Tuesday, August 24, 2021

Dear God,

One of the most remarkable questions of Jesus was this:  "Who do you say I am?"  From biblical texts we can argue Jesus was savior, teacher, friend, messiah, redeemer.  But that would not be an adequate answer for Jesus.  Andrea, who do you say I am?  He would ask me.

I used to think Jesus was only what the Bible said he was.  But when I encountered his pointed question I realized he had to be more for me.  As I prayed and pondered, Jesus came closer and closer to me.  When we began to breathe the same air, I came to the realization that he was all the Bible said he was but also more because he became personal.  This great God was savior of me, friend to me, teacher of me.  It was then he became source of all is to me.  He is my most trusted confidant, partner, lover, comforter and wise one.  For every big question, I go to him for counsel, wisdom and advice.  Without him, I am empty, alone and bereft.

I am glad he asked the question for he gave me good cause to answer it.

Thank you,

Holy God,

for the gift

of relationship.

Thank you

for allowing me

to walk

with you.

I am blessed

because you are!

Love, Andrea

Monday, August 23, 2021

Dear God,

Who is my mother, brother, father and sister?  Neighbor, stranger, friend?  From your own son's mouth, all are family, all are related, all are beloved.  How can we not love all whom you love?

It seems on every side we are being pushed to nudge people to the side in an us versus them fight.  Whether over politics, vaccinations or not, racial divides, economic stratus or color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, we often categorize people with whom we do not agree as the "them" in our equation.  What if you chose us that way?  What if you selected us as one of "them"?  What if we were regarded as less than anyone else?  What then?

Oh, we are so guilty, Father; we forget who created us, who fashioned us as we are, who called us your own.  We forget and then we set ourselves up as gods to choose.  We are filled with hate, bitterness and resentment.  Forgive us, Father, teach us once again.

So often

we do

not qualify

as loved ones,

Loving God.

Set us

on a

right path.

Forgive our

foolish ways,

I pray.

Love, Andrea 

Sunday, August 22, 2021

Dear God,

I am in a cranky mood right now.  My husband and I are arguing over putting up the flag.  I am sorry, Lord.

The flag has become a point of contention between us.  We are both lovers of our country, however frail and puzzled it is right now at so many levels.  We appreciate our president very much and believe he has brought a modicum of civility to our nation as well as calm, compassion and leadership.  Harold wants the flag up.  I do not.

I believe Donald Trump did so much damage to our country, the American people, our allies and friends as well as our adversaries and other people.  He misused and abused the flag.  America First was intended to put every other nation at our feet.  Wrong!  So very wrong!  Those hanging on his coat sleeves did the same.  So I do not want to display the flag right now.  That does not make me a poor American.

But the harder question for me is how do I love and appreciate all citizens of our world, no matter their political, spiritual and psychological beliefs.  The flag is simply a symbol of what I cannot love right now.  I am in a dilemma, Lord; please help me.

You are God;

there is none

like you.

I need

your will,

O God.

Lead me,

please,

I pray.

Love, Andrea 

Saturday, August 21, 2021

Dear God,

How do we keep hope alive when everything around us seems hopeless?  Right now there are many who are feeling such despair.  How do we help them, O God?

What is hope anyway?  Is hope a desire outcome?  Is it a desire fulfilled?  Is it a predetermined answer?  Or is hope something else altogether?

It seems to me hope is trusting you to hold us when life is in progress.  Whatever happens, hope means you are with us 24/7.  We are not alone.  Our situation may change or not but your presence with us in any situation means we face it with you.  Hope holds us, loves us, comforts us, assures us, repairs us, graces us, blesses us and inspires us.  When all else is loss, hope remains.

Loving God,

thank you

for hope,

eternal hope

fashioned by

your own hands.

You keep us alive

with hope.

We are grateful.

Love always, Andrea

Friday, August 20, 2021

Dear God,

I want to do something.  My spirit screams to do something to help those suffering in our world.  What do I do?  Images on the television and computer screen tug at my inner core to do something to change life for those literally fighting for their lives.

In your word you tell us to love one another.  You teach us to care for the orphaned, the widow, the lost, the lonely and the broken.  But how do we do it, dear God, how do we do it especially those so far away?  How can we bring help and peace to someone?

Loving God,

Savior, Rescuer and Redeemer,

make a way

for us

to help others

in dire need.

Lead us

to those

who hurt

so much,

I pray.

Love, Andrea

Thursday, August 19, 2021

Dearest God,

How on earth can we turn hatred into love?  In what ways can we make peace from chaos?  How shall we go about changing lies to truth?

Faith in you, a strong, abiding love with you can help us lift the veil of all that eludes us.  I am sure of it.  At the same time we must tread carefully being certain we do not create faith and belief into something that looks like us but rather portrays love, understanding, wisdom, reconciliation and peace.  We cannot, we must not become hardened religionists who expect others to tow our line rather than the soft line created by you, Loving God.  Faith in my way is not faith in your way.  

So often we lose our way, O God, and insist others be like us.  We forget you all together.  We become selfish, self-centered, egotistical, demanding and mean-spirited.  We forget who loved us into creation, who poured out his spirit upon us and equipped us with a loving spirit.  We toss you out like yesterday's news.

Please forgive us,

O God,

for our

foolish ways.

Lead us

once again

to you.

Remind us

there is

no god

but you.

Teach us how

to make

love our goal.

Yours, Andrea

Wednesday, August 18, 2021

Dear God,

Our hearts are crushed for the people of Afghanistan and Haiti.  How could they not be?  People suffering in the streets, many broken, terrified and hungry.  What to do, where to go, who to help?  I cannot imagine the pain and fear.

How will we ever right the wrongs, tend to the broken, create justice for all, heal all sorrows, losses and mournings and love our neighbor?  When, when, O Lord, when?

Lead us

to all

who need us,

Merciful God.

Open doors,

windows and pathways

to help others.

Show us

the way,

O God,

please show us

the way.

Love, Andrea

Tuesday, August 17, 2021

Dear God,

Today I sat in the dirt as I picked green beans from Spiller Farm.  To think just a few months ago the ground was barren, no sign of life.  Yet, today the young, tender beans hung from the plants so full of life.  As I wiped the sweat from my brow and filled my plastic bags, I breathed gratitude to you, Creator of all Life.

Your plan for creation continues to astound me.  Who else could do what you continue to do every year about this time?  With gardens and farms full of fresh produce, how could we not give praise and thanksgiving to you?  You create the seed and then give sunshine and rain and warm temperatures to grow those seeds.  One day the plants break through the hardened, winter soil.  Before long, tiny green shoots appear, flowers begin to bud and then it happens, the beans begin to grow longer and longer until ripe for the picking.  That's when I stepped in, knelt down and finally sat on the earth so full of history and story.

Thank you,

Gracious, Merciful God,

for the gifts

of creation.

You give

and give

and give.

So thank you,

thank you,

thank you.

Love, Andrea

Monday, August 16, 2021

Dear God,

How can we not feel the suffering of the Afghan people as their nation falls, the Haitian people as hurricane forces kill their people, the German people as floods overtake their towns and villages, all those in the US and Canada whose homes are being destroyed by devastating wildfires and the countless hundreds of thousands are falling prey to Covid-19?  Our hearts, minds and spirits need to break for these who will never be the same.  We need to weep for our brothers and sisters in other lands.  We need to pray for each other and do whatever we can to share their burden.  

We can no longer just think of ourselves, the me and mine mentality.  Others may be strangers but nevertheless are part of the whole human family.  We must love our neighbor whoever he or she is.  We must extend our love, compassion and service to all who hurt.

Teach us

to love

to the max,

O God.

Stir our hearts

with mercy

for the sister,

the brother,

the child,

the teen,

the stranger.

We need

one another.

You made us

this way.

Love, Andrea

 

Sunday, August 15, 2021

Dear God,

Early this morning as I sat in the hermitage, I watched as the river made its early morning trek to the ocean.  Quietly, slowly the water moved carrying with it the ability to flow with its creator.  By afternoon it will reverse direction once again and I will sit and marvel.

Who created this holy movement?  You, only you, Mighty and Majestic God.  No human has the power to create tides that move to the whisper of your spirit.  

Oh, if only we humans would move with that same spirit, if only we would quietly, calmly listen for the voice calling us forth, to dance, move and sing.  There is nothing more beautiful, more intoxicating or more purposeful that those who move to the sound of your voice.

Thank you,

Blessed God,

for the

quiet movement

of your spirit.

Thank you

for your whisper,

your nudge

and your challenge

to get

in step

with you.

Thank you

for the sight

and sound

of your spirit.

Love, Andrea

Saturday, August 14, 2021

Dear God,

A life lived with you is one that lives in the depths of spirit.  We have the capability of discovering new gems deep in the soil of you.  We can dig deeper at any time and find treasures waiting to be found.

Right now looking out from the hermitage, I see your beautiful spiritual path, colorful flower heads reaching for the sky, dancing in the wind and displaying their unique design.  Not long ago, that ground was a massive, tangled, ominous, invasive-ridden woods.  But your gentle whisper, "There is the opening to the spiritual path," led to an amazing transformation.  

Laboring in your "vineyard" has been one of my life's greatest joys.  Working in the dirt, laboring 6, 8 or 10 hours daily at least four days a week for over a decade has opened new vistas not only in the landscape but also in my soul.  Watching now as the tide gently pulls the river toward the ocean, the sun shining, glistening on the water, the gentle breeze moving each beautiful thing in your spirit rhythm takes my breath away.

Holy God,

I love

being in

the middle

of your

spiritual landscape.

I am

so blessed

to be

in you.

Thank you

for aha moments

that make me realize

just how much

your mystery

continues to unfold.

I love you.

Yours, Andrea

Friday, August 13, 2021

Dear God,

The reflection on the Mousam River is stunning!  Flowers, trees and bushes are seen twice and how beautiful they are.

Is our spiritual reflection like that?  If it is at peace and rest in itself, do we display the same?  Do we offer extravagant beauty?  What loss when we have nothing beautiful to offer to you and those around us.

Keep us close,

Eternal God,

keep us close.

Shine in

and through us.

Reflect your grace

through us

to the world,

I pray.

Love, Andrea

Thursday, August 12, 2021

Dear God,

It is only in the silence when we can most fully hear your voice.  When we reverently still ourselves, we are enabled to calm the inner chatter that constantly keeps us distracted.  Only then when we have entered your sacred space can we hear, feel and know your peace even in times of chaos and difficulty.  

You call us to silence not just to commune with us but also to heal, help, restore, renew and revitalize us.  Without silence the human body, mind and soul will continue its busy display that keeps us stirred.  We desperately need rest from the world's shove to do more, be more and have more.  Only you can give us all we need, really need.

Thank you,

Heavenly Father,

for blessing us.

Thank you

for holy moments

with you alone.

Help us move

into silence

every day.

Love always, Andrea

Wednesday, August 11, 2021

Dear God,

How do we make love our highest calling?  

I want

to love

because you love,

O God.

Daily show me

the way.

I seek you

more than 

any other.

Love, Andrea

Tuesday, August 10, 2021

Dearest God,

I sit here in the hermitage savoring the joy of following your will for this land upon which I sit today.  Sixteen years ago you brought us here to Pleasant Street.  A few years later you whispered to me as I stood in the back room looking out over the long back yard and woods.  "There," you said, "is the opening to the spiritual path."  All I could see was an ominous overgrown woods filled with debris from long ago.

Since then you and I have wandered this land together, clearing, cleaning, cutting, planting and beautifying.  A few friends have joined in this amazing journey.  I simply drink in the sight of the river which before could never be seen through the thicket.  I think on you, Loving Creator, and I am humbled.

Holy God,

thank you

for the scene

before me.

Thank you

for your call.

Thank you

for all

your wondrous blessings.

Love, Andrea

Monday, August 9, 2021

Dear God,

What can make us choose your desire over our own?  I confess in certain situations I can get really irritated when something happens and I become upset and cry out "Foul."  I am sure your way would have been much better.

Daily I struggle to be faithful, to listen to you and to follow your will for my life.  I want that more than anything else in my life.  But I fail, I fail.  I try but I fail, not every day but still I fail.  

Teach me

your way

once again,

Eternal God.

Show me

the value

of following

your will

instead of

my own.

I want you

more than

I want me.

But, I fail.

Help me,

O Lord,

I pray.

Love, Andrea

Sunday, August 8, 2021

Dear God,

Recently I watched a children's movie entitled, "Frozen II.  I figured several of my grandchildren had seen it and they would think something was wrong with me if I hadn't seen it so I watched it on one cold, rainy day.

What struck me about the movie was one simple line, "Do the next right thing."  Do the next right thing, what a great philosophy of life.  Doing the right thing, the next right thing.  Doing the right thing could be a revolutionary new mantra for our U S Congress.  When so many veer away from doing the right thing, this could be a game changer. 

Perhaps doing the next right thing is what faith is all about.

Guide us

to do

the next

right thing,

O God.

We need

to listen,

to follow

and to

do good things

not just

for ourselves

but also

for others.

Lead us

to this

life lesson, 

I pray.

Love, Andrea

Saturday, August 7, 2021

Dear God,

Power.  Power to heal or damage.  Power to overcome or defeat.  Power to transform or destroy.  What kind of power do we seek?

When I watch the news listening for the clamor and/or claim to power, I sicken, literally.  If the desire for power injures, ruins or kills people, how can that power be good power?

The only kind of power capable of healing, helping, guiding, loving, teaching, blessing and inspiring is called the power of love, the Holy Spirit power or the power of faith.  This is the only kind of power we need, the kind that can help heal us but also our neighbor, the stranger, the needy, the hopeless and the lost.  Why would we not seek this kind of power, holy power intended for good only?

Loving God,

teach us,

help us,

lead us

to your

almighty power.

Show us

the way

to use

your power

for aid,

assistance and mercy.

We need

your power

and your power only.

Love always, Andrea

Friday, August 6, 2021

Dear God,

"When I am afraid, I will put my trust in you."  The words of the psalmist remind us to consider our relationship to you.  Further sentences could continue like,  "When I am angry, I will put my trust in you.  When I am doubting, I will put my trust in you.  When I am frustrated, when I am lost, when I am forgotten, when I am joyful, when I am delighting, when I am failing, I will put my trust in you."

This morning I was drawn to this line from one of the psalms.  It was a loving call to me, a divine whisper, a heavenly nudge.  Even now I draw a breath and breathe in my trust in you.

Great Friend and Teacher,

thank you

for the

infinite number

of ways

you call

to us.

Thank you

for blessing us.

Thank you

for every

life lesson.

Yours always, Andrea

Thursday, August 5, 2021

Dear God,

A few days ago I smelled Autumn in the gentle breeze.  I heard the sweet call of summer's rest ready to unfold as soon as you say so.  I admit I was caught up in the seasonal transition of not yet but soon to be.

Oh what we miss when we do not remain close to you!  We are equipped to see love unfold, joy explode and inner peace to pervade.  The world around us does not give us these, in fact, just the opposite.  It is you, Almighty and Eternal God, that gives us a peek at the spirit world designed to give us these needed resources, gifts and treasures.  As we draw closer and closer, we can witness the beginnings of love sprout, of joy bubbling up and peace settling in.  Alone we simply cannot manufacture our inner well being.  With you, all things are possible!

Holy, holy, holy

are you,

God Most High.

Thank you

for daily gifts

of your spirit.

Thank you

for invitations

to draw close.

Love, Andrea

Wednesday, August 4, 2021

Dear God,

Every day you give us opportunity to draw close to you.  You whisper your love and your challenge to us.  You let us know we still belong to you no matter what happened the day before.  You nudge us to reflect upon your love so we can trust you more to lead us down green pastures toward restoration.

Every day is a day to celebrate, to remember and to give thanks.  A life lived in gratitude is always a healthier, more whole one.  As we express our gratitude you enable us to see more, hear more and experience more of your goodness, mercy and compassion in the world.  And then the nudge toward being the goodness, the mercy and the compassion in the world comes to us for others.

Holy God,

there is

no God

like you.

Your love

saturates us

making us full

of you.

Thank you,

Everlasting God.

Yours, Andrea

Tuesday, August 3, 2021

Dear God,

Today while I picked blueberries at Spiller Farm you brought me names of those who love my blueberry jam.  I began praying for Beryl, Gray, Jenni, Jill, Janice, Gabrielle, Sophie, Charlie, Lucy, Susan, Ginny and more.  Every year you provide the sweet fruit at my favorite country farm in southern Maine.  I simply pick, clean, prepare, cook and preserve blueberry jam, then give it away in jars or make it into blueberry sour cream coffee cake. I love giving them to loved ones.

It was meaningful to pray for family and friends.  I have never prayed just for blueberry friends when on the farm.  I love the idea you gave to me.  Now when I pick tomatoes for juice, tomatoes and salsa, I will pray for some others.  When I get to beets, I will have to add my sister Debi and friends Ann, Paula and Ethan.  And when I do peaches, oh my goodness, the list will get long including Dave, Bonnie, Gib, Sue, Betty plus many more.

Thank you,

Loving Father,

for the gift

of fruit

and vegetables

on the farm.

Thank you

for prayer

connecting all

those goodies

to those

who love them.

Thank you

for allowing me

the honor

to create gifts

that feed

both the body

and the soul.

Love, Andrea

Monday, August 2, 2021

Dear God,

Some people just seem to carry your light with them everywhere they go.  They shine when the sun shines and when the rain falls.  Their smile, loving gestures and kind ways bless, heal and inspire.

When I walk in the early morning hours, I watch the few people I see.  When they offer a simple "Good morning," I feel I am in your presence.  Their friendly compassion spreads love all around them.  I don't know if that love hangs in the air for the rest of the day or not, I just know it makes a difference to all those they touch.

Loving God,

thank you

for all

light bearers.

Thank you

for their gifts

to those

around them.

When we

experience them,

make us

not only

gracious receivers

but also

loving givers.

Love, Andrea

Sunday, August 1, 2021

Dear God,

I confess I do not always stay in constant touch with you, O Lord.  I allow my own feelings, thoughts and beliefs to sometimes get in our way.  I hate that about myself.

Today was different.  As our pastor talked about his "week of death," you nudged me to stand and pray for him during our prayer time in worship.  Five deaths in one week, two tragic deaths when a car ran up over a curb and killed a 12-year-old boy and 45-year-old man simply waiting to get into a restaurant had nearly overcome our compassionate pastor.  I asked if I could pray for him and with a cracked voice, he nodded yes.

When I attend to you and listen, you cue me to move, to take action and to follow your lead.  When I do, when I really act upon your request, I find great joy and meaning.  I listened, heard your voice and followed through.  Thank you for giving me trust in your calling today.

Blessed are you,

Almighty God,

blessed are you.

You bless

and inspire.

You lead us

when we

are willing

to follow.

Thank you

for gentle

and sometimes

not-so-gentle nudges.

Love, Andrea   

Saturday, July 31, 2021

Dearest God,

Is the reworking of a human much the same as doing a makeover for a new flower bed?  As we worked on the spiritual path, we had much to do.  We had to rake, pull weeds, dig up deep roots, clear away debris, edge and finally mulch.  In the end it was beautiful but oh, so much work.

Who else would care to remake us but you, O God and Loving Father?  You know where all our sins and flaws lay hidden covered by sometimes years of crud.  Yet, you spend time, compassion and love redoing us.  You desire to clean and clear us of years of debris because you know the treasure that is underneath.  You made us to be beautiful.  Only you can return us to our original beauty.

Thank you,

Gracious God,

for the gifts

of your spirit.

We are blessed

by your

loving hand.

Thank you

for remembering us,

for gently 

restoring us

and making us new.

We are grateful.

Love, Andrea