Wednesday, April 29, 2020

Dear God,

You are the power to overcome all things that threaten us.  When despair comes knocking, you give us power to tackle the dark clouds all around us.  When fear grips us, you are the power to unlock the grip.  When doubt, frustration and confusion circles round us, your power clears the air giving clarity and vision.

Right now there are many black clouds threatening our globe.  Any one cloud can knock us off our feet rendering us helpless and even paralyzed.  However, we can count on your power in faith to soothe and calm us.  As we take your hand, we can walk through the valley of the shadow of death and remain intact because you are the power that helps us.  Your gentle power can bring us peace, hope, comfort, strength and courage to face every day, every hour, every minute.

Almighty God,
infuse us
with power
from on high
so we
can face
dark days.
When we
trust you,
peace is possible.
Right now
the whole
world needs you.
Please bring peace
to all people,
all over
the world
for we
are all
your children.
Please help us,
O Lord,
I pray.

Love, Andrea

Tuesday, April 28, 2020

Dear God,

I sat in the middle of springtime pulling weeds, digging up even deeper ones and listening to the birds sing.  Although the weeds held tight to the clay soil, eventually they gave way to the tug.  Hours later my little patch, a section of a larger garden, was clean, ready for growth and mulch.

The simple exercise of pulling weeds and clearing garden debris challenged me to consider the need and process of pulling weeds from my own soul.  I have plenty of them and all need a special clearing.  Whenever such a thought comes to my mind, I always know it is your voice speaking.  It is your call, your invitation, to allow you to clear and clean what I carry around every day regardless of the season.  It is springtime, a special time to make my own soul ready for growth.  What better time?

Holy God,
thank you
for the invitation,
love's own invitation,
to be
cleaned up
and ready
for a
beautiful time
of growth
and beauty.
I need
your gentle reminder.
Thank you
for love
that always calls
for the best
that can come.

Love, Andrea

Monday, April 27, 2020

Dearest God,

My heart swelled and warmed as we held our first driveway date at our home.  For the first time in many weeks I was able to be with two of my daughters and four of my grandchildren.  We sat 8' apart and practiced social distancing.  We played charades, ate pizza and shared with one another.  How sweet, how beautiful.  You filled my heart today, O God.

You created love.  You created us to love one another.  When we are apart, lost in presence from one another, our hearts ache and long to be with one another.  This is just as you made us to be.  Do you long for us when we step away, resist your desire to be with us or fail to stay connected to you?

Whenever I think of human love with precious family and friends, I can't help but think of divine love.  If I think of being with my family, I think of you wanting to be with yours.  You have instilled within me the desire to hold hands with both, you and my loved ones.  To be full, I must reach out for both.  I must love both.  I cannot have one without the other.

O God,
thank you
for today
and for all
the gifts
you gave.
Thank you
for my family.
I love them
so much.
As I
felt love
for them,
I felt love
for you.
And gratitude,
so much gratitude.

Forever yours, Andrea

Sunday, April 26, 2020

Dear God,

Your spirit was sweet as we gathered for worship.  My heart was full as I saw the names of those joining us.  In this season of online worship, I have learned to savor the opportunities to live, learn and love in different ways.

Although it has been difficult having our world turned upside down, I know you are teaching us lessons of faith.  You are giving us insights into change and transformation.  You are leading us into a new future perhaps where we will love and serve one another better.  Sometimes we forget we are clay in the potter's hands.

Thank you,
dearest God,
for the gifts
found in
the darkness.
Thank you
for appearing
to us
again and again.
Thank you
for reshaping us
into new people.

Love, Andrea

Saturday, April 25, 2020

Dear God,

I have watched with great interest the process of spring with my (some kind of) cherry tree outside my study window.  It was barren all winter long but was extraordinarily beautiful when the snow fell and she captured the tiny flakes in her arms, the branches stretching toward the sky.  Then as temperatures rose she began her metamorphosis to teeny specks of green, to tiny, curled leaves to fully-formed, green leaves and now to small, pink blossoms budding, filling each branch with amazing beauty.  As she fills out and fall comes, berries will appear and the birds sing and dance and eat.

I find I am strengthened and encouraged by this stunning tree who frequently dances in the wind.  She teaches me about you, about faith and trust and hope.  I am always blessed by your attention to beautiful detail after beautiful detail as she whispers her truth about her wondrous creator.

Thank you
for the
spectacular springtime transformation,
Great Creator.
Thank you
for color,
texture and dance.
I am blessed.

Love always, Andrea

Friday, April 24, 2020

Dear God,

While things grow darker in our world with over 50,000 people dead from the virus, spring time grows more beautiful, greener and spectacular.  It is as if we are being forced to look daily at new life, resurrection and vibrant colors rising out of the bleak winter dark.  You are calling us to have hope in the light, resurrection and daily rhythms of sun, moon and sky.

As we grapple with anxiety, fear and concern, the sights and scenes of extravagant beauty outside our home windows provide us with joy and gratitude.  That joy and gratitude spreads to strength and courage which all lead us to peace and comfort.

Thank you
for the goodness
of springtime,
Wondrous Creator.
Thank you
for the hope
it brings.
Thank you
for turning
our heads
to your
creative work
in the cosmos.
Teach us
to trust you
in all things.

Love, Andrea

Thursday, April 23, 2020

Dear God,

I have never seen the birds happier as they mate, soar, sing, dance and build nests.  In the darkest hours of the pandemic, the birds are a sharp contrast to what is happening in the world.  I watched as a robin built her nest, carrying away some of my dry oriental grass.  I watched as another bird laid her eggs. As mother labored, I felt drawn to her as I remembered laboring more than 50 years ago to give birth myself.  I realized at that moment we were one living together, laboring together and offering our best to one another.  She labored to give birth to eggs that will open one day to new baby chicks.  I labored giving birth to light.  We really were one.

Make us one always,
dear Creator,
make us one.
We need
one another.
You made us
for each other.
You called us
one creation.
Thank you,
Holy God.

Love always, Andrea

Wednesday, April 22, 2020

Dear God,

We welcome you into our daily lives.  As we awaken and consider the warmth of our bed, clean water in our faucets and medicine and food in our cupboards, we are grateful you dwell with us.  As we rise to shower, dress and eat, we are grateful you dwell with us.  As we go about our day with our work, service and prayers, we are grateful you dwell with us.  When we talk with people who we love and love us back, we are grateful you dwell with us.  When we consider our blessings throughout the day as we return to our beds, we are grateful you dwell with us.

All day long we live in faith, Great God of the Cosmos.  As we reflect on your goodness and help, we recognize our blessings and we are grateful for faith that gives us eyes to see, ears to hear and hearts and hands to touch.  We dwell with you in faith, O God, and we are exceedingly grateful.

Holy God,
Savior, Redeemer,
Teacher and Guide,
thank you
for allowing us
to dwell
with you.
We are blessed
in faith
when we
entrust ourselves
to your care.
Keep us mindful
of your
many gifts.

Love always, Andrea

Tuesday, April 21, 2020

Dear God,

This pandemic has made us one people.  We are all susceptible.  We are all vulnerable.  We are all threatened.  It may be the first time we have a level playing field.  The rich is no higher or better than the poor.  If the virus wants to infect, it will infect whoever is in its path.

If only we could stay one people when we come through this.  If only we could unite in a way to care for all people, regardless of situation, color, nationality, economic status or gender.  If only we could regard each other as brother and sister, what a better and more beautiful world we would be because we would start caring for everyone not just a few.

Make us one,
O God,
one people,
one human family.
Help us
love another,
help one another
and serve
one another.
Each and all
are your children,
no higher
or lower,
no richer
or poorer,
no beautiful
or ugly,
just one people together.

Love, Andrea

Monday, April 20, 2020

Dear God,

A long time ago you nudged me to anticipate your living presence in daily life.  You invited me to look and listen.  I have never been disappointed.  Every day I see, feel, hear, touch or taste your presence.  This faith "sense" has blessed me more than I could have hoped.  Now, I go through my day expecting and finding you.

This morning when I went to the grocery store in gloves and face mask, all seemed out of kilter, off center from the virus and yet, when I stepped outside I looked up and saw a break in the gray clouds where the sun's rays reflected out.  I stopped and let my whole self feel the joy of knowing this was another sign of your love in the world.  The message was loud and clear:  In the dark places, you will find me where the light shines still.

Holy God,
thank you
for the
beautiful sighting
of your
gracious and
generous love.
I breathed in,
drank in
the scene
and I
was blessed.
Still am.

Love you, Andrea

Sunday, April 19, 2020

Dear God,

How good it is to dwell with you in worship.  When I hear and see the faces of church members in worship, I surely see you in them.  I know their hearts long to be close to you like me.

As we sing songs, pray and greet one another online, I realize it is not the church facility that counts but rather the people who inhabit it.  As we offer each other hope and encouragement, we offer your living presence love.  I drink it in and so do they.

We are learning to live differently, O Lord.  We are learning to change and be transformed by your hand.  We are learning to love through zoom, text, facebook, emails and letters.  We are learning to include all people in our prayers, not just ourselves and our loved ones.  We are learning to  be creative in the ways we spend the hours sheltered in our homes.  We are learning to be content where we are.  We are learning to care more deeply for one another and to be grateful for the gifts of life.

We are learning new ways to be with your as our teacher.

Thank you,
O God,
for teaching us
your ways.
We are
not always
good learners.
But now
you have
mostly our
full attention.
Teach us
and help us learn,
I pray.

Love, Andrea

Saturday, April 18, 2020

Dear God,

I love the thought of being one of your children.  I love that all people on earth are members of your family.  I love that you are our God regardless of the names we call you.

This pandemic has rallied us to embrace one another, to pray for one another and to care for one another.  Over and over again we hear and say, "We are all in this together."  Somehow, some way, I sense we are one people, sisters and brothers to one another regardless of anything else.  I love that.  As I pray for border people, all those homeless souls who have left frightening, dangerous places to find a better, safer place to live, I think of them as family so I pray for them like family.  I believe this pandemic has given us opportunity to experience an extended family to embrace and to be embraced by.

Thank you,
O God,
for your generosity.
Thank you
for making us one.
Thank you
for rare opportunities
to love
and give
and serve.

Yours, Andrea

Friday, April 17, 2020

Dear God,

So often we take for granted all that is normal and regular in our lives.  Yet, in this strange, unprecedented time, all that has been is not all that is right now.  Our circumstances push us to rethink life and the way we practice it.

Tonight two of my daughters and their children played a game on Zoom.  They invited my husband and me to play.  As I now reflect upon our time together, I realize how wonderful it was to see their faces, watch them laugh, give funny answers to funny questions, tease one another and to show love.  Oh my gosh as I think of it now I feel the gift they gave us and I am warmed all through my body, mind and spirit.  How I love and miss them.  I long to hug them and to weep for the gift.

You are God.  You are my dwelling place, O Father.  In you I find all the gifts of life and I am so filled with gratitude.

Blessed are you,
Most Holy One.
Teach us
to be aware
and mindful
of life
so we
do not miss
any of
the gifts.
Receive my praise,
Loving God,
receive my praise.

Love, Andrea

Thursday, April 16, 2020

Dear God,

The birds still sing the song of hope to all who will listen.  If we let it go deep inside our souls, we find divine peace, the peace intended to soothe and calm the anxious, fearful heart.

So many gifts are coming our way.  Tim Janis, a composer from Maine is sending out beautiful instrumental music with images of nature on U Tube.  I listen and find my own heart quieting.  It gives me permission to release my own pent-up fears, worries and sadness.  I drink it in and feel so close to you, my comforter and healer.

It is easy to fall into darkness but why when the light beckons us to trust and live in the hope you provide.  It can come, does come, will come.

You are God; there is no other like you.  No matter what name you go by, you are the author of hope, peace, comfort, healing, love, mercy and blessing.

May we cling
to you,
Most Holy God,
as we flounder
in the darkness
of this hour
in our world.
In you
we find
what we need.
May we serve
as healers too
for the sake
of others.

Love, Andrea

Wednesday, April 15, 2020

Dearest God,

You are God; there is none like you!  As we lean on you, we find hope and peace.

I cannot help weeping tears of joy for the generosity of people, families and organizations to help others.  Every time I hear one more story of compassion, I breathe a prayer of thanksgiving because I know your hand is in it.

So many stories of kindness are emerging.  Just about the time we begin to lose hope, one more act of kindness rises up.  In some ways, O God, you are reshaping us as a world, a nation and a people.  We all know we needed to change but we were incapable of making the alteration ourselves.  Yet, in the darkest moment of our existence, your light is warming us, loving us and melting our anger, bitterness and hatred toward one another.  Will we stay that way, O Lord, when the darkness passes?

Almighty and Eternal God,
thank you
for the power
of love.
Thank you
for reconstructing us.
Thank you
for showing us
the way home.
Thank you
for remaking us
like children again.

Love, Andrea

Tuesday, April 14, 2020

Dear God,

Every time we look down in discouragement, help us look up to you, Almighty and Compassionate God.  When we close our eyes to what is going on around us, help us open our eyes to faith.  With you, O God, we are enabled to do what is seemingly impossible.

Although we live in darkness at the moment, the light still shines bright.  Faith helps us see it, feel it and know it.  Hope is still believing and stepping forward into the future knowing the light is behind us, before us, beside us, above us and below us.  Your light will lead us, dear Lord, always and forever, no matter the situation.

Light of the World God,
we dwell
with you
in the light
and in
the darkness.
We are thankful
for your
living presence.
Shine brightly,
O God,
so we
do not lose
our way
in the darkness.

Love, Andrea

Monday, April 13, 2020

Dearest God,

Technically, it is post Easter, the day after Easter day but I think today is Easter too.  Nothing is the same right now.  Maybe it never will be.  But maybe it is more.  Maybe it is more Easter today than yesterday and is less than it will be tomorrow as we think about what is happening as destructive curves are beginning to flatten with the Covid-19 crisis.  Not only are there tireless doctors, nurses, technicians, aides, janitors and food servers in hospitals, clinics and research laboratories working but also millions who are praying.  There is never a moment in our 24 hours when there is not someone praying.  I believe the prayers helped as well.

Maybe the meaning of Easter is not just Christ is risen but maybe we have risen as well, risen to help, risen to volunteer, risen to give, risen to love, risen to share, risen to be compassionate, risen to serve and risen to transformation.  How beautiful it would be if your risenness and ours would make Easter every day.  Please, O Lord, let that be my prayer.

Holy God,
you are good,
you are so good.
We give thanks
for the gift
of Easter.
Thank you
for rising
from the grave
and bringing us
along too.
We needed
some rising ourselves.

Love, Andrea

Easter Sunday, April 12, 2020

Dear God,

It was an Easter like no other.  As the darkness lifted and the light began to shine, the birds did what they always do on Easter morning...they sang.  They sang and they sang and they sang.  They may know more than we know about praising the Creator.

None of us were in our church buildings today, Lord.  None of us smelled the Easter lilies or heard great choirs and orchestras play.  None of us hugged one another.  Very few of us sat down to a luscious Easter meal with family.  None of us passed the peace with our presence, our handshakes or pats on the shoulder.  And yet, Easter came, perhaps better than any other!

Holy God,
thank you
for Easter
that welcomed us
us to
your living presence.
Thank you
for new ways
to connect.
Thank you
for teaching us
how to be
the people
of God
without a building.
You blessed us today,
dear God,
very well.

Love, Andrea

Saturday, April 11, 2020

Dearest God,

Although global death numbers are rising, nature refuses to give anything but new life tallies.  Trees, bushes, flowers, plants and birds all are declaring new life!  Birds sing songs of resurrection all day long.  They mate, play, sing, swoop and fly.  They see no death, only life.

On this Easter Saturday, this is such good news!

Bless you,
Lord,
for giving us
spring time
in the midst
of a
global pandemic.
Hope is
all around us.
We can't miss it!
Thank you,
thank you,
thank you.

Love always, Andrea

Friday, April 10, 2020

Dear God,

Some wonder where Jesus is right now.  When the darkness rolls in, it is hard to see the light.  I think Jesus is so busy that he is a fast moving blur right now.  He is in the doctor and nurses helping to keep the sick alive.  He is in the chef who has 10 locations where they serve more than 100,000 meals to the hungry.  He is in the paper carrier who now delivers not only papers but also groceries to more than 100 senior citizens free of charge.  He is in little children drawing hope-filled messages on the sidewalk.  He is in thousands of volunteers who left home to help serve the sickest of the sick in New York.  He is in people who are donating food, snacks, and creative art supplies to the hungry, the sick and the front liners.  He is in strangers, neighbors and family who are caring for those around them and down the street.  He is in seamstresses who are sewing masks and gowns for hospital employees. He is in food service folk who are parked in rest parks to feed truckers who are driving groceries across the country.  He is in people donating PPE, supplies and ventilators to states desperately in need.  He is in musicians who are singing for their neighbors and the world.  He is in teachers who are teaching millions of children in all kinds of different ways.  He is in all those sacrificing their lives for the rest of us like grocery workers, janitors, FED Ex and UPS workers, pharmacy technicians, ambulance drivers and so many more.  Where is Jesus?  O Lord, he is in us.

Loving God,
teach us
to look around
us for signs
of your
living presence.
Fill us deep
with gratitude.
Mobilize us
to be carriers
of your son,
I pray.

Love, Andrea

Thursday, April 9, 2020

Dear God,

Not a traditional Maundy Thursday, yet, an inspiring and meaningful one at our own kitchen table.  Among shrimp and cocktail sauce we were eating for supper, we watched a brief sermon and communion service at the table of a pastor at St. Luke's.  My husband jumped up and grabbed some bread and a small bottle of cranberry juice.  There at the table where my sewing machine sat from making face masks for health care professionals, we ate the Eucharist.  You were at our kitchen table.

Thank you,
Blessed Lord,
for the gift
of your
living presence today
at my
kitchen table.
How holy
it is.
How good
you are.

Love, Andrea

Wednesday, April 8, 2020

Dear God,

You are teaching us to change ourselves.  In this broken world, we are needing to change, sometimes daily.  Perhaps we had gone too far in our practices, beliefs and behaviors.  We were breaking along the way and needed change.  We could not have imagined that a plague would come and turn us upside down, literally.  We had to change.

O God, you are the author of change.  You make us capable of change and transformation.  You know that change can remake and renew and reconstruct us.  Like clay in the potter's hand, we are malleable and can alter our state, therefore, altering our condition.  When in your hands, anything is possible.

Gracious and Compassionate God,
you are
the source
of our hope.
We thank you
for making us
able to change
in the face
of great difficulties.
Keep us close
to you
as we face
uncertain times.

Love, Andrea

Tuesday, April 7, 2020

Dear God,

I weep easily.  Whether at something bad or something good, I weep.  Right now I weep for families losing loved ones particularly from the virus crisis.  At the same time I weep when I hear stories of people sharing with frontline health care professionals, homebound individuals, at risk people, the homeless and the lonely.  I am amazed at the generosity of compassionate people.

You have taught us to care for the poor, the poor in spirit and the poor of heart.  You ask us to carry the burden of all who hurt.  As we do so, sometimes we weep.  You want us to feel the pain of those who suffer and we do.  Yet, you also inspire us to weep when joy is present, when special compassionate giving takes place and when people tenderly care for one another.  You are the author and creator of the human heart.  You give us tears for the happy and the sad.

Thank you,
Loving God,
for taking care
of us.
Continue to
help us
in this
urgent crisis,
I pray.
Thank you
for the gift
of your love.

Always yours, Andrea

Monday, April 6, 2020

Dearest God,

How we long for your presence.  How hungry we are for your words of encouragement.  How fearful we feel during this horrific time of pandemic.

And yet the birds still sing.  The grass continues to green up.  The flowers are blooming.  Beauty is popping up all around.  Signs of your dwelling in this sad and sorrowing land are evident all around.  How can we keep from singing and praising even as we weep and are downhearted?

Loving God,
you bless us abundantly.
You give us
what we need
not only
to endure
but thrive.
Our weakness
gives way
to your strength
as we trust
and operate
from faith.
You are God;
we are
your children,
blessed by love.

Forever yours, Andrea

Sunday, April 5, 2020

Dear God,

"Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me."  I think of this mantra today as countless thousands are dying daily from Covid-19.  "Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death...yes, you are with us, O Heavenly Father.

We continue to look to you, Gracious God, to be our comforter, helper and guide.  We need you to guide us through this lonely, terrifying and difficult time.  Like a shepherd among the flock, so do we need you as shepherd to heal us, carry us and hold us close.  And you do.

These are perilous times, Loving God, and we need you to lead us to living waters, spiritual food and healing balm.  Only you, have the power to truly tend to your flock of the sick, the living and the dying.

Thank you
for your
tender care.
Stretch our faith,
Almighty God,
fill us
with hope,
trust and love,
we pray.

Love, Andrea

Saturday, April 4, 2020

Dear God,

I can't get over it...the birds refuse to stop singing.  Without a permanent home, certain food resources and no where to go in a storm, the birds still sing.  This message of hope gives us cause to sing too.

Your song to us is one of hope and love, O God.  You sing your song to us every day and we hear it as we open ourselves to the majesty of creation.  You sing new life, joy and peace.  In all that is threatening to suck us into a black abyss, you sing your song of mercy and grace.

Thank you,
Heavenly Parent,
for all
the gifts
of this day.
We so
need you
right now.
Thank you
for your song
that lulls us
to sleep
at night
and encourages us
to rise
in the morning.
Thank you
for your
merciful love
that continues coming
24 hours
a day.

Love always, Andrea

Friday, April 3, 2020

Dear God,

Spring is the antidote to our fear and anxiety.  As we watch birds mate, sing, swoop, play and dance, we are less apt to be afraid.  When we watch daffodils dance in the breeze, we are less likely to be anxious.  In fact, O Lord, they invite us to dance with them.  The birds the same way, they invite us to sing.

Help us to remember that not long ago, everything was dark and dreary, brown and lifeless but as spring is springing, we can see there was always the hope and possibility that such a scene would emerge once again and it has.  Our darkness will turn to light once again.

God of Grace and Mercy,
we welcome you
into our
dark places.
Help us see
the light shining.
Help us be
shining lights
to all
who see
only darkness.
Breathe into
the air
of your
gracious love,
I pray.

Love always, Andrea

Thursday, April 2, 2020

Dearest God,

You are our hope.  You are our light.  You are our peace.  Our faith inspires us to believe these things about you.  As we battle Covid-19, we place our whole trust in you.

Right now we are tempted to be afraid, anxious and despairing but a long time ago you promised to be with us always.  You promised to be our light, our hope and our peace.  When we fall backward into your arms, we deepen our trust in you as we face the onslaught of this dreaded disease.

As we trust, we have more energy to pray and serve and love others.  As we find our peace, we are enabled to encourage others, to pray more and to do our part, whatever that is, to help in this battle.  When we trust in you, we can even find joy because there is joy in trusting you.

And so on this beautiful day in Brownsburg, Indiana, I commit myself to trust you more so I can do more for those who suffer.

Strengthen us
for this fight,
O Lord.
Guide us
to your peace.
Show us
how we
can serve others
while responsibly
keeping ourselves safe
so we
do not
carry disease
to others.
Make us whole,
I pray.

Love, Andrea

Wednesday, April 1, 2020

Dear God,

I find such hope in the stories that are coming out of this pandemic.  Landlords forgiving a month's rent for all his renters, small businesses providing meals for hungry people, monies being donated to help where needed, teachers teaching on the sidewalk near a child's house helping her learn her math through the glass front door, car parades to celebrate children's birthdays, teddy bears being hidden in windows of houses on the street so children can take walks and look for hidden animals, musicians providing free concerts online, and ordinary people printing face shields, sewing gowns and masks and providing meals for health care workers, the stories go on and on.  Six months ago we could not have imagined such goodness!

Our world needed a shift, not one that would claim so many lives and devastate so many emotionally, economically and physically.  We needed to dig deeper in our souls, find the treasure and share it positively and meaningfully with the world.  We are doing that, O Lord; you are helping us do that.

Gracious God,
change us,
heal us,
help us
I pray.
Guide us
to the light
that is shining,
the hope
that is arising
and the love
that is showing.
Draw us close
to you
and one another.

Love, Andrea

Tuesday, March 31, 2020

Dearest God,

Your light shines even now when so much darkness is all around us.  Brothers and sisters all around the world are hurting.  They are anxious and fearful.  We all need you so much, Gracious God.

This morning as I continue to sew face masks for frontline health care professionals, I see your light.  I see it in the birds who seem to be creating a choir just for our listening.  I see it in those who are in the center of all the disease as they tend to the needs of our most vulnerable.  I see it in those who are feeding the hungry, helping truck drivers and all the volunteers doing so many helpful things.  I see your light in the loving prayers prayed for all who desperately need them.  I see it in governors who are working diligently to help assist all those who need it most.  I see it in all the clean up crews who are in the middle of it too, cleaning, cleaning, cleaning to make a safe path for all.  I see it in children singing, drawing pictures and helping in their own little ways.  I see it in those who are giving gifts of time, talent and skills where it is needed most.  I see it all around, O Lord; today I see it all around.

You are
the Light
of the World,
Most Holy and Loving God.
Your love
for us
is deep
and wide.
Help us
in our
desperate time
of need,
we pray.

Love, Andrea