Thursday, December 29, 2022

Dear God,

This morning my daughter called and shared her Christmas miracles.  Two simple but extraordinary things happened during the days leading up to Christmas day.  She was so happy.  All I could do was celebrate with her.

Some things we learned again.  You can make a way where there is no way and you can open a locked door.  My daughter's miracles proved that once again.  Hallelujah!

Thank you,

dear God,

for reminding us

of your

miraculous ways.

Keep reminding us

so we

do not forget.

Blessings to you

for every gift!

Love, Andrea

Wednesday, December 28, 2022

Dear God,

What a difference it is to share good news of your loving spirit working in our lives instead of troubles, old wounds and things we don't have.  As we fill ourselves with gratitude and pour out words of thanksgiving, our hearts are lifted, our minds are decluttered, and our spirits breathe easier.  Joy begins to spread through us.

Our covenant group was just like that this morning, Lord, as we shared the good things of life.  I found myself smiling at the end of the conference call.  

Holy God,

thank you

for showing us

a better way.

Thank you

for leading us

to gratitude.

Thank you

for blessing us.

Yours, Andrea

Tuesday, December 27, 2022

Dear God,

In the quiet December morning I simply gaze out upon the snowy landscape and feel your presence so near.  I watch out the window as the robin hops from branch to branch finding red berries to eat.  She watches me as I watch her because she found our house days ago and has made a temporary home here.

I am always wowed by the ways you bring people and animals together.  When I mentioned the plump bird to my daughter, she said she watched her all Christmas day because she sat near the window.  I simply named her Robin and welcomed her to our holy space.  

Thank you,

Loving God,

for loving

all creatures.

Thank you

for bringing us together.

Thank you

for the

surprising gifts

of Advent

and Christmas!

Love, Andrea

Monday, December 26, 2022

Dear God,

You have opened door after door this Advent season!  What a special gift!  When I prayed early in Advent for you to open doors, I had no idea who you would bring into my life.  I just knew I desired to walk through each door.

Two young men delivered our new mattress.  You whispered and I gave them each $20 for Christmas.  One man came to repair our garage door opener and I gave him a jar of my homemade jam.  I heard you say the name "Family Promise" and I went to Speedway Gas Station and bought $300 worth of gas cards for people struggling to get to work.  All month long you woke me to the need of someone and when the door opened, I walked through it aiding someone. I do believe this door opening was the best gift of Christmas for me!

Thank you,

Blessed God,

for the gift

of faith.

Thank you

for opening doors

and quickening me

to the need

of others.

How beautiful

to walk

through surprising doors.

I love you.

Yours, Andrea

Sunday, December 25, 2022

Dear God,

There is so much to celebrate how I saw your spirit dance in the candle flames during Christmas Eve worship, how I felt your living presence this morning as I sat before the creche and sang, "What Child is This?" and how I experienced faith as the greatest gift I have ever been given.  So much for which to give thanks!

Christmas time is such a mysterious time filled with possibilities for anything to happen.  Every gift from twinkling night skies to early morning sun risings, from happy-faced children to immigrant families given refuge and from sick friends being healed by good doctors and many prayers and specialty foods and homemade candies.  Every day there are opportunities to see the light and be the light in the darkness.

As I write at my kitchen table, I am feeling full, full of love for you, my savior, for my family and friends, for good health, a warm home, medicine in the cabinet but more importantly a baby boy in a manger.

Holy God,

thank you

for the gift

of Christmas,

for all

its love,

faith and prayer.

Thank you

for moving

in our midst

every day

but especially

at Christmas.

Thank you

for being

the gift

of Christmas.

Love always, Andrea

Saturday, December 24, 2022

Dear God,

Such a holy day today.  Christmas Eve, so many memories of worship services, giving and receiving Holy Communion, lighting our candles from the Christ candle, singing hymns, offering prayers, listening to the word become flesh, such a holy day.

Tomorrow will be about family, food, gifts, sharing memories, laughter, games and more food.  It will be wonderful but only because of Christmas Eve, the holy day and night.  Your living presence takes us home and at this moment I find myself already there.

Thank you,

Holy Father,

for the gift

of this day.

Thank you

for the quiet,

the time

of reverence

and the holiness

of praise

for a

baby boy,

a holy

baby boy

and faith

made real

once again.

Love, Andrea

Friday, December 23, 2022

Dear God,

It is bitterly cold outside with wind chills of minus 38 degrees.  Millions are cold, many without heat, electricity and water.  A cyclone bomb has hit across our nation bringing with it a wicked cold.  As I sit in my home of 66 degrees with the emergency heat on, I think of the homeless, refugees and others down on their luck. How can I remain warm and cozy when others are suffering?

Teach us

to love

and pray

for all

who suffer,

O God.

Show us

the way

to help others

in need.

Love, Andrea

Thursday, December 22, 2022

Dear God,

I can't help it; I love my Christmas tree.  I love turning out all the lights and sitting beside it with the tiny, white lights all aglow.  I love the ornaments, many handmade, many bought while traveling, some from my childhood, some given as gifts and others I accumulated.  Although I love everything about my snow-flocked tree, the thing I love the most is the way it quietly cries out, "A savior is born."  It tells me the story of the first Christmas, a baby born in a stable.  Like the angels, I do my own hallelujahs.

I believe we continue to celebrate Christmas because we need to.  We need to remember.  We need to reflect.  We need to give thanks.  We need to know why Jesus came bringing Christmas.  We need to turn our hearts toward you and others.  We need Christmas because we need Jesus.

Thank you,

Holy Father,

for the gift

of Christmas.

Thanks for everything

that points

to Christ,

the tree,

the lights,

the decorations,

the music

and the gifts.

May we

celebrate well

his coming.

Love, Andrea

Wednesday, December 21, 2022

Dear God,

President Zelensky is a man of great courage and so are his people.  As the president of Ukraine, he has shown amazing resilience, determination and hope in his fight with the Russian president.  For 300 days great numbers of people have lived with little shelter, electricity, food, medicine and water.  Yet, they plan to celebrate Christmas even if in the dark.

Sometimes great leaders emerge that teach us what it means to be a person of compassion.  When we offer our paltry gifts to the needy at Christmas, we think we have expressed compassion but ours is little compared to how much is being given in places of destruction, loss and sorrow.  We forget what it means to love deep and wide.

Thank you for yet another reminder and example of your love at work in the world!

Thank you

for the people

of Ukraine

and all places

in the world

where pain

and loss

are everywhere.

Thank you

for people

who take love

to the 

next level.

Yours, Andrea

Tuesday, December 20, 2022

Dear God, 

"His love endures forever."  Psalm 136 repeats these words over and over again after affirmative statements of what you have done.  "His love endures forever."

Every day, all day long, we could be whispering these words.  When we have enough food on the table, we could say, "His love endures forever."  When we have medicine in the cupboard, clean water running from the faucet and hope in our hearts, we should murmur, "His loves endures forever."  

This morning as I gaze at my lighted Christmas tree and reflect upon children, grandchildren and great children who are healthy and well, I simply mutter, "His love endures forever."

Thank you, 

Good Lord,

for the blessing

of the psalmist.

Thank you

for the reminder

that your love

endures forever.

Forgive us

when we forget,

dismiss or

push aside

your incredible blessings.

Love, Andrea

Monday, December 19, 2022

Dear God,

Your word speaks hope.  It directs us to consider your blessings in our lives.  It buoys our faith.

Yesterday once again I learned the value of your word.  As I stood in the modest, small home of my grandson's fiancée, I savored the opportunity to be with family.  Three great grandchildren, a wonderful blend of hers, his and theirs, were playing with their four cousins. We talked about Christmas as I brought in their gifts and favorite goodies I had baked for them.  My heart was full especially when Cali, the ten-year-old, came over to me, put her arms around me and hugged me for a long time.  I looked at tree ornaments they had made at school, asked questions of all of them and breathed in the air of love before I left.

For all sorts of reasons, for years I have had a fragile relationship with my daughter.  I wish it were not so.  I went years without seeing their family but then one day something changed.  With crazy schedules, distance and all, I only get to be with my grandson's family for about 30 minutes but it is a beautiful 30 minutes.  Hugs, smiles and much joy find their way into my heart and I soak it up!  As I drive away, I think of a line from a movie, "I would rather have 30 minutes of wonderful than a lifetime of nothing special."  

Although it will be difficult to get together again until next Christmas, my soul is glad and I rest in the hope and love you provide!

Blessed are you,

Loving God.

Thank you

for the gift

of Christmas

with family.

Thank you

for your word

that gives hope

over and over again.

Love, Andrea

Sunday, December 18, 2022

Dear God,

When we sit in the same place over and over again, we see only from one perspective.  But when we are required to move because someone else took our seat, our perspective changes thanks to you.   Probably what we need to do is sit somewhere different every week.

We are so used to one perspective.  We live lives based on seeing the same way.  You, O Lord, challenge us to shake things up a bit.  You want us to be open to new realizations.  You want us to pause, reflect and change.  How else can we be clay in your hands?  How can we ever be transformed?  How can we be remodeled into the image you have especially for each of us?

Every day

you have

a new message

for us.

You want

to teach us

a new way.

You want

to give us

a new song

to sing.

Open us

to your

Living Spirit,

I pray.

Love, Andrea

Saturday, December 17, 2022

Dear God,

How do we listen to the deepest darkness of the soul when someone shares it?  How can we truly help change their situation when they have done all they can do?

I had to do this today.  I felt such loss as I heard the anguish.  I wanted to change everything making healing possible.  While the light is what still keeps the person alive, yet, it appears the darkness is so wide and deep that the light does not seem enough.  Oh, Lord, what do I do to help persons with such pain?

You are

the light

of the world,

O God,

shine your light

I pray.

Direct it

into the lives

of those

whose darkness

is deep.

Eradicate darkness

that steals

the light,

I pray.

Love, Andrea

Friday, December 16, 2022

Dear God,

I am so drawn into your light, Loving God.  I see one bright star in the dark sky, one twinkling Christmas light or one flame of a glowing candle and I am pulled into you.  It is like standing in the Light in the middle of darkness.  Each time a feeling of joy rises up inside me.

How do you do it, dear God?  How do you instantly bring peace to us?  Have you programmed us to respond to light or did you plant light inside us so we would recognize you immediately?  

When we lose our light for whatever reason, a loss, a sorrow or frustration, remind us that your light shines 24/7.  For your light is eternal; it always shines!

Thank you,

Holy God,

for your light

that radiates,

glows, warms

and loves.

Thank you

for turning us

toward you.

Thank you

for love

that makes 

it all happen.

Yours, Andrea

Thursday, December 15, 2022

Dear God,

Today you reminded me all I am currently doing is love work, love work that first stems from you and then outward.  Why would we give Christmas gifts if not for love?

Gifts for my family, friends and even strangers all remind me that Christmas is all above love.  Everything we do for Christmas is all about your love uniquely coming into the world.  We give to others because you give to us.  When we realize and acknowledge your love for us, then when we reach out, we pass the love along.  Whether we give gifts that are great or small, smile at disappointed or frustrated people, give greetings to sad, weary folk, make the ways easier for someone else or offer our self in service to others, we do so because of love.

As I bagged gifts, took gas cards to a local center and packaged goodies to send out of state to friends suffering difficulty, I heard your murmurings about love work.  How wonderful to partner with you, O God.  Thanks for the love that extends way past the Christmas season.

Compassionate and Wondrous God,

thank you

for the

many gifts

of your love.

Thank you

for inviting me

into your 

love work.

I am blessed.

Yours, Andrea

Wednesday, December 14, 2022

Dear God, 

In these quiet moments, silence allows me to listen for your voice.  I can hear your promises.  I can feel your love.  I can know you are with me.  When I get busy or distracted, I cannot find you.  Only in silence is there space for fellowship, confession, mercy, love and joy.

Advent gives me more silence than usual.  The Christmas lights whisper, "Be still and know God."  The decorations say, "Celebrate the One who has come and is coming."  Christmas music sings, "There is cause for joy!"  Gaily wrapped packages or Christmas bags I have made, candies and goodies on the table and Christmas novels and movies all lead me to you where silence can once again prevail bringing greater, more beautiful moments together.

Thank you,

Loving God,

for this

holy time.

Thank you

for silence

that provides

more gifts

than those

under the tree.

Thank you

for special time together!

Yours, Andrea

Tuesday, December 13, 2022

Dear God,

Advent is here inviting us to draw near to you.  It is a time to reflect upon blessings, answers to prayer and helps and encouragement you have given us.  It is about what we already have not what we are missing.  When we really live in gratitude for all your gifts, life is just better.

When I hear of people who are giving gifts to others, of time, resource and help, I am inspired to do the same.  I find that giving to others is far more meaningful and fulfilling than grumbling about what I do not have. When I am expressing gratitude and thanksgiving my heart is fuller and happier.  My perspective on life changes and I can be transformed.  As such with your help, I can be an agent of transformation for others.

Blessed are you,

Almighty and Everlasting God.

Thank you

for morning messages

of hope

and love.

Thank you

for drawing me close.

Love, Andrea

Monday, December 12, 2022

Dear God,

Right now there is so much sadness and sorrow and suffering in our world!  Whether through war, injustice, poverty, natural disaster or economic woes, people are hurting, some very deeply.  These are sisters and brothers either by biology or creation.  It doesn't matter which; they are equally family.

How can we ever help ease such pain?

Help us

help each other,

O God.

Guide us

in ways

where we

can do

our part.

Lead us,

Great Shepherd

to your lambs

in need,

I pray.

Love, Andrea

Sunday, December 11, 2022

Dear God,

All creation is painted by your hand.  As I look out the study window, I see pink, blue and gray skies on this cold December morning. All I want to do is stare at your artistic work.

Every day is a picture of wonder!  The exquisite colors, shapes and textures profoundly speak of your divine artistry.  How could anyone question your existence?  As I sit and marvel, it causes me to want to shout your praise!  And who would not want to join me?

You are God;

there is none

like you.

Thank you

for early 

morning gifts.

Thank you

for your

living presence

on display!

Love, Andrea

Saturday, December 10, 2022

Dear God,

All day long you call us to quiet moments of love, hope and reflection.  You invite us to pause, take a deep breath and draw near to you. You ask us to look around, to count our blessings.  These brief inspirational moments are filled with faith, awe and beauty.

These tiny moments help us build up faith, peace and hope.  They tell us we are not alone but rather connected at a very deep level.  They give us reason to slow down, to aid in our healing and to help us release anxieties and fears.  They give us cause for joy and gladness.  They transform us in small and large ways.  They give us opportunity to meet you face to face.

Thank you,

Loving God,

for inspirational moments

that change us.

Thank you

for blessing us

all day long.

Thank you

for time

to pause

and reflect

and give thanks.

Love, Andrea

Friday, December 9, 2022

Dear God,

A few days ago at bedtime you whispered, "For what are you grateful?"  At that I was prompted to count my blessings for that day.  I went through a long list of gifts...my circle of friends, the early morning darkness and light, a grandchild's healing, an answer to prayer, the beauty of the day, my devotional reading...on and on it went.  From that I began to count my blessings with you each night.  It was and is a holy time, one of great joy.

I really don't know why you are so good to me.  I am a failure in so many ways.  I fail to apologize for my wrongdoing.  I fail to love when I can.  I fail to follow your will and way.  I fail over and over again, yet, you come to me anyway blessing me with gifts, challenges and hope.  The opportunity to give thanks at the end of the day is just one more unexpected gift.

Thank you,

Holy God,

for the

many gifts

of life.

But more importantly,

thank you

for the gift

of your

living presence.

Thank you

for your 

gentle whispers.

Love, Andrea

Thursday, December 8, 2022

Dear God,

At Christmas time you turn our hearts toward others.  You help us see them, no longer allowing them to remain invisible.  You squeeze our hearts with greater love for those in need.  You challenge our ways of thinking to include those whose lives are difficult.  You remind us to love one another as you love us.  You set them before us nudging us to do something to help, assist and love.

I love to see the faces of those who volunteer with the Salvation Army to ring the bell at Christmas time.  whether in front of the grocery store, big box stores or other places.  They work with you to invite us to give.  And while all this is happening, something is happening inside us.  Faith is growing.  Love is deepening.  Hope is coming alive.

While we may be more receptive in December, in January your call to us will be the same, to love, reach out and give.  May we answer that same call.

Blessed are you,

O God,

who calls us

to more

than we are.

Thank you

for reminding us

whose we are

and to remember

all are yours.

Help us

be generous givers

of all

we are.

Love, Andrea

Wednesday, December 7, 2022

Dear God,

All the Christmas decorations are up.  I love it.  But what blesses me the most is the reflection in the windows of all the lights inside and out.  If I look in front of me near my desk, I see the lights reflected from the outside lights hanging to the side and back of me.  If I turn left and look through the windowed doors into the living room I see the reflections from the same outdoor lights.  So no matter where I look, there are not only the lights but also the reflections of the lights.  It is like being wrapped in light.

But then that is really true, isn't it Lord!  Although we may be living in some kind of personal darkness, you wrap your light all around us.  Your light is everywhere.  We just have to open our eyes to see it.  And eyes of faith will make that happen!

Loving God,

truly you are

the light

of the world.

Thank you

for your reflection

in the world.

Thank you

for the beauty

of this moment.

Love, Andrea

Tuesday, December 6, 2022

Dear God,

Today I filled my Christmas tree with ornaments, some very old and fragile, new and recently handmade, some given by friends and parishioners, some created by grandchildren and others picked up while visiting other nations.  It was in the midst of the decorating that I suddenly realized the treasures brought back people who left this world long ago and those I have not seen for years.  What a joy to have a room full of loved ones.

Only you can make such happenings occur, O Lord, only you.  Otherwise, a tree is a tree, ornaments are simply ornaments but faith changes everything.  It makes the impossible possible.  Loved ones can return blessing and inspiring.  Memories come to the forefront of love exchanges, friendship outings and special events in foreign lands.  Sadness can become joy.  Loneliness can turn to fullness.  And finally peace can overcome the chaos.

Thank you,

Loving God,

for the gifts

of today.

Thank you

for the tree

and all

the blessed ornaments.

Thank you

for bring me

family and friends.

What a

special day!

Love, Andrea 

Monday, December 5, 2022

Dear God,

Thank you for the Christmas lights outside and the Christmas tree lights inside but most of all, thank you for your light that shines within me.  Not, of course, that I am worthy of carrying that light but it is your delight to put your light in every human heart.  

I love light!  What can I say?  I love light!  It fills me with warmth, love, hope, faith, joy and peace.  Every time I see the light, it changes my insides.  If I am sad, it makes me glad.  If I am hopeless, it gives me hope.  If I am angry, it gives me peace.  Light, your light changes me, O God.

Thank you

for the message

of light

this morning.

Thank you

for the beauty

and radiance

of light

that heals,

helps, guides,

loves, blesses

and inspires.

I am full

this morning

and I

am grateful.

Love, Andrea

Sunday, December 4, 2022

Dear God,

I stood in the middle of heaven today as I sat listening to the sacred arts concert, "Let Angel Trumpets Sound."  A smile spread wide on my face as soloists, instrumentalists and a choir offered their talents, faith and hope to all seated in the sanctuary.  While we sat in the front pew, we could see and hear up close.  It became very personal as we were drawn closer and closer to you.

Advent is such a wondrous time of experiencing the beauty of Christmas and the coming again of Christ more personal in the world.  As I opened myself to the offering of music and exquisite Christmas decorations complete with lighted candles, joy filled my soul and I knew once again that Christ is so very real and present.

As I drank in the living food and water, I murmured my prayers of thanksgiving to you, my living, loving God.

Thank you,

Light of the World,

for the gifts

of Advent.

Thank you

for the hope

I took home.

Thank you

for love

made manifest

one more time.

Yours forever, Andrea

Saturday, December 3, 2022

Dear God,

I am surrounded by great authors who daily share their stories of faith.  During Advent these stories are even more wondrous and hope filled.  I am awed by their love for you, their trust in you and their open, honest sharing of life lived in the trenches.

As I listen to Henri Nouwen, long gone, yet as close as right here, he always has a word of hope and challenge.  The psalmist is just real, complaining, hoping, pleading, celebrating and praising.  I love to hear what he has to say.  And the stories of members of two different churches I served, in reading their stories, you bring them right next to me and I celebrate their faith and love.

Already this is a wonderful Advent!!!

Thank you,

Kind and Generous God,

for all

the gifts

of Advent.

Thank you

for the hope

you bring.

Thank you

for compassion

that keeps me close.

Yours, Andrea

Friday, December 2, 2022

Dear God,

Advent is here, one of my favorite times of the year.  Advent brings anticipation, hope and light.  It reminds us of what is coming.  It challenges us to wait with excitement because we know what is coming.  It fills me with so much joy.

I love this time of year because it deliberately and intentionally turns me toward you and your will for this season.  It tells me the season is more than winter white, cozy fires and novels galore.  It uses all of nature to proclaim the wonder of the season of coming.  It whispers faith and all its wonders.  It brings blessing and inspiration.

Today it brought two friends to do crafts, eat hot, homemade soup, walk the winter lights at the art museum, share stories of sorrow and hope and finally to count blessings.  We laughed and cried. We celebrated friendship.  We talked about upcoming events together.  It was all an Advent gift!

Holy God,

thank you

for this

magical, mystical time.

Thank you

for wondrous surprises

and happy sharing.

Thank you

for faith

that uncovers

all the gifts.

Love, Andrea

Thursday, December 1, 2022

Dear God,

I stood back and gazed at the 10' Christmas tree in our living room.  Suddenly I was aware that all the branches lifted upwards.  Now I know Christmas trees grow by raising their branches to the sun but today the upward branches meant more.  They all looked as if they were giving praise to you.

How is it that small things can speak such powerful messages?  Did you create them that way or did you create us to see the invisible?  

Holy God,

thank you

for sacred messages

that come

from you.

Thank you 

for our

beautiful Christmas tree

for she

will speak

for you

all season long.

Thank you

for upward branches

and an

upward-leaning heart.

Love, Andrea

Wednesday, November 30, 2022

Dear God,

I feel like I am in the middle of Christmas with an array of Christian writers around me who are feeding me Christmas stories of faith, hope, peace, joy and love.  And how I love each one!

My morning devotions feed me like nothing else.  Whether Richard Rohr, Henri Nouwen, the psalmist, St. Paul or people from my own churches, each and every one strengthens my faith and resolve to be your very own.  They stretch and challenge me.  Sometimes, more often than that, they convict me.  They all invite me to reach for heaven, to listen for your voice and to become truth, hope and love to not only those around me but strangers I meet.  Each morning as I sit with them I find light and warmth and so much faith!

Thank you,

Loving God,

for all

who share

their stories

of faith.

Thank you

for their openness,

honesty and doubt.

Thank you

for blessing me

with your

richest gifts!

Love always, Andrea