Tuesday, April 27, 2021

Dear God,

I need to start every day with the spiritual exercise you taught me a long, long time ago.  That is to stand and fall backward into your arms.  A simple exercise with the most trusted One on the planet.  But do I do that every morning?  No.  Have I done it before?  Yes.  Was it meaningful, helpful and comforting?  Yes.  Was it transformative?  Absolutely!

I want to create that kind of trust every day.  I want to begin and end each day with you.  I want to learn to live in your presence, in your story and in your life and not expect you to enter mine for a few minutes here and there.  Sometimes I am just a failure, Lord, and I am so sorry.  Help me start again.

There is 

no one

like you.

You bless us

with favors

of grace daily.

Help me 

truly become

your own.

Love, Andrea

Monday, April 26, 2021

Dear God,

When we are confused or in doubt, you whisper to us, "Be still and know that I am God."  So often we operate as if we know it all, we are in charge and we have the power to make whatever we want happen.  I tried all that this morning and what am I now?  Befuddled, irritated and perplexed.  I did not quiet myself in your presence, allow you to calm my soul or speak to me.  What would I expect?

Why are we headstrong, determined and impatient?  Why do we not start with you first?  As people of faith, we know you are the gentle guide, the power of the cosmos and the great helper but still we go it on our own again and again and again.

I hate the way I am when I am not the way you intentionally made me.  I am sorry.

Lead me,

O God.

Remind me

I am

behind you

not in front.

I need you.

Love, Andrea

Sunday, April 25, 2021

Dear God,

This morning in one of her books, Madeleine Engle remarked, "If we are not creating, we are not fully alive."  I read it over again and pondered the question.  What am I creating?  Chaos, judgement, acceptance, hatred, bitterness, beauty, what?

At my worst I am creating judgement, bitterness and anger.  At my best I am creating faith, possibility and hope.  As I stand before you, I know when my creation is ugly, mean-spirited and bad.  Inside I feel guilty, hopeless and broken.

To create in faith, we birth new life, potential, infinite possibility, transformation and peace.  If this is what we commit our self to, then we feed not only ourselves but others as well.  This is the art of holy creation.

Life-Giving God,

we always stand

before you.

Our lives

are in

your hands.

Help us 

create beauty

hope, joy

and peace

for all,

I pray.

Love, Andrea

Saturday, April 24, 2021

Dear God,

How beautiful it is to watch Spring unfold.  Today I worked eight hours on the spiritual path and in the woods.  As I felt the sun's warmth on my shoulders and felt the gentle breeze, I thought of you.  While I plucked weeds and gathered debris, I listened to your voice.  As I heard the birds sing, I breathed more deeply taking in the sweetness of creation.

Even though I was weary at day's end, I realized I had collected sunbeams, birdsongs, quiet meditations, images of the breeze rippling on the river and fine memories of your grace-filled presence.  One day of hard work can lead to countless gifts of your spirit.

Thank you

for the blessings

of today

that unfolded

with springtime.

Thank you

for awareness

of the 

unfolding gifts.

Thank you

for grace-filled moments

that come

when working

with you.

Love, Andrea

Friday, April 23, 2021

Dear God,

It is in the act of conflict that we decide if we will forgive.  This morning as I zoomed on worship, I watched as my neighbor stepped onto our property, knelt down in front of one of her grandmother's 80-year-old roses that had spread to our side of the garden, cleaned out around it, fed it, left a small pile of debris and then walked away.  Seems small compared to so many larger issues but this was just one among many things she has done to annoy especially since I have spent countless hours cleaning out her gardens, helping to make ready for a wedding in her backyard and untold other gestures to be a good neighbor.  As I observed her while worshipping by computer, I heard your small voice.

When asked how many times we are to forgive, you shared that seventy times was a good number.  What that meant to me was forgive again and again, don't add them up, just forgive.  I confess some times I do not want to forgive.  I want to remain angry.  But that doesn't work for you and truth be told, it doesn't work for me either.  So I made my decision to go with you!

Loving God,

you always

show us

a better way.

By and large

we are

selfish people.

We like

our way

and our will best.

I do 

not want

to be 

that way

so I 

have to

be reminded

particularly as

I worship.

Remind me

over and 

over again.

Love, Andrea

Thursday, April 22, 2021

Dear God,

After reading my morning devotions, I thought like St. Paul in his letter to the Hebrews.  Sometimes we need to think about all those persons who have contributed to our faith.  So I am.

I think of Grandma Hughes, not only how she believed devoutly but how she lived her faith in life, generous, loving and kind.  I think of Frieda Stewart, my junior high Sunday School teacher how she supported, affirmed and helped us youth.  I think of Harold Cline, a Disciple pastor who sent me down the path in a Lay Witness mission, faith in action group and Serendipity studies.  I think of Harold Leininger, a United Methodist pastor, who urged me further down the road of my call to ministry.  And Aunt Jeanne, my cousin Donna and many retreatants who opened their own faith to me and helped me grow.  I want to always carry these very special people who helped shape my life in faith.

Thank you

for your

loving grace,

O God,

and for

every gift

you have 

given me.

I am blessed

with faith

because all

these people

made you real

to me.

May your name

always be praised!

Love, Andrea

Wednesday, April 21, 2021

Dear God,

The writer of the book of Hebrews listed what faith is and how faith was part of human lives in biblical times.  He continued by giving witness to many who trusted you and did incredible things by faith.  I remembered many of their stories.  That inspired me to reflect upon faith in my own life and what you have done in the midst of that faith.

That reflection caused many stories to rise up where you created healings, reconciliations, miracles, revelations and insight.  All these were gifts of faith.  My reading this morning caused me to acknowledge once again how by faith you work in our lives.  You worked thousands of years ago but also yesterday, today and tomorrow.

Holy God,

you are

the power

and source

of all

that is good

in this world.

Thank you

for faith,

for divine intervention,

for sacred help,

for blessed relief

and for

unexpected assistance.

Thank you

for allowing us

to participate

in life

with you.

Yours, Andrea

Tuesday, April 20, 2021

Dear God,

Finally, our black and brown brothers and sisters have received a victory over injustice!  How can it be that so many die with no justice, time and time again?  How?

If you created humankind, then all must be equal or none.  You have no favorites, no chosen ones over all others in terms of sacred and beloved.  Yet, whatever color we are, whatever we espouse, whatever we think or believe, we assume to be right, truth and only good.  Who are we to believe that way?

Teach us

the lesson

of creation,

of love for all,

of justice for all,

of compassion for all.

Make us

with a heart

like you,

a mind

like you

and a will

like you.

Thank you,

Blessed God.

Love always, Andrea

Monday, April 19, 2021

Dear God,

How beautiful it is to watch birds come together, mate and give birth to babies.  To watch them care for their young, nesting, feeding and finally nudging them to the edge is an amazing sight.  Why?  Because I see your handprint on the birds, the process, the creation, the love and the tender care.  Who else but you, O Lord, has the power or mercy to offer this wondrous gift of creation?

Right now outside my kitchen is a couple of red cardinals.  They have made their temporary home in the flower garden my neighbor and I created.  How fun and wondrous it is to work with you, to help create a happy home for birds of the air who offer so much joy to observers.

And so, Gracious God, the birds, like so much else, directs us back to you.

Blessed are you,

Loving and Merciful God,

you know all

and provide all.

Thank you

for spring

and all

its many gifts.

Praise to you,

Eternal Creator.

Love, Andrea

Sunday, April 18, 2021

Dear God,

People are reuniting following vaccinations for Covid.  Moms and dads with grown children, grandparents and grandchildren, friends, neighbors and whole families are holding each other in long hugs, something we could not possibly do months ago.  And walking into loved one's arms is like no other!

How much we have missed each other!  Even though I could see my grandchildren by zoom, my arms felt empty as I am a certified hugger.  We all felt loss for many, many months.  Now, we are returning, feeling incredibly blessed to have lived and yet mourning those we lost. 

You have been

our refuge,

O Lord.

Thank you

for filling us

with your presence.

Without you

we could not

have been whole.

Love, Andrea

Saturday, April 17, 2021

Dear God,

I am so grateful to have these few moments with you without sound, distraction or other nuisances.  They are the most beautiful moments of my day.  I feel close to you.  I give you my full attention and you help me realize you have given me yours, not because I deserve it or I am special but rather because you love all your children.

There are so many ways you show me I am empty without you.  I love and am loved by family, friends and neighbors but their love is not enough for me.  I need you.  When I go a spell without intentional, holy moments alone with you, I begin to falter.  I become less than I am in you.  I fail.

How much more beautiful our time together has become since August, 2005 when we decided to set this time aside.  You have blessed me so much; there are not enough adequate words to describe your blessing.  My heart is full, Blessed God, so full.

I love you,

Holy God,

not nearly

like you

love me

but I do

love you.

Thank you

for blessing me

with your love.

Thank you

for making me aware

of your 

great kindness.

Yours always, Andrea

Friday, April 16, 2021

Dear God,

As I read my devotions this morning, one thought stood out.  How could we ever forget your miracles, healings, helps, insights, grace and so much more?  In the book of Jeremiah, the prophet tells of how the Hebrews forgot what you had done for them and then lived a life their own way.

That prompted me to ask how and when I forget you.  As I pondered the thought, I reflected on difficult moments in my life.  I don't believe I ever forget you not even when I am angry, pained, lost, broken or wandering.  I do, however, rebel, set you aside and forge ahead my way.  I realize I break the trust.  Although at some point, I do confess my sin but certainly not quick enough, often enough or at all.  Perhaps these sinful acts are a type of forgetting.

I never forget you love me but I fail to love you enough to follow your will, take your word and listen only to you.  As I reflected longer, I had to acknowledge I am really no different than those before me.  

O God,

recognizing my

own sinfulness

puts me back

in place.

You help me

have a 

clearer picture

of who

I am

in relation

to you.

I need

and want that

however painful

that knowledge

may be.

I recognize again

you are God;

there is

no other.

Love, Andrea 

Thursday, April 15, 2021

Dear God,

Music is intended to stir the soul, sometimes to sorrow, sometimes to gratitude, forgiveness and joy.  It speaks down deep even to the DNA that makes us unique and not just a congealed set of cells.  Music shakes us to the core giving us cause to pause, think and reflect and sometimes ask questions.  Who am I really?  What do I believe?  Why do I act the way I do?  Why can't I forgive?  Who cares...about me?

Just a while ago I listened to Jimmy Swaggart, a sinner-sold-to-Jesus preacher sing.  I couldn't help it when my soul went soft and I listened.  I let the lyrics reach down deep to my own sinner self.  I wondered too why my own faith is sometimes small and inconsequential.  I pondered why I did not love my Lord more than I loved anyone or anything else.  As I let myself down deeper yet, I found the bottom of mercy and rose up to sing praise to my God.

Stir within me

anytime, O Lord.

Shake me up.

Give me cause

to pause

with you

so I

can listen

and turn

to you.

Love, Andrea

Wednesday, April 14, 2021

Dear God,

I was weary this afternoon when we pulled up to our home in Maine.  I could feel every muscle, tendon and bone as I crawled out of the car after driving more than 1,000 miles in 36 hours.  Yet, in my weariness I remembered the miracle.

Years ago I could drive no more than one hour and I would become sleepy.  I simply could not get behind the wheel for very long.  Then one day about five years ago you invited me to drive here alone in January with snow, shorter days and cold.  And so I did.

You showed me what real trust is, how faith can make us do the impossible and how lovely our world is when we drive with prayer, meditation, awe, gratitude and joy.  The whole of me is caught up in the beauty of all of you.  I murmur sweet thank yous, sing of your grace and bless you with gestures of love.

You are God;

there is none

like you.

You are

the creator

of trust,

faith, courage,

confidence and hope.

We can be

because you are!

Love always, Andrea

Tuesday, April 13, 2021

Dear God,

There is no doubt of your existence!  Driving through the mountains of Pennsylvania confirmed once again the majesty, magic and miracle of your creation.  Budding spring trees offered pink, white and rust colors bursting forth on the mountain sides.  They sang, "Have you seen our Creator today? Look closely you can't miss him!  Praise be to God!"

Although I had to keep my eyes on the road, I couldn't help but take sneak peeks on all sides of the car.  I felt faith swell in my chest as I considered the wondrous work of your hand.  Who else could do this, would do it?  No one, no one but you, Almighty God.

Thank you

for the blessing

of faith

that lead me

to look

more deeply

at your creation.

Every tree,

limb, branch

and bud

spoke of

your loving hand.

I loved it,

every minute

of my time

among the trees today.

Love, Andrea

Monday, April 12, 2021

Dear God,

At this moment I am writing you and texting my cousin who is in heart failure.  You know Lori, O God; she has a tender soul, will help anyone and desperately needs a new heart.  For some odd reason it seems compatible...my writing you and listening to Lori talk about life and death at the same time.

Writing you daily is about staying in regular communication with you, not so much my talking to you but rather listening to you.  I am far more interested in what you have to say than anything I might offer.  Your words, your wisdom, your mystery, your challenge and your love keep me on my toes, my ears listening, my eyes watching, my heart open and my mind alert.  Day after day after day.

Lori is raising issues about faith, what it means and how nature in particular keeps directing us toward the light.  She is asking questions we all ask, sharing fears we all express in one way or another and making preparations for both death and life.  

Help us

stay close

to you

and one another,

O God.

Teach us

how to

dig deep.

Forgive us

when we

surface live

failing to

dig deeper

into life-giving questions.

Guide Lori

to you,

Living God,

and all

of us.

Yours, Andrea

Sunday, April 11, 2021

Dear God,

Why is it always a fight of his way over her way?  Why do we not automatically seek your way?  My way is not always the best way.  In fact sometimes my way is not best at all.  But neither is his.  What a silly battle when the only way is your way.

So often we make life all about ourselves:  my perspective, my beliefs, my thoughts, my practices, my this and that.  We forget we are not the center of the universe or the cosmos.  As St. Paul said, "Now we see in a mirror darkly but then face to face."  Part of what he meant was we see only partly, just a piece of the truth.  You see the whole, all of it.  So why would we expect the world to buy only a partial truth when through you we can know more?

Lead us

to your way,

O God

for your way

is the

only way.

Forgive me

when I

want only

my way.

Teach me

to bend,

to lean

toward you

every time.

Love, Andrea

Saturday, April 10, 2021

Dear God,

For weeks now I have been sitting with a saint.  Mother Teresa has been teaching me through her personal writings about faith, love, mission, service and compassion.  

Through her own personal witness I learned how faith, love and trust are part and parcel of one another.  Take any one away and the others cannot fully exist.  But three together can make for a profound, powerful testimony in the world.  Her trust in you, her love for you and yours for her and her desire to never to hold anything back from you wowed the world.  She gave her all to you and the poor.  She was, is an example of all three of this spiritual qualities.

What makes one person so fully committed to you willing to sacrifice everything and another whose commitment is small, diluted and shallow?  Is it DNA?  Is it a deep understanding of "self?"  How do we become like Mother Teresa who as one person changed the meaning of love?  

O God,

please help us

love like

Mother Teresa.

Please show

us the

true meaning

of love

and compassion.

Guide us

more and more

toward love,

I pray.

Yours, Andrea

Friday, April 9, 2021

Dear God,

This morning I was moved by St. Paul when he reported your words, "I have loved you with an everlasting love."  If you love with an everlasting love, then your love is unconditional, forgiving, understanding, wise and compassionate.  This is a love we all wish to have embrace us.

Only you, O God, love this way.  Only you extend this kind of love to all, to every one, to each person in the cosmos.  We are created out of this love.  Your love makes so much possible.  Faith is made possible by this love.  Peace is as well.  Justice, kindness and mercy is born out of this love.

As I read and reread Paul's words, I heard your voice saying to each of us personally, "Andrea, I have loved you with an everlasting love. "John, Penny, Carol, Charlie, I have loved you all with an everlasting love."  Is there any better news this morning?

Thank you

for your

everlasting love,

Blessed God.

Thank you

for this promise.

Thank you

for loving us more

than anyone else

can love us.

Yours, Andrea

Thursday, April 8, 2021

Dearest God,

Forgive us for always wanting to know the end of the journey even before we begin.  If we begin a journey with you, why do we need to know the end destination?  Where is trust?

Nearly 13 years ago you posed a question to me.  As I looked over the woods behind our home, you pointed to an area and said, "There is the opening to the spiritual path."  Stunned I replied, "What spiritual path?"  That began an adventure, a journey of your spirit and mine.  It is the only real journey that I have not questioned what you wanted to do nor what the end would look like.  I do not say this to exalt myself, not at all.  I am not the creator of leader of the journey, I am simply the worker, the handmaid and I like it that way.  In keeping my hands to the path, I live in joy and gratitude to play my role only.  I love following you in this endeavor.  I love doing what you ask.

I only wish I were like this in every other area of my life.  I am not always so willing when you pose more personal challenges.  I hate that.  I want to be a willing follower.  I want to live in your light, follow you wherever you choose to take me.  Help me please.

Almighty God,

thank you

for inviting us

on your journey.

Our personal journey

is nothing

compared to

a sacred journey

with you.

Bend me

once again

to your voice,

to your will

and your call,

I pray.

Love, Andrea

Wednesday, April 7, 2021

Dear God,

I am nearly finished reading Come Be My Light about Mother Teresa.  How can we become as faith-filled and faithful as she?  How was she able to want only you and sacrifice everything for your will, work and mission?  What kind of uncommon strength did she have?

While I confess to being Christian, to loving you and all your children, comparatively speaking, I am nothing like Mother Teresa.  I am married, with children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.  I have two homes.  In the face of this greatly admired, selfless human being whose only desire was Jesus and the poorest of the poor, I am nothing.  

Please, O God, reshape my heart, mind and soul to learn from Mother Teresa.  Bend my knees at your feet that I might be more willing to sacrifice to love others, especially the poor.

Bless the spirit

of Mother Teresa

even as

she lives

with you.

Bless her work

that continues

on every continent.

Bless the poor

who see

your light

like no one else.

Love, Andrea

Tuesday, April 6, 2021

Dear God,

So many things in human life speak to us of the spiritual life.  Today I worked on a 125-year-old hardware.  Caked with rust, dirt, paint and other dirty substances, I worked to strip it all away.  By evening the hardware was clean and ready to be put back on the old, old summer cupboard.  As humans we have much that needs removing in our lives as well.  We can be cleaned up and renewed too.

As I worked outside on the cupboard, I gazed at the plants rising out of the winter soil.  For months they lay quietly in the ground absorbing nutrients for strength to break the crusty soil and fulfill their role in creation.  In seasons of quiet rest, we too need to feed our spirit with prayer, confession and thanksgiving readying us for faith's growing season.

These are just two ways that your creation speaks to us of our need to work on our spirit life with you.  You give us signs and wonders to prod our spirit sensibilities because your desire is to move us toward a life you have created for us.  When we attend to our soul, we are following your call of love.

Gracious God,

you are full

of love

for us.

While we

are not worthy

of so

much attention,

you give it

to us anyway.

We are yours;

may our actions

display your hand

at work.

Love, Andrea

Monday, April 5, 2021

Dear God,

It is Easter Monday.  Does it matter?  I wonder if the Easter bunny has taken over Easter Sunday.

Does faith matter?  Is it relevant for human life and the shaping of a more loving, peace-filled world for all your children?  Of course it matters but are we committed to it?

Holy God,

you promise

to reshape,

remake and renew us.

We need it.

What good

is life

without a

commitment to you

and to faith

in daily living?

We can 

always live life

in the shallow

but why

when you

offer us

a deeper way?

Love, Andrea

Easter Sunday, April 4, 2021

Dear God,

Easter, such an exciting day, especially when it starts very early.  For decades I have opened my door and listened for the birds.  I have always believed the birds were the first to know of the resurrection and in their own inimitable way, they sang their praises letting the world know something was afoot, to pay attention, to listen, to discover and finally to proclaim our own praises for the rising of Jesus.

At 5:30 a.m. this morning I opened my kitchen door and listened.  It was black outside.  I waited but there was no birdsong.  As I began my morning devotion, I heard the first bird sing at 6:45 a.m.  I smiled, gave thanks and knew the day had begun in earnest.  

Although resurrection occurs every morning, Easter morning resurrection is particularly joy-filled because this was the first and we have celebrated it every year since.  A glorious day to give thanks!

Loving God,

thank you

for the gift

of Easter

and all

its other

many gifts.

Thank you

for resurrection,

new life,

second chances,

hope renewed,

and peace

that comes

in knowing you

and being known

by you.

Thank you,

Blessed God,

for Jesus.

Love always, Andrea

Saturday, April 3, 2021

Dear God,

I watch as the tree limbs and branches dance in the wind.  Do I dance when moved by your spirit?  I gaze on the budding leaves and watch as they grow.  Do I bud and grow in faith?  I witness the light as it breaks into the darkness.  Do I break forth in light and warmth from my own darkness?

Your creation is our greatest teacher.  When we pay attention, when we quiet our souls and when we pause to learn, creation will teach us about life, faith and about you, God of Us All.  Instill in us the desire to be one with you and your creation.

Holy God,

on this

Easter Saturday

may we

watch for signs

of your coming.

Like the

warming earth,

make us

warm to

your spirit.

Then inspire us

to dance,

grow and learn.

Love always, Andrea

Friday, April 2, 2021

Dear God,

Holy Week...Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter, can there possibly be another week that elicits more emotion?  Joy turned to betrayal and rejection, to loss and sorrow, back to joy.  Yet, I would have it no other way.

To walk with you during this high, holy week is an honor and privilege.  You remind us what faith means and how it carries us through difficult, trying times.  You also show us the value of a life with you.  You teach us again how important it is be aware of your living presence in the world and how our life intersects with yours.  You invite us on journeys that take us wide and deep unlike a shallow life without faith.  You reveal also how deep and wide your love is.

You are God;

truly there

is none

like you.

We are blessed

be be included

in your life,

Loving God.

May we

open our arms

to others

in the way

you open yours

to us.

Love, Andrea  

Thursday, April 1, 2021

Dear God,

I find great joy as varieties of birds preen and play just outside my study window.  Their color, shape and antics cause my soul to smile as I listen to their songs of hope, joy and blessing.

All of nature directs us to you, Living God.  If we still our souls and dwell in the moment, we watch your created order sing and dance, grow and rise, bless and inspire.  Such wonder causes us to pray, to celebrate and give thanks.  Today is just one of those glorious days!

Thank you

for the blessing

of spring,

for birds

and trees.

Just to gaze

upon your creation

lifts our spirits,

calms our souls

and blesses us.

You are

a gift

to us,

Loving God.

Love, Andrea

Wednesday, March 31, 2021

Dear God,

When our insides are lonely, empty and forgotten, you remind us you have already filled our insides with you.  We are never really empty.  Our interior spaces are filled with love, grace, compassion, mercy and welcome.  We forget your promises to fill us to the brim with your living, loving spirit.

Sometimes I feel that way, lonely, empty and forgotten.  Something will trigger a negative response inside me.  I react or respond by pulling back and pulling away.  I will then feel sorrow which can lead to anger and resentment.  But you, O God, do not allow me to remain in that state.  You whisper your love to me reminding me of the truth of your constant presence.  Who is empty when filled with God?  Who is lonely when God loves them?  Who is alone when God is present?

This morning I was reminded once again who created me, who dwells inside me and who walks with me daily.  I am indeed grateful.

My praise bucket

is filled

with love

for you,

Merciful God.

Thank you

from the bottom

of my heart.

No one loves

like you.

Yours, Andrea