Wednesday, June 29, 2022

Dear God,

Although so much of your world is in chaos and conflict, there are still signs of your ongoing work.  People, institutions and programs are changing to become more.  Even though it is a scary time because we can no longer rely on everything staying the same, it is also an opportune time for renewal and restoration.  While our world is changing, it can also be time for our own transformation.

We can never expect things to stay the same.  We can fight and fight to hold back but we will never find growth and the possibility for renewal.  All things can change for the good if we are willing and open to you.

Loving God,

transform our fear

into faith,

I pray.

Make us

ready vessels

for all

you want to

fill us with.

Help us

be receptive

to your

life-changing power.

Love, Andrea

Tuesday, June 28, 2022

Dear God,

We carried the top of the summer cupboard to the hermitage.  Together we lifted it up and placed it on top of the bottom of the cupboard.  We stood back and looked at it.  Tears came to my eyes.

The cupboard is well over 100 years old.  Made from scrap wood it probably contained summer-harvested jars of vegetables or fruits.  It moved a few times finally ending up in our garage where it became a storage of junk and plenty of dust.  We drove it to Maine and back to Indiana until it finally landed back in Maine to be a centerpiece in the newly created hermitage on the spiritual path.  It has found its permanent home.

I spent two years off and on cleaning, sanding and painting this precious heirloom.  An object of affection for my husband's family, I partnered with you to renew and restore her purpose.  She now sits in a spiritual home that will welcome all those who are drawn there.

I never knew that arm of Harold's family but I sense their faith through the old piece.  Devout Christians they worshipped and served you well.  I hope they would be glad to know their summer cupboard will hear prayers and concerns, joys and praises and honest questions and longings.  

Holy God,

your hand

is in

all things.

Thank you

for the

summer cupboard

that found

its final home.

Thank you

for the joy

of faith

that can

be found

in the

most unlikely places.

Love, Andrea

Monday, June 27, 2022

Dear God,

Gentle breezes always remind me of your spirit breath.  When I quiet myself, wait and watch, I am amazed at what happens.  When the trees sway, the flowers dance and the river water ripples, I see you.  An automatic smile spreads across my face.

Every day there are revelations of your living presence in the world.  It is not hard to see.  When we put on the glasses of faith, we are enabled to see more deeply.  Whether nature shows us the harsh, cold winter or the lovely, colorful summer, we see all your hand has provided.  When we perk up and listen, we can hear the sound of children at play, conversations being shared by neighbors or even the birds singing their good-morning songs.  We never have to wonder where you are.  We have signs of you everywhere!

Glorious God,

thank you

for making us aware

of your

loving presence.

Thank you

for daily gifts

of life.

Work in us

so we too

can give evidence

of your spirit

at work

right where

we are.

Love, Andrea

Sunday, June 26, 2022

Dear God,

All summer I have been drawn to the beautiful, white dogwood tree outside the second story, study window.  It has spoken grace-filled messages, of the cross and the butterfly to name a couple.  This morning it whispered to me about a seed falling and dying and new life coming.

I can't help but marvel and give praise for your voice echoing to us through nature.  One tree this season has told me several stories of faith, just one tree.  But then so has the spiritual path, the flowers dancing in the breeze and the river ebb and flow.  You keep us close by reaching out all day long, week in and week out.  How could we ever forget you, O God?  How could we ever fail to walk beside you?  How could we ever substitute shallow, useless things for all your divine goods?  

Thank you, 

Eternal God,

for every gift

you give.

Thank you

for the 

dogwood tree,

a special gift

this summer season.

I am

so very grateful.

Love, Andrea

Saturday, June 25, 2022

Dear God,

We could never have imagined a beautiful area down by the river.  Riddled by tangled, tall invasive weeds, bushes and trees, eighteen years ago we couldn't even see the river, but you could, dear God.  You knew what it could become.  You knew what you wanted it to be.  You whispered your challenge to me to make it so.

When I put a shovel into the ground, I only knew you had pointed out the opening of the spiritual path.  At that moment I had only a few tools and a prayer to do your bidding.  Now these many years later, the river is open and beautiful as well as the spiritual path through the woods.  It is still unfinished, but your word has become flesh and it is yet another miracle of your hand.

Thank you,

Holy God,

for the

amazing, creative power

of your spirit.

Thank you

for your

gentle call

to partner

with you.

You are God;

there is surely

no god

like you.

Love, Andrea

Friday, June 24, 2022

Dear God,

How can we sing a new song when we are so fixed on the old one?  We know the old one so well.  We know it by heart.  Yet, the psalmist invites us to sing a new song.

My old song has lyrics of injustice, loss and wrongdoing.  It contains my complaints, worries and fears.  But you already know that.  I could sing it once and you would know it.  But you urge me to sing a new song of faith, trust and gratitude.  Why, because it will give me renewed hope and purpose.  It will even bring joy to my soul.

A new song is what I need.  In fact, our country and world need a new song, one we can sing together.  We should have sung one as one body during the Covid epidemic.  We could have come through it with strength, compassion, love, peace and hope.  But we didn't.  There were those who made it political.  That alone changed the way we sang.  But that was yesterday; this is today, a new chance for a new song.

Teach us

your way,

O Lord.

Soften our hearts

and rebuild trust

in our souls.

We need you

so much.

Love, Andrea

Thursday, June 23, 2022

Dear God,

How do we stay faithful, loving and at peace during this time of uncertainty and chaos in our country and world?  Everything within me wants to shout NO, STOP to all that is happening.  My body, mind and soul are troubled by lies being perpetuated in our country by politicians, people who want desperately to change the narrative and want to rule without law, order and compassion.  What has and is happening to us?

The institutions that we used to trust are crumbling, the government, the church, social agencies, education, just to name a few.  What I used to trust now leaves me uneasy, disappointed and sad.  And I wonder how we got to this place.

While so many things seem to be falling apart, I know you do not want your people to crumble with them.  I believe you give us everything we need to be light, salt and love to a society who needs to rebuild and renew all that is before us.  Even our families need to be reignited with love, forgiveness and strength.  Instead of falling down, you want us to rise up.  Instead of despairing, you want us to be hope.  Instead of chaos, you want us to stand strong, to trust you and to act with courage, mercy and calm.  You remind us you are the rock to which we cling, the peace, the deep peace only you can give and the well of living water to which we need to drink daily.  As we gaze into your eyes, listen to your word and act with kindness to restore our communities, you will cause us to rise up and be more than the chaos and conflict around us.  We can do it with your guidance, agape love and faith-filled strength.

Thank you,

Almighty God,

for the gifts

of your spirit.

Change us,

transform us,

empower and

equip us

to be

the people

and the nation

and world

you want us

to be.

Thank you

for your

gracious love

that gives us

opportunity to

be more

once again.

Love, Andrea

Wednesday, June 22, 2022

Dear God,

Great Healer, I am recovering more and more each day from Covid.  For weeks I have had little energy but this morning as I awakened, I felt rejuvenated ready for the tasks of the day.   I have felt your hand upon my body and my mind.  Truly, you are the one and only great healer.

We often forget the source of our healing.  We fail to give thanks.  We dismiss the little healings that happen day in and day out.  When we feel encouraged after a time of discouragement, this is a healing.  When we feel at peace in the midst of chaos, this is a healing.  When we find our way after a time of loss, this is a healing.  Day in and day out, healings come thanks to you, Loving, Compassionate God.

Thank you,

Holy Father,

for all

your gifts

especially for

the gift

of healing.

Thank you

for love

that oozes

out of you

each day.

Thank you

for today's gift.

Love always, Andrea

Tuesday, June 21, 2022

Dear God,

Early this morning I drove the back road to Walmart.  A country road where cows grazed, flowers danced in the wind and a foggy mist rose above the warm ground, a precious memory came to me.  I thought of my grandmother's farm home with a truck patch garden big enough to feed a whole town.  

My grandmother was my greatest role model in my young life for faith, unconditional love and compassion.  I still remember her loving eyes, kind smile and her spotted hands that always made our favorite desserts when we visited.  Her faith was so real so much so that it was like Jesus lived in her house.  Her love filled the space where she lived so that when we walked into that space, we could not help but breathe in that love for ourselves.  I love her so much and still miss her after nearly 40 years.  

Thank you

for Grandma Hughes,

dear God,

one of

your precious children.

Thank you

for every gift

she offered

to every person

she knew.

Thank you

for the

sweet memory today.

Love, Andrea

Monday, June 20, 2022

Dear God,

What a beautiful day today, one you provided!  As I sat in the straw-strewn path, I picked luscious, red strawberries.  As I plucked each one, I could smell the fresh, yummy fruit from an amazing patch of land where two ponds, woods and carefully tended grounds spoke volumes about creation.  As a gentle breeze blew, I reflected upon your gracious generosity and the countless ways your spirit touches our lives.

It was only a few months ago the ground lay barren, cold and lifeless.  But today it was full of life and grace and abundance.  Only you, O God, provide the transformative power to sustain human life.  We are grateful, so very grateful.

Thank you

for the

first crop

of the season.

Thank you

for the beauty

of the day

and the

amazing hope

you give us.

Thank you

for your

kind generosity!

Love always, Andrea

Sunday, June 19, 2022

Dear God,

I don't know why the dogwood tree outside our second story study has spoken to me so much this year but it has.  Today when I looked outside, one of the blossoms looked like a butterfly.  When I think of butterflies, I think of new life, an opportunity for transformation and the beauty they provide.

You use what is at hand to speak to us, Lord.  You are always reaching out, engaging us in conversation.  When we pause and reflect, we can learn lessons of faith.  Sometimes you speak to the unhealed places in our lives.  Sometimes it is a pointed challenge to change and grow.  Sometimes you whisper peace to our chaos.  But always there is a word of hope, love or encouragement.

Keep us

in view,

dear God.

We want

your vision.

We want

your guidance.

We want

your help.

Love, Andrea

 

Saturday, June 18, 2022

Dear God,

Work on the spiritual path is always one of deep satisfaction, incredible challenge and great surprises.  For years my friend and I have worked on the path just trying to uncover it.  For decades it was filled with invasive trees, bushes and weeds.  It has taken years just to dig up (still not finished) all the nasty stuff.  But as we dig, pull, clear, cut and clean, we have taken an incredible journey!

Today was yet another miracle.  Suddenly we could see what needed to be done in the area by the river.  As we worked together cutting and clearing more invasive trees and tree branches overhanging the river, the special spot took on new beauty.  Susan dug up more of the invasive, noxious weeds; it became more and more lovely where more and more of your amazing creation appeared.  We both stood on the hill overlooking the river and smiled.

Your spirit

is at work,

Creator God.

We are

simply partners

in your

creative work.

Thank you.

Love, Andrea

Friday, June 17, 2022

Dear God,

This morning as I was awakening, I thought of picking cherries at an orchard in New Hampshire and strawberries at a local strawberry farm.  I thought of the storm door I needed to change with a screen.  I thought of getting out on the spiritual path to plant flowers, clear an area and drag bags of pebbles to the river's edge.  Then I stopped and thought of you.

As I circled my friends (authors of devotional books I am reading daily) I suddenly thought of all the reasons you are so important in my life.  I prayed giving thanks for waking up this morning, feeling better from the fatigue following Covid, seeing the beautiful trees, colorful flowers and growing bushes outside my windows, living in my 200-year-old home and being blessed by beloved family and friends.  I realized you make all these possible.

Thank you

for gifts

beyond my comprehension,

so many

at that.

Thank you

for the

first moments

of the day.

Thank you

for allowing me

to be part

of your life.

Love, Andrea

Thursday, June 16, 2022

Dear God,

Recently I bought an old dining room set at a thrift shop.  It was dusty, scratched and was missing a small piece that fit into the top of one of the six chairs.  Once I got it home, I began the work of transformation. I used some baking soda, vinegar and petroleum jelly to clean, clear and repair the rusted, stuck slide.  I washed down all the pieces including the table.  I applied Old English Scratch Cover to the entire set, let it set for a while and then polished it all.  Although it still had its flaws, it glowed, the table opening and closing easily.

I tell you all this, Lord, because it spoke of the human condition and how your spirit is at work in us.  We too have rusty spots due to neglect.  We are often stuck in situations and can't see a way forward.  We are dusty from forgetfulness to silence, prayer and gratitude.  We have multiple wounds that even after treatment will have tiny memories; yet all in all, we too can be made new. 

Thank you,

dear God,

for your

transforming work

in our lives.

Thank you

for treating

our losses,

hurts and even

deep wounds.

Thank you

for making us new.

Love, Andrea

Wednesday, June 15, 2022

Dear God,

This morning I walked in the early morning hours.  I only had energy for 22 minutes and then I had to sit down when I arrived home.  Covid took away my energy and slowly but surely you are replenishing it.  I am so grateful.

When we pause to think of the countless many ways your spirit moves in our lives, we realize the amazing wonder of it all.  Once I was sick, now I am getting well.  That ability is a gift of your spirit.  I shall never forget your kindness to me!

Compassionate God,

thank you

for your mercy.

Thank you

for your

healing power.

Thank you

for healing me.

Love, Andrea

Tuesday, June 14, 2022

Dear God,

When I walked the spiritual path in winter, the land was bare, no color and no rising up of plants.  It was quiet, not bleak but seemingly no life.  Yet, when the light of spring and summer came everything changed.  Every plant rose up from their sleep.  Now there are varieties of plants growing and the colors are sublime.  Oh, my goodness what the light can do to bring new life!

The changes were not subtle.  They were so beautiful dancing in the wind that it was almost shocking to see and to experience them.  And to think a few years ago the land was rife with invasive bushes, trees and plants.  The light brings not only brightness but also warmth to the ground, fertile soil for plants to come to life once again.

It is like that for us too, O Lord.  Your light brings life to us too.  Your warmth makes it easier to breathe and to see and smell and hear.  Your own beauty in us rises up too and when we let your spirit move, we too dance and what a dance it is!

Creator God,

thank you

for gifts

of your light.

Thank you

for your love,

warmth and goodness

that gives us strength

to live again.

Make us light

for the world

around us,

O God.

Use us

to brighten

all that

us dark,

I pray.

Love, Andrea

Monday, June 13, 2022

Dear God,

Conversion, transformation, change...all important for the work of faith.  What if a caterpillar never changed from a caterpillar?  There would be no butterfly.  What if bread dough did not change?  No bread to eat.  What if an infant did not change?  There would be no teenager or adult.

Faith is the same way.  Transformation is growth, exchange from one thing to another.  Conversion can turn hatred into love, chaos into peace and anxiety into quiet.  When we refuse to be different, to stay the same, there is no possibility for anything better.  On the other hand, anything is possible with conversion, transformation and change!  Bring it on, dear God, bring it on!

Help us

become open

to you,

Change-Agent God.

Make us pliable,

willing to 

trust you

to remake us,

renew us

and restore us.

Thank you

for transforming us

into something

or someone more.

Bless you,

Transforming God.

Love, Andrea

Sunday, June 12, 2022

Dear God,

As I once again made my way to the spiritual path, I saw for the first time what I could not see before.  My friend and co-worker raised the issue of the continuing path to the river.  After clearing an area last summer and the rising of new ferns on that cleared path, it was evident a different path was needed.  When Susan shared her thought, it all opened up.  

Although we said we would spend just five minutes cutting and clearing the 15' area, we worked for an hour.  During that time your presence was so apparent as we knew which way, how and what needed to be removed.  Even though it was an initial clearing, the way was made clear.  As we stood atop the hill a few feet away from the entry point we realized how open things were.  The beauty of the area was revealed, each flower, tree, stone, fern and wildflower displayed dancing in the breeze.

The life lesson was apparent.  When we wait, anticipate and listen, all things will be revealed.  Beauty awaits in nature but also in human living.  When we trust, be patient and attentive to your living presence, we will see not only the path but also the beauty along the path.

Holy are you,

Creator God.

We are blessed

by your presence.

Thank you

for revealing

your way.

Thank you

for unexpected gifts.

Thank you

most of all

for your nearness.

Love, Andrea

Saturday, June 11, 2022

Dear God,

Just this morning I once again gazed upon the dogwood tree from our second-story study.  For some unknown reason this tree has really spoken to me this season of spiritual things.  This time as I look at the blossoms, I see the cross in the middle.

If it were not for faith, I would just see a beautiful, white-blossomed dogwood tree.  That alone is a gift; however, I see more.  I see the cross which has become central to my Christian faith.  I look at the cross and I see not only Jesus but God.  I see love, grace, forgiveness, mercy, reconciliation, blessing and inspiration.  I see challenge and the opportunity for transformation.  I breathe in and out, quieting my soul, giving thanks.

Thank you,

Eternal Father,

for the gift

of the 

dogwood tree.

Thank you

for its

living presence.

Thank you

for its message

and its love.

Yours, Andrea

Friday, June 10, 2022

Dear God,

Today as I sat on the spiritual path out in the woods near the river, I heard the sound of silence.  It wasn't that there was no sound because there was; however, the silence lead me toward the solitude of faith.  I sat quietly digging in the dirt, removing weeds and clearing the space for planting.  Even as I worked, I breathed in the light of your love for all creation.

Entering into the deep always calms and challenges my soul.  It asks questions, murmurs gentle love and causes me to think of you.  It clarifies and opens doors to transformative change.  It helps me, nourishes me and equips me.  It calls me to peace and hope but also as an agent of change.  You invite me to take that peace and hope to the world.  Maybe it is a word of encouragement or affirmation to a grocery store worker or a compliment to an elderly woman or a smile for a wounded child or frustrated parent.  Maybe it is simply a good word or a gift that comes from my spiritual treasure.  It connects me to others particularly those who are suffering or hurting.  It renews me while I am about offering ways to renew others.  Yes, this is what silence does.

Holy God,

thank you

for the 

special time

on the path.

Thank you

for making space

for us.

Thank you

for gentle nudging.

I love you.

Yours, Andrea

Thursday, June 9, 2022

Dear God,

This morning as I read my devotional books, one scripture particularly stood out.  It was the story of the woman at the well who came for water and walked away with so much more. 

Living water.  Living water.  Living water.  For the last two weeks when I had Covid and even now, I was continually thirsty.  No amount of water really suffices.  I still thirst.  Perhaps that is why the story lifted off the pages for me.  It is not water I am thirsty for as much as living water with you.

Gracious God,

thank you

for life lessons

that come

in simple,

ordinary ways.

Thank you

for spiritual eyes.

Thank you

for every

daily gift.

Yours, Andrea

Wednesday, June 8, 2022

Dear God,

Right now I am looking out the Maine study room in our home.  There is a gentle breeze and the dogwood limbs and blossoms are dancing in the wind.  Each delicate blossom looks happy in the sunshine beaming down upon them.  They are like happy faces face to face with the divine.

Such scenes call to me to be like them to smile, to lean and bend and to dance at the invitation to move to the delicate rhythm of your spirit.  I want to be that free as well.  I want your light to beam down upon me, for your spirit breath to blow giving me freedom to move and dance and sing and shine.  I want to do it all for you.

Loving God,

ordinary, daily

nature scenes

become extraordinary

when we

see them

in light

of your

living presence.

How blessed

I am today

to witness

such a scene

and witness

your activity

in the world

in which

we live.

Thank you,

Blessed God,

thank you.

Love always, Andrea

Tuesday, June 7, 2022

Dear God,

I have been reading a lot about solitude and its value to the spiritual, psychological and emotional wellbeing in human living.  I remembered again the time I visited the supposed place close to the Sea of Galilee where Jesus "went away to a lonely place."  I remember standing in the tiny cutaway spot in the rock where Jesus dwelled in silence and prayer and meditation.  Although the scriptures do not say specifically that he walked away refreshed, the inference is there.

That was enough for me to begin to consider what it would mean for me to enter into silence and solitude.  As I too prayed for spiritual guidance, I was led to quiet places myself...beside the ocean, in the mountains, at monasteries, a cemetery, in the study at my own home and various labyrinths and spiritual paths.  What I discovered was that I craved this dwelling place.  I wanted to temporarily leave my busyness, chatter, television, computer and other distractions.  I wanted to dwell with you.  I still do.

Thank you,

Holy God,

for quiet places,

for dwelling places,

for grace-filled places.

Thank you

for your presence there.

Thank you

for inviting me in.

Love, Andrea

Monday, June 6, 2022

Dear God,

We are so used to understanding life from our own perspective.  It is only when we are surprised to suddenly see it in a different way that we begin to understand how limited our view really is.

While writing I have enjoyed looking out the study window to gaze upon the beautiful dogwood tree just a couple feet away.  The blossoms are so plentiful and beautiful.  But this morning as I looked out, I did not see the blossoms but rather the tiny stems holding them.  Now I can't look at the blossoms without seeing the stems.

Such a view reminds me of St. Paul's words to the Corinthian Church.  "For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully."  I Cor. 13:12 (NASB)  The truth is we only ever see partly.  There is always more to be known.

Open our eyes

to see

what you see,

O God.

Rid us

of our need

to see

our own way.

Forgive us;

give us

a second chance,

I pray.

Love, Andrea

Sunday, June 5, 2022

Dear God,

What is the spirit if not power and love?  On this Pentecost Sunday, we are reminded that your spirit came, blew upon the people and gave them ability to speak and hear and understand.  This was not a one-time event.  Pentecost is every day.  It blows upon us too.  It gives us abilities beyond our own.  Why do we not act upon it?

If it were not for your spirit, I would not rise in the morning.  I would not make important decisions.  I would not vote or love or reach out.  Your spirit changes everything.  It flows through us.  It empowers us.  It equips us.  It loves us.  It embraces us.  It emboldens us.  It renews and recreates us.  It moves us beyond shallow thinking.  Your spirit gives us light and vision and imagination.  Truly, your spirit wind is the wind beneath our wings!!!

Help us see

and act

upon your spirit,

O God.

Help us remember

your spirit wind

blowing in

and upon us.

Help us

breathe in

and then out

with power

and love.

Yours for always, Andrea

Saturday, June 4, 2022

Dear God,

Silence, that profound space of quiet and calm, is the holy place where we meet, where you speak and I listen and where hope, guidance and comfort reside.  It is a dwelling place that offers more than any human promise on the planet.

As a child I was terrified of silence so I filled the air with chatter, noise and activity.  But something happened more than 30 years ago when I entered the Carmelite Monastery where I discovered silence is not a scary place filled with monsters ready to grab and run.  Rather it is a welcoming space where each and all are invited.

The Carmelite community was present to your Presence and through them I began to find new ways to understand and love you.  I learned to wait, be patient and listen.  I was not disappointed then nor now.  By their example and love I stepped inside your presence without fear, made myself at home and breathed in your spirit like never before.  I still do.

Loving God,

thank you

for the

Carmelite community

who loved me,

taught me

and helped me

find my way anew

to you.

Bless them, Lord,

for all

their gifts,

blessings and inspirations.

They are

my friends,

my teachers

and my inspiration.

Love, Andrea

Friday, June 3, 2022

Dear God,

The present offers us more of your Holy Presence than yesterday or tomorrow.  When we return to the past or linger too long thinking about the future, we miss the glory, value and beauty of the present moment with you.  The wonder of this moment is that it is full of your presence.  Why would I forfeit it for a look backward or forward?

You are always trying to get our attention.  Just this morning you revealed a delicate, exquisite, cream and wine-colored iris standing in the flower garden just outside the front room window.  Its beauty just took my breath as I studied it for it says so much about creation and its creator.  Who but you has the imagination, vision and creative ability to design such a picture of nature?  

For just a few moments, the iris, you and I held a meeting of joy, glory and thanksgiving.

Thank you

for your

holy presence,

Loving, Creator God.

Thank you

for the 

solemn occasion.

Thank you

for glory viewing.

Yours, Andrea

Thursday, June 2, 2022

Dear God,

Seeing from a sick bed is different from normal, every-day-living seeing.  As I continue to battle with Covid, I am seeing more than myself.  Although the symptoms remind me of my illness, you have awakened the deeper sense within me that moves me beyond me to others. This has been one of the small joys of being sick.

You are always reminding me of my connection to the world.  I am one but my oneness has far greater value when I see myself connected to you and others.  As part of a greater community, I find deeper purpose, mercy and love.  My compassion grows as I reflect upon the pain so very evident in the world.  I find myself sending love through prayer to strangers living in other poor, war-torn countries.  I realize my unwellness has meaning as I intentionally connect to those you bring to me while sick.

Holy God,

thank you

for the blessing

of community

and connection.

Thank you

for bringing

suffering strangers

to me.

Thank you

for the treasures

to be found

while ill.

Love always, Andrea

Wednesday, June 1, 2022

Dear God,

From the upstairs window, I am looking at hundreds of yellow dogwood blossoms.  A few days ago they were only buds.  Yet, today the tree is full.  As I lean closer, I can see their centers, strong stems and green, pointed leaves that hold them and I am once again awestruck by nature's rhythm.

Such occasions return me to Ecclesiastes 3 where the author penned, "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven." KJV  The daily, weekly, monthly and yearly rhythms are set by you, Holy God, which means there really is a time to be born and a time to die.  Even the dogwood tree knows its time and season.  

O God,

teach us humans

to lean

into your

divine rhythm.

Help us

to attend

to the 

meaningful cycles

of life.

Rid us

of our need

to control

what is 

naturally yours.

Thank you.

Love, Andrea

Tuesday, May 31, 2022

Dear God,

It is in more vulnerable states that we find ourselves resting near you.  When our minds are fogged up by illness all one can do is rest.  And that resting state means we have opportunity to draw close, to listen and to dwell.

Although Covid has taken its toll, still I find meaning and purpose in praying for others while I am sick.  As I plead for help for parents who lost their children through mass murder, I know I am close to you.  I know when I can go no further in my prayer, your spirit steps in to intercede on their behalf.  My compassion grows and love for others increases.

There is no place where you are not!

Loving Father, 

please comfort

the grieving!

Please stop

the craziness

of our obsession

with guns.

Please hold those

who hurt

so deeply,

I pray.

Love, Andrea

Monday, May 30, 2022

Dear God,

There are times in life when we are laid low by loss or health or other circumstances.  We can feel paralyzed or afraid or destitute.  Yet, these laid-low moments can bring opportunity to find our deep-down dwelling place. If we let go, truly let go and fall into the deep, there it is possible to find the holy divine, that sacred place that is usually only discovered when we pause to let go of all that is shallow and surface and lean forward or backward or sideways into an unknown peace.  We may feel terrified because we have not been there before or know of its existence; yet, because we are part of you and you are part of us from the existence of time, we can find you.

Right now there are many whose deep depths are hurting, grieving and pained.  Loss of children from mass shootings gives a kind of pain that can't help but create a deep, deep hole.  But even there in the deep, deep hole of despair we can find ourselves suddenly in the presence of the only one who resides deeper than the deepest hole.

Holy God,

be our

dwelling place.

Meet us

in the deepest,

darkest places.

Promise us

your presence,

your embrace

and your love,

we pray.

Love, Andrea

Sunday, May 29, 2022

Dear God,

What is joy really?  Is it a sudden burst of happiness?  Is it a temporary ecstasy? 

All through life we look for happiness.  We even tell our children that we want them to be happy but what are we really saying to them?  Search for happiness and life will be good?  If that is the ultimate of what we want for them and ourselves, then we and they are never going to have a truly fulfilling life.  Why want a cheap substitute for joy for our loved ones or ourselves?

There is a dramatic difference between joy and happiness!  Happiness is something we can acquire in the moment, ie a funny story, being silly with someone, exchanging gifts and so on.  Happiness happens, gives us an adrenaline rush and then it is over.  

But joy, joy is not an external happening.  We do not have to look outside ourselves for joy.  Joy is part of our genetic makeup that comes from the moment you envisioned us, that holy time when you touched us even before our parents touched each other.  You whispered your love into being and at some point our human body caught up with your word that makes all things become flesh.  What that means is that joy came before us.  It claims us and continues in us for all time.  Even when death claims our body, joy still resonates in the cosmos.

When we connect with your joy in a visceral way, we are made new or we are healed or transformed.  All of us, body, mind, soul and spirit are invigorated with the divine stuff of eternity.  Even in moments of tragedy, sorrow or loss, joy is at work within us to cool and calm and give life.

Holy God,

thank you

for being

joy itself.

Thank you

for equipping us

with a part

of yourself.

Why would

it be otherwise?

Love always, Andrea