Tuesday, March 30, 2021

Dear God,

I struggled in the night.  I was angry and gave in to my lesser thoughts.  When I realized what I was doing, I whispered to God, "O God, I do not want to be less than I am.  I want to have a Jesus mind.  I want to have a Jesus heart.  I want to have a Jesus love."  I confessed that my ways were not your ways.  I felt ashamed, sad and disappointed in myself.  Within seconds a scripture verse came to me, "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think on these things."  (Philippians 4:8)

Think on these things, you said, think on these things.  You challenged me to change my thoughts, to let my mind and spirit be transformed by what is good.  My thoughts and words shifted as I moved toward you, my savior and rescuer.

This is what you do, O God, this is what you do.  You speak to your children.  After you listen to our concerns, our pouting and complaining, you give us opportunity to change, to cling to you, to let it all out, to cry or yell and then to find comfort, guidance and mercy.  I am grateful, so very, very grateful.

Blessed are you,

God who loves us all.

Thank you

for the lesson

the dark night

of my soul

taught me.

Guide me always

back to you,

I pray.

Love, Andrea

Monday, March 29, 2021

Dear God,

Moments ago I watched as a robin pecked at the squiggly worm, ate it and then happily flew away.  Although I felt a sadness for the worm, I thought of the way in which you created the worm for the bird.

The wonders of your creative work astounds and delights me.  How can we not see your divine hand?  The way the seed lies in the dark soil and waits for the rain and sunshine amazes me.  It knows when the time is right to begin moving upward until it breaks through the crusty surface, rises up and becomes what it is intended.  Year after year it rises and dies and rises again.  Sounds like faith.

Loving God,

thank you

for this

morning's lesson.

Thank you

for the worm

and the bird.

Thank you

for showing us

signs of faith.

Love, Andrea

Sunday, March 28, 2021

Dear God,

How can I ever expect to hear you if I do not listen?  If I am always busy talking, thinking and doing, how will I ever hear you?  If I block you from my life, yet pray for your help, how will I ever know your answer?

You gave us ears to hear.  Listening to the sound of your voice is the sweetest sound in all the earth.  After we hear your voice, no other voice will compare.  Your desire is to speak to us, to love us, to share with us, to guide, to teach and to bless.  But if we do not listen, we miss it all.

Holy and Loving God,

still our voices

so we

can hear.

Open our ears,

hearts and minds.

Teach us

once again

to listen.

Love, Andrea

Saturday, March 27, 2021

Dear God,

You prove your love over and over again.  Your love is for all, no matter age, gender, sexual orientation, color or political persuasion.  If you love me, then you must love everyone.  You have no favorites or maybe we are all your favorites.

Today I saw Steven walking up my driveway carrying palm branches and candles.  I was so happy to see him since I had not been with him in worship for over a year.  Steven is married to Tim.  They are two loving men, so fully engaged in caring about others.  They wear their faith inside and out.

I felt so delighted to receive the Holy Week gifts from our church, Good Samaritan Episcopal Church.  Years ago as a gay man, Steven would not have been accepted as part of a church.  Neither would he have been given the honor of taking sacred, holy items to parishioners for virtual worship this holy season but today there he was, a full member of your church, loved and beloved.  I felt such joy that your love is so wide and deep.

Loving God,

thank you

for making

love possible

for all

your children.

Thank you

for the gifts

of your spirit.

Thank you

for Good Samaritan Episcopal Church,

for all

her beloved members

and her acceptance

of all

your children.

Thank you

for Steven

and for

his gifts today.

We are blessed.

Love always, Andrea

Friday, March 26, 2021

Dear God,

Seemingly it was when I blinked that I noticed the rise of purple, yellow and white crocus.  I could hardly believe it.  I stopped my car in front of my neighbor's home and there I quietly prayed a prayer of thanksgiving.  How beautiful it was.

Trees, like the flowers, have come to life.  Tiny buds have formed right under my nose.  I suspect if I waited long enough, I could watch them grow.  

Springtime is so full of you, Loving God, so full of you.  All around us there are signs of new life appearing.  So perfect for Easter time, a time of resurrection for a new life of faith.  Oh, may it be so, may it be so!

How blessed

I am

to witness

your work

in springtime.

New and 

old colors,

shapes and textures

appear, changing

the landscape

once again.

How can

I ever 

forget you,

Merciful God,

when I

see you

all around me?

Love, Andrea

Thursday, March 25, 2021

Dear God,

The birds are prancing around, preening and preparing for mating and nesting.  Cardinals, turtledoves and wrens find joy in our backyard.  I sit and watch them do what you created them to do in springtime. 

Birds instinctively know what to do and when.  You tucked into their DNA everything they need to know to be a bird.  Mating and nesting seasons come and go; yet, various birds come again to visit, singing their mating songs.  When I quietly observe and listen, they bring you to me.  While their songs may be unique to their species, one thing I recognize is their familiar song of creation.

Thank you,

Loving Creator,

for springtime,

for the birds

and their display

of your

wondrous creative plan.

Daily I marvel

at your

amazing work.

Thank you

for today's birdsong.

Love, Andrea

Wednesday, March 24, 2021

Dear God,

Can we truly love our enemies?  Can a mother forgive a teen boy of killing her 40-year-old son?  Can we really love individuals who have hurt innocent victims?

I confess I hate our former president for his pervasive mean-spirited, threatening, lying, manipulative, abusive words, actions and behaviors.  His intentional misinformation lead to the loss of lives by those who did not take important measures to protect themselves from the Covid virus all because they believed his lies.  This is just one example, O God, just one of countless many unjust actions that hurt people, communities and nations.  How can I possibly love this evil man?

How do we change our perceptions of others?  How do we forgive and change our actions toward others we perceive as evil people?  How do we love as you do?

Teach us

your holy ways,

O God.

Ultimately, I want

your will

for my life.

But I struggle.

Even now

I do

not want

to stop

hating this evildoer.

Yet, my soul

is restless

because I know

I am

not doing your will.

Help me

and so

many others,

Living God,

I pray.

Love, Andrea

Tuesday, March 23, 2021

Dear God,

Sometimes we just have to wait.  We have to wait for Spring to come with its budding and blooming.  We have to wait until our baby is ready to be born.  We have to wait until our paycheck comes to buy the item we want.  We have to wait; it is part of our life.

This is also true with the spiritual life.  Sometimes we need to wait on you, wait for your will to be revealed, wait for the answer to our prayer, wait for the difficulty to pass, wait to be renewed and wait to be healed.  Waiting is truly a gift from you, not a burden.  When we wait for you, something more happens.  When we wait, truly wait, we see your hand at work.  We feel your presence.  We experience not-so-hidden mysteries.  We encounter you in ways not always possible when we move without you.

Teach us

to wait,

O God.

Show us

the value

of waiting

with trust.

Reshape us

with patience,

I pray.

Love, Andrea

Monday, March 22, 2021

Dear God,

This morning after devotions and prayer I watched as the darkness gave way to dawn's early light.  Only then could I see the tall trees, shrubs and plants in their great detail.  I marveled at the light's power to reveal.

How like your light in human life.  When life is difficult, burdened down, all we see is darkness.  We can be paralyzed, stuck and lost.  But when we pray a surrendering prayer, the light can come revealing more than our difficulty and darkness.  Your light changes everything because it can bring warmth, hope, insight, peace and power.  It can give us strength and courage to rise and walk.

Every morning your light offers insight to me, O God.  Perhaps that is why I find such joy in the early morning.  I rise to watch you at work.  I am caught up in your living presence, in nature and all its hidden secrets.  I watch your creative power and love unfold and I realize I am blessed to be in the middle of it.  And to think it happens every single day, every single day.

Blessed are you,

God of the Cosmos.

Thank you

for the gift

of light

and all

its other gifts.

Thank you

for blessing me

with you.

Love, Andrea

Sunday, March 21, 2021

Dear God,

Sophie turned 20 today.  My granddaughter is a loving, giving, kind, bright and beautiful granddaughter.  She is also the first baby I witnessed slipping from the safety of her mother's womb into an uncertain world.  I was in charge of photographing and videotaping the wondrous scene.  I did it with tears running down my cheeks.

How is it an egg and sperm can meet up to make a miracle child?  It is not just an act of sexual love; it is so much, much more.  I am positive the DNA is not only a mixture of mother and father but also of you, Creative God.  Your stamp is found upon every child because each union is beloved no matter what.  Nothing, no one, no embryo, no child is unloved by you.

As I look at my granddaughter, I reflect upon many encounters we have shared together from holding her in my arms the first time, to sitting on the kitchen floor playing the drums of pans and spoons, to her moments of loss, insight and hope, to her visits in Maine, standing on a boulder overlooking the Atlantic Ocean at the Acadia National Park in Maine and to the line she wrote to me just this morning, "I love you," I well up with joy and gratitude giving thanks to you over and over again.

Holy God,

bless Sophie

with faith

and hope,

with joy

and peace

and with

determination

and wisdom.

Help her

keep her eyes

on you

and your will

for her life.

Thank you

for the

beautiful relationship

we share

as grandma

and grandchild.

Love, Andrea

Saturday, March 20, 2021

Dear God,

St. Paul wrote these words to his son in faith, Timothy:  "All the Christians would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience and sincere faith."  If we judged all people by this principle, we would all fall short.  A pure heart, a clear conscience and sincere faith, a real call to love.  I needed to read that this morning.

How can we develop these, O God?  How can we have a pure heart when we lust after people and things that will never lead us to an authentic love?  And a clear conscience?  Really?  So often we tell lies, exaggerate or massage the truth to make ourselves something else.  Our former president made up truth as he went.  He was not interested in the real truth.  Perhaps that is true at times for all humans.  And a sincere faith?  How can our faith be sincere if we do not put you first, worship faithfully and live lives that indicate a devout faith?  In all of these, O Lord, we need your help.

Lead and

guide us

to holiness,

Living God.

When we

devote our lives

to you,

when we surrender

our hearts

to you

and when

we give

to you

and others,

only then

can we

be found

with pure hearts,

a clear conscience

and a 

sincere faith.

Remake us

once again

with the ability

to love 

your will

and your way.

Make us

like you,

I pray.

Love, Andrea

Friday, March 19, 2021

Dear God,

I look around at all the pictures in my study, living room and bedroom and I whisper prayers of thanksgiving.  They are pictures of loved ones, children and grandchildren, aunt, cousin and sisters of Carmel monastery.  I give thanks for those who are biological family but also for those who came into my life and stayed.

What boggles my mind is how you make us not only a biological family but also a family of adoptees.  I marvel how you made this thing called love with all its many dimensions like how love grows and expands and deepens.  Love is rarely a one-time offering but one that can become greater and greater over time.  While I love deeply all whose pictures are in my home, they point me to you, Living and Creating God who made us all, who made love and its elastic quality and who gave shape to a people who love one another.  Thank you.

Holy God,

thank you

for the gift

of loved ones.

Thank you

for the

mysterious way

love increases.

Thank you

for the way

you made us

to love you

and one another.

Yours, Andrea

Thursday, March 18, 2021

Dear God,

There are signs of you everywhere!  As the rain falls and I watch the grass turn from brown to green, I see you at work in nature.  The same is true of human life.  We too can change by your hand.

I have always loved the idea of transformation.  Turning from evil to good, from hopeless to faith and doubt to believing, all these come from you.

When I reflect upon the lives of my loved ones, I see how you have been at work bringing transformation to them.  I look at my sister, broken to the core after the murder of her beloved son.  Although it has taken four years, she is recovering trusting you to help her.  When I think of a grandchild who suffered so much during her teen years, I see how you rescued her giving her new faith, confidence and strength.  When I think of a friend, a victim of every kind of abuse, I see how you completely changed her putting her on a path of hope, peace and joy.  All this, every bit of the transformation has your name upon it.

Thank you,

O God,

for opportunity

to change.

Thank you

for transformation

and its healing.

Thank you

for love

that knows

no bounds.

Love, Andrea

Wednesday, March 17, 2021

Dearest God,

You really are about transformation!  I see it, hear it and know it.  This morning was yet another example of your transformative work.

More than twenty five years ago my colleague and covenant group member wrote her X815 paper for her dissertation to graduate from seminary.  She has served as pastor many years.  In her moves she misplaced her paper and hadn't thought about it in years.

Our covenant group member Bill shared today that while he was cleaning his bookshelves, he came upon Jan's paper.  Entitled:  Christian Ministry - Journeying as Midwife, Jan had been sharing spiritual thoughts about birth, birthing changes in her life, in her work, in her family and more.  As we talked in this morning's covenant group conference call, we shared the wondrous way you are doing a transformational work in Jan's life.

So many questions arise when we see your hand at work among our group.  Why would Bill have a copy of Jan's paper?  Why would it show it at this precipitous moment?  What secrets may it want to reveal to Jan as she journeys through this season of growth, discernment and wise wonderings?  As always, we see you at work, Holy God, as always.

Gracious God,

we marvel

at your work

of grace

in our lives.

Thank you

for spiritual awareness

that keeps us

on our

spiritual toes.

Thank you

for keeping us

on a trajectory

of growth

and transformation.

Love, Andrea

Tuesday, March 16, 2021

Dear God,

As this new day dawns, it is a day of new beginnings.  Today I can choose faith over fear, love over hate and wisdom over foolishness.  Or not.

A conversation the other day with a couple I am to marry in May, centered on choice.  You can choose to prioritize, to determine what is most important for you and live in that commitment, I told them.  You can have a bright future and marriage by focusing on your relationship over anything else.  If not, you can just get what you get.  Choice, it makes all the difference.

Today, O God, I want to choose you over everything else.  If I face difficulty, I want to choose your will for my words and behavior.  If I face joy, I want to choose to give you praise and to express my thanksgiving.  If I face temptation, I want to choose trust in you to do the right thing.  

Gracious God,

thank you

for the blessing

of this

new day.

Thank you

for awakening me

this morning.

Thank you

for giving me

the power

of choice.

Help me

always choose you.

Love, Andrea

Monday, March 15, 2021

Dear God,

Contemplation, a wondrous, sacred gift fashioned by your own hand.  This morning as I sat with monastics from long ago, I could not help but contemplate, to enter their story, to listen to the sounds of their faith and to whisper prayers of thanksgiving.  Their thoughts, doubts, questions, wonderings and fears became so real as I listened not only with my ears but with my spirit.  I felt myself in their own sacred space not confined by time or circumstance but rather by mystical integration.  I breathed the same air of your spirit and pondered the ways people from the present and the past can come together through contemplation.

It is true that there is a world waiting for us to enter, a world of your spirit that knows no bounds that can be entered through prayer, meditation and contemplation.  As we gather in silence (not the absence of sound but rather a profound, quiet space) we can hear the winds of your spirit moving.  I can't explain it for there are no adequate words to describe it.  At the same time it is a real place, although even that is not really accurate.  In that space one can enter into spiritual conversation with others whose longing and desire for God continue to be present in every day life.  Today I sat with Mother Teresa, St. Paul and St. Augustine.  Again, I can't fully describe or explain even what I mean.  I just know that I know that I know I was in their presence and they in mine.

Faith and contemplation are part and parcel of each other.  What is true contemplation without faith and vice versa.  They live in each other and thrive when love and longing is present.  I know I am doing a poor job explaining but you, O Lord, know because you are creator of all that is holy.

Bless you,

God of Creation.

Thank you

for this

special time

of living

in your spirit.

Thank you

for insight,

discernment

and wisdom.

You are God;

there is none

like you.

Thank you

for allowing me

to live

in you.

Love always, Andrea

Sunday, March 14, 2021

Dear God,

How is it you stir in the human soul?  How do you awaken us to faith?  How do you speak to us?

Such questions will never bring us full answers because your mystical presence is beyond our full comprehension.  What we do know is you do stir, awaken and speak.

Even from a very young age I had a longing for you.  I would look up in the sky and imagine I was looking at you in heaven.  I always felt close.  I did feel a bit afraid not sure of what you were about but I sensed you were love.

As I grew older, I sought you out or was that you seeking me?  When I close my eyes, I remember the days of my breast cancer when I felt so close to you that I watched you and I dancing among the planets and stars.  You would whirl me around and I would laugh and feel such joy spilling out of me.  I remember being in a dark abyss, breathing out all my air and watching as you breathed your own air of healing into me and not only me but the women ancestors in my family.  I have so many stories of hope, healing and transformation.  I don't fully understand how it all happened; I just know that it did.

Holy and Healing God,

thank you

for your

living movement

in our lives.

Thank you

for stunning moments

when hope

rose up

out of despair,

when healing

took place

in deep wounds

and when joy

bubbled up

out of loss

and suffering.

Thank you,

Miracle God,

for your

living presence

in human lives,

particularly in

my own.

I love you.

Yours, Andrea

Saturday, March 13, 2021

Dear God,

Early this morning I watched as the darkness began to fade and the light began to come.  When that happens I cannot help but smile for I see you in the darkness and the light.  Not only that I see you in the process of darkness turning to light.

It is a wondrous thing watching night change into day.  And yet, this is but one of an infinite number of things you do every day.  Witnessing creation at its finest blesses me so much that then I am able to bless you with my smile, my affection and my faith.  All this is because of you, only you.

Holy God,

there is

no god

like you.

Thank you

for early morning

that shares

her secrets

first thing.

Thank you

for awakening me

early every morning

so I 

am able

to see

morning arise

with you.

Love, Andrea

Friday, March 12, 2021

Dear God,

Holy moments can arise at any time.  Insights, pearls of wisdom and challenges come from your divine hand.  They bless, convict and persuade us in love, with love and for love.

This morning as I sat with my circle of friends, contemporary and ancient authors from very long ago, I heard your voice speaking.  These writers simply tell their own stories.  Some days, often in fact, their stories are similar even though some come from 1500 years ago.  Always they are stories of faith, conversion and transformation.  

This morning I listened and watched as St. Augustine came to the realization of Jesus Christ.  To observe from afar, I felt my own heart, mind and soul swell again with love for you.  And then to hear the words of the writer from is called 2 Isaiah, such hope spoken for the people of Israel.  Their words always feel fresh as if they are currently being spoken.  As we sit in our circle, faith and love and joy lift off the pages.

Thank you

for the

holy moment

this morning.

Thank you

for St. Augustine,

Mother Teresa,

Teresa of Lisieux,

the psalmist,

Brother Tvedten

and others

who sit

with me

each morning.

I am 

beyond blessed

by their honesty,

truth and faith.

Thank you

for speaking

through others

who nudge us

in matters

of faith.

Love always, Andrea

Thursday, March 11, 2021

Dear God,

This morning I recognized the sound of the bird call although I have no idea the species of bird or its image.  It was my spirit that responded to its call.

I first heard that bird over sixty years ago at my grandmother's rural farm.  I loved the sound to be heard early in the morning.  What that meant was I was staying overnight at Grandma's house.  Sleeping in an upstairs bedroom in the old, farm log home, I awoke in a Jenny Lind bed piled high with hand made quilts because there was no heat upstairs.  The sound of the bird, the warmth of the bed and the smell of bacon cooking in the downstairs kitchen brought a sense of profound love to me as a child.  I loved the farm.  I loved my grandmother.  I loved her home.  

It has been more than 20 years since I have been to the farm since sold to strangers.  Yet, this morning's birdcall took me right back there, to that bed, to my grandmother and to faith.  

It was there on the farm where I learned about you, O God.  My grandmother was the epitome of Christian faith and love.  Filled with compassion she fed lots of town folk from her truck patch garden in the community of 500 people.  She read to the blind woman in town.  She taught Sunday School, played the organ and piano for her church for free for over 60 years and she spread her love everywhere she went.  I was not only touched and embraced by her love and faith, I was engulfed in it.  I felt so loved.

Grandma brought me to you, Loving God, and the lovely birdcall this morning gave me cause to pause and celebrate.  

Thank you

for the gift

of my grandmother.

Thank you

for her generosity,

love and faith.

Thank you

for allowing me

to learn

from her.

Thank you too

for the

wonderful bird

that brought her

back to me

this morning.

Love, Andrea

Wednesday, March 10, 2021

Dear God,

I hurriedly raked and picked up leaves before slicing and seeding the yard.  Hoping to get the yard finished before the big winds arrived, I filled four sacks but then the wind whipped up and I had to stop but not before thinking about the wind of your spirit.

I don't often think about the power of your spirit, O God.  However, today when the wind picked up, I felt the power of nature's wind.  Part of the wind of your spirit, it is only a fraction of the power of your Holy Spirit on human lives.  When your spirit wind blows on us, wondrous things can happen, miracles even.  

When I am low I cry out for your spirit wind.  I want, need the wind of your spirit to blow grace and mercy upon me.  When I am high with praise, I invite your wind to dance with me in celebration.  Without the breath of your spirit on us, what would become of us?

Thank you

for your

Holy Spirit,

O God.

Thank you

for blessing us.

Thank you

for your compassion,

mercy and grace.

Love, Andrea

Tuesday, March 9, 2021

Dear God,

Fifty two years ago I gave birth to my first child.  I remember it like it was yesterday.  I remember my first kiss on her sweet head and my first prayer.  I asked you to always be with her and bless her life.

As I look back on that event, I remember so many things, fear, anxiety and love.  The moment she was placed in my arms I felt amazing love wash over me.  I couldn't believe a person could fall in love that fast but it is possible.  It happened to me.

Love is such a beautiful thing, O God, a gift of your creative hand.  You made love to expand, to stretch and to include more and more.  You made this mother's heart swell to include her firstborn.  And when the next two daughters came along, surprisingly, there was room for more.  

Love, your love, sustains us, O Lord, and we are blessed.  We are not capable of producing love the way you are.  Yet, you give it to us again and again.  

Thank you,

Holy God,

for the gift

of love.

Thank you

for drawing us 

all in.

Thank you

for loving us

and giving us

the ability

to love others.

Always, Andrea

Monday, March 8, 2021

Dear God,

My beloved grandchild Charlie and I decided to spend part of today together.  At 16 I have watched this child grow in wisdom, faith, intellect, compassion and hope.  Although troubles come presenting themselves in difficult ways, Charlie seeks the depths to walk and live and be.

Such courage Charlie has.  Able to articulate in ways I could only hope for when I was a child, Charlie can be very clear and wise.  Charlie smiles with a whole heart.  The space is brightened when Charlie enters.  

At 74 I am awed that such a bright, loving child, teenager would spend time with me.  I see you in Charlie.

Holy God,

thank you

for peeks

into your spirit.

Thank you

for blessing us

with Charlie.

Thank you

for bringing us together,

a grandma

and grandchild,

a student

and teacher,

a friend

and a friend.

Love, Andrea

Sunday,March 7, 2021

Dear God,

Who could we possibly want closer than you, Loving Father?  Who would want to walk with us 24/7, listen to our murmurings and share intimate moments of spirit work?  Who would want to talk with us, challenge our doubts and reveal wondrous treasures to us more than you?  No one, O God, no one.

A living relationship with you is like no other!  It lifts to the highest heavens, deeper than the deepest ocean and wider than the largest galaxy.  Why would we seek anyone else?

Prophets of old spoke of worthless gods; yet, the people sought a relationship to them.  They cried out to them and they did nothing.  Yet, when they reached out to the Living God, they found solace, help and mercy.  Sometimes you reigned down judgement but finally ancients bowed down to a real god, the living, authentic God of old.  You led your people.  You saved your people.  You loved your people.

This is the God I want to love and serve.  This is the God I want to grow my faith.  This is the God, the one and only God, creator, redeemer, comforter, wise one and teacher.

Thank you,

Living God,

for the gifts

of your

wondrous spirit.

Thank you

for reaching out

to us.

Thank you

for allowing us

to be

your family.

Love always, Andrea

Saturday, March 6, 2021

Dear God,

How do we keep hope alive when its possibilities seem to be slipping away?  I look at what is happening in war-torn countries, in countries ripped apart by Covid and economic disaster and in so many suicides among those who simply could not hold on any longer, particularly children and teens.  How do we make hope happen for so many?

I am really at a loss how to give hope to those who are hopeless.  I can talk about faith, give help where I can and pray but how do I grow hope in despairing people?  How?

Show us

the way

to hope,

O God.

Help us

lay paths

of hope

and peace.

Make us

hope builders,

I pray.

Love, Andrea

Friday, March 5, 2021

Dear God,

It is happening again...the seasons are changing.  The earth around us is warming up.  The sun is shining.  The yards are showing signs of going from brown to green.  And below the ground, ah yes, below the ground seeds and bulbs feel tremors.  They know their day is coming once again.  As I watch what is happening in the visible world, I know so much more is happening in the invisible world.

Nature's signs are indicators that humans are changing too.  As we ready ourselves for spring and the blossoming of the new season, you are calling us to change as well.  We need to begin asking questions of ourselves.  What needs to happen within us in order to allow ourselves to blossom and grow?  What do we need to release in order to be freed up for full bloom?  What do we need to embrace to realize what you want to do with us in this upcoming special season?

Each one of nature's seasons provide a call to change in the human soul.  You invite us to leave the comfort of darkness to rise again, to break through all that keep us hidden and to grasp hold of the light shining bright.  These prized moments can transform us in ways beyond our imagination.  So much can come in this season of discernment.

Holy God,

thank you

for the gift

of seasons.

Thank you

for reminding us

to be transformed.

Thank you

for blessing us

with opportunities

for new life.

Love, Andrea

Love, Andrea

Thursday, March 4, 2021

Dear God,

How delightful it is when we find you even when we are not looking!  Although we walk naturally through every day life, there is so much more to it.  By and through faith, we stumble upon you, Kind and Compassionate God.

We can choose a life the world offers and it can be good, very good; however, there is a better life to be discovered, one that will take us on great adventures, peaceful paths and mysterious ways.  This is the life of faith, a life that will raise us higher than the heavens and wider than the oceans.  We can travel in the depths that only you offer, O God.  This is the journey with you, Almighty God and Loving Creator.

Thank you

for every gift

of faith,

Gracious God.

Thank you

for leading us

to you.

Thank you

for unknown,

unexpected and

beautiful surprises.

Love always, Andrea

Wednesday, March 3, 2021

Dear God,

What are our prayers if they do not have feet and hands on them?  How can we pray for those who hurt, are hungry, lonely, wounded or lost if we do not do something besides pray?  How can we keep full pantries of food and not share with those who do not?

How do we bridge the gap between those who have and those who do not?  Yes, we can buy groceries and give to local pantries but how do we help with systemic hunger?  How do we change the way we are to love, give and serve others?

Show us 

the door

to help others,

O God.

Make us ready

to help.

Guide us

to be

your hands

and feet.

Love, Andrea

Tuesday, March 2, 2021

Dear God,

I can't help but sing your praise, to give thanks and to express my gratitude for the amazing gifts of your spirit.  The way I see life and faith and wisdom comes from the movement of your hand.  A journey is never just a journey, a drive never just a drive and a prayer never just a prayer; it is so very much more.

By your hand we have the opportunity to live in the deep, to walk in the deep and to explore the depths of your love, your spirit and your transformational power.  As we give ourselves more deeply to you, the more we can see, experience, feel, hear and imagine.  In you, through you and with you we can enter a world that has deep meaning, great value, hidden treasure, wondrous hope and blessed power to heal, help and hold.  As we wade into living water, we can increase our faith, love more deeply and serve others with greater compassion and love. 

This I know to be true, so very, very true.

Merciful God,

thank you

for the gift

of your

extraordinary love.

Thank you

for open doors

and windows

into the depths

of who

you are.

Thank you

for invitations

to wander

and wonder.

Love always, Andrea

Monday, March 1, 2021

Dear God,

This afternoon as I got closer to home having driven over a thousand miles in 36 hours, I realized our drive, yours and mine, had been a prayer drive.  Without music or sound except for the noise of passing cars and trucks and wet pavement, we talked or I listened.  I heard the joy of creation, inner urges of challenge and conviction and blessings of faith.  Along the way, I never grew weary of your voice.

Years ago I could never drive more than an hour without getting tired or bored.  I hated to drive and always hoped someone else would take the wheel so I could nap but something changed.  Somehow, some way, some time you energized me with anticipation, presence and the divine now.  You showed me things I was too dulled, too blind and too stubborn to see before.  You drew my attention to you.  You called up something deep inside and then you invited me for the ride, the drive and the thrill of your presence. What gifts you give us, O God, what gifts!

Thank you

for our

glorious drive,

O God.

Thank you

for safety,

attention and energy.

Thank you

for your

blessed creation

who always

sings your song.

Love, Andrea

Sunday, February 28, 2021

Dearest God,

Today we, you and I, traveled 601 miles in the car.  Although the first couple hours were filled with warning signs of possible black ice and most of the rest of the way was driving rain, still I looked out over your amazing creation and sighed with gratitude and joy.  From Maine to Pennsylvania I gazed at the majesty of mountains, rivers, and hills and valleys.  I was awestruck by so much wondrous beauty.

Whether spring buds, summer flowers, Autumn colors or winter white, everything seems to sing your praise.  What is a hill without a valley, a mountain without a plain, a river without land?  Each site pointed to scenes all around it and together they spoke of creation, faith and divine purpose.  

Sometimes we

expect heaven

to give

signs and wonders

of your

living presence;

yet, all

around us

is filled

with you.

We never

have to 

look far

to find you.

Thank you

for today's

special drive

filled with

prayer, contemplation,

joy, praise and thanksgiving.

Love, Andrea

Saturday, February 27, 2021

Dear God,

Every day work can teach us lessons of faith.  Whatever the task, if we listen closely we can hear your voice.

Today I worked to finish jobs I started a month ago.  As I cleaned, swept and polished, I reflected upon the spiritual life.  Uncluttering, cleaning and polishing the soul is the work of faith.  It is not always easy but a very necessary part of keeping the spiritual journey surviving and thriving.  When regularly done, our prayers, petitions and praises keep everything in good working order.  When not, we can get bogged down, lost and fail to live in a way that uplifts us and keeps us close to you.  

As I concluded my tasks and looked around, I smiled giving thanks to you for strength, help and guidance but also for our daily conversations, your divine presence and the joy of being together.

Loving God,

you bless

in so

many ways.

You speak

to us

every days

in all

the big things

and little ones too.

You never

leave us

or forget us.

Thank you

for today's lesson.

Love, Andrea