Tuesday, December 29, 2020

Dear God,

No light can outshine your light.  No light radiates like yours.  No light can overtake the darkness like yours.  For truly you are the light of the world, the Light that shines always and forever.

This Advent has shown me deeper light than ever before.  I found music that showed the light and Christmas movies and novels, twinkling lights, unexpected gestures of love and grace, kindness of strangers, landscape scenes, children's laughter, and so much more.  You came as light every day in oh, so many ways.  I found myself smiling so often during Advent.

It seems, O Lord, when life turns upside down, you invite us to look at that upside-down portion of life that we rarely spend time thinking about.  You know there are jewels, treasures to be found that will bring so much joy and hope and peace and faith and richness.  We couldn't change our circumstances but you whispered invitations to take a walk with you, to journey into unfamiliar or less familiar places and to trust you to teach us and to bless us with greater gifts than before.  

As I reflect upon your goodness this year, I see your face, your hands and your presence everywhere.  I see your work, your love and your compassion and I am blessed with joy and gratitude.

Thank you,

Loving God,

for unexpected gifts

this year.

Thank you

for turning

my head

in a 

different direction.

Keep me looking

in unexpected places,

O God.

Keep gratitude

on my lips

and service

in my hands.

Love always, Andrea