear.  She is happy.

That picture made me think of your power to change lives through prayer.  And you call us all to prayer, to side with you and to lift up both people we love and those who are strangers to us.  All those prayers changed my granddaughter and I am thankful.

Blessed are you,
God of Power and Grace.
You care
for each
of us
as if
we are
the only child.
Thank you
for your compassion.
Thank you
for blessing
my granddaughter.

Love, Andrea

Monday, August 26, 2019

Dearest God,

If we wonder if you exist, we need look around us to find signs of your presence.  You are all around us.  We simply need eyes of faith to see.

Early this morning you took me to Spiller Farm, a wonderful farm 12 minutes away.  As I carried my sack looking for the rows of green beans, I watched a young mother and her three young daughters walk down the path between giant sunflowers and pink, purple and red zinnias.  What a picture, I thought.  I told the mom her children were like beautiful flowers among all the other flowers.  She smiled.

When I finally started in my row, sitting in the dirt as I moved up the row, I finally stood to stretch my back and as I did, I was staring into one of those sunflowers towering over me.  Just inches away I spoke, "Well, hello there sunflower.  You are beautiful!"  I stood and watched bees buzz as they collected on the large brown center.  As the breeze picked up and the long line of sunflowers danced, I thought of you.

Holy God,
you are
in nature,
families and
every scene
around us.
Help us
see you.
Thank you
for the gift today.

Love, Andrea

Sunday, August 25, 2019

Dear God,

How I wish I could surrender my whole soul to you, allowing you to direct me in all things.  When I do so, I see the amazing happenings that occur.

I gave up preaching when I retired.  Honestly, I was done.  But when our priest in Indiana asked me to preach, I hemmed and hawed and finally said no.  He didn't give up.  He asked me again.  When our pastor left in Maine early this summer, I was invited again to offer up the word of God.  Inside I wanted to say NO but I heard your whispers in worship, "Really, you are really going to put your light under the bushel?"  I knew then I couldn't away with my resistance.

Both times I preached people responded favorably.  The priest told me, "I really needed to hear what you had to say this morning.  You will never know how much."  Today worshippers expressed a sense of hope.

When I worked on the message this week, you made it easy.  It came quickly and smoothly.  I didn't have to agonize but rather trusted you for help.  Once again you touched people's lives through your work in me.  Amazing, it is always you, dear God, always you.

Blessed are you,
Gracious God on High,
you are
the god
of power,
compassion and love.
You make
all things work
when we listen
and follow you.
You are God;
there is
no other.

Love, Andrea

Saturday, August 24, 2019

Dear God,

Thank you for your great compassion.  Thank you for creating compassion in us.

Today my friend and I worked hours going through donations for immigrants who have come to our shore, people with little to nothing, those who are fleeing violence, government corruption and poverty.  We could not believe how much there was.

Every item is a gift of compassion.  Yes, it may be used or not but each one is a gift of love.  A dish, a toy for a child, a blanket, pots and pans or hygiene supplies all say, "We love you." And how can we love the stranger if not with a heart of compassion?

Thank you
for love
for all
your children.
Thank you
for blessing us
with compassion
to help those
in need.
Show us
the way
to more deeply
become compassionate people.

Love, Andrea

Friday, August 23, 2019

Dear God,

Each day you draw us into yourself for an intimate walk through life.  Together we look at blessings, nature's finest, gifts of home and health and love and relationships.  When struggles come we face them together.  By nightfall we utter prayers of thanksgiving together.  Your voice is the first to welcome us to the new day and the last to bid us a good sleep.

When we really pause to think about faith and all its parts, we must conclude that your living presence is part of daily living.  It is not like you are only with us part time, like Thursday and Friday mornings.  No, long ago you promised your presence with us so we conclude you are with us always.

When we look at life from the point of view of faith, we see so much more than a life without faith. We see and hear so much more.  We look for more because there is more.  Colors are brighter, music is sweeter, love is deeper.  When we see water, we don't just see or taste or hear water, we see living water and know it is one of the gifts of faith.

Bless you,
Great God,
for the
wondrous gifts
of life.
Thank you
for the
early-morning risings
and the gift
of your
living presence.
May every day
be a day
for us
to give praise.

Love, Andrea

Thursday, August 22, 2019

Dear God,

You can make the impossible possible, the improbable probable and the hopelessness hope-filled.  Your desire is to act in mighty and powerful ways through your people.

So often we feel we cannot accomplish the impossible because we believe it is not possible.  Yet, with faith and trust when we step forward the impossible becomes the possible.  Even afterwards we are mystified how it happened because it seemed so impossible to us at the time.

Faith is the power to do the impossible.  Faith is believing you are big enough to transform the impossible into the possible.  Faith is love in action.  Faith can change anything.

I remember the terror I felt at the thought of climbing into a hot air balloon basket.  With no seat belts, no bathroom, no real space or protection, I stepped inside just before sunrise in Taos, New Mexico right next to the Rio Grande Gorge, the tenth highest bridge in the United States.  When we began to ascend, I shouted, "STOP!"  My heart was pounding so hard.  But the pilot said, "Do you want to go back down?"  I knew his voice was yours and the invitation was a profound one.  You were asking me if I had faith to trust you.  With a strength that was not my own, I said no and we continued our ascent.  Over the next hour, I saw what you saw so much beauty beyond my comprehension.  But more than that I praised how your power changed me.

Almighty and Powerful God,
thank you
for your
divine power
to change
and transform.
Thank you
for changing
the impossible
into the possible.
Thank you
for love
that makes
all things possible.

Love always, Andrea

Wednesday, August 21, 2019

Dear God,

Oh, how sweet to find your loving presence in the morning.  As we stir and awaken to the warmth of our beds, the cool air around us and the sun starting to peek above the horizon, we can begin our praise and prayers of thanksgiving even before we rise up.

You show us your face daily.  You speak to us in the birdsong, the gentle breeze and the soft quiet in our homes.  If we listen closely and let faith have its way, we can hear angels and saints singing.  And we are invited to join in with this great throng of loving people.

We are only limited by our stubborn will, our resistance to focus on what we have instead of what we do not have and our scattered and varying thoughts that we do not clear in order to hear and see.  We want an instant God like instant everything else.  The psalmist teaches us to "Wait upon the Lord."  It is in waiting in the quiet, willing our minds and souls to calm that we find the great teacher and comforter, savior and friend.

Blessed are you,
Loving God,
for awakening us
to your voice
first thing
in the morning.
Teach us
the ways
to hear
and see you.
Make us
ready and
willing vessels
of your
loving presence.

Love, Andrea

Tuesday, August 20, 2019

Dear God,

You grow our love for one another because you created love and the capacity for it.  You designed humans for love, to give and receive.  Love grows as we open ourselves to it.  Like a balloon that swells as it fills with air so does our heart enlarge as love enters.

All during my second pregnancy I worried that I might not love baby 2 as much as baby 1.  But the moment my eyes saw her, my love grew instantaneously.  I loved my 10 lb. 10 1/2 oz. baby as much as my 8 lb. 10 oz. girl.  When baby 3 was stirring inside, I did not fret about having enough love to go around.  I loved her already.

We have love only because you loved us into existence.  Your love is so vast there is plenty for all, each and every person on the planet.  We are blessed to be loved by you first and then others.

Loving God,
thank you
for every
good gift.
Your love
helps, heals,
holds, graces,
blesses, and inspires.
Thank you,
Blessed One,
for love.

Always, Andrea

Monday, August 19, 2019

Dear God,

I was 13 years old when I knelt at the end of the cross and sang, "Nearer my God to thee, nearer to thee.  E'en though it be a cross that raiseth me, still all my song shall be, nearer, my God, to thee; nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee!"  I look back now and realize you were leading me even then.

I remember wanting to be one of the "special" ones in Job's Daughters.  I wanted to be honored queen.  But I really wasn't popular or good enough for that position.  But as I reflect upon it now, I see how you chose me to be the soloist who would lead us all at the end of our meeting by singing Nearer, My God, to Thee.  You had me right where you wanted me to be leading others to you.

Thank you,
Holy God,
for not answering
my prayer
the way
I wanted it
to be.
Thank you
for giving me
a voice
with which
to sing
your praise.
Forgive my
childish ways.

Love always, Andrea

Sunday, August 18, 2019

Dear God,

We find our courage in you.  When we feel anxious and afraid but trust in you, we find what we need to step across the chasm.

I remember learning to ride a two-wheel bicycle.  I was five or six years old.  My old blue two wheeler was in the garage so I decided to try it out.  For hours I crawled onto the seat, put my feet in the pedals and pushed off.  First the wheel turned to the left and I fell off.  Then it turned right and the same thing, I fell to the ground scraping my knee.  But throughout the day I found my courage and just before dusk I took off down the street.  If I had quit following my first fall, I would never have achieved my victory.

That was just riding a bike.  I have faced much harder challenges, ones that scared me to death; yet, with your help, I found courage I could not muster on my own.  I have watched others around me rise up, stand up and step forward using a divine courage that came from you.  Why would we go anywhere else?

Holy God,
powerful and mighty,
thank you
for courage
that comes directly
from you.
Thank you
for giving us
the chance
to trust you
and ourselves.
Thank you
for giving us
strength that comes
when courage
is found.

Love, Andrea

Saturday, August 17, 2019

My dearest God,

What causes us to lose our way with one another?  What happens to begin the process of erosion in relationships?  How do we stop the growing gap?

When I don't know what to do or where to go or how to do it, I turn to you.  When I feel at the end of my rope and I am without answers, I turn to you.  When I am lost and I don't know which way to turn, I turn to you.  Where else would I go?

I don't have all life's answers, at least not the really good ones.  I want to help, to love, to offer compassion, to build and to grow in my relationships with others especially with my children.  But sometimes I come up empty.  I see the bottom of my barrel and even if I see something, it is not always the tool that works.

I am turning to you now.  Lead me, Lord, lead me.

You are God;
there is
no other god
like you.
I pray
for the one
closest to
my heart
right now.
Fill her
with love,
dear God,
help her surrender.
Bless her today.

Love, Andrea

Friday, August 16, 2019

Dear God,

Only the light can move us out of the darkness.  Only the light can bring insight and wisdom.  Only the light can breathe new life into our day.

There is something so beautiful about the light.  It is divine, sacred and beautiful.  Whether sunrise or sunset there is so much beauty.  But the beauty is not beauty just for itself, it points us to you.  Who else can paint so much exquisite beauty?

You are the light.  You are the light that warms, directs, blesses, creates, helps, feeds and challenges us.  When we are able to let go, to trust you, we are enabled to be warmed, directed, blessed...it is just what happens.  When we daily give thanks for the light, we give thanks for you.

All blessing
to you,
Holy God.
Thank you
for the light
that enables us
to live life meaningfully.
You provide
so much
for us.
Help us
be the light
for others.

Yours, Andrea

Thursday, August 15, 2019

Dear God,

Each morning hope rises with the sun.  The darkness gives way to the sun which shines over all the earth.  We watch transformation unfold.  In our difficulties we witness life change.

Throughout history from the moment of creation you gave your people signs of your presence, your work, your power, your challenge and your love.  With faith eyes and ears we can experience the daily presence of your grace in our midst.

Creation is a sign of change, transformation.  It reminds us nothing stays the same, all things can change and even be beautiful.  When our lives get messy, you point us to creation which can lead us to hope, hope in our situation, hope in ourselves and hope in the world.

Thank you
for creation
that speaks volumes
to us.
Thank you
for showing us
the way
to health
and healing.
Thank you
for hope
that changes everything.

Love, Andrea

Wednesday, August 14, 2019

Dear God,

Although it is still technically summer this morning I smelled Autumn in the gentle breeze.  I smiled at your plan for seasons, each one so unique, so beautiful, so amazing.  Autumn will come and change everything.

Today I plucked my first tomato from my garden.  So red against the green stem and leaves.  Late because of a cold, rainy spring, I welcomed that red ball I held carefully in my hand.  I carried it inside, washed it, sliced it, placed it on bread and then put it in my mouth.  With eyes closed I let my taste buds have a heyday as I chewed away.  My favorite food, I gave thanks for the fruit of your creation and my labor of love, the coming Autumn transformation and love that makes it all possible.

To you,
all glory
is due,
Holy God.
I love
what you do
in summer.
Thank you
for tomatoes,
gentle breezes
and love
on the wind.

Love always, Andrea

Tuesday, August 13, 2019

Dear God,

Seeds dropped in the soil, simple seeds in the springtime.  When I was digging up carrots right where those seeds were gently planted, I marveled at your plan of creation.  Seeds that became large, luscious, colorful food for our table.  Who can make this happen?  No one but you, Almighty God.

I brought those carrots home, washed them again and again.  I categorized sizes and began the process of home canning.  I peeled, sliced, washed, cooked and when ready put those beautiful round orange slices into jars that I then placed in my pressure canner to boil for 25 minutes.  After the canner cooled, I lifted the wonderful jars and put them on the table to cool a little longer.  Later I set each jar into a box for 12 and carried them downstairs and put them in the cabinet.  When the snow begins to fly, I will walk down into the basement, clutch a jar in my hand, bring it upstairs, open it up and cook it for dinner.  Remembering, of course, the seeds planted by the farmer who co-creates with you.

Loving God,
thank you
for the wonder
of creation.
Thank you
for carrots,
their flavor,
their color,
their fragrance
and even
the way
they grow
in the garden.
You are
a miracle creator.

Love always, Andrea

Monday, August 12, 2019

Dear God,

You alone are the source of great joy.  So many events in life like a marriage, a new job, a new house, baby or car can bring us happiness but nothing can bring joy like you!

When the breeze of your spirit blows gently upon us and an insight, a hope or the light shines, we know that we know that we know that you have touched and inspired us.  That kind of joy bubbles up from deep inside us.  It is not a shallow place where happiness comes and quickly goes but rather the kind of deep emotion that is living.  Your eternal joy fills us to capacity where it can overflow onto others.  It cleanses, heals, helps, loves and blesses like happiness never can.

When I step out onto my spiritual path or get a glimpse of my spiritual hermitage, I feel that joy and I am glad right down to the tips of my toes!

You bless
like no other,
Mighty God.
Thank you
for touching
and inspiring us
with your
blessed holy spirit.
You are God;
there is none
like you.

Love, Andrea

Sunday, August 11, 2019

Dearest God,

When our hearts are open and our mind is free to dwell on you, we can soar.  Worship gives us opportunity to sing, dance and soar.  Your word, the songs of faith and the fellowship of friends can usher us into a time of soaring.

Today was no different and I thought to myself how wonderful it is to spend that time with you!  Your blessing awaits us like nothing else.

Thank you,
Blessed God,
for the gift
of worship,
for allowing us
to dwell
with you.
Thank you
for giving
us time
to check
our worries
and cares
at the door
of your church
and dwell within.
I soared today
with you.

Love always, Andrea

Saturday, August 10, 2019

Dear God,

Sweet memories of long ago can make themselves real again in the present.  Never gone they are just stored away for future use.

In the Old Testament and New, you invited the Hebrews to remember the exodus.  Surely they could remember hastily making preparations to leave slavery for freedom.  Even generations following could recall the stories as if they had been there in the dusty departure.  When troubles came they remembered, gave thanks and mustered courage, hope and joy.

Just a few days ago you brought sweet memories of people who aided me in my pilgrim journey.  Their faces came to mind, their help at the time renewed my joy and their willingness to share in my life renewed my hope.

You are God Magnificent.
You rally us
to your side
each time
we falter
or lose hope.
You show us
how to
reach you.
You bring
to us
loved ones
from the past
who speak
to our present.
Thank you,
Holy God,
thank you.

Love, Andrea

Friday, August 9, 2019

Dear God,

You use creation, books, people, storms and chimes to speak to us.  When we espouse the notion that you do not exist, it is because we are not listening, we are not seeing or we are not using our senses to  be aware of your holy, living, loving presence in the world.

There is nothing like nature to speak of your glory all around us.  An early morning sunrise can say, "Good morning, would you like to spend the day with me?"  A book can challenge our thinking about fear, forgiveness or even doubt.  A storm can call us to look at the storms within our own soul and see how with faith the storm can pass and leave us with peace.  Chimes, oh yes the sound of angels can calm anxiety and remind us we are not alone.  Every day things speaking every day faith.

Merciful God,
you speak
to us
every day.
You remind us
to listen
and to
look all
around us.
You are waiting
to be seen,
heard and experienced.
Forgive us
when we
throw away
our days
on nothing.

Love, Andrea

Thursday, August 8, 2019

Dear God,

You call each of us to your purpose.  You set a passion in our hearts.  You direct our mind and soul to the fulfillment of our calling.

As I sat pedaling away on the treadmill at Saco Bay Therapy, I breathed a prayer of thanksgiving for people of healing.  Doctors, therapists, technicians, nurses, aides and more work to heal others.  They show us the way to better health, better living and better wellness.  I especially gave thanks for Art and Elizabeth who currently meet with me twice a week to work on my knee with a torn meniscus and a Baker's cyst.  They lead me in exercises, massage my knee cap and give directions for home therapy.

What would we do without people of purpose?  How would we function in the world?  How would we receive all we need to participate in this global home?

You have made us who we are.  When we are attentive to your voice, you whisper your word to us.  You lead us to our calling.  When we follow you we do your will.  We fulfill our purpose and yours.  And we help one another.

Thank you
for your
cosmic design
to make us
a community
of healing
and help
for one another.
Thank you
for caring
about each
one of us.
Show us
the way
to do
what we
are called
to do
in this world.

Love, Andrea

Wednesday, August 7, 2019

Dear God,

Can we ever truly learn to love one another?  Can we ever desire peace over chaos by loving one another?  Can we ever decide to love over hate?

If we just determined to enter into your love and decided to live from there, could we change our world?  Would it help dissolve all that prohibits us from loving as you love?  I desperately want to love like you but I confess I live with my own prejudices.  I can hardly tolerate those who categorize people and then mock them. I grow angry with leaders who fail to bless all people for the sake of a few favorites.  I leave the room when I hear our president's voice with his careless, fruitless, painful rhetoric.

Help us, O Lord, for we are a people who need love to touch, inspire and transform us.

Eternal God,
your love
woos us
to your side.
In the middle
of your love,
we find peace,
joy and hope.
We need you
more than ever.
Too many people
are hurting,
dear God.
All of them
are your children.
Show us
how to love
again,
I pray.

Love, Andrea

Tuesday, August 6, 2019

Dear God,

The colors...the yellow sun, the purple beets, the gold sunflowers, the blue sky, and the red raspberries, every color is magnificent, chosen from heaven's hues.  You could have painted the cosmos gray, black and white, but oh no, not the creator of the earth, you chose wondrous colors from your palette.  Each color is unique, exquisite, and so very beautiful.  They display the glory of your creation and what can we do but stand in amazing awe and give praise.

Today when I canned my purple beets and blue blueberries, I thought of you and the way you exceed our desires for unbelievable joy just through the colors present all around us.  Every shade and hue cry out to bless you and all those with special eyes to see.  Well, today I was one of them!

Thank you
for your
artistic design,
Almighty God.
Thank you
for every color.
Each one,
so awesome,
magnificent and wondrous.

Love always, Andrea

Monday, August 5, 2019

Dear God,

I couldn't help myself. In the early morning as I walked along the narrow dirt path to the high bush blueberries, I broke into song.  "O Lord, our Lord how majestic is your name in all the earth.  O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth.  O Lord, we praise your name.  O Lord, we magnify your name.  Prince of Peace, Mighty God, O Lord God Almighty."

There are just those moments when it is so clear how loving and powerful you are!  At those times all I want to do is sing out, to give praise and to express my gratitude for all the gifts.  While I picked the berries in the dappled light at Spiller Farm, I hummed and smiled as I filled my containers with the sweet berries I would quickly turn into jam when I returned home.  As I returned down the path to the farm stand, I wished everyone a beautiful day.

Holy are you,
God Almighty.
Thank you
for the berries,
the farm,
the light,
the sound
of cows mooing
and crows cawing.
What a
beautiful day
to sing
my prayers
of thanksgiving!

Love always, Andrea

Sunday, August 4, 2019

Dear God,

Why do we sow seeds of hatred?  Why do we pick out categories of people and go after them, sometimes to their death?  Why do we want to hurt so many people?

Teach us
how to love,
not hate.
Show us
the way
to peace
instead of chaos.
Please cause us
to reach out
to one another
with arms
for embracing,
not hurting.
Bless those
who really suffer today.

Love, Andrea

Saturday, August 3, 2019

Dearest God,

There is no one better than you to wake up to in the early morning!  To begin that sleepy awakening thinking of you is the very best way to start the day!  It is a fresh, joyous way to rise from my bed!

Starting each day with the creator of the cosmos is like meeting a favorite movie star, author or friend.  It is exciting, peaceful and filled with hope.  I love it.

A long time ago you showed me the way to you.  The journey has been wondrous, yet, at times filled with straight-out questions that caused me to drop my head, to confess or to face up to difficult situations.  But always it has been fresh every day, not stale or boring or dull.  When I take the cue first thing in the morning, breathing in fresh air, opening my eyes and seeing gifts all around me, I know that I know that I know that I know you are the first one to greet me and the only one that will walk with me all day long, tucking me into bed at night and sitting beside my bed all night long.  Who would want anyone else?

Blessed are you,
Holy God,
blessed are you.
Thank you
for the gift
of faith,
eyes and ears
to eternity.
Thank you
for early morning,
for thank you quick checks,
and for
your holy
living presence.
I love you.

Always, Andrea

Friday, August 2, 2019

Dear God,

Why do friends come to our home, put on old clothes and labor in our woods?  Why do they go home tired and dirty at the end of the day?

They come because they heard your call.  One lady doesn't even like to garden; yet, she came a thousand miles and worked eight days.  Another comes every weekend when she has two days off.  One friend flies to Maine each year and works a week on the path.  They all come because they know what we are doing is not just clearing a woods but working to reveal your amazing glory.  When we work, we often have quiet periods when we simply take in the wonder of it all.  We all know "something is up" and we know it is you.

Bless you,
Loving God,
for the work
of faith.
Thank you
for touching
our lives.
Thank you
for showing us
the way.

Love, Andrea

Thursday, August 1, 2019

Dear God,

There is no way to live without your Living, Loving Presence.  When we awaken each morning in your arms, we see, hear, feel, know and think differently.  We discover life in the deep, not just on the surface.  We experience more, much, much more.

One person may see a lovely day; another will whisper words of gratitude to the author of creation.  One will see a generous gesture; another will realize divine work in action.  One will see a person rising from ashes; another will see healing and/or a miracle.  Your presence alters our life dramatically.

I think that is why you invited me to create a spiritual path in the woods.  While I cleared and cleaned noxious weeds, removed tall thorny vines, cut down invasive tree species, dug up nasty, deep roots, and rid the area of debris collected over decades, I would consider and reflect upon those same nagging things in my own life.  After hard work and deep cleaning, I too would feel a clearing in my own existence.

Your presence, O Lord, is the difference between shallow and deep, faith and fear and love and doubt.  Trusting in your daily presence gives us the opportunity not just for a better life but also a wondrous one.

Holy God,
thank you
for your
sacred presence.
Thank you
for joining us
on the
pilgrim path.
Thank you
for unexpected gifts.

Love, Andrea

Wednesday, July 31, 2019

Dearest God,

You can make any ground holy.  The most terrible place on the face of the earth can become holy ground by your power of love.

How well I remember being in Garbage City in the heart of Cairo, Egypt.  I could not imagine a worse place until I stepped out of the car and witnessed beautiful smiles on young, brown boys and girls with their hands outstretched to shake our hands.  For an hour I could hardly speak as leaders of the Coptic Church described their ministries and programs there.  I kept thinking this is holy ground with holy people.

So often we forget your power to change.  We forget what you do and why you do it.  We forget the power of your love.

This morning as I sit here writing, I am remembering many places of holy ground, ground made holy by your hands, your power and your love.  And there are many, so very, very many.

Bless you,
God of Power and Love.
Thank you
for all
your have done
to change us.
Thank you
for all
holy ground.
Thank you
for faith
that helps us
see and
experience it.
How you
bless us!

Love always, Andrea