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