Wednesday, March 30, 2022

Dear God,

The wind is blowing, the trees dancing in the wind.  Although it seems ominous against white, cloudy skies, the scene is a reminder that your Holy Spirit wind blows just the same.  It is forever a breeze gently nudging us to move, to dance.

More times than not, we do not even pay attention to the gentle nudges of your spirit.  If we do recognize it, we ignore or deny it, thus, we miss the opportunity for healing to come, faith to deepen and peace to pervade.  

O God,

show us

again and again

your call

to move.

Remind us

staying where

we are

will never

give us opportunity

to rise, grow

or become.

Keep calling us,

O Lord,

I pray.

Love, Andrea

Tuesday, March 29, 2022

Dear God,

Many nations and people are revealing compassionate love for the Ukranian people.  Volunteers have gathered to feed, house and comfort refugees.  Some have flown thousands of miles to aid in the fight among soldiers in Ukraine.  Others are sending what they can, money, supplies and prayers.  Strangers caring for strangers.  It reminds me of the story of the man injured by angry folk and a stranger, a good Samaritan came and cared for the man.  Right now in our history there are many good Samaritans.

Inside us is the capacity for good and evil.  Thank God for those whose hearts have been stirred to do good!

Thank you,

O God,

for the gift

of volunteers

who are

sacrificing much

to help others.

Bless each one,

I pray.

Bless too

all those

who are hurting.

Love, Andrea

Monday, March 28, 2022

Dear God,

On our own we simply cannot heal what is terribly broken.  We can try every method we know but rarely are we successful.  But you, O God, can heal with your spirit.

At a memorial service in Illinois on a sunny, cold day, I saw evidence of your holy, compassionate work.  Four women, all sisters, sat across the table from me.  These sisters had been estranged for years; yet a memorial service, love, compassion and mercy brought the women together.  A second cousin took their picture and I thought to myself how you alone could draw them together, sit them down at the same table and photograph them together.  

Ranging in age from 73 to 80 with two assisted by canes, my four cousins smiled for the camera.  Although I am sure their hearts were not full of forgiveness and understanding, nevertheless, they each took steps to meet the other where they were.  A meal and get together are planned for a week from now.  It is a beginning.

Thank you,

Almighty, Loving God,

for the gift

of love

that heals.

Thank you

for my cousins.

Thank you

for faith

that can

change us.

Thank you,

Blessed God,

for today's

many gifts.

Love, Andrea

Sunday, March 27, 2022

Dear God,

You are our dwelling place!  In you we find rest, peace, contentment, joy and hope.  When we lay aside our ego and need for self-feeding satisfaction, we are able to discover you not in ourselves but ourselves in you.  So often we ask you to be in us when in fact we need to step inside you.

We can be controllers over our own destiny or at least try to but we will only get what we can get.  In you our world widens and deepens.  Our options, experiences and helps increase.  Beauty, wisdom, faith, love and hope enter in ways not possible from the human mind and spirit alone.  With you, truly, all things are possible.

Thank you,

Loving Father,

for allowing us

to live

with you.

Thank you

for the warmth

and love

of your

dwelling place.

Thank you

for sweet peace.

Love, Andrea

Saturday, March 26, 2022

Dear God,

Sometimes we just need to do a blessing inventory!  This morning as I began my prayer, you brought to mind many blessings:  my daughter's meaningful visit with her father, the healing of my cousin following her transplant, international leaders banding together to help a suffering nation, connecting with a cousin after a long absence, my sister's willingness to attend a family member's memorial service for the first time in years following the murder of her son, and even more than this.

Lord, we need to begin our day in thanksgiving and praise for all you do for us.  This short list is way short of countless many blessings you give.  In fact, if we keep our eye on blessings, we will not become so obsessed by who and what we do not have. 

As this day unfolds, O God, I pray I will not only count my blessings but be a blessing to those around me.  

Thank you

for the

greatest blessing

of relationship

with you,

dear God.

You love all

your children

and invite

us all

into your embrace.

Thank you,

thank you,

thank you.

Love, Andrea

Friday, March 25, 2022

Dear God,

This morning after devotions and just before prayer, I looked out the windows of my study.  What I saw caused a smile to spread across my face.  Outside was what I lovingly call a "blue moment."  It is the time just after darkness and before the light of day.  The sky moves from black to blue to white and then changes based on weather conditions.  However, the blue moment is an exquisite moment because it is the transition time of nature, the "almost gone, not yet" time of the day.  The blue moment gives me pause to give thanks for all the gifts of nature.  

But the blue moment is more than that for me.  It is a reminder of how you work.  You who made the darkness and the light have inspired each to do their holy part in creation.  Each has so many gifts.  Although many do not like the darkness, what would the stars and moon be like without darkness? And the light, well, it shines upon all shades, colors and textures of earth.

We too have blue moments when you call us to move, shift from what was to what is to be, from darkness of doubt to the light of faith.  In that tiny, fleeting space of time, there is a rare beauty when your divine presence seems so very present.  We cannot live there full time because we must let go and take hold of what is coming but we can linger and give thanks.

Holy God,

you bless us

with so

many holy moments.

Remind us

to open

the whole

of our self

to the whole

of you

so we

do not 

miss anything.

Thank you

for the beauty

of this morning.

Love, Andrea

Thursday, March 24, 2022

Dear God,

This morning you brought gratitude to me as I thought of saints who have touched and inspired my life.  St. Francis has been with me for more than 50 years.  St. Therese of Lisieux touched my life first in the 1990's.  St. Benedict has joined me on pilgrimage several times.  He gave me refuge when my heart was hurt and broken.  Teresa of Avila, Meister Eckhart, Henri Nouwen and Richard Rohr are with me now as part of my morning circle of friends.  Why have you so blessed me with their presence from time to time, O God?

You bring us people to walk with us on our life journey.  Some visit for a moment while others stay for longer.  Always they offer us you, dear God.  They show us the way, the truth and the life.  They shine light on our sometimes very dark path.  They comfort and care for us.  They whisper faith and love and hope.  They give us peace.

This morning as I think on these pilgrims, seekers, lovers of your way and will, I give thanks.

Thank you,

for the

countless ways

you spread

your love,

O God.

Thank you

for all those

called saints,

ancient and contemporary,

for all

who speak

your word

of love

and hope.

Thank you

for blessing me

with spiritual companions.

Love, Andrea

Wednesday, March 23, 2022

Dear God,

My confession met with great love.  As I shared my spirit work following the retreat, I gave an account of my challenges in our weekly covenant group.  I told them how I am laboring to eradicate all bitterness in my soul.  Right now it is my life's greatest challenge.  Yet, as I shared my covenant group sisters and brother poured out their love for me.

It is never easy to confess, O God.  I trust so few people (another one of my weaknesses).  But this beautiful group of people are paving the safe way for me to trust, listen and learn.  With them I am enabled and equipped to do the work of faith.

I met

great love today,

Gracious God.

I found you

in my

spiritual companions.

They offered

what you offer.

Love always, Andrea

Tuesday, March 22, 2022

Dear God,

A tiny bird is perched on the head of my St. Francis statue.  I can't help but smile.  Perfect, even the birds know where they are welcome.

I have felt akin to St. Francis for decades now.  Why?  I am not sure because he was kin before I even realized who he was dwelling within my soul.  I just knew there was a sweet, warm, compassionate monk whose voice I never heard but whose message was always present.  It wasn't until I visited Assisi, France in 2005 that his name was revealed.

How is it you unite us with saints, O God?  They have so much wisdom to bring to us, questions and challenges that we need in different seasons of our lives.  Today the tiny bird brought him back to me.

Thank you

for even

the birds,

O God,

who bring us

your message

of faith.

Thank you

for saints

whose faith

and love

still speak

profound messages.

Thank you

for faith

that makes

all things possible.

Love, Andrea 

Monday, March 21, 2022

Dear God,

What value is a life lived only for one's own self?  Aren't we part of the human family, a community of world citizens living together on one planet?

In recent days you have whispered to me truths and lessons about faith, prayer and compassion.  Although it is difficult for you to move beyond my resistance, when I am open to listening, I find what I need to live a purposeful, loving and faith-filled life.

At worship, during sacred silence, in nature, daily devotions and prayer, I hear you speaking to me of my need to pray and send compassion to those who perpetrate injustice as well as to those who are desperate for the things of your generous spirit.  All are your beloved.  While I may want to ruin destroyers, I realize you call me to more.  You call me always to act out of faith, to see as you see, a more whole picture than the few things I obsess over.  When I look more deeply, I am enabled to see much, much more.  I discover that all are broken in one way or another, including me.

When I pray for others, I need also to pray for me.  I need changing too.

Holy Father,

we all

need you

right now.

We need

to be 

a people

willing to

follow you.

We need

to love

as you love.

We need

to live

compassionate lives.

You alone

are judge.

Love, Andrea

Sunday, March 20, 2022

Dear God,

How can I put on paper what I saw this afternoon at the Lenten Concert:  Songs of Loss and Life? How can I fully explain what flowed from your spirit into my mind?  

For weeks ever since the Russians rolled into Ukraine with the sole intent of taking control of the sovereign nation, I have had a deep ache in my soul.  I have prayed and prayed.  Images of death and destruction have been plentiful ever deepening the terror, pain and suffering of the Ukranian people.  I ask what I can do to help the people, some perhaps I met on a visit to Kyiv in 1988.  

Almost from the beginning of the Introit and Kyrie, tears formed in my eyes.  All I could see were frightened people, mothers with their children, young professionals taking up arms for the first time to save their country, elderly people asking where they should go to be safe, wounded soldiers bleeding without benefit of hospital care and dead bodies in the streets.  As the musicians sang and played their instruments, I just let my tears flow.  I realized I was joining them with my tears, something they will never know, such a teeny, small thing, yet something I could do. 

About halfway through the concert, the scene in my mind changed.  Suddenly I saw a man in white robes appearing in the Ukranian streets, leaning down, perhaps whispering and helping each one rise up.  While the dead rose whole in person, Jesus' robe took on the blood of the departed.  One by one, the unclaimed became the claimed by the only One who could.  My tears changed from sadness to joy.

O Lord, you are always at work in the midst of chaos, conflict and tragedy.  You are always among the sick and dying.  You are in dirty, destroyed streets murmuring sweet, life-giving words to your people.  You take on our suffering and pain.  You even take on our wounds, all because we are your children.  Please, God, fill your hurting children with such scenes giving them hope, strength, love, courage and peace.

Loving God,

thank you

for your

great mercy.

Thank you

for faith

that makes

hope in 

despair happen.

Be ever

so close

to your

wounded, suffering people.

Love, Andrea

Saturday, March 19, 2022

Dear God,

Why can't I be like trees that bend, flowers that break through the darkness for the light, birds who always have a song to sing, streams that follow the path and the sun and moon that rise and fall by your will?  What prohibits me from being pliable, willing and open to your spirit?

Springtime is always sharing their most intimate secrets.  It teaches life lessons.  It whispers the love of creation for its creator.  All we need do is awaken and listen, anticipate the daily message and follow the divine will.

It is all right before us.  We don't have to pray that it will come.  It is already here just like your spirit presence.  Early in the morning or late in night, even in the middle of the day we can take your hand, follow your step and begin the dance.

Holy God,

shake the scales

from our eyes,

the blockages

from our ears

and the stubborness

in our souls

so we

can meet you

every morning.

Show us

the way

to let go

so we

can join you

in the dance

of life.

Love, Andrea

Friday, March 18, 2022

Dear God,

Loving God, your people are hurting.  The suffering in Ukraine is unimaginable.  When I look into the eyes of frightened children and terrified mothers, I can't begin to comprehend what is happening to them.  So, I ask the question:  Why, O God, why is this happening?  Why do tyrants destroy human lives?  Why?  Yes, I do believe we are all capable of evil but why do we step across the line to hurt others?

How do we say NO to evil?  How do we stop this destruction?  How do we eradicate evil from humanity?  Is peace not enough?  Is the lack of conflict boring?  Is loving our neighbor too much to ask?  

Help us

help one another,

Merciful God.

Pour out

your loving compassion

on all

your hurting people.

These are

your children,

our sisters

and brothers.

Rid us

of our desire

to destroy,

damage and harm

Return us

to love

that created us,

I plead.

Love, Andrea

Thursday, March 17, 2022

Dearest God,

Springtime reminds us that death does not have the final word.  In the wintertime, all is barren, seemingly dead but spring reveals that life still holds claim.  All just sleeps in the cold winter months.

Even now I am listening to the tiny black and white bird who sings in my garden.  I watch as a chipmunk, squirrel and rabbit run and play.  Yes, it is Spring as green leaves are popping up through the soil.  Each of these calls to me as I listen to your voice, "Where is faith wanting to spring forth in you?"

Life is dynamic, always moving, breathing.  When we forget Spring's life lessons, life can slow down, even get bogged down.  So can faith but we need not let that happen.  For you are the power and life behind faith.  You are what makes faith a living faith because faith is alive and filled with promise.

Thank you

for nature

and all its

many lessons.

Thank you

for the beauty 

of Spring.

Thank you

for love

that makes

all things grow.

Love, Andrea

Wednesday, March 16, 2022

Dear God,

Thank you for new eyes to see!  Thank you for detail I have not seen in a long time.  Thank you for the gift of 20/20 vision.  Cataract surgery in both eyes enabled me to see clearly once again.

Faith is like cataract surgery!  We are enabled to see in new ways when we commit to faith.  When we trust you to guide us by faith, our perspective can change, our eyes can be opened; our lives can be transformed in unimaginable ways.  

Today, Lord, a simple surgery reminded me of a life lesson.  You taught me a new old truth.  Thank you.

Thank you

for daily gifts

of your spirit.

Thank you

for the opportunity

for change.

Thank you

for merciful love

that never changes.

Love, Andrea

Tuesday, March 15, 2022

Dear God,

You are the God of the impossible!  When we think of life conditions, we often imagine change to be impossible; however, just as often you reveal how the impossible could be overcome.

Perhaps it is our inability to think beyond our own brain.  Perhaps it is our lack of belief you are a god greater than our self with no greater power than our own.  Perhaps it is looking at life from simply one perspective.

How can we ever move through life with hope for change unless we take your hand and follow your leading?  We do not always get what we want, the way we want it or when we want it.  However, even a small shift can change things greatly.

Recently I too believed in the impossibility of a personal change, but you swept in and changed me.  Because of your transforming power, others were touched by my personal change.  It all became a gift, not only for me but others as well.

Thank you,

Miracle God,

for your

transforming power.

Thank you

for love

that moves

to change us

and others.

Today I pray

for all

who need change

including President Putin.

Love, Andrea

Monday, March 14, 2022

Dear God,

Old habits, nasty, old habits steal my peace and my joy.  Yet, who can I blame but myself?

When certain things happen, I fall back to the old ways.  I am very familiar with them.  I have kept them alive for decades, so I am on a first-name basis.  At the same time, I hate them.  I hate awakening them in times of conflict.  I know them so well, so very, very well.

Your promise of reshaping your people into a new creation is ever-present.  I love the idea of being made new and at times I am.  When I overcome situations by acting in new, healthy and meaningful ways, I know I am the new creation you talk about.  I like myself as newly made.  I love that your hand is at work in my life.  I love that I trust you to help and guide me in new ways.

I live in the middle, O God, the middle where I have choices who I will be in moments of difficulty.  Oh, how I want to always follow your invitation.

I am old

and new,

dear God.

I want

the old

to depart

from me.

I want 

to trust

in your love

to be enough.

Show me

the way

once again,

I pray.

Love, Andrea

Sunday, March 13, 2022

Dear God,

Tears flooded my soul when I listened to the preacher offer his morning message.  Although I was sitting in front of a computer, I still had the sense of your living presence right in my kitchen.  As I thought of the world situation filled with conflict, division, hatred, loss and war, I wondered how we could ever find our way home.

How will enemies become friends?  How will we change hatred into love?  How will we turn war into peace?  Lord, you made us citizens of one planet.  You gave the same air to all; without it we cease to exist.  You made us all in your image; why can't we see you in each other?

Please help us all, dear God, not just some of us.  We all need your help, love and guidance.

Show us

the way home,

Loving God.

Show us

the way

of peace.

Show us

love that

transforms all.

Love, Andrea

Saturday, March 12, 2022

Dear God,

This seems to be the season of waiting.  We are waiting for spring.  We are waiting for Easter.  We are waiting for insight, answers and peace.  All this requires our trust in you for you alone hold the key to all these.

When we begin our day with you, listening, praying and meditating, we build trust. When we turn to you in our anxieties, worries and fears we build strength.  When we take hold of your whispers and follow your way, we build faith.

When we walk, listen, answer, trust and follow you, we build our life with you.  Every day is better with you than without.  Why would we want it any other way?

Forgive us, Lord, 

when we

try to live

each day

on our own.

Forgive us

when we reject

your will

and way.

Forgive us

when we

fail you

and others,

I pray.

Love, Andrea

Friday, March 11, 2022

Dear God,

I was grateful to be invited to join the celebration of my granddaughter's basketball banquet.  I so admire who she is and what she is about.  She is bright, compassionate, loving, sensitive and a really great ball player.  Awarded the MVP player of her team for the second year in a row, I was delighted to applaud her efforts and achievement.

But while I was celebrating with the team and family members, something as rich and wonderful happened where I was sitting.  My daughter had risen from her seat and moved closer where she could photograph what was happening on stage.  Her move left an empty seat between another grandchild and me.  At some point Charlie reached across the empty seat and took my hand holding it for several minutes.  Making that connection was every bit as cherished as what happened on stage.

O Lord, I recognize extraordinary moments are taking place every day.  Only when we are attentive to your spirit at work will we identify how ordinary becomes extraordinary in our daily lives.  Only then can we truly walk with you, anticipate your spirit movement and live lives of faith.

Holy, holy, holy

are your,

Lord God Almighty.

Thank you

for the

wondrous movement

of your spirit.

Thank you

for touching me today.

Love, Andrea

Thursday, March 10, 2022

Dear God,

To gain wisdom we must begin by acknowledging we are less than the God who makes us.  We must confess we are not wise when we take the lead.  To be wise, we must be silent and listen for the word that becomes the Word for our lives.  Only wise ones know the difference.

In a day when we praise success and achievement above all else, we forget that the qualities of success begin with a humble soul, one who knows learning continues.  There is always more to learn.  What is true success if not trusting in someone much greater than ourselves?  No human has the capacity, qualities and gifts to become wise on their own.  True wisdom comes when we recognize others have contributed to who we are and what we are about.

O God,

we seek wisdom,

not to

become successful

but to

become wise.

Lead us

to true wisdom,

Wise God.

Help us

to know

real leaders follow

before they lead.

Yours, Andrea

Wednesday, March 9, 2022

Dear God,

Do you remember this day 53 years ago?  I began praying in early morning.  I kept on praying while labor pains took my breath away.  I prayed when my first child was placed in my arms.  My prayer was for her.

I never could have imagined being 75 and my daughter 53.  On that day long ago, I could only see my baby, how beautiful she was filled with promise.  I wanted to give her the world and much happiness.  I wanted her to be safe and loved, oh so very loved.  

Fifty-three years later I wish I could still hold her in my arms whispering all my hopes and dreams for her.  I wish I could give her a stress-free, peaceful life where sorrow and pain would never touch her.  I wish I could give her safety where fears would never enter.  I wish I could give her the invisible things like endless hope, joy for all time and love that would encircle around her every day.  I wish every heartbreak and hurt could be healed.  I wish I could erase those things that brought her pain, anxiety, fear, sorrow and doubt.  

What you have taught me is this:  Yesterday is gone.  What has been done has been done.  There is no going back.  What there is is today and hopefully many tomorrows.  I wish many tomorrows for my daughter, many filled with things that will give her much hope, joy, excitement, peace and promise.

Thank you for taking care of my first-born, O Lord.  Thank you for blessing her in spite of me, her father and all who ever hurt her.  Thank you for giving her all the gifts she possesses, her husband, children, grandchildren and friends.  Thank you for the blessing she is to many. 

Thank you

for the gift

of memory today,

dear God.

Thank you

for bringing

my new-born infant

back to me.

Thank you

for every gift

you have given

to my daughter.

May she be

forever blessed,

I pray.

Love, Andrea

Tuesday, March 8, 2022

Dear God,

I watch what is happening in Ukraine and my heart is sickened.  My spirit is pained.  My mind is filled with anger than one country can literally destroy another, take human life and damage life as they know it.  How can this be, Loving God???

How can we change our world where all people are precious?  Land too is sacred and holy.  When will love take hold and change us?  When will tyrants be changed from the inside out?  When will your presence make us all want to be transformed by your mighty, compassionate power?

Once again

teach us

your ways.

We are selfish.

We want

our own way.

Please forgive us.

Help us

love our neighbor

near and far.

Show us

the way

to transformation,

I pray.

Love, Andrea

Monday, March 7, 2022

Dear God,

Every day is a day to give thanks.  Today I am giving thanks that my eye was not damaged.

Last Wednesday I had cataract surgery.  During the procedure the surgeon nicked my eyeball.  Because of the bleeding she had to put in a stitch.  Later that evening I saw the color red all across my eye.  On a follow-up call she told me I was seeing the blood in my eye.  By the time I made my first visit after the surgery the doctor told me the blood had been mostly absorbed back into my eye.  I could see 20/20.

While I am giving thanks, I wonder how it is I am fortunate and blessed while others suffer damage or loss of their eye.  I can't understand why my life is so full of blessings and others are filled with loss.

Thank you,

O God,

for the gift

of my eye.

Thank you

for my healing.

Thank you

for every gift

you have

ever given

to me.

I am thankful.

Bless, O Lord,

all those

whose lives

are filled

with pain.

Love, Andrea

Sunday, March 6, 2022

Dear God,

During this covenant retreat you have touched and inspired every one of us.  As we opened ourselves to you at the beginning, you have spoken, challenged, loved, moved and rescued us.  We each had wounds needing to be sliced open, salve spread and healing take place.  We all knew you were the only one who can change things.

When I see transformation appear upon the faces of my colleagues, friends and spiritual companions, I see your face.  I know your love.  I recognize your grace.  How can it be so, Lord?  It seems always a miracle.

Holy God,

thank you

for your 

healing power.

But more

than that,

thank you

for your

tender love

that comes

before all else.

Thank you

for the ways

you come

to us.

Love, Andrea

Saturday, March 5, 2022

Dear God,

How can I live well and know that Ukrainian people are running for their lives?  How can I go on about my life as if all is good when all is not good?  How can I express my thanks to you for all I possess when my brothers and sisters far away are suffering losing loved ones, their land and their way of life?  How can I?

I don't know the answer to such questions, O God.  I do know you make my heart hurt when others are hurting.  I know that you do not let me erase such events from my mind.  I know that you want me to love them, suffer with them and pray for them in their deepest hour of need.  What more can I do, dear God?  How can I make a difference in suffering?

Most Holy God,

you know

the answer

to every question.

Please, dear God,

show me

the way

to help.

Please save

the Ukranian people

from the tyrant.

Love, Andrea

Friday, March 4, 2022

Dear God,

We always know when we are home.  There is no place like it!  Today I found my home at the Benedictine Monastery.  As I drove up in the parking lot, I felt the sweet peace that comes when we arrive home.

In 1988 a friend invited me to join a covenant group with her and a male seminary friend.  I said yes.  When we met the first time at the Carmelite Monastery, I was not sure quite what to make of it.  In a very short period of time, I realized I was home.

Since that time nearly 34 years ago I have always felt at home in monasteries.  Whether on retreat or leading one, I have drunk in the air of your spirit.  No one has taught me more about faith or hope or trust or love or challenge.  Over and over again in monasteries I have heard your whispers inviting me to rise higher and higher in my desire to grow, surrender, trust, love and faith more (yes, a verb).  

Today I breathed deeply awaiting your call, your invitation.  I am looking forward to it!

Holy God,

thank you

for the call

to come home.

Thank you

for your

wondrous greeting.

Thank you

for the

hard challenge

facing me.

Love, Andrea

Thursday, March 3, 2022

Dear God,

You are always at work within us.  As our covenant group prepares for retreat, you are asking hard questions.  The answers are even more difficult.  Yet, when our hearts beat in rhythm with yours, we want the questions and the answers.

Bitterness is the work you are taking on inside me.  Years of resentment has left me dry and brittle around certain issues and people.  A blot on my soul, a smudge in my heart means I can't receive the fullness of your love because there is too much else in there.  You want to change all that.

I am listening to your questions, Lord; I want them.  Speak and I will listen!

You go

to the 

farthest corners

of our soul

to speak words

of challenge

and healing.

You invite us

into you.

You tell us

to not

be afraid,

to trust you.

Your desire

to give

what we need

exceeds everything

we use

to keep

healing away.

Thank you,

Blessed God,

for I

am getting ready

for you.

Love always, Andrea

Wednesday, March 2, 2022

Dear God,

You know what we need when we need it, always before we know it ourselves. For some time I have needed a change in perspective, yet, I have found it difficult to make the shift.  Today when I went under the knife for cataract surgery, suddenly I was aware you were literally giving me new eyes to see.

Faith is a marvelous thing because it gives us a level of seeing that generally is absent from every-day reality.  With faith we can see through things in deeper ways.  Faith opens the door to numerous possibilities.  Faith gives us more resources and a well from which to drink.  Faith changes things and it works to change me.  New eyes for a new perspective, what more could I ask for?

Holy God,

your love

is deep

and wide.

Thank you

for it

includes me.

Thank you

for giving me

new eyes

in which

to see.

I want

to see

as you see.

Love, Andrea

Tuesday, March 1, 2022

Dear God,

This morning just outside my study window I hear the birds call to one another.  Their sweet songs transport me back in time to my grandparents' farm home.  As a child I remember waking up in the Jenny Lind bed piled with colorful, hand-made quilts.  Outside the front window I heard those same bird calls.

Lovely bird songs equate to loving, sweet memories on the farm.  I remember love pervading every square inch of that home.  The smell of bacon wafted up the old stairs into the large bedroom.  As I tried to decide whether I wanted to leave my warm bed for a farm-house breakfast or stay snuggled in those comforters, I just remember feeling so loved, so covered in love by my grandmother's special, unconditional love.

Finally, after taking one last snuggle, I jumped out of bed and ran downstairs.  Immediately entering the kitchen, I found my smiling grandmother waiting for me at the familiar oak table set with dishes filled with sausage, eggs and toast.  But more importantly beside my grandfather's plate was a copy of the Upper Room Devotional.  Before eating Grandpa read the morning devotional and prayed.  Somehow food translated into food at your table filled with the same love I found in my favorite country home.

As I closed my eyes and quieted my soul this morning, I reveled both in the love of my grandmother and also in you, my heavenly father.

Thank you,

Kind God,

for the

loving memories

that so

touch my soul

Thank you

for wondrous blessings

given me

throughout my life.

Thank you

for Grandma Hughes

and her

loving ways.

She pointed me

to you then

and still does

even now.

Yours forever, Andrea

Monday, February 28, 2022

Dear God,

I feel your power at work inside me.  As I sit daily with my circle of friends, creative authors from saints to contemporary writers on faith, I hear your words coming from their mouths.  As I listen in the silence and wait for your particular word for me, I am never disappointed.  You are giving me direction, preparing me for retreat this weekend.  You plan to act.  You have been opening me deeper and wider to your spirit.  You have been softening my resistance much like childbirth just before the baby is ready to pass from darkness to light.  You have been assuring me you are with me, giving me this circle of friends, whose faith touches me deeply and challenges me in so many ways.

For the last several weeks you have been whispering your hope to me.  You have been showing me I am not alone in my plight, for you are with me.  You have been showing me how my burden can be laid down and how your yoke will make it ever lighter as I work with you.  You are readying me for your purpose.

Thank you,

Eternal Father.

Thank you

for the blessing

you are

to me.

Thank you

for faith

that sustains me.

Love, Andrea

Sunday, February 27, 2022

Dear God,

Did I ever thank you for Zoom?  As I read your living word, I remember a scripture saying you make a way where there was no way.  When the Covid pandemic robbed us of personal worship, Zoom came to life giving us a new way to gather, worship and pray.  Even today as I worshipped with hundreds of others, I felt the closeness of your spirit and the presence of others.

Too often we limit our understanding of the power of your spirit to change us.  We think with human mind and soul.  As such we make your power the extent of our own.  How ridiculous is that?  We forget your power is greater than ours.  Your creating ability is deeper than ours.  Your blessings are higher than ours.  Your transforming spirit is more wondrous than ours.  Your compassionate kindness is wider than ours.  We forget and miss the opportunity to stand with you, listen and then follow in the new direction your are giving us.  Forgive us please.

Thank you,

Loving God,

for giving us

a way

to worship together.

Thank you

for your love

that knows no bounds.

Thank you

for the gift

of your

living presence

in the NOW.

Love, Andrea