Wednesday, March 4, 2020

Dear God,

"Like a deer pants for water, so I long for you, O Lord," the psalmist whispered.  I found myself hungry and thirsty when I pulled into the driveway of the Benedictine Monastery.  It had been months since the temperatures were high enough that my colleague and I could sit in the car, participate in our hour-long covenant group conference call and then go inside for the liturgy.  But just the sight alone brought peace and joy to my inner spirit.

As we read and sang the psalms, memories of sweet grace flooded my soul.  Your monasteries from Indiana, Maine, and New Mexico have fed my soul, shifted my thinking and taught me many spiritual lessons.  The sisters have inspired me to spiritually imagine the road of faith.  They have motivated me to take the twisting, turning roads instead of the straight paths.  They have shown me what true, authentic faith is all about and to be sure, I have hungered for monastic expression.  Participating in the liturgy was like coming home after a long time away.

You are God;
there is none
like you.
You speak
to me
in ways
so wonderful
that I have
no way
to truly
show you
my deep appreciation.
I am blessed,
blessed by
women of faith
devoted to you.
Thank you
for faith
that gives me life
and love
and grace
and mercy
and challenge.
I love you so much.

Always yours, Andrea