Thursday, July 28, 2022

Dear God,

Peace, true peace, the deep-down kind of peace only comes from you.  Although we may find inner peace within ourselves, until we dig even deeper into that deep connecting place in you, we will never discover and live the peace you give.

Why do we attempt to live life in our own power?  Why do we not tap into the divine power you offer?  Not the kind that wields itself over others but the kind that converts our own souls.  We miss opportunities to be transformed bringing wisdom, hope and faith.

Lead us

to peace,

O God,

your peace.

Teach us

to dig deep

in the 

inner recesses

of faith's 

first love.

Lead us

to you,

I pray.

Love, Andrea

Wednesday, July 27, 2022

Dear God,

Why do we set ourselves up as small gods?  Why do we think our way is the only way?  Why do we operate as everyone else is underling to follow our will and lead?

Lately in my devotional reading I have listened to Richard Rohr and Henri Nouwen speak of listening as an act of love and devotion.  We do not always have to agree with others' opinions but out of our love for you and every brother and sister, we act in holy listening.  As we listen, really listen, we find there are moments of unity, understanding and sometimes shifts in our thinking and appreciation of the other.  Only in this way shall we find love once again.

Loving God,

author and creator

of all 

that is good,

thank you

for today's

life lesson.

Thank you

for teaching us

to listen.

May we 

listen to

your voice first

and then

our neighbor.

Love, Andrea

Tuesday, July 26, 2022

Dear God,

What can I say to you for every gift you give?

You are the great healer.

You are the hope of the world.

You are the blessed redeemer.

You are the loving parent.

You are a wise teacher.

You are the faith-giver, the faith-revealer.

You are love personified.

You are the well of blessing.

You are the kind shepherd.

You are the cosmos great listener.

You are the peace provider.

You are the source of all love.

You are the door opener.

You are the compassionate corrector.

You are the creator of the cosmos and all humanity. 

You are the collector of all our tears.

You are the artistic designer of all life.

You are Blessed God!

Thank you,

Holy One,

for being all

that you are.

Thank you

for being

the supreme giver

of all life.

Thank you

for touching

our lives

every day.

All glory

to you, Lord.

Love, Andrea

Monday, July 25, 2022

Dear God,

Today my heart was heavy.  I was worried sick for a granddaughter.  She was constantly on my mind so I sat down on the steps leading into the hermitage on our spiritual path and began to pray.  I lifted her up and her whole family.  I asked for healing and hope and even for peace.  It was as I was ending my prayer that I opened my eyes to see before me several, heavy, flat stones I bought about four years ago.  I had moved them several times and tried to make some designs with them for the opening to the hermitage but nothing worked so I kept moving them out of the way of my work on the path.

But after praying for Charlie, I had a vision that revealed how the stones were to be laid out.  For the first time I saw two of the stones were shaped into hearts.  How did I miss that over the years?  I began the work and within 15 minutes it was done using every stone.  The two heartstones are the last two stones to step on leading up the steps to the hermitage and the rest of the stones form a starburst. 

Because Charlie, my granddaughter, and I shared a holy experience several years ago, I wrote her about it the prayer and the vision.  She was so moved and inspired of what it did to make her feel so very, very special.  I don't know what all it means.  What I do know it brought a temporary reprieve from fear and anxiety to peace and joy for both Charlie and me.

Gracious, Loving God,

there is 

no one

who cares

more than you.

You hear

our every prayer.

You listen

and respond

with compassionate love.

You transform us.

Blessed are you.

Love, Andrea

Sunday, July 24, 2022

Dear God,

Sometimes just listening to the wind, the rain and the dark clouds can speak to us.  It can tell us stories of fear turning to faith, hate turning to love and impossibility turning to possibility.  It was Elijah who even heard God in the silence.

We are so used to instantly getting what we want when we want it.  Social media, technology of all kinds and fast food give messages that patience is not needed.  Waiting is wasteful of time and energy.  Why wait?  Yet, at the same time, when we are not pressing our instant wants, desires and needs and we wait patiently, clearing our minds, we can discover answers to our most pressing needs in the quiet wait.

I must confess I am not always patient.  I do not want to wait but I have learned from your hand that patient waiting will produce greater gifts, more peace and calm and beauty and wonder.  Surprises appear, new perspectives come, and more satisfying answers are revealed.

Thank you,

Almighty and Patient God,

for continually

teaching us

lessons of faith,

hope and perseverance.

Thank you

for inviting us

into the

deep places

in life

where you

await us.

Love, Andrea

Saturday, July 23, 2022

Dear God,

Early in the morning I was working on the spiritual path when I heard the sound of quacking ducks.  I stood up and watched as the ducks landed on the river and floated with the current.  I walked down to the river's edge and took a picture.  I listened to them talk to one another and my own weary heart breathed in peace.

I am always astounded when by faith you move in our lives.  You give us unexpected gifts that touch, inspire and help us.  This morning you used my senses so I could see and hear your blessing.  Thank you.

You are God;

there is none

like you.

Just when

I needed you,

you came

to me.

You brought me

the oil

of gladness.

I am

so grateful.

Love, Andrea

Friday, July 22, 2022

Dear God,

About five years ago my neighbor and I selected and purchased some oddly shaped, large, flat stones to put under a bench.  When we got home, she decided she did not like them so that was that.  Since I had bought them, I was stuck with stones that would not fit anywhere else.

One day I wheeled the stones out to my spiritual path in the woods near the river.  Somehow, I knew I would use them there.  But months and years passed.  I played with the stones in front of the hermitage but nothing ever worked.

All that changed today.  I was sitting on the steps to the hermitage.  I was praying for my granddaughter who began having seizures a few days ago.  My heart was terribly troubled.  When I opened my eyes, I looked at the stones that were all astray and I noticed something for the first time.  Two of the stones were shaped like hearts.  All this time looking at them, it was the first time I saw it.  That was when the vision came.  I began picking up the stones and laying them out.  In ten minutes it was finished.  Two hearts and a starburst.  Today was the day you chose to not only speak to my heart but also to complete the area leading to the hermitage always dedicated to you.  

Holy God,

you are filled

with great surprises.

Thank you

for the

amazing gift

you gave today.

My heart

is yours.

Love, Andrea

Thursday, July 21, 2022

Dear God,

Today was such a scary day when we learned our granddaughter Charlie had a grand mal seizure while touring with a school group in France.  All we could do was fall at your feet in prayer.  "O God, save our Charlie, heal her and get her home safely."  We prayed.  For hours we trusted in you as we waited silently as she flew home to Indiana.  What else could we do?

Holy Healer,

our Charlie

is your own.

Her life

has been hard

but she 

is bright,

full of promise.

She is loving

and compassionate.

She wants

her purpose

in life

to be

to help others.

Please give her

that chance,

I pray.

Love, Andrea

Wednesday, July 20, 2022

Dear God,

Connection, that something that links us with others on the planet.  To have someone who loves us is remarkable, a gift beyond comprehension.  But also, to unite ourselves to mother earth and her children, animal, mineral and all.  Yet, there is one connection beyond all these, our connection with you.  For you are creator, healer, redeemer, lover and teacher.  You connect with us as each of these.

When we feel alone, isolated, without friends, family and caregivers, our connections seem lost, gone, vanished.  We can become despairing, afraid and lose hope.  Because we have no sense of being part of something or someone more than ourselves, we lose direction, depth and purpose.

But this is not your design.  You make us to be united deeply with you and others.  It is out of your own stuff that we are made.  We hear ancient followers remind us we are made in your image.  How can that be if we do not carry your own DNA?  You are our deepest connection, a beautiful weaving of the divine and human together.  In our lostness we only need to remember whose we are.

Thank you,

Holy Father,

for the gift

of union,

a sacred, 

holy union

made by 

your hands.

Thank you

for including all

of us.

Thank you

for making us

a beloved community.

Yours, Andrea

Tuesday, July 19, 2022

Dear God,

How good it is when we pray for one another!  Praying is an act of love we offer on behalf of someone else.  We join you and our loved one when we pray.  It is truly a circle of love.

I am so often reminded of my loving grandmother who knelt by her bed on her bony knees on hardwood floors and prayed aloud for of each of her grandchildren.  I remember my name coming from her lips.  

But the prayer I will always remember is when she was suffering from hardening of the arteries or dementia.  She had been lost to us for a couple of years, but my heart was sad and wounded and I just wanted to talk with Grandma.  I sat on the floor at the nursing home where she resided because she was so bent over and I wanted to look right into her eyes.  I poured out my heart to her expecting nothing more than her presence but all of a sudden, she put her hands on my shoulders and prayed aloud to you saying my name.  I could not believe it, I just could not believe it.  I was so happy that my tears became tears of joy and gratitude.  Within seconds she was gone again and we never connected that way again.  But that simple prayer, a prayer full of love is one I shall always remember and cherish forever.

Holy God,

thank you

for making

the impossible

possible when

we need it.

Thank you

for Grandma

and her

many gifts

of love.

Thank you

for her prayer

that changed everything.

Thank you too

for sweet memories

that are

never lost.

Yours, Andrea

Monday, July 18, 2022

Dear God,

When I arrived home after several hours of being on a car, two long shuttles and an airplane, I breathed in prayers of thanksgiving.  It is so easy to pray for trust and help in our fears but often we fail to give thanks for the gift you give us.  Today in my weariness I uttered my gratitude as I fell to sleep.

Gratitude is a gift we give back to you.  It is acknowledging your presence, help and love.  It is offering back our appreciation for providing for us.  If we forget to give thanks, our earlier prayer is incomplete.  

Thank you,

Loving God,

for every gift.

Thank you

for help,

for giving us

what we need

when we

need it.

Thank you

for being

our God

and for

loving us

more than

any other.

Blessings on you,

Compassionate God.

Love, Andrea

Sunday, July 17, 2022

Dear God,

Trust, we must learn to trust you in all things, in ALL things.  Flying is not my favorite thing.  I always feel butterflies stirring when the captain gives the full thrust at the edge of the runway.  But that is the signal of faith for me to trust you for not only my safety but for all those in the air.

You are always inviting us to trust you, Lord.  You want to calm our fears and anxieties.  You want us to breathe in the air of hope, serenity and peace.  When we turn ourselves over to you, we find all these things.

Thank you,

Compassionate God,

for the gift

of trust.

Breathe trust

into us,

O God.

Make us

a trusting people.

Thank you

for trust today.

Love, Andrea

Saturday, July 16, 2022

Dear God,

Today was a day we were not sure would come.  We thought Lori, my cousin, would die with her diseased heart.  Because she had additional problems, she was considered high risk.  She was bedridden and only had a few weeks to live the doctor told us.  Yet, once she was on a transplant list, she was given a heart after only 38 days.   

Today family and friends gathered to give thanks and celebrate on her one-year anniversary.  And celebrate we did.  While we shared the story and the celebration which was wonderful, more than anything else, we gave thanks to you.

Blessed are you,

Loving and Compassionate God.

Thank you

for saving Lori.

Thank you

for the 

generous donor

who made provision

to help

a dying recipient.

Blessed are those

who give

and bless others.

Love, Andrea

Friday, July 15, 2022

Dear God,

Sometimes hopes, wishes and dreams live only in our minds.  We may want more but until we open the door to possibilities, we shall never make any real.

When I decided to fly home for ten days, I decided to make every one of these real for me.  At the same time I realized I would need to trust you leading me to special time with family and friends.  I could not believe each one said yes.  For nine of those days you brought very special people to me, children, grandchildren, cousins and friends.  Every day was filled with joy, laughter and remembering.  

What I learned is this:  Hopes, wishes and dreams can become realities when we trust in you to help us connect.  When we lean into you, when we ask for your guidance and when we trust you, our lives can open to many possibilities.  And the beautiful thing is those things we want become even more valuable gifts when your handprint is upon each one.  There is so much more for which to give thanks and praise.

Holy Father,

thank you

for the gifts

of my family

and friends.

You touched

my heart

so deeply.

I felt

not only

the love

of special ones

but also

of you.

Yours, Andrea

Thursday, July 14, 2022

Dear God,

The James Webb telescope is moving us toward knowing more about our earliest beginnings in creation.  We are going deeper and deeper into space where we will perhaps discover how the earth was formed and life arose.  Will we find your handprint, O God?  Will we see you?

As I reflect upon faith, I always see you before it.  I believe you to be the only existence until the blackness filled with life.  Yet, what do I really know?  What will we find, Loving Creator?

Reveal yourself

to us,

O God,

I pray.

Show us

the way

to you.

Let this telescope

make its way

deep, so deep

we shall

see you.

Love, Andrea

Wednesday, July 13, 2022

Dear God,

What do we do when the world is turned upside down?  How do we hold on?

The news is so upsetting.  People of color, innocent children and hurting individuals are being tossed about like trash on a beach.  I do not understand; I simply do not understand!

How can this go on, dear God?  How can lies, malice and threats rule our country?  Whatever happened to the truth that sets us free?  

Please help us,

Eternal God.

We need you.

Our brothers

and sisters

are wounded,

hurting and afraid.

Please, Loving God,

show us

the way

to healing

and hope.

Love, Andrea

Tuesday, July 12, 2022

Dear God,

It is difficult watching the January 6 Committee hearings regarding the insurrection that took place on that date.  It is nearly inconceivable that such horror took place at our nation's capital; yet it did.  It is painful to remember and now know more details of the corruption that weaved its way through the White House. I confess I become angry and sometimes weep for all the deceit, manipulation and lies that became daily events.  Such greed and hunger for power!

While we point fingers at evildoers in our own seat of government, you whisper to us to look inwardly at our own selves.  You wish us to do our own internal examination, to find sources of evil doing in our own lives.  Such exercises are intended to remind us we all need regular clean ups.  We will continue to collect rubbish along the way if we do not do regular checkups.  Your love gives us opportunity to make all things new.

Lead us

to truth,

O God,

the truth

that can

set us free.

We need clean ups.

We need you.

Love, Andrea

Monday, July 11, 2022

Dear God,

There is no doubt you are doing a new thing!  As our government, church and other institutions continue to fall apart, new parts are coming together.  A little from this and a little from that seem to be merging.  While I do not understand, I do know you are in the center of it all.

We forget to change, to be pliable and open to your leading.  We like things the way they are or at least we are familiar with the old, so we remain the same.  But your spirit always reminds us we are to be like clay always ready for a new squeeze, a shift, a remaking.  The longer we go without change, the more likely we are to never change, never have a fresh breeze upon us or never to find a new path leading to adventure, hope, new sights and sounds, faith and peace.  You never give up on us.  Sometimes you give in but always, you are offering new perspectives, new transformation and new ways.

Teach us

to anticipate

your movement

in our lives,

Holy and Compassionate God.

Lead us

to you.

Make us ready

to surrender,

take hold

and move forward.

Love, Andrea

Sunday, July 10, 2022

Dear God,

As I was surrounded by family at our reunion, I remembered once again how all things are gifts from your hands.  We didn't just get together; we got together because you knew we needed each other.  We needed to hug, express our love to one another and to give thanks for sweet memories.  We needed to laugh, tell stories and offer expressions of thanksgiving.  We needed to acknowledge gifts from the past.

Every day is filled with gifts from your hand.  The sunrise, the gentle breezes, the birdsong, the flavorful cup of coffee, fresh fruit from the seasoned vine, a hug from a loved one, all these and more are beautiful gifts.  As the sun sets nightly, we have opportunity to remember and give thanks for all the gifts of the day.  Today was a special day with family, one I will not forget!

Thank you,

Gracious God,

for today's gift

of family.

It was

a beautiful time together.

Let me

never forget

all your gifts.

Love, Andrea

Saturday, July 9, 2022

Dear God,

Seventeen came, seventeen.  Seventeen members of my family came to reunite, hug, tell stories, remember and share love.  I thought I was the only one hungry for family.  Not so, we all were.  What a time we had together!

I realized you knew our hunger before we did.  You knew what each needed.  You knew how to feed each one.  By the time the day was over, we were full.

You, O God,

you feed us

from your plate

and cup,

from your own.

You want

to feed

hungry children.

Today I tasted

your food

and it 

was like

no other.

Thank you.

Love, Andrea

Friday, July 8, 2022

Dear God,

You always lead us where we need to go!  When we are open, wide open, we can step into our sacred moments.  On this day with a cousin whom I have been apart from for decades, we reached back in time and found home once again.

We found ourselves on the family farm, laughing, eating home-cooked food, sharing funny stories, filling in places we had forgotten and growing our love for our history, family and faith.  Whereas I had felt a longing for family, I found myself filling up remembering, savoring and celebrating.

Loving God,

you always

remember us.

While we

may feel empty,

your fullness

spills over

into us

and we

are filled.

Thank you

for today's

leading gift!

Yours, Andrea

Thursday, July 7, 2022

Dear God,

My cousin Jim flew in today.  From Florida, I rarely see him, but you made provision so that Jim could come for our family reunion.  What a gift.

As we sat and talked for a long time, we remembered together childhood memories, crazy adventures and family secrets.  We shared from the depths and I thought of what a gift it is to not have to cover over or hide or simply fudge the truth.  We just spoke it and understood in love.  

Thank you,

O God,

for the gift

of family.

Thank you

for the truth

that sets us free.

Thank you

for your compassion

and for tending

to our needs.

Love, Andrea

Wednesday, July 6, 2022

Dear God,

There is power in remembering.  When life seems lost or confusing, you invite us to remember.  Remember love.  Remember faith.  Remember joy.  When we return to memories of yesterday, we can find our way home once again.

The sweetest memories of those with you.  When I was paralyzed in my cancer diagnosis, you met me at the door of my fear.  You invited me in with you.  You showed me around in the dark.  You told me not to be afraid, to trust you.  You showed me the way to the light.  You brought me great joy.  That one memory has fed my soul on my occasions.

This week you are blessing me with extended family, family I have not seen for some time.  You are gathering them for us to be together.  There is joy in even waiting for the upcoming day!

Blessed are you,

Loving and Compassionate God,

you always know

our situation.

You reach out

to us

offering acceptance

and love.

You give us

your hand

and your heart.

Yours, Andrea

Tuesday, July 5, 2022

Dear God,

Our world is languishing, dear Father.  There is so much pain and sorrow.  It is as if we live in a world of darkness.  Yet, your light shines daily.  You promised your Light would always shine even when we attempted to snuff it out.  We need your light more than we need our own.

And what is that light?  It is the eternal light that shines from everlasting to everlasting.  It warms, engenders hope, gives love, offers peace and welcomes.  All things we need so much, all of us, not just some.  And what happens when we receive it?  We become light too.  We can carry that light with us everywhere we go.  We too can warm and love and give and help and offer and comfort.  And for your sake, why would we not want to?

Help us,

guide us,

O God.

Help us 

first see

the light

and then

become the light.

Help us shine

for all

to see,

not for show

but for healing,

reconciliation and love.

Yours, Andrea

Monday, July 4, 2022

Dear God,

We walk in our sleep forgetting to wake up.  Through the mist we see only foggy displays of people, situations and nature.  We respond with the little we have, often shortchanging ourselves and others around us.  We fail to fully awaken to the truth that reveals the truth that can set all free.

You call us to open our eyes to the new day.  You desire us to yawn, stretch and fully breathe in the air of your living spirit.  You want us fully alive so that we may see what you see and do what you do, not for ourselves alone but for the world around us.  Why allow a whole population of half-dead people to wander in a world so in need?  You have all we need to bless, inspire and transform!

Call us

to rise

from our sleep,

O God.

Teach us

the lessons

of faith

that awaken us

with the

gentle breeze

of your spirit 

upon our face.

Fill us

with joy

for the task.

Love, Andrea

Sunday, July 3, 2022

Dear God,

How long does it take to get to repentance?  We only like to go the distance to reach our destination as long as we don't have to do anything hard along the way.  However, we can't ever sidestep the true path that will ultimately lead us where we want and need to go.

While I imagine it would be almost impossible for politicians to step into repentance leading to wholeness and newness of life, I can't point to them unless I am willing to examine my own life.  Funny, how it works that way.  Repentance.

Holy God,

lead the way,

right into

the puddles

of repentance.

No destination

is complete

without it.

Reveal the truth

of others

at the

same time

you disclose

our own shortcomings.

Thank you.

Love, Andrea

Saturday, July 2, 2022

Dear God,

The cucumbers, astilbe and rosemary plants were half dead by the time I planted them.  I had overextended myself and simply could not get to them.  I failed to water, tend and prune their dying leaves.  When I finally planted them, I felt guilty so I prayed they would live and thrive.

Just the way I do to my emotional and spiritual life.  Neglect, resistance and failure lead to the same thing...wilting, drying up and beginning to die.  A panic attack at hoping and praying life will return is certainly not a good lesson in faith.

But as I sat in the damp soil, potting the plants, filling them up with organic, rich soil and cool water, I realized how your presence stays with all things, humans included, while we go on our way in life.  I sat for a moment giving thanks for second chances.

You are God;

there is none

like you,

Creator God.

Thank you

for the constancy

of your 

living presence.

Thank you

for yet

another chance

to get

it right.

Love, Andrea

Friday, July 1, 2022

Dear God,

The tender roots of the rosemary plant were all entwined after sitting two weeks before planting.  The cucumber plants did the same.  I neglected them until they were half dead.  They taught me a lesson.

Humans are like plants.  If we fail to properly care for our own roots, we too will wither and decline.  Without emotional, psychological and spiritual support, there is little hope for us.  However, if we take in sufficient nourishment, there is a chance we will revive and even thrive.

This morning I planted that rosemary and the cucumber plants.  Now, I am ready to sit down and tend to my own care.

Thank you,

Gracious God,

for showing us

the way

to spiritual

and emotional health.

Teach us

the lessons

of faith,

I pray.

Bless me,

I ask,

as I sit

with spiritual friends.

Love, Andrea

Thursday, June 30, 2022

Dear God, 

A new day is unfolding, filled with possibility.  The sun rose and it will descend once again.  Both are signs from you, Living God.

This morning I rose with hope in my heart and a belief that you were already present.  I did not have to beg you to come.  

Holy God,

today please

help me

give you delight

in my thoughts,

practices and actions.

May I

paint this day beautiful

for you,

O God.

May I

sprinkle joy

and hope

and light

and peace

to all those

around me.

May I

close out

this day

with gratitude.

Love, Andrea