Saturday, January 28, 2023

Dear God,

In all things pray, trust and hope.  Is there anything more important to do in the spiritual and emotional life?

I am constantly reminded of these when I try to rule my life and others.  When I want to change others to make myself more comfortable, I step outside my role because it is your guiding power that helps people change.  I cannot change anyone but me.  And when life becomes untenable because of situations beyond my control, I must step back and do what I know to do...pray, trust and hope.

Good and Everlasting God,

there is

no one

like you.

Forgive me

when I try

to act

like you.

Constantly draw

me back

to your side

so I

can remember

our differing roles.

Help me

and all others

to pray,

trust and hope.

Love, Andrea

Friday, January 27, 2023

Dear God,

Like David the psalmist, I cry out, "Lord, keep my lamp burning."  I want your light to shine in me to others.  I want to be your light not just shine it.

Sometimes it is very difficult to glow with your loving light.  When I retrace my steps of unresolved issues, I begin to lower my flame.  So low at times I can barely see your light in me.  I know it is not you but me.  It is me, Lord, because sadly, I trust you less to help strengthen me from years of hurt.  I know your light is greater than my darkness but I give in to it when I wallow in self-pity.  But then you come ever more brightly to me that I am caught in your brilliance and you turn up my flame.  Certainly I do not deserve such compassion but then you are God and it is what you do.  What you do best!

Holy God,

thank you

for your kindness.

Thank you

for thinking

of me.

Thank you

for the lamp

I hold

and the flame

that is yours.

Yours, Andrea

Thursday, January 26, 2023

Dear God,

When you call us to wait, it is not an idle exercise.  Waiting is a teaching time, a trusting time and an anticipating time.  As we wait, we lean on you.  We listen for your voice.  We walk in faith.

The Mary of the bible waited nine months for Jesus.  She needed every day of those months to trust more in you, Holy Father.  She knew life would be difficult.  She knew there would be many uncertainties.  She was being thrust into unfamiliar territory; yet because of faith she was willing to follow the angel's call.  I can't help but wonder what all she thought about during her waiting time.  I am certain she spent much time in prayer.

We have to wait on so many things in life.  More often than not, O Lord, we are resistant, angry and distressed.  However, if we realized we do not wait alone but that you wait with us, our shift could change our lives entirely.

Teach us

to wait

with you,

Compassionate God.

Remind us

we are

never alone

in our waiting.

Once again

teach us

the lessons

of faith.

Yours, Andrea

Wednesday, January 25, 2023

Dear God,

When I awakened this morning, I did not know this was the day you would literally save my life.  I was in eight lanes of rush hour traffic.  I had just come off one interstate and was merging onto another in the far right lane when out of nowhere a driver riding on the shoulder to my right sideswiped me and kept on going, a hit and run.  You whispered, "Say aloud all you know about the car."  Dirty black car with a little silver H on the trunk, license plate TVR710.  I said it about four times when I was still driving, watching the car going about 80 MPH weave in and out of traffic.  I called the police and drove off the next exit.  While sitting there waiting for the police to arrive, I reflected how there had been cars in front, to the side and back of me when the car hit me.  Inches either way, I could have been thrust into other cars or pushed to the side where the concrete wall stood.  You saved me and all others around me!

Thank you

for the gift

of life,

O God.

Thank you

for sparing

my life

and all

the other cars

on the highway.

Thank you

for placing

the errant driver

on my heart

so I

can pray

for him

or her.

Love, Andrea

Tuesday, January 24, 2023

Dear God,

Today was another gray-sky day, my favorite!  It used to be sunny days were ones I look forward to but you asked me one day to dig a little deeper into my spirit.  What I discovered is that gray days give opportunity for greater reflection because we have to dig a little deeper for hope, warmth and joy.  Sunny days give a lot of surface beauty but gray days provide serious spiritual introspection. 

That perspective changed the way I think and contemplate.  Digging through surface living, beliefs and practices open up new pathways to adventure, discovery and treasure, something far more wonderful that surface beauty.  There we can toil, wonder, imagine, create and journey with nature, people and every day experiences.  We can live again, hope and find peace with you.

Glory to you,

Lord of the Cosmos.

Thank you

for lessons

that come

even on

gray days.

Thank you

for blessing us

in more ways

than we

can imagine.

Love, Andrea

Monday, January 23, 2023

Dear God,

I don't want to see me when I speak of you.  I want my focus to be entirely on you, Gracious, Loving God.  When I see too many I's in my conversation with you, I realize I have lost my focus.

You reveal yourself to us in so many ways.  A single light can give us warmth, hope and love.  A smile can remind us of your endearing love.  Worship can afford us opportunity to see your word made flesh.  A single act of compassion can draw us near to you.  An insight can literally change our direction.  Each and all of these examples are holy moments where human and divine meet and you are both the author and creator of holy moments.

Direct our eyes,

hearts and minds

to you,

Gentle Father.

Keep us close

to you.

Show us

the way

to you.

Love, Andrea

Sunday, January 22, 2023

Dear God,

I could feel the breath of your spirit in my face at worship this morning.  Several times during the service I had a deep sense of your spirit, truly holy moments.

Why does your kingdom presence touch us at certain times and not others?  What is different?  What must we do for your spirit to blow in our direction?

I sometimes wonder why you come to me and not to someone else sitting next to me.  I know I am nothing special.  I know I am not worthy of such holy experiences.  I am a sinner, never spotless, but you still visit me daily.  It begins in the early morning even before I rise from my bed.  I am always moved to give thanks before I get up.  I think of the day before and all the sacred gifts given.  I feel so blessed so praise and thanksgiving are natural to me.

For whatever reason you come to me, my heart is full of gratitude to you!

Holy Father,

you are 

the gift

of faith.

All gifts

come from you.

Thank you.

Yours, Andrea

Saturday, January 21, 2023

Dear God,

Thank you for the ways you turn a house into a home!  We move into a structure, put all our possessions in it and then live daily lives.  But something happens and makes the house more.  I believe it is you.

A house and many possessions do not make a home.  A place where you exist transforms all things. A broken-down shack can be a home when you are present.  Even people living in a house cannot make a home.  Your living presence causes love to change things and when love is present, all things are possible.  A house can become a warm, loving, hope-filled space, a home.

Thank you,

O God,

for your presence

in our homes.

Thank you

for the promise

of your

living presence.

Thank you

for making

all things new

by your love.

Yours, Andrea

Friday, January 20, 2023

Dear God,

I continue to praise you for the gifts you give! Today four friends, women I have retreated with, came for dinner, a sleepover and breakfast.  Several of the women had not seen each other in eight years.  What rejoicing there was as they squealed and hugged one another!

All five of us would never have met one another and built a friendship without you.  It was while I was pastor and they were members of the church that we went on a spiritual retreat with you and one another.  While together we prayed, shared deeply, worshipped, laughed and cried together.  We discovered a thread of faith that connected us and has held us through the years.  

We sat in my living room with the Christmas tree and mantle lights glowing, a candle burning and smiling snow people all around the room.  In the midst of all that light, we shared our lives, happy and sad times, hilarious moments and pondered political upheaval, injustice and pain.  In the midst of it all, we felt your love and our love for one another.  Gifts, all gifts!

Loving God,

thank you

for gifts

beyond measure.

Thank you

for the light

that surrounds us.

Thank you

for blessing us

with friendship

and faith.

Yours, Andrea

Thursday, January 19, 2023

Dear God,

In times of extreme darkness, we can only turn to the light. As Ukrainians continue to fight for their country and people, they often feel they are living in deep darkness especially when loved ones are injured or killed.  However, they stand strong and resilient because in their personal darkness, they turn to the Light of the World.

We all face darkness, O Lord.  Right now in my own family and in others' families, we are facing family members who can't get out of the darkness found in addiction, loss or deep depression.  Seemingly always a threat, we have to turn to the light for sanity, help and guidance.  We need love and support.  We need you.

As we turn to the light, we find the resources we need to withstand whatever we are facing.  Amazingly, we find love's embrace and hope and these lead to holy moments of peace.

Loving God,

there is

no one

like you.

No one

can offer us

what you give.

Thank you

for compassion

that is deeper

than anything else.

Yours, Andrea

Wednesday, January 18, 2023

Dear God,

What amazing miracles there are in this world!  Today my daughter and I sat on each side of our cousin who had a heart transplant more than a year ago as she showed us a video of the dissection of her old, diseased heart.  We could hardly believe what we were seeing.  Lori would have died within weeks if she had not been given a new heart.

As we watched the unbelievable video, I thought of the donor, a man who signed papers to give away his organs at death.  His generosity ensured many visits with our favorite cousin.  All through the process, I could see your hand at work, your love moving through medical personnel and timelines.  And today we sat with her laughing and crying at the immeasurable value of the gift.  All this guided us right back to you.

Thank you

for the gift

of a

generous man.

Thank you

for compassion

that gave life.

Thank you

for hope

that kept

us going

until new life

was made possible.

Love, Andrea

Tuesday, January 17, 2023

Dear God,

When I gaze upon the lights of the Christmas tree when the room is dark, I am engulfed with the thought of your love for me.  But with that knowledge comes the acknowledgement that as I am loved so are all people.

To believe I am loved is qualified by the fact that your love extends to all the cosmos.  I am special because all your people are special.  Each one is loved like the only one.  Children all are we.

I leave my tree up for a long time because I love being loved and challenged to love all others like you.  It is a mandate.  If I am going to be a beloved child, then I have to accept all others in the same way.  I am persuaded to love all your children.

Help me

to be

a lover

of all,

dear God.

Help me

be a 

loving child.

Help all

your children

feel the love

I feel.

Yours, Andrea

Monday, January 16, 2023

Dear God,

You do so much for us!  When we least expect it, you gift us with amazing treasures that not only bless now but tomorrow and the next tomorrow.

Today I visited my cousin and his wife.  We acted like we had not seen one another in years!  We told stories, laughed and thoroughly enjoyed the fellowship and love of one another.  But before I left they gave me three gifts, an orange carnival glass dish, a painting of my grandparents' home and my grandmother's small rocking chair when she was a toddler.  I could hardly believe their generosity and love!

One thing I have realized is this:  Gifts are never just gifts from one person to another.  They are so much more.  Each one has your fingerprint because love comes from you.  While I felt so much love from my cousins, I felt your love all the more.

Thank you,

Holy Father,

for the

very special gifts.

You know

how much

they mean

to me.

Thank you

for my cousins

and for

your love.

Yours, Andrea

Sunday, January 15, 2023

Dear God,

Only you can fill the human heart.  When we seek to fill our hearts with anything but you, we are often disappointed.

I love high church with great music and preaching.  I love beautiful stained-glass windows, exquisite banners and amazing architecture.  I love it all.  But today you reminded me that your living presence can be in a school gym with chairs, a solo or two and an okay sermon.  On my drive home I realized I felt full.

Holy God,

you are everything

I need.

Forgive me

when I

want more.

Thank you

for the

great blessing

of church

this morning.

Love, Andrea

Saturday, January 14, 2023

Dear God,

Turning to you in every situation in life helps us find answers to life's perplexing situations.  Although sometimes there are no definitive answers leaning toward you can give us comfort when we need it the most.

This morning I awakened at 4:00 a.m. and it seemed as if I were still in the middle of a dream.  However, there was clarity about an ongoing situation where before there was only supposition, confusion and doubt.  Although it was painful to see the truth, it helped to bring peace.

Human power is limited.  It may seem greater than anything especially when we come up against it; however, divine power is always supreme.  When we try to act in our own power, we can draw false conclusions or give ourselves permission to tell false stories or paint inaccurate pictures of how we perceive something.  But when we step inside your loving power and trust in your wisdom, we can find our way to the truth.

Thank you,

O God,

for the gift

in the

early morning hour.

Thank you

for the truth

that sets

us free.

Thank you

for guiding us

toward you.

Love, Andrea 

Friday, January 13, 2023

Dear God,

Snowflakes are piled around the trees, beside the patio and house.  I can't help but think they are beautiful.  But as I reflect more deeply, I realize there are probably a million tiny flakes in each pile. How wonderful to think of their uniqueness right there on display.

As a girl, I used to cut out snowflakes and put them on the windows.  I tried to make as many different ones as I could.  Then I would stand back and admire their beauty.  I just thought there was nothing more beautiful.  But that pile sitting right outside my kitchen window is far more beautiful and I get to see it!  Amazing!

Loving Creator,

your creation

is filled

with amazing beauty!

Thank you

for the gift

just outside

my window.

Teach us

to see beyond

the pile

to the beauty

you have created!

Love, Andrea

Thursday, January 12, 2023

Dear God,

I just can't help it.  I love a gray day.  A gray day opens up to so many possibilities.  When I look outside at a sunny day, I see all the natural beauty, a blazing, golden sun, blue sky, trees, flowers and bushes aglow with color, texture and shape.  It is so beautiful but a gray day, ah, a gray day invites me to look deeply, to sit with nature, to be silent, to listen, to imagine, to wait, be patient, to long and to soak in everything that is you, Gracious God.  I discover so much more on gray days than any other because it directs me to you.

My friend Cindy and I have spent three days on a hill in the woods in southern Indiana.  Our third year in a row, this year the weather has been gray and rainy.  I have loved it.  I would have loved snow, but gray is good.  I have lingered at windows and in my heart giving thanks to you and the holy day you give when it is gray.

All blessing

to you,

my God,

refuge and friend.

Thank you

for gray days

and all

they provide.

Thank you

for all 

the gifts

with my friend.

Yours, Andrea

Wednesday, January 11, 2023

Dear God,

There is no place I would rather be than in your holy, living presence where anything is possible.  In quiet places in gray, cold January, you enable us to look deep to find newness of life.  You invite us into your life.  You whisper challenges to shift, move and to change.  You remind us we are always in the center of your love for us.

Here at a cabin deep in the woods of southern Indiana, my friend and I create interesting Christmas ornaments and bags, crochet a sweater and sew quilt fabric strips together.  We talk and listen and enjoy nature outside the many windows.  But most of all we have opportunities to breathe in the air of faith, listen for holy calls and offer spiritual refreshment to one another.

As I finish my devotions and prayer and listen to the rain falling on the roof, I know you are here in this space blessing and inspiring.  My hope and prayer is that as we leave here, we may take the gift of your presence with us.

Loving God,

thank you

for unexpected gifts

and for

the assurance

of the constancy

of your

abiding presence.

I am

so grateful.

As I receive

your gifts here,

may I

share them

with others

so your blessing

will multiply.

Yours, Andrea

Tuesday, January 10, 2023

Dear God,

I cannot help but think of the light that continues to shine.  As my friend and I made our way to the retreat cabin in southern Indiana I remembered the Christmas lights inside and out of the secluded cabin.  Seemingly hundreds of tiny white lights glow.  Over and over again I was reminded of the light of your son who said, "I am the light of the world."  

Later as Cindy and I watched a Christmas movie, I received a text from a member of my covenant group who said her granddaughter was in the hospital after being in a car accident and her daughter in law was in her home with suicide ideations with a plan.  All I could do was pray that the same light was around them burning bright to heal, love and help.

Light up 

the whole world,

O God.

There is pain

and suffering everywhere.

Turn on

your light

wherever there

is darkness.

Lead us

to the light,

I pray. 

Love, Andrea

Monday, January 9, 2023

Dear God,

The single candle standing just behind the olive wood creche glows in the darkness.  In the early morning hours when all is dark inside and out, that one candle radiates light in the high ceiling and down the hallway.  That means we can see by the light of one candle!

As I did my early morning devotions, I kept looking at that light and remembered it only takes a tiny bit of light to change everything.  It is easy for me to reflect upon those who have been light to me.  My grandmother was a light bearer for sure.  Her light sought me out and persuaded me to believe in your son.  Her light was so connected to her love that when I saw one, I saw the other.

Light is a symbol of love to me.  When I gaze at the radiance of the candle by the creche, I see your light, your beauty and your warmth.  The light gets inside my soul and warms me from the inside out.  I feel joy and peace and contentment.  And through it all, I see you, Great Parent, I see you!

Loving God,

thank you

for the light

that directs me

to you.

Thank you

for my grandmother

whose light

and love

still live

within me.

Thank you

for daily light

that challenges me

to be

the light

for others.

Yours, Andrea

Sunday, January 8, 2023

Dear God,

I don't think there is anything sweeter than being welcomed home!  It means you are loved, accepted, desired, held close and honored.  Like the prodigal son, he did not expect the warm welcome he received.  All that followed boggled his mind, a party, the best food and the father's love.

Today I was welcomed home at a church I have not attended for a couple of years.  Yes, I have been in prayer what to do but today I felt your call to return.  When I arrived on the scene, I saw many smiles welcoming me home.  And while I was welcomed by the community of faith, what I really found was you. 

Thank you,
dear Lord,

for the 

warm welcome home.

You are gracious

and generous

and full

of love.

Thank you

for the call.

Yours, Andrea

Saturday, January 7, 2023

Dear God,

I love our devotional time first thing in the morning!  The quiet, the lights and the spirit of your living presence both delight and inspire me.  When I sit down in my chair, turn on the Christmas tree lights, light the candle of the nativity and breathe in the air of faith, I am already blessed.

As I listen to your voice while I read the writings of the psalmist, Richard Rohr, Henri Nouwen, Henry Van Dyke, St. Paul and Angela Merkel, I sense a deep, abiding faith that surrounds me.  The more I listen and the less I talk, the greater my sense of you. I want to cry out with the angels, "Holy, holy, holy are you.  Glory to you, Lord, glory to you!"

Thank you,

Loving God,

for the gift

of faith.

Thank you

for the blessing

of hope,

joy and peace.

Thank you

for our

quiet times together!

Love you, Andrea

Friday, January 6, 2023

Dear God,

Christmas is not over on December 25.  The story does not end there.  Absolutely not!  The rest of the story is the challenge to us about what we will do with the Christmas story.  For some it is the decision to engage Christmas, to kneel down, to bring gifts, to change and go another direction.  Epiphany is the day of decision.  The kings came, knelt down, gave their gifts to the babe, changed their minds about Herod and his mandate and went another direction.  Their hearts and minds were transformed.  They realized that star was more than they thought.  Perhaps they fell in love.  Maybe they became men of faith.  Their decisions changed the course of history.

This morning I moved the kings to the stable in my olive wood creche brought back from Bethlehem.  I made room for the kings and even the camel.  Somehow all looked right.  Before with the kings in the "east" missing on Christmas morning, it just didn't look right.  But today, well, all was as it was supposed to be.

I realize if I fail to respond to the story, I will miss portions of Christmas.  I won't make the connection between the kings and myself.  I will forget the opportunity to be transformed by my decision to say yes and go the distance.  I won't give gifts to the One who came to bring the greatest gift of all.  I will miss the celebration and chance to sing my praise by joining the angels, kings, shepherds, a mother and father and a new baby and even animals in a stable made holy.  No, the story doesn't end Christmas day; it continues for me when I say yes.

Loving God,

thank you

for the blessing

of Epiphany.

Thank you

for the challenge

and hope

that comes

with the

Christmas story.

Thank you

for allowing

me entry

to the stable.

Yours, Andrea

Thursday, January 5, 2023

Dear God, 

The light outside was just perfect when I walked up the stairs and saw the lighted Christmas tree in the living room.  I stopped at the top of the steps and thought the tree looked like angels singing, "Gloria in excelsis Deo, Gloria in excelsis Deo."  I simply smiled and reflected.  What is a Christmas tree if it doesn't lead us to you?

This wondrous season has brought many holy moments!  And to think, for me it started before December and has remained all season long.  Christmas is as bright today as it was December 25.  No one can bring all that glory but you, Lord, no one but you!

Messiah God,

thank you

for the 

wondrous mystery

of Advent

and Christmas

and Epiphany.

I am 

so very grateful.

Thank you

for blessings

that never end.

Yours, Andrea

Wednesday, January 4, 2023

Dear God,

Epiphany begins in two days but already revelations of your presence is in our midst.  As my covenant group met today, we experienced your living presence bringing new truths to us.  As we both spoke and listened, we heard your voice challenging us in this new year to trust you more and to be people of courage open and willing to follow your wise way.

There was something so beautiful about being together in your light.  But then there always is!

Holy, holy, holy

are you,

God Most High.

Thank you

for the

exquisite beauty

of today.

Thank you

for lingering

with us.

We love you.

Yours now and forever, Andrea

Tuesday, January 3, 2023

Wondrous God,

How good it is to sit in your presence, to hear your voice and know you.  How beautiful to be included in your brilliant light and to hear the music of eternity.

As I still sit among the lights of the Christmas tree reflected out of several windows, I sense your amazing presence.  I know you live because my heart beats with yours.  I am nothing special but your light and love in me speak to me in a way that enables me to know I am loved by you.  The whole of me rejoices!

Holy God,

there is none

like you.

Thank you

for making me

one of

your own.

Thank you

for the glory

that shines

all around me.

Your light

is always

and forever

around me.  

Make the whole

of creation

a beautiful

circle of light.

Love, Andrea

Monday, January 2, 2023

Dear God,

Today was a day of quiet, being alone and reflecting upon life and faith.  As I sat in Barnes and Noble reading and writing thank you notes, I realized the power of your presence in our lives.  As I thought about where I am in my life right now, I acknowledged the ways you undergird changes in our lives.  You are the power of our transformation and the support that helps us move forward. All I could do was silently lift my prayers of thanksgiving.

It is you who moves us to consider our life and faith.  You want us to wed these two together in such a way that it becomes one fabric, difficult to distinguish between the two.  You want our tapestry to be one of strength and beauty and hope.  When we decide we want that, you become the power by which we are able to take steps toward it.  What potential for a new year and a new life!

Thank you,

Holy God,

for the gift

of faith.

Thank you

for power

from on high.

Thank you

for giving us opportunity

to reflect

upon you

in our lives.

Yours, Andrea

Sunday, January 1, 2023

Dear God,

Thank you for a new year, many opportunities to "get it right" and discover the countless places and people in which your spirit is present!  New slates are always good.  In the new year I can draw a new picture, sing a new song and become a brighter light in the darkness.

We can do all these things because your spirit is at work in us as well.  We can wake up to a new day and start with a prayer of praise for a new day, a good night's sleep and food in the pantry.  And all that can be done before we even crawl out of bed.  What better way is there to start the day and the new year?

Almighty God,

thank you

for the blessing

of a 

new year.

Thank you

for being 

with us

in the

old year.

Thank you

for being

the power

that can enable

us to

become new

in the 

new year.

Love, Andrea

Saturday, December 31, 2022

Dear God,

Even as I am in the process of writing a new song, my daughter is already singing hers.  And it is a song of beauty, forgiveness and transformation.  She has worked hard finding ways to surrender the old song.

Today she sang the song of miracle, a dramatic turn in her relationship to one of her children.  She spoke of healing hope in other relationships.  How could she do all this?  She trusted you, did creative therapeutic work and learned how to trust herself.  She walked with you during the painful journey.

I want to bring real joy to you, Merciful God.  I want to bless you with my change, my optimism and my dedication.  I want to sing songs of praise.

Holy God,

there is 

no joy

greater than yours.

When you

transform us,

we are enabled

to sing again,

this time

a new song.

Our world

needs a

new song.

Help us

find it

and sing together.

Love, Andrea

Friday, December 30, 2022

Dear God,

In the new year I want to sing a new song for you.  I want my life to sing a song of faith and light and peace.  In every way I know I want to leave my old song of disappointment, anger and doubt behind.  I do not need them.  I want my song to be new just for you.

Every day we sing a song to you.  It may be song of despair or conflict or worry.  Such songs lack luster, hope and faith.  When we sing an old, familiar song day in and day out, what joy do we possess?  What hope do we offer?  What gifts do we give?  An old, dull, lifeless song has no energy to sing of praise and thanksgiving.  

Yes, indeed, I want to sing a new song for you, one of praise, thanksgiving and joy!

Praise you,

God of All Good.

Thank you

for reminding me

of the songs

we sing.

Thank you

for the opportunity

to write

a new song.

Love, Andrea