Monday, September 30, 2019

Dear God,

It rained last night.  The grass is greener.  The air is fresher.  The mist is pretty, hovering just above ground.

I love what you do, O God.  You make all things beautiful.

Creator God,
you are constantly
at work
redeeming, renewing
the earth.
Thank you
for all
the attention
you give
to us.
Thank you
for blessing us
every day.

Love, Andrea

Sunday, September 29, 2019

Dear God,

Early this morning it looked like a Halloween sky, orange on the horizon with brown, gray and black.  Beautiful from the Walmart parking lot.

Oh, such things draw me to you.  Who else could paint the sky that way?  Who else would want to on a daily basis?

Every day you greet us with amazing sunrises.  All day long you speak through nature, people, situations, unexpected gestures and acts of compassion.  By nightfall you send us a kiss with blessed sunsets.

Thank you
for the blessings
of each day.
Thank you
for reminding us
you are
with us
as a
living presence.
Thank you
for the sweetness
of your mercy.

Love, Andrea

Saturday, September 28, 2019

Dear God,

I am sitting in bed looking out the window at the hills of Sharon, Pennsylvania.  There I see the highway rising up and curving, trucks, cars and busses making their way to work, home or vacation.  Although a gray day outside, it is a peaceful scene, one that you provided this morning.

We all have a road to travel, don't we, Gracious and Loving God?  You give us bits and pieces to see where the road rises and turns into the unknown.  From here it looks clear but we know there will be dirt roads, dead ends, high mountains, bridges and low valleys.  Yet, in all of them, obstacle or free you travel with us.  No one climbs the mountain alone or winds up at a dead end without someone there.  You, you are with us, dear God, you.

Thank you
for morning lessons
of faith.
Thank you
for showing us
the way.
Thank you
for blessings
that never end.

Love, Andrea

Friday, September 27, 2019

Dearest God,

I awakened from my dreams hearing you say, "I make all things new."  You make all things new, yes, you do make all things new.

There are many times when we think we are locked in place, paralyzed by thoughts, fears, behaviors, relationships and circumstances.  And so we stay in the muck of things.  But in reality there is a God who says, "I make all things new."

As I heard your words this morning, I saw before me some attitudes change, ways of being shift and thoughts altered.  I thought to myself, "This is how you are.  You make things new because you know things need to change, whatever those things are that keep us from growing, living and believing."  You are God; there is none like you.  When we have faith, we can become...more, happier, purposeful, joy-filled and changed, transformed by a divine hand that is our all in all.

Holy God,
thank you
for my own
holy moment
this morning.
Thank you
for the reminder.
Thank you
for grace
that invites change.

Love, Andrea

Thursday, September 26, 2019

Dear God,

We leave home today.  With all the luggage, books, boxes of home-canned foods, clothes, and other paraphernalia stacked in the front room, it causes me to pause and reflect upon the spring and summer here in Maine.

So many sweet days working hard on the spiritual path, watching the spiritual hermitage being built by a singing carpenter, putting in my small vegetable garden, tending to the rows of black raspberries, cutting down dead trees, clearing and cleaning flower gardens, canning fruits and vegetables I picked at my favorite farm 12 minutes away, visiting with friends and family who stayed with us, worshipping at Christ Church, cleaning out rooms for donations given for immigrants in our community, reading by the ocean, planning and orchestrating a Community Peace Gathering and Prayer Vigil and sitting with my circle of friends as I did my morning devotions. Such sweet days and memories of your presence right here on Pleasant Street.

Loving God,
you give us
so many gifts.
The memories alone
are priceless
and life-giving.
I am thankful,
so very thankful
to you,
Most Gracious God.

Love you always, Andrea

Wednesday, September 25, 2019

Dear God,

Many years ago I invited you to visit my home for three days.  One early morning I opened my front door and asked you inside. I remember it was a Monday.  For three days we talked, sang, prayed, shared stories and enjoyed one another's company. On the last day as I walked you to the door I felt this sadness come over me like I was seeing my good, good friend for the last time.  We hugged.

The spiritual exercise was intended to make me aware of your daily presence.  I was aware of my behavior and interaction with my husband and young daughters.  I was aware of what I did all day long, how I attended to my cooking for my family, how thoughts swirled in my head and how I felt when I wasn't happy over something that happened.  For three days I was aware of you and how I wanted to be as a woman of faith.

That "stay" taught me a lot.  I realized you never ever left, not really.  In fact you were in that home long before I ever arrived to take possession.  You are still there as well as here where I am now.

Holy God,
thank you
for lessons
that teach us
to become fully
what you want.
Thank you
for your
living presence
that is always
with me,
all of us.
Thank you
for the blessing
of our
intentional stay.
I loved being
near you.

Love, Andrea

Tuesday, September 24, 2019

Dear God,

Unexpected gifts come when we see through the eyes of faith!  Although on the surface it may seem like a simple thing but when we reflect upon the deeper dimensions, we see the gift with a capital G.

This week some of those gifts came to me.  Worries had entered my soul as I considered my relationship to a couple of my family members.  I prayed and still worried.  But this week two simple texts and emails helped me see the underlying grace I needed.  Both these were gifts the calmed my soul.

It is truly your desire to bless us, O God.  Every day occurrences can be profound experiences of divine love when examined by faith.  The only thing left to do is give praise and thanksgiving.

Thank you,
Holy God,
for the gift
of faith.
Thank you
for opening doors
and minds.
Thank you
for second chances
and holy happenings.

Love always, Andrea

Monday, September 23, 2019

Dear God,

Two family members who don't see each other often had a wonderful time for three days.  They laughed, played, went sightseeing together, ate ice cream and enjoyed one another's company.  But on the drive to the airport, a simple conversation lead to an explosion.  A lot of sad things were said.  Even though there was an apology, the pain lingers.

Lord, help us to stop carrying our burdens.  Help us sit down with one another and share the pain and sorrow from the past so we can heal.  Show us the way to healing, please.

You, O God,
are the
only one
who can
lead us
to healing.
You, alone,
are the
Great Physician.
You know how
to cut away
the wounded parts.
You know how
to heal.
May it
be so
for these
family members.

Love, Andrea

Sunday, September 22, 2019

Dear God,

You are the Good Samaritan, one who cares deeply for all your children, those who love you, those who do not know you and those who don't care to know you.  You love us all the same as my grandmother used to say to all her grandchildren.

You show us the way how to love, be compassionate, kind and giving.  You prove to us that love is the greatest gift next to grace and mercy.

Our church is called Good Samaritan Episcopal Church.  We go by Good Sam's.  This year I am putting together an Advent/Christmas Book for Good Sam's.  This morning as I cut and pasted another story, I thought of what a good Samaritan really is and that reflection took me back to you, the all-time Good Samaritan.

It seems as though just about anything can divert us into thinking about you.  I am grateful.

Eternal God,
thank you
for the gift
of love.
Thank you
for modeling
for us
a good Samaritan.
Teach us
all good things
to care
about one another
and ultimately
take us back
to sit
at your feet.

Love, Andrea

Saturday, September 21, 2019

Dear God,

It is almost time to go home.  I feel it in my bones.  I need to scoop up my children and grandchildren and give giant squeezes.  I've got a lot of home-made goodies for them, favorite foods I have canned that bring squeals and delight.

I have labored long and hard this summer.  A couple of friends have visited and another is a regular friend and co-worker on the spiritual path.  Together we have dug and cleared, cleaned up and planted.  We have widened the path and made space for a labyrinth of sorts.  Tim, the singing carpenter, built the spiritual hermitage.  We did what we could knowing next spring we will tackle the invasive weeds one more time.

As I think over the summer, I breathe the air of thanksgiving.  For you, O Lord, have made so many things possible.  What is beautiful has been made that way by you.  Yes, we may labor in the vineyard so they say but all is made beautiful only by you.

Thank you
for the call
to go home.
Thank you
for love waiting.
Thank you
for the gifts
of this summer.
You have been here
and I
have been grateful.
Thank you
for faith
that helps me see
it all.

Love, Andrea

Friday, September 20, 2019

Dear God,

Nights are cooling down.  Daylight is slipping away.  Leaves are turning colors.  Apples and pumpkins are ready for picking.  Autumn is coming!

How blessed we are to have seasons.  Each one is handcrafted by you, O Lord.  Although summer is a wondrous delight, Autumn has even more to offer.  I smell it in the air.

Everything you make gives us pause to be thankful.  Every season gives so many gifts.  All we need do first thing in the morning, all day long and last thing at night is to count our blessings and give thanks.

Blessed God,
you give
good gifts.
The remnants
of summer
give us pause
to reflect
on all
the summer
brought us.
As we
quietly leave it behind,
we reach out
for Autumn
realizing even
more blessings
await us.
Thank you,
Holy Creator
and Heavenly Father.

Love, Andrea

Thursday, September 19, 2019

Dear God,

You thought of everything at creation.  No one thing was lost.  As you designed and developed the cosmos, you thought of children you would bring to life.  All you did was for us.

Daily we do not give thanks for small things; yet, small things give so much value to life.  I realized that once again this morning as I picked tomatoes and home canned tomato juice for winter usage. After cooking the red, ripe fruit, I put it through a fruit strainer, heated it up to 190 degrees, added salt and lemon juice and put it in the pressure cooker.  Because there was more than I could add to the canner, I put a jar in the fridge.  Later I poured myself a cup.  That was when I offer you praise.  Not only was it colorful but the taste was sublime.  I closed my eyes as I swallowed.  At creation you thought of tomatoes making them red, round, juicy and flavorful.

So much for which to give thanks.  Today it is tomatoes!

Loving God,
thank you
for your thoughtfulness.
Thank you
for tomatoes
and all
they are
to make
our life better.
Forgive us
when we fail
to give thanks
for the
small things.

Always, Andrea

Wednesday, September 18, 2019

Dearest God,

I look at the jars of freshly canned tomatoes and I say WOW!  The juicy, red fruit is ready to travel back home.  All the hours of picking, washing, blanching, quartering, cooking and canning means excellent winter delight.

But none of it is possible without you, O Lord.  Your handprint is on every tomato!  Your sunshine, warm to hot temperatures and rain help the seed to grow.  Yet, even that is not enough.  You place in each seed the desire to change and grow, to rise up and to plump up, ready for consumption.  Without you there is no tomato and no seed.

As I labor in the kitchen for hours working I think of you and pray prayers of thanksgiving.

Loving God,
thank you
for all
you do
to make
life possible.
Thank you
for the flavor,
the color,
the texture
and the wonder
of tomatoes,
my favorite fruit.
Thank you,
Merciful God,
for every gift.

Love, Andrea

Tuesday, September 17, 2019

Dear God,

The trees are changing.  The temperatures are falling.  The smell of Autumn is in the air.  It is the time for transformation once again.

You call us to new levels of faith.  If we are where we were spiritually, emotionally or psychologically a year ago, then it is probably time for refreshment, an exploration of where we are and where we are going in the deepest part of our soul.  It is time to open the windows and doors to our whole self, sweep out the dust and dirty particles (remnants of sins, old resentments, and basic emotional and psychological debris) and clean out each room particularly the rooms where we have not entered for a long time.  It's time for a change.

Why do you call us to this new level of faith?  Your love and mercy for us is endless.  But you know how we become complacent and lazy in our faith.  You know how we simply fall back on what we know or think we know and rarely stretch ourselves to become more, to surrender all that yucky stuff that holds us back and search new places in our being where we have not made contact.  You invite us to become new once again.

Holy God,
Great Father of us all,
thank you
for the invitation
to change,
to release
what needs releasing
and welcoming
what needs welcoming.
Teach us
to be strong
as we examine
our insides.
Help us know
we are not alone.
You are
with us.
Thank you
for the potential
for great joy!

Love, Andrea

Monday, September 16, 2019

Dearest God,

The days are changing.  The seasons are changing.  The world is changing.  For those who do not like or accept change have no choice but to change with the changing.

You taught me a lesson a long time ago.  Change is vital, valuable and necessary to live a meaningful life.  If we are unbending, then we grow rigid.  If we are stubborn, then we grow resentful.  If we put our feet in concrete, then we grow miserable.  Change is fluid and transformative.

This upcoming season is calling for change in me once again.  You are calling me to exchange pieces of my life for something better.

Holy God,
change me.
Reshape me
into something
that looks
and acts
more like you.
Take all
of me
and breathe
new life
into me,
I pray.

Love, Andrea

Sunday, September 15, 2019

Dear God,

He sits in a wheelchair, a victim of aging and poor health.  Yet, he still writes poetry, hymn lyrics and worship materials.  When singing "We Shall Overcome" he wept at the verse, "We shall all be free, we shall all be free, we shall all be free someday.  Oh, deep in my heart, I do believe we shall all be free someday."  He wasn't weeping for himself but for victims of gun violence.

There are people of deep faith all around us, people who not only believe but practice, live and love in faith.  When I pause to reflect, I think not only of people in my own life but global people of faith who gave witness to faith like Rosa Parks, Mother Teresa, Nelson Mandela, Maya Angelou, Mahatma Ghandi and so many other nameless people who sacrificed for faith and helped change the world for all of us.

Thank you
for giant witnesses
of faith,
O Lord.
Thank you
for faith itself
and what
it means
to so many.
Thank you
for the fruit
of faith,
the power
of faith
and the blessing
of faith.

Love, Andrea

Saturday, September 14, 2019

Dear God,

Rest, a blessed gift of God.  We don't always know you are blessing us, O God,  We miss those moments throughout the day when you are touching our lives.  But today I was very aware of your gifts.

I was really tired so I rested most of the day.  I lay in my bed reading and I felt warm and cozy and comfortable.  When I rose later for a bite of dinner, I felt more rested and thought of just what a powerful gift rest is.

I often take credit for many things that occur throughout the day.  Yet, when I am reflective, when I count my blessings, when I pause to take count of what is around me, I realize how much of you is in every day.  Although I can lay down to rest, true rest, that marvelous feeling of being stronger, healthier and more at peace comes from you.

Blessed God,
you give
so much
of yourself
to us.
You offer us
your best
every day.
A whisper here,
a hug there,
an insight,
vision, hope
or unexpected grace
like rest
can touch us
deeply within.
Teach us
to live
looking for you.

Love, Andrea

Friday, September 13, 2019

Dear God,

All day long you speak to your family, sons and daughters, those close and those far away.  How do you do it?  Through simple, ordinary things when, if really thought about it, become extraordinary moments.  Like today I was writing to you and a ray of sunshine burst through the window, shone across my arms and onto the wall to the left of me.  Really, some may say, that's a sighting of God?  Yes, it really is.

Why must a mountain be moved in order to see and experience the Divine?  Why does something have to appear in the sky or a miracle be performed?  It's the little things of faith that speak so profoundly.

When a heart is broken and one day a smile returns, it is a moment with you, Holy Father.  When tiny seeds rise up from the once frozen ground, look all around and soon become flowers, fruits and vegetables, it is an AHA happening.  When minds are changed, when love is restored or reconciliation becomes possible, it is a holy moment of faith.  Anything that is transformative, beautiful or joy-filled is an act of grace, a time when people connect with you.

Thank you
for the ray
of sunshine.
Thank you
for holy moments
of faith.
Thank you
for your desire
to touch,
inspire, hold,
bless and
grace us.
Help us
look up,
around, beside
and behind us
for you.

Love always, Andrea

Thursday, September 12, 2019

Dearest God,

Working on the Community Peace Gathering, I realized you were changing my own heart toward peace.  I confess I harbored resentment and bitterness in my soul.  I kept them safe from healing because I wanted to remain angry, belligerent and unyielding.  I wanted to hold on to the injustices and my judgment but you, you, O Lord, had a different plan for me.  You wanted to heal my hurt, straighten me out and clean me up.  You, Gentle, Merciful God have been working on peace for me.

I have so much to learn, so much trust to give and so much change I need to make in my life.  I want to want your will more than my own.  I want to open the door to my soul, to let the light shine there and to rid myself of all the yuck that has accumulated.  I want to be clean, pure and holy.

Loving God,
full of compassion
and mercy,
thank you
for loving me.
Thank you
for changing me
while I
was creating
an environment
of change
for others.
There is
no god
like you
and there is
no love
like yours.

Yours, Andrea

Wednesday, September 11, 2019

Dearest God,

Your presence was a living reality tonight at our Community Peace Gathering and Prayer Vigil.  Those of us who gathered have become weary in a divided nation where daily frustration is fueled by jargon, practices and foolishness in Washington.  We remain in a state of fury, sorrow and concern but tonight, tonight, it was different,  How sweet your mercy was as we gathered in the name of peace.

One hundred gathered this evening, Father.  I think we gathered because we all heard your gentle whisper to come together, to pray, to reflect, to love, to care, to be kind, to listen and to share.  And we did, oh my goodness, we did.

Holy Father,
peace is available
when we
draw close
to you.
When we
go to the
true source
of peace,
we find it.
Open our minds,
our ears
and our hearts,
I pray.
Thank you,
Loving Father,
thank you.

Forever yours, Andrea

Tuesday, September 10, 2019

Dear God,

I put you on the back burner.  I have been so busy with so many responsibilities I failed to sit with my circle of friends in my devotional reading.  I am sorry.

It is so easy to forget our commitments to you and one another.  We allow our own worlds to become something less than they should be and I hate that.  I failed...again.

Holy God,
please forgive me
for failing
to put you first.
Help me
sort out
my days
and put you
at the top.
Thank you
for grace.

Love, Andrea

Monday, September 9, 2019

Dearest God,

Today we heard from mayors from Pittsburgh, Parkland, El Paso and Dayton, all towns hit with mass shootings.  We had sent them a letter of remembrance telling them we would be reading their community name as well as scores of others at our Community Peace Gathering and Prayer Vigil on Wednesday, 9/11.  We wanted to send love, support and encouragement their way.

As I read each letter, I sensed your spirit in the midst of the writing.  I saw your handprint and felt your compassion spilled on each page as we sent letters and received communiques back.  Only through your divine love can such a thing be possible to touch others in the deepest way.

There is no doubt about it...you are God; there is none like you!

Loving God,
thank you
for making us
for each other.
Thank you
for your kindness.
Touch and heal
your people,
I pray.

Love, Andrea

Sunday, September 8, 2019

Dear God,

Your ways are far better than our own!  We imagine great things and try to do them sometimes succeeding.  But when you unfold your plan and we follow it.  Great things are not only possible, but probable.

I know women who have struggled to survive abuse of all kinds.  They have had to crawl through life scraping by to rise above their horrific injuries.  Yet, when you touched their lives, when you healed them and when you empowered them, they not only rose up but ran, played and danced.  They inspire others.

So, why do we wait to turn to you?  Why do we insist on using our power only?  Why do we reach as far as we can go and then stand in our dead end road?

God of Hope,
change our DNA,
transform us
to be followers
of your will
and way.
Show us
the way
to greatness.
Help us
bless you
in all
we do.

Love, Andrea

Saturday, September 7, 2019

Dear God,

You give us hearts able to stretch and grow, to include others, strangers and friends alike.  You create us to care and care deeply.  You make us to help and heal one another with love.

The people of the Bahamas have endured great sorrow through the devastating hurricane.  It appears thousands are lost.  Many more have lost everything, family, homes, jobs, possessions and even the ability to care for themselves.  They hurt, O Lord, and we hurt with them.

Compassionate God,
you have
made us
for each other.
Teach us
how to help
and heal others.
Bless all those
who suffer greatly.

Love, Andrea

Friday, September 6, 2019

Dear God,

Bend our hearts and minds to your will.  Shape us to want more, more of what you want for us.  Fashion us in your image that we may see the divine in ourselves.

So often the clay of our soul becomes hardened, brittle and crumbly.  Rigid and unbending we cease to live and function normally.  We lose our elasticity, our ability to move and change and transform.  We become useless.

But when we long for you and your will, we open ourselves to all of you.  We bow down and worship.  We sing and dance.  We live and move and have our being just as scriptures tell us.  We find your way and we follow.  And then we laugh and sing and dance again.

Bless you,
Holy God,
for the gifts
of your spirit.
Thank you
for creating us
to bend
and reach
and dance.
Thank you
for your love
that makes
all things possible.

Love, Andrea

Thursday, September 5, 2019

Dear God,

Why do we hurt one another?  Why do we think the world needs to revolve around our beliefs, our understandings and our ways of doing things?  Why do we function as if we are God?

Daily more and more is said about our conflicts, division and fights in our country.  Wherever we stand, whatever we think and whatever we feel gets snagged and we react.  Too many times we respond negatively allowing our emotions to run away with us.  Irritation turns into resentment and resentment into bitterness.  For some bitterness escalates into negative or violent acts.  People get hurt, anger grows and the world changes, sadly, tragically.

Help us,
O Lord,
we need
your help.
Guide us
toward love,
mercy and
peace-filled actions.
Show us
the way
to true peace.

Love, Andrea

Wednesday, September 4, 2019

Dear God,

Every Wednesday morning we gather by conference call.  One shares a devotion and then we all move into silence waiting on you.  A prayer is shared. We listen intently to the one who shares from their spirit life.  Once again we move into silence to listen for your word among us.

For more than 30 years we have shared our covenant life together.  We want to hear you, listen, take in your call, pray and share.  Week after week for all these years.  How blessed are we!

Today I was struck by the challenge.  When we say all, do we mean all or are those we leave out?  Do we really mean all or just those who agree with us?  All, all are invited?

The challenge was to me.

Teach me
your way,
O God.
I do want
your will
most of all.
Show me
the way
to full inclusion.

Love, Andrea

Tuesday, September 3, 2019

Dear God,

You use many ways to speak to us, to soften our hearts and to inspire us to be more, to do more and to transform more.

For years I have planted tomatoes in my garden.  And every year they were poor to mediocre.  However, two years ago it came to me almost in a divine whisper.  Check the soil.  When I did a soil test, I found the soil was completely depleted of nitrogen.  It is nitrogen that feeds the tomato plants.  So I cleared the weeds, raked the soil and added nitrogen, raking it one more time.  I planted and last year I got some good tomatoes.  So very exciting!  But this year, oh my goodness, so many really big tomatoes enough even to can.

Even tomatoes can teach us a lesson when we see through the eyes of faith.  I realize I often am depleted of the spirit qualities.  I too have to altar the grounding of my soul in order to let you add ingredients to make me spiritually healthy.  Then you will do your holy work feeding me the bread of life, giving me living water to drink and shining the light of your love on me.  Only then will I be capable of growing and producing.

Thank you
for tomatoes,
my God,
and for
their amazing ability
to speak
to me.
Thank you
for your
transforming power.
Thank you
for the abundance
of your mercy.

Love, Andrea

Monday, September 2, 2019

Dear God,

When people gather to do your will, ideas stretch and grow to bless those who gather.  Several months ago you gave an idea to a friend for a prayer vigil.  Then after so many mass shootings, you gave another idea of a peace gathering.  As our planning committee prayed and discussed ideas, we felt your presence with us as we shaped out a Community Peace Gathering and Prayer Vigil.

When our minds and hearts are open to you, you take free reign to do your work inside us.  You speak to us, then guide and bless us.  You open our eyes to your will and you touch and inspire us as we turn more and more to you.

Today, once again, you were with us.

Thank you,
Holy God,
for your
mighty power
and gentle spirit.
Thank you
for loving
all your people.
Thank you
for touching us.

Love, Andrea

Sunday, September 1, 2019

Dear God,

Great things happen in worship because you are present with us.  The lighting of the altar candles can bring us a sense of heavenly peace.  A simple song can speak to us of your great mercy that washes over us.  The reading of your word can challenge us in some area of our life where we are struggling.  It is not regular service by a divine happening on Sunday morning.

It is only because you care that you promised to be with us always, that you would be living water and bread for the world.  As we gather on Sunday mornings, you present yourself to us in divine and meaningful ways.

Today was no less.  Thank you.

Bless you,
Gracious God,
for your presence
this morning.
Thank you
for your
continuing kindness
and love.
Thank you
for helping us
see you.

Love, Andrea

Saturday, August 31, 2019

Dear God,

My garden sunbonnet is full of holes.  Ragged at its edges, I love it because it takes me back sixty plus years ago when my grandmother wore a similar one.  Every time she worked in her garden she wore her bonnet.  I was intrigued with it then but even more so today.

It is amazing to me how simple things can speak profound messages.  That is how I always know your hand is in it.  A small piece of worn out fabric takes me back to my grandmother whose faith was the sweetest I have ever known.  And her faith became mine as I watched her show love in so many ways in church, in her teeny community of 500 and in our family.  She spilled so much love on us that we are still filled with it although she died nearly 40 years ago.

You have shown us how faith can make love grow.  And a simple sunbonnet can get us there.

Holy God,
full of love
for all
your children,
thank you
for your kindness.
Thank you
for sunbonnets,
grandmothers and faith.

Love, Andrea