Friday, May 29, 2020

Dear God,

"Praise God for whom all blessings flow..."  Indeed praise God!  When I look all around me, I realize your living presence is everywhere.  For the most part I live in a peaceful, beautiful community.  Yet, I cannot sit alone and give praise when just a few miles from here a drive-by shooting occurred.  Its target:  an Islamic mosque.  Even though no one was injured, it was a heinous, hate crime intended to threaten, raise fear, prejudice and pain.  Why, Lord?  Why do we intentionally hurt others?

Perhaps the lesson is to work for peace, to love all my neighbors near and far, from other races, religions, nations, cultures and differences and to give praise for your presence in it all.  When there is hatred, it is hard to find love but love exists in those who reach out, helps, prays, gives comfort and blesses.

As I sit here in the quiet on a gray, misty day, I do give thanks and pray for all who are hurting.

Holy God,
we are
a broken people.
We need
your love.
We need
your mercy.
We need
your challenge.
Show us
the way,
we pray,
even as
you reveal yourself
to us
in compassion.

Love, Andrea