Sunday, February 26, 2023

Dear God,

There are reasons for the seasons.  They are not just for nature but for the spiritual life.  Winter provides barrenness, a time when spiritual roots need to dig deeper for life-sustaining sustenance, like spiritual nutrients, living water and hidden treasures.  Spring brings new life, growth and sometimes rebirth.  Summer offers color, texture and shape for breathing in all that supplies beauty and joy.  Autumn gives opportunity for surrender of all that hinders transformation.  And we begin again with you in winter.

You reveal yourself to us in each season.  You whisper sources of hope, courage and strength.  You help us learn new songs of faith and teach us lessons for a life of humility, peace and service.  You walk with us in our journey of life blessing and inspiring us along the way.  You embrace us in every time of life through loss and sorrow, injustice and doubt, sin, repentance and forgiveness and finally through despair and triumph.  You show us you are God and we are beloved children, accepted, included and loved, every one of us.

Holy God,

thank you

for counting us

among your

beloved children.

Thank you

for each season

that touches

our lives

in ways

we could

never imagine.

Thank you

for hope

that leads us

to you

and one another.

Yours, Andrea

Saturday, February 24, 2023

Dear God,

It is almost time to return home after being away almost a month.  What amazes me is you make me feel at home no matter where I am.  Perhaps that is because home is not a place, a location or address.  Home is so much more.

Home is where you are, O God.  Residing in you wherever I find myself or in whatever condition simply means I have found myself with you and in you.  When I am home with you, it matters not where I am.

Thank you

for inviting me in,

Loving God.

Thank you

for making me

at home.

Thank you

for contentment

that comes

when we

are together,

you and I.

All praise

to you!

Love, Andrea

 

Friday, February 23, 2023

Dear God,

Tables, that's what came to me this morning, tables where I have sat and was instructed, fed, challenged, guided, embraced, scolded, blessed and inspired.  So many tables!  

My grandmother's table is the family table that stands out to me.  There she read her Upper Room devotional, placed her home-canned food, pies and farm-cooked favorites but also where she prayed for family, friends and the world.  Her table was a table where love existed.  Everyone was welcomed to her table. 

There have been many altar tables where holy food was offered, where we knelt and prayed and gave our thanks and praise.  Retreat tables where a weekend get-away ended with worship and faith renewed.  Invisible tables where grace and hope were offered.  Tables that kept me going, challenged me to rise to new levels of faith and love and rid me of stains, mistakes and despair.  Tables where you resided to give peace.

Holy God,

thank you

for the blessing

of tables.

Thank you

for giving me life

at your table.

Thank you

for the table

where I

now sit.

Yours, Andrea

Thursday, February 22, 2023

Dear God,

When did truth become lies and lies became truth?  By what evil force have we succumbed to that which is not truth?

It is true we sometimes massage truth in order to make life a certain way but in our heart of hearts, we know the truth and the lie we have created.  But today in our own country, politicians are living this way as matter of course.  Why?  Greed?  Power?  Authority?  How and when can we all fall to our knees together and pick up what is your truth, your way and your will?

Help us,

O God,

in this

mangled life

of lies

and deceit.

Show us

your holy way.

Cleanse our hearts,

minds, spirits,

hands, feet

and mouth

so we

can speak

holy truth

to you

and one another,

I pray.

Yours, Andrea

Wednesday, February 21, 2023

Dear God,

I watch as the birds find shelter from the snowstorm.  As they bury themselves in the midst of the cedars, I wish all people could find shelter from the difficulties of life.  So many are trapped by circumstances, despairing over no exits from the pain and sorrow they feel.  Oh, if they could be like little birds finding their way knowing somehow Providence will take care of them.

In my prayers I pray for those longing for justice, for those broken by life.  Millions find themselves entrapped without a way out.  O God, when will justice come for all people searching for shelter?

All are

your children,

Merciful God.

All need

your help.

Help us

become shelter

for one another,

I pray.

Love, Andrea

Tuesday, February 21, 2023

Dear God,

I awaken in the early, dark mornings and my first thought is to think of the gift of rest you gave me in the night, the warmth of my bed covers and the beautiful, old bedroom in which I sleep.  I think of yesterday and its gifts and my heart is warmed as I crawl out of bed in my cold, upstairs bedroom.  I am full of gratitude and express it as I dress to go downstairs to sit with you and my circle of friends, authors of devotional books, my bible and contemporary reading materials with lessons to be learned.

Each day I begin this way because my heart longs for you, your will and your way.  I am no saint, a sinner mostly; yet, I long to be more.  As I sit down in the back room with seven windows, I look out into the dark and think of the supreme joy of knowing you are present in the darkness as well as the light to come.  As I begin to read, I watch as the darkness gives way to the light and I give thanks again for the season and rhythms of creation.  At the conclusion of my reading in the full light of day, I fall into prayer and thanksgiving so blessed, so very, very blessed.

Thank you,

Living God,

for each

early morning.

Thank you

for the blessings

that await me.

Even as

I receive

your many blessings,

help me become

a blessing

to others.

Yours, Andrea

Monday, February 20, 2023

Dear God,

I am looking out my kitchen window watching two pairs of blue jays peck at the ground and playfully flit from tree branch to tree branch.  How carefree and content they seem to be.

Not only do these majestic blue birds give me enjoyment, they carry a lesson of faith.  If we lean on God in happy times and in the most dire of times, God will be with us.  We too can be carried on wings of faith and hope when we trust in the one who made us.  

Thank you,

Creator God,

for the 

simple gift

of birds

in the trees.

Thank you

for their message.

Help us

trust in you

like they.

Yours, Andrea

Sunday, February 19, 2023

Dear God,

 A fresh new day has begun.  The sun is shining.  It is cold but truly beautiful!

I can't help but think of the potential of this new day.  Worship will begin in a couple of hours.  What a way to live into this new day. Whatever happens this day, O God, may I continue to see your living presence all around me.  May I give praise all day long.

Holy God,

all praise

to you.

To have eyes

to see

this new day,

I am grateful.

To have ears

to hear

the sound

of creation,

I am grateful.

For faith

to experience

the invisible,

I am grateful,

Yours forever, Andrea

Saturday, February 18, 2023

Dear God,

"Weeping may stay for the night but joy comes in the morning." This marvelous psalm came to me this morning.  Anyone who has gone from despair to joy knows the power of your spirit at work.  Such transformation is truly a miracle!

In counselling others I have watched persons labor in their suffering; yet, when an insight comes and hope is returned, there is truly divine rejoicing.  It is cause for celebration, gratitude and thanksgiving.  It is a time to give praise to you.

Many times I too have felt mired in loss and pain feeling as if there will be no end to it.  But then something will happen to trigger a new response.  When such sorrow is lifted, there is space and time for acknowledgement of your inspiration.  How happy I have been to dance with you because once I was dead but now I am alive as John the Revelator said so long ago.  Thanks be to God!

Thank you,

Compassionate God,

for the gift

of your

living spirit.

Without you,

what point

is there?

With you

all things

are possible.

Love, Andrea

Friday, February 17, 2023

Dear God,

I didn't think the old bathroom could ever become beautiful.  Shoddily renovated from a century old back porch, the contractor did a poor job and for years I have done what little I could do to make it into a decent room.  But the last two weeks I have worked on the five different surfaces in there by repairing, sanding top to bottom, scrubbing down, caulking and painting.  Although it is not yet finished, I stood in the doorway and said aloud, "This is really beautiful!"

This is the way of the spiritual life too, isn't it?  Even though we were not shoddily built, our poor choices, behaviors and sins have tarnished us as well.  We have cracks, holes and ugly places that need a lot of work. But through great love, redemption, spiritual nudges, challenges and compassion, you work tirelessly to remake us.  We too can be changed, transformed into someone beautiful.

Thank you

for your

transforming power,

Loving God.

Thank you

for continuing

to create us.

Thank you

for today's

life lesson.

Yours, Andrea

Thursday, February 16, 2023

Dear God,

Because light always comes out of darkness, as I look out my kitchen window and see first light, I wonder what the light will reveal today.  When we trust in you and anticipate your holy work every day, we know with a mind of faith, we shall see what you will open to us today.

A living faith means we are in an active relationship, you and I and you and all others.  It is not like you send a postcard once a year.  A living faith is one in which daily we interact with one another.  It may be a feeling of gratitude that sweeps over us when we witness an amazing sunrise.  It may be a sudden understanding or insight that seemingly comes out of nowhere.  It may be a scene of compassion where strangers reach out to someone in need.  All these come from you and are made real in our view when we live in faith each day.

As we read the psalms, we can see just how close you and the psalmist were.  We are all that close in a living faith.

Thank you,

Holy God,

for amazing wonders

of faith.

Thank you

for blessing us

with your

living presence

every day.

All praise

to you,

Loving Parent,

Creator and Redeemer.

Yours, Andrea

Wednesday, February 15, 2023

Dear God,

Sometimes words are inadequate to describe the visions you bring me.  Often they are simply questions; other times they are a connection of thoughts.  Sometimes they are insights, whisperings and pictures of truth or hope.  But always they are deeply felt in the inner circle of my soul.

In the last couple of weeks visions have come, one that was especially helpful, even eye-opening.  It wasn't easy because it produced a dark night of the soul.  I was restless and couldn't sleep.  I kept seeing disturbing scenes and I knew they were false pictures of reality, no truth to them.  Finally realizing my torment was not your will, I simply prayed, "Not my will but yours, O Lord."  Literally in seconds everything changed.  My mind was cleared and I fell asleep.

O God,

your will

and way

are always best.

Forgive us

when we

trust our 

thoughts only.

Clarify the truth

for us,

I pray.

Love, Andrea

Tuesday, February 14, 2023

Dear God,

The ground is soggy, full of moisture from melting snow and ice.  As I walked over it, it felt spongy under my feet.  That water will make possible green grass in just a few weeks.

How I wish the spiritual life was like that.  Living water so fully hydrating the soul that even miracles are possible!

Why do we drink from any cup but yours?  Those cups will quench the thirst for a moment but never like your agape cup.  Yours keep us refreshed for a long time and it is the cup that is available and accessible 24/7.  There is no wine as sweet as your living water!

Fill us up

with your

living water,

O God.

We are thirsty

for you.

Thank you

for the blessing

of knowing

your cup

is always full

and waiting.

Yours, Andrea

Monday, February 13, 2023

Dear God,

So many brothers and sisters are hurting right now.  In Turkey and Syria, 25,000 have died and many more injured in the earthquakes.  Thousands are dying from violence whether from wars or people who just want to be violent.  Many more are sick and hungry with no access to what they need.  So many are suffering.

Right now my life seems good but how can I celebrate my good fortune when sisters and brothers around the world are in pain?  I cannot fully appreciate my joy without thinking and praying and giving to others.  How can I enjoy my grace when others cannot find theirs?

Give me

a heart

of compassion

for all those

who hurt,

dear God.

We are 

all connected.

What hurts one

needs to 

be felt

by others

in order

for us

to help.

Lead us

to care

for the

whole world

not just some.

Love, Andrea

Sunday, February 12, 2023

Dear God,

Sometimes we need a dark night of the soul in order to see the light of day.  I learned that lesson of faith last night.

My heart was troubled, my soul disturbed and my mind gobbled up by sad and negative thoughts.  I tried but could not seem to overcome them until I said to you, "Let your will be done, Lord, not my will, but yours."  Imagining a conflict, a fight, aloud I said, "I'm rooting for you, Lord."  With that, my mind quieted and I fell fast asleep.

Knowing you know more than I know and you have my best interests at heart, there need be no fight for my soul.  You always need to win, for in the end my life will be better, healed and helped. My trust in you will grow and my faith will deepen.  What more could I want?

Thank you

for your

loving help,

O God.

I cannot

do life

without you.

Guide me

along the path

you have designed

for me,

I pray.

Love, Andrea

Saturday, February 11, 2023

Dear God,

In a high, holy moment or a low, fainting time, the psalmist declared, "...and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever."  Even as these words were spoken in worship, I could not help but be caught up in this declaration of faith.  Dwell, forever?

We don't wait until death to dwell in your house, do we?  No, we can dwell there today.  Your house is here and your invitation is clear.  We can dwell today, here and now.  Why wait until tomorrow or next year or at death when we can do it now?

Thank you,

Wondrous God,

for the opportunity

to dwell

with you.

Thank you

for your house

which is not

a place

but rather

a presence.

Thank you

for here

and now,

dwelling now.

Yours forever, Andrea

Friday, February 10, 2023

Dear God,

It seems every time I do a home renovation project, you invite me to reflect upon personal renovation.  In the quiet when I work without noise or distraction, there is space and time to talk and listen, listen and talk.  Of course, I am the one designed to listen while you talk.

There are so many areas needing transformation inside me.  My thoughts collect around ongoing disappointments and hurts so much so they become negative thoughts.  Yet, what I know to be true is this:  Nothing needs remain negative.  I have the power within to change them.  And since you are that power in my life, nothing is impossible to us.

O God,

as I 

transform my

century-old bathroom

with all

its cracks,

divots and imperfections,

help me

change myself.

Help me

turn to you

for guidance,

assistance and power.

Make me more

like you intended.

Love, Andrea

Thursday, February 9, 2023

Dear God,

So often we call out your name asking you to come to come to us, to help, guide or embrace.  But we get it all wrong.  You are not in heaven, a set place in space, sedentary, mostly disinterested until we call.  What kind of god is like that?  No, you are so much more.

We image you as a small god unless we cry out for help.  Then we want a BIG god.  But the truth is you are a living presence in the world.  You are here but also there.  You are with those trapped in the rubble in the Turkey earthquake but also among the hurting in Ukraine, victims and families of mass shootings and with children at school and people at work and sitting on street corners begging.  You are accessible, available and present in all such places.  God who is loving, compassionate and wise is one who is with us just as we learn at Christmas, Immanuel - God with us.

Holy, Loving God,

reveal yourself

to all

who hurt today.

Make your 

presence known.

There is

so much suffering,

so much pain,

so much fear,

so much loss,

so much anxiety,

so much despair.

Open us

by faith

to your

living presence,

I pray.

Love, Andrea

Wednesday, February 8, 2023

Dear God,

Over and over again as I sit with biblical characters, I hear them saying, "I will put my hope in God."  As I read it this morning, I pondered the meaning of the word hope.  

Hope is a big word, O God, a really big word.  Everything hinges on hope.  I hope I will wake up in the morning.  I hope someone will still love me tomorrow.  I hope I will have enough money to buy groceries.  I hope my loved ones will be safe.  I hope, I hope, I hope.  If we have no hope, life crumbles at our feet.

As humans we do not have the capacity for more than human hope.  But with you our hope stretches from ordinary to extraordinary.  It gives strength, courage and power.  It is hope with feet.  We really can do more than conceived.  Hope with feet equips us for the impossible.  And the mystery is revealed that hope also brings decidedly measured amounts of love, joy and peace.  Because hope is the raw material of eternity which evolves out of love.

Thank you

for the

wonder of hope.

Thank you

for the

daily gift.

Thank you

for the blessing

that came

this morning!

Yours, Andrea

Tuesday, February 7, 2023

Dear God,

Early this morning I watched as the first ray of sun struck the barren trees in the woods.  I gazed upon it until the light broadened, spreading from side to side and finally from ground to sky.  Really it was quite a sight.

As I reflected upon the scene before me, I realized it is the way your light works in our spiritual lives.  First light comes when we are seated in the darkness and then by faith it spreads lighting the way to truth, grace, hope, joy or peace.  It doesn't just happen once a day but many times as we open ourselves to the leading of your spirit.  The more we open ourselves the more we are bathed in light and the more we stand in the light, the greater the hope, joy and peace we experience.  It really is quite a sight!!!

Holy God,

thank you

for insights

that come unexpectedly.

Thank you

for light

in the darkness.

Thank you

for lessons

of faith.

Yours, Andrea

Monday, February 6, 2023

Dear God,

In some way or another you make provision for all your creatures.  This morning I watched squirrels run and play up and down the tree limbs.  A bit thick around the middle, they are not worried for their food for it is hidden away until needed.

That is true for human creatures as well.  Spiritual and emotional treasures lay hidden until sought and found.  All we need to survive and thrive is provided by your hand.  Scoffers may disagree for there are times it seems there is no help on the horizon.  Yet, deeper still are the things of eternity designed to assist us in daily living, during trials and temptations and uncertain times.

Like the creatures of the earth, we too can wander and play for the Creator is here to provide for our needs.

Compassionate God,

open us

to your

saving power.

Trigger our minds,

hearts and souls

into reflecting

upon the

deeper things

of life.

Lead us

to you

especially in

trying times.

Love, Andrea

Sunday, February 5, 2023

Dear God,

This morning I awakened at 4:21 a.m. with the question to you, "What is the value of me to you, O God?"  Pretty big question to wake up to.

For the next hour it appeared I was walking the sacred halls of eternity.  One question and then another was asked of me.  Deep questions of faith and life.  For about 30 minutes I felt immensely lonely but during the hour I realized everything boils down to you and me and you and everyone else.  The hard questions come from you and the answers too.  But sometimes you just want us to sit with the questions.  Today was one of those days.

Holy God,

thank you

for your

living presence.

Thank you

for difficult questions

to be considered.

Thank you

for love

that is beneath

every question.

Yours, Andrea

Saturday, February 4, 2023

Dear God,

Most anything can guide us to you, Loving God.  A movie, a song, a living scene, a word or a gesture can take us on a short journey to you.  You can take tiny moments and turn them into extravagant, holy moments that turn us upside down.  You can transform a sorrowing heart into a peace-filled heart when we are open to the wonders of faith.

I admit there are moments when I feel lonely and forgotten, set aside, unwanted.  But I never tarry there for long because you invade my spirit bringing with you the gifts of life, light and love.  You whisper sweet murmurs of love that are ancient like from saints and those who prayed throughout the centuries but also fresh and new from today.   You breathe in hope not for something that is temporary and small but rather hope that is eternal, deep and wide.  As we breathe in, we discover that we are breathing the very air of your holy spirit and we are both comforted and blessed.  

With eyes, minds and hearts of faith, we can see nearly everything that comes from your hand.  Bless you, Holy Father, even for this insight today.

All glory

to you,

God Almighty.

All praise

to you,

Creator, Redeemer 

and Sustainer.

All gratitude

to you,

Lover of Our Souls.

Yours, Andrea

Friday, February 3, 2023

Dear God, 

No one fills the human heart, mind and soul like you, O God.  Day after day we fill ourselves with entertainment, possessions and frivolity.  One day rolls into the next and we have very little to show for it.

What we really long for, O God, is hope, peace, love, compassion and joy.  Those treasures don't come from what we mostly do or seek after.  Filling ourselves with surface, shallow things will leave us full at the end of the day but we will be no closer to the sacred treasures you provide.

On the other hand, when we set our whole person focused on these gifts of your spirit, we receive not only these but much, much more.  We receive you.

Holy God,

you are

who and what

we long for.

A holy moment

with you

is like

nothing else.

Even a 

tiny moment

with you

will give us

enough to

fill us

all day long.

Thank you,

Loving Father.

Yours, Andrea

Thursday, February 2, 2023

Dear God,

How can I adequately express my gratitude to you for the silence that has found its way into me here in Maine?  It is not the absence of sound but rather time and space filled with your living spirit.  It quietly invites me in, titillates my deep longing for your closeness and speaks to me in the language of love.

For years I filled the space with noise, radio, television, talk, talk, talk.  I was afraid of quiet perhaps because I thought it would hurt me in some way.  I didn't want to know what might come of standing alone with you.  Yet, one day that all changed.  Silence became my friend.

Thank you,

Loving God,

for the gift

of silence,

for its beauty,

truth and power.

Thank you

for the way

it changes me,

fills me,

and holds me.

Thank you

for wanting me close too.

Yours, Andrea

Wednesday, February 1, 2023

Dear God,

I listened to some random music on U Tube today, not something I normally do.  But today it seemed I was drawn to the offerings.  After about five songs, I turned it off and let tears slide gently down my face.  Amazing Grace, I Will Always Love You, You Raise Me Up, Old Friends and Hallelujah spoke deeply to my heart.  I couldn't help but think of you with every song.  Amazing Grace, how many times have you offered me grace when I was least worthy.  I Will Always Love You, what a reminder of your unconditional 24/7 love.  You Raise Me Up, my oh my, how many times I have fallen into sin, poor choices, and lack of regard for another, yet you raised me higher knowing I would never be satisfied with a lower life.  Old Friends, goodness how many friends you have given me to share our journey of faith together.  And finally, so perfect Hallelujah, what a time to reflect on gifts given and the glory I wanted to give you for all your offerings!

Surely today was a season of remembrance and thanksgiving!  I was blessed; I am blessed!

Thank you,

Merciful God,

for every gift

of heaven.

Thank you

for the call

to remember!

All glory 

to you,

all glory

to you,

Wondrous and Amazing God!

Yours, Andrea

Tuesday, January 31, 2023

Dear God,

I wanted to stand on the side of the mountain highway to cry out, "Praise to you, Lord God, creator of heaven and earth.  Praise to you!"  How could I not want to declare my gratitude for the views outside my car window?  It was stunning.  Icy branches with snow white hoarfrost on the mountain sides encircled me.  I kept driving and repeating:  "Oh Lord, thank you, thank you!  So beautiful!  Thank you!"

The scene before me lasted only minutes but it was enough for me to reflect upon the majesty of your artistry.  I have never witnessed a more exquisite display of nature!  As I continued my drive home, another 450 miles I kept thinking of all the gifts you give to your children!

Every day you reveal your handiwork to us, Creator God.  When we pause long enough with eyes of faith, we can witness your creation and burst forth with song and praise.  Today I simply sang, O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder consider all the worlds thy hands have made.  I see the stars.  I hear the rolling thunder.  Thy power throughout the universe displayed.  Then sings my soul.  My savior God to thee.  How great thou art!  How great thou art.  Then sings my soul.  My savior God to thee.  How great thou art!  How great thou art!"

Today I

did not miss

your extravagant beauty,

dear God.

You drew me

to your side

and pointed me

to your creation.

I was blessed,

inspired and touched

by your 

living spirit.

I shall never

forget it.

Love, Andrea

Monday, January 30, 2023

Dear God,

I drove out of the driveway at 5:15 a.m. this morning headed for Maine.  By the end of the day I had traveled 546 miles.  What a beautiful time with you!

When I drive long distances, it is like I am in the middle of a living prayer.  I listen while I drive.  I hear your voice pointing me to wondrous scenes of nature, inviting me to pray for the world and all her various needs and giving me opportunity to offer my gratitude to you for so much.  It is a holy, sacred time.

You teach me on these trips back and forth.  You urge me to reflect on my own life and the needs of others.  You bring people, nations, leaders and victims of poverty, war and injustice to me.  You invite me to offer them up to you with all their special needs.  You bring wisdom, challenge, conviction, compassion and hope as I stay tuned to your voice.  The more I listen, the more I see you.

Thank you

for speaking

to me

as we

travel together.

Thank you

for lessons 

of faith.

Thank you

for challenging me

to be more

than I am.

Yours, Andrea

Sunday, January 29, 2023

Dear God,

How beautiful are your ways, O Lord.  Sitting in a packed house of worshippers, it was as though angels were singing, praying, comforting, praising and welcoming.  I don't know what was different.  I just know your living presence was as close as my breath.

As I listened to the word proclaimed in word and song, I realized it is your intention to bless and inspire every time your people gather for worship.  Why should anyone be surprised when touched by angels' wings?

Holy, holy, holy,

Lord God Almighty.

Thank you

for gift

of worship

and the 

angels unseen.

Thank you

for your

living presence.

Yours, Andrea