Thursday, December 28, 2023

Dear God,

I am waiting to get well.  I rest and wait.  I believe you do the rest.

Help me

trust you

for my healing,

O God.

I cannot

heal myself.

Thank you.

Yours, Andrea

Wednesday, December 27, 2023

Dear God,

What do my teeny prayers do for the world?  I am just one among billions.  I know my tininess; yet, I pray anyway.

What happens to all our prayers, O God?  Although I do not believe they evaporate once prayed, I still do not know what happens with them.  In my deepest soul I believe they make a difference because they come from you.  The idea to pray for others comes from you.  I believe you initiate prayer.  I believe you do something meaningful with them.  I hope they swell the amount of love in the world.  I pray they touch, inspire, and help people.

O God,

you tie

us together

through prayer.

I believe

you want us

to pray,

thus, you

urge us

to pray.

Take my

teeny prayer,

O God,

and use it

for your purpose.

Love, Andrea

Tuesday, December 26, 2023

Dear God,

This early morning as I sat in the middle of my devotional time, I was aware of ten different sources of light all around me.  The Christmas tree and mantle lights, a candle burning, outdoor Christmas lights, indoor lamps and a nightlight all directed me to the one great light of all time.  As I rocked in my chair, I breathed in the air of your light warming my soul, refreshing my faith and renewing my hope.

So often we miss revelations of your spirit present all around us.  We simply see what is, blinded to what is more.  Yet, it exists to touch, inspire and challenge us.  Today I did not miss you!  Thanks be to God!

Thank you

for the revelation

of your spirit

in my midst,

Loving God.

Thank you

for touching 

my heart,

reminding me

of your

constant love

and merciful care.

Help me

share your gift

with others.

Yours, Andrea

Monday, December 25, 2023

Dear God,

Although this day is a time to celebrate the birth of your son, it is also a day to celebrate new birth coming out of faith.  We watched that occur in our family this afternoon as our granddaughter shared the source of her powerlessness and her openness to offer her story to those temporarily staying in a mental health facility.  When she finished, we knew a rebirth had occurred.

What is Christmas if not a time for regeneration and renewal?  For that matter, what is Christian faith if not a retelling of a story of our own birth by your divine power?  It all points back to Jesus but it is a modern retelling of birth in our time and place.  

Holy God,

thank you

for this

new rebirth

in our family.

Thank you

for spiritual power

that helps

and heals.

Thank you

for this

blessed Christmas day

filled with hope.

Yours, Andrea

Sunday, December 24, 2023

Dear God,

Although sick and unable to do much of anything, I did stand at the window as evening fell and looked at the night sky.  As one star shone brighter than all the others, I thought of the Bethlehem star, the bright star of faith.

You are

the star

of my faith,

Merciful God.

Thank you

for this

holy night.

Thank you

for this

very special night.

Yours, Andrea

Saturday, December 23, 2023

Dear God,

In the quiet silence while I was feverish, coughing and feeling really crappy, I listened to your voice.  I spoke giving thanks.  Although I really couldn't do anything but stay in bed and rest, I realized the best gift of being sick is just being with you alone.

Thank you

for being

with me,

dear God.

What a blessing

to be held

by you.

You are

so faithful

to care

for your own.

Love, Andrea

Friday, December 22, 2023

Dear God,

I fell ill this morning.  In the busyness of this season, I could hardly take time to be sick.  But, of course, you had the last word, the only important word.  As I crawled back into my bed, I did the only thing that was important at the moment and that was to dwell with you.

Thank you,

Holy God,

for the gift

of your

living presence.

What greater gift

is there?

Thank you

for allowing me

to dwell

with you.

Yours forever, Andrea

Thursday, December 21, 2023

Dear God,

Early this morning as I sat by our Christmas tree, I gazed at the twinkling lights.  I whispered thankful prayers for the light then I reflected on how each light represented blessings given by you.  As each one radiated, I named just a few before falling into praise for all of them.

How is it, O Lord, you give us new insights while sitting in ordinary situations?  But I guess that is what you do, make the extraordinary from the ordinary.  On this morning I sat in the light remembering the light of each gift but more than that, remembering your extraordinary light shining on me.

O God,

your light illuminates

your grace

into the world.

If we

open our hearts

and wait,

you will

speak to us

of many 

wondrous things.

This morning

I dwelled

in your light

with great joy!

Yours, Andrea

Wednesday, December 20, 2023

Dear God,

The outdoor lights twinkle and reflect in the darkness just outside my study window.  No matter which way I look, the light is there radiating exquisite beauty that all call out to the Holy light of Bethlehem.  They glow reminding us of Christ but also of faith and love and hope.  In a world of chaos and crisis, pain and sorrow, we need your light to keep us from despair and hopelessness.  And so they do.

Thank you,

Master Artist,

for the gift

of your light.

Is there

any gift greater

than that?

Thank you

for the

world's greatest light

shining all

over the cosmos

and at

my tiny speck

in the creation!

Yours, Andrea

Tuesday, December 19, 2023

Dear God,

It is time to reveal love all over again.  Making favorite goodies for each member of my family brings special joy to me because it blesses them.  Reading their list, buying ingredients, then baking, making and preparing allows me to reflect upon them and my special, unique love for each one.

Where would we be without Advent and this beautiful time to consider the many gifts you give?  And to think it comes year after year after year!  What a holy time of love dwelling with us, spilling over and reaching out to others!

May your

many blessings

dwell within us

just long enough

for love

to grow

and spread out!

May our love

join yours

to bless

the world!

Fill us

so we

can fill others!

Yours, Andrea

Monday, December 18, 2023

Dear God,

The bright light in the night sky tells me it is the Bethlehem Star.  Although I took a course in Astronomy, I still do not know much about the lights of heaven.  But at this time of year, the greatest light in the night sky always directs me to you.

How thankful I am for Advent, that special season of waiting, preparing and anticipating, keeps my mind keen on you, your grace and your mysteries.  The treasures of Advent are perhaps greater than Christmas.  Why?  Because Christ has already come and continues to come and preparing for that event affords opportunity after opportunity to open every human sense to welcome your coming in each life.  

Come, Lord Jesus,

come into

our lives

once again

not just

at Christmas

but today 

and tomorrow 

and the

day after that.

Come and 

dwell with us.

Come and

dwell with us!

Yours, Andrea

Sunday, December 17, 2023

Dear God,

Although worship was taking place 30 minutes away, a way was made for those who could not worship in person.  Today I sat in my pajamas in my study singing the familiar Advent hymns and praying the Lord's Prayer.  Your spirit was as much here as there.

It seems you make a way for all of us, O Lord.  We may be thousands of miles from one another; yet, your spirit is with us all.  We do not need feel alone or forgotten.  Your attention is with every troubled soul.

Your spirit amazes and challenges us, dear God.  You touch, inspire and bless each of us where and how we are.  One may need hope, another comfort but whatever we need, wherever we are, in whatever shape we are in, sinner or saint, you know our need and you speak to that need there and then.

We are grateful

for your

loving presence,

O God.

No one

can give us

what you give.

We offer you

our praise.

Love, Andrea

Saturday, December 16, 2023

Dear God, 

Your surprises always blow me away!  When I least expect it, you come on your spirit breeze and whisper to me.  This time it was additional funds that came in a check that gave me opportunity to give.  My heart swelled with love for you!

You know our hearts and minds, don't you, dear Lord?  You know what will bring us spiritual joy.  A gift

of money is just money if we spend it on ourselves but the gift of money to give away brings special joy.  I immediately wrote the checks and smiled a big smile because when you give and we know it comes from you, we can feel such divine love that is a gift larger than cash.

Bless you,

Holy God,

all blessings

to you

from my heart

to yours.

Thank you

for giving me

so many gifts.

Thank you

for making

my heart

receptive to others.

Praise to you!

Love, Andrea

 

Friday, December 15, 2023

Dear God,

Usually, I want waiting to end.  I can be impatient.  But this Advent is different; I like the waiting.  I need this time of spiritual waiting because in the midst of it all is my hope in you.

I can't really explain it but I know that I know that I know that this is a significant time.  Waiting in order to meet you is more than a gift.  It is life-sustaining.

I am not well.  I have much to do but in order to deal with both I need this holding time with you.  While I bake, I think of you.  When I fold clothes, I think of you.  When I wash dishes, mop the floor and clean up the house, I think of you.  Waiting is opening the door to you and I am so grateful!

Loving God,

how is it

you choose

to open doors

to your heart

for me?

Why me?

I am

not worthy;

yet, you come

to me.

I love you.

Yours, Andrea 

Thursday, December 14, 2023

Dear God,

Gray days!  Gray days speak to me more about you than any other kind of day!  A gray day persuades me to look for the great mystery of creation.  The trees call me to reflect upon their roots and this blessed time of regeneration.  The skies call me to wander more deeply into the heavens filled with awe and wonder.  The gray calls me to consider its color knowing there is so much beauty mixed in with the color of a sunny day.  Gray days are filled with mystery, intrigue and treasure.  They invite me in to visit with you.

Thank you,

Loving Creator,

for yet

another glorious 

gray day.

You draw me

to your side.

I feel 

emotionally and 

spiritually revived 

as we 

sit together.

Love, Andrea

Wednesday, December 13, 2023

Dear God,

Even to begin this letter to you, I feel hope.  To know that you would desire a relationship with me as much as I want one with you fills my heart with hope.  To love and be loved is the greatest gift upon the planet.

There still continues to be a struggle for belief in your existence.  Many people throw out the idea because they do not see who they believe you may possibly be which throws out their case against you.  Their anticipation and expectation simply do not stand up to their own test; therefore, they do not believe. 

But what if they shifted just a bit and altered their expectations?  You are not Santa Claus, a big man in a red coat with an even bigger bag of toys that comes only once a year.  You are more than that.  You are like love, that ethereal concept that cannot be fully explained just known or experienced.  When you have it, you know you are the most blessed person.  Who you are and what you bring are even more because you and love are one and the same.  To be loved is to know you and to know you is to know love.  And that gives hope like nothing else!

Holy, holy, holy

are you

Creator God.

Your love

fills the cosmos

because you are

its creator.

Thank you

for loving all

that is.

Yours, Andrea

Tuesday, December 12, 2023

Dear God,

From the other room I heard the music of heaven.  On stage choirs sang the sound of Christmas.  They sang again the familiar songs that stir the human heart reminding us that God exists in the world, once as a baby in a cow barn, once a pre-teen in a temple and once a man on a cross.  You never want us to forget your coming and remaining.

Your spirit is present daily in our lives.  Although we are turned toward our other gods, you make way for us to see and experience you.  Advent gives us opportunity to remember.  How sweet are the night skies during Advent.  How marvelous are those whose generosity gives food to the hungry.  How lovely to gaze upon a creche waiting to be filled with a wanting family.  All around us are signs of your living, loving presence!  Although my heart was heavy with world and personal concerns, the sounds of Christmas around the corner returned me to you.

Thank you,

Loving God,

for your coming.

Thank you

for your

constant reminder

of your

blessed presence.

We need you

so much,

Heavenly Father.

Return us

to you.

Love, Andrea

Monday, December 11, 2023

Dear God,

Wars make our news every day.  Around the world millions are suffering.  Many are dying from starvation, violence and greed.  How and why do we continue to hurt one another?

I simply do not understand why legislators choose to feed their own greed and power instead of serving the people of the nation and world.  What makes the heart tick selfishness?  Why do power and greed carry such weight in the human mind, heart and soul?  Why are we such a broken people with such great lack of compassion and mercy?

There is

no doubt

we are

a broken people,

O God.

We have 

followed our

own will

and way.

We have

left the poor

and suffering

in our wake.

Cleanse our minds,

hearts and souls,

we pray

so we

may find

our way,

your way,

once again.

Yours, Andrea

Sunday, December 10, 2023

Dear God,

Although I knew I was ready, still I was anxious and a bit afraid.  Yet, when I stood to preach today, I knew your word was being made known.

I am always mystified why you care so much.  We are simple people made of crumbling clay.  We are often selfish, self-serving and possessive but it is like you don't even notice.  You keep on loving, speaking, nudging and guiding.  No one cares like you.

As I watched the faces of your people in worship, I knew they were hearing your message.  Their expressions bore the face of gratitude because they knew you were speaking to them with hope and light and life.  I too was grateful!

Holy, holy, holy

are you,

Lord God Almighty.

Your love knows

no bounds.

May we 

praise you always!

Love, Andrea

Saturday, December 9, 2023

Dear God,

Your spirit quickens our spirit when we trust in you.  When you nudge us, we can feel a strange calling to do something beyond our own thinking.  When we act, you bring us great joy.

There have been many moments when you have spoken to me through nudges.  Many times I turned away either confused, resistant or uninterested.  I wonder what my life might have been like if I had followed.  But for those times when I recognized the nudge as yours and followed through on your direction, I have known that you and I were tracking together for your glory.  Thanks be to God!

You are

the great giver,

O God.

Your nudges

are love

made manifest.

When we

take your direction

and follow through, 

we love you 

right back.

Thank you.

Love, Andrea

Friday, December 9, 2023

Dear God,

When we pray, sometimes all we get is silence.  We think silence means absence but not so.  Perhaps you are nearer during that time than any time before.  It is a pregnant pause, time to be alone together, no words, just quiet time among friends.

Silence gives us time to ponder and reflect.  It is an opportunity to dwell with you while we wait.  It is a time for love and trust, a time to breathe and contemplate, a time to still the human heart, mind and soul, something we so desperately need.  It is a time to make ready to hear, to listen and to act, a time to prepare.

Thank you

for silence,

Holy Father.

Thank you

for all

the gifts

that come

in silence.

Lead us

to that place

made quiet

by your spirit,

we pray.

Love, Andrea

Thursday, December 8, 2023

Dear God,

Christmas lights are popping up everywhere.  Red, green, multicolor, on animal figures and children's toys as well as tiny white lights, spinning, radiating and flashing.  Although they are festive displays, they glow for only one reason and that is they are the light of Christ.

We are all fascinated by light in the darkness.  We want to stare.  We want to watch them over and over again because they call to us at a deep level.  They whisper faith to us.

I hope to hang my Christmas lights tomorrow.  I will keep them up through the months of December and January.  I especially love them because they make your living presence real to me.  Although they are tiny white lights, they have a bluish, haunting effect, one that says to me, "Look again, Christ is close and coming."  

Holy God,

you are

the light

of the world

and I

am grateful.

You inspire

and bless

during this season

of Advent.

How we

need this season.

Warm our hearts

so we

can warm

the hearts

of others.

Bless you,

Father,

bless you.

Yours, Andrea

Wednesday, December 6, 2023

Dear God,

The only way we can sing a new song is if we are willing to surrender the old one.  Because we have sung it for so long, it is hard to let go.  Yet, the old one is stale and stagnant.  It doesn't sound as good as it used to.

In 1997 I didn't even know I was singing an old song until I was diagnosed with breast cancer.  That wracked my world.  I was afraid.  Within days you invited me to leave my familiar song for another.  Only by reflecting back can I really appreciate the mystical way you gave me my new song, a fresh, joy-filled song of hope, love and faith.

When I stood in worship two months later, I testified to the fact that I would never trade the new joy I had found, the glorious awareness of your living presence or the hope I felt for the return of my breast.  All this was your hand at work, O God.  All of it.  You produced something new in me, a new song to sing.  I will always be grateful!

I am singing

your song,

dear God.

Yours is

a song 

of grace,

mercy and love.

No song

was ever

so lovely.

Thank you!

Yours, Andrea

Tuesday, December 5, 2023

Dear God,

I love being in the center of Advent.  I love being on the journey of faith.  Advent leads us more and more to you; what's not to love?

My covenant group is reading the same two devotional books together this year.  As we read from their pages, we sense not only each other's presence but also yours like in a circle of faith.  Preparing for Christmas and Epiphany together fills us with wonder and awe.

It's funny or strange but I feel a growth spurt like children growing up.  I feel it inside myself and I know it is you.  And again I smile, knowing the blessing.

Holy God,

you fill us

with good gifts.

Thank you

for Advent

and all

its miracles.

Thank you

for ushering

our group

into your

wonderful presence.

Yours, Andrea

Monday, December 4, 2023

Dear God,

At worship today as I read the first lesson in Isaiah, I felt the gentle breeze of your Holy Spirit as I read.  I smiled because I sensed your loving presence.

How do such things happen, O Lord?  Is our heart or mind a certain way at the moment or is it pure grace you bring to remind us of your existence?  Is it faith growing?

Whenever I experience such a beautiful thing, I know more than ever your greatness because I am filled with wonder.  I know I am looking into the face of your glory.  I don't know why.  I don't know why me.  I just know you so I quietly break into your praise.

Thank you,

Holy God,

for the

fruitful gifts

of your spirit.

Thank you

for remembering us.

Thank you

for grace

that sweeps us

off our feet.

Love, Andrea

Sunday, December 3, 2023

Dear God,

How wonderful to celebrate the first day of Advent, 2023.  Once again we get to focus and talk about hope.  In a world where hope seems to be a crazy idea, we return to your living word to remember hope is a gift from you, one we can open anytime.  And when we do, our vision of reality is peppered with this gracious gift that makes the heart sing and the mind shift.  Hope is always a good idea!

Hope is not just a human concept but rather a divine promise.  When we hope, we trust.  We anticipate.  We look to you.  Hope does not give us our wish list rather it helps strengthen our inner core of faith.  Hope can get us out of bed, put a lift in our step and a smile on our face.  Hope can energize us to do what we thought we could not do.  Hope can sustain us until our situation changes or we change. 

Thank you

for hope,

Gracious God.

Thank you

for renewing

our faith

and making 

us strong.

Teach us

to always trust

so hope

can have

a chance.

Love, Andrea

Saturday, December 2, 2023

Dear God,

Today was a beautiful day because my new flooring was down. My new lights had arrived.  I found items I had been looking for.  I could check all these off my long list.  But this was not the best part of my day.

As I walked through the gentle mist in the parking lot of Lowe's, I saw a man lifting 40 lb. bags of salt from a heavy-duty cart.  As I stepped past him, I heard your gentle voice whisper to me.  I turned and told the man I would be happy to return the cart to the store after he finished putting them all in his truck.  He seemed surprised and thanked me.  I waited for a couple minutes then took the cart after wishing him a Merry Christmas.

What made this a spectacular moment of faith for me was the fact that this was a man very unlike myself.  He had a big sticker on his truck regarding the second amendment about guns to which I am so opposed because of mass shootings in America.  It was clear he participated in the opposite political party to which I consider myself a member.  And yet, he was the one you asked me to serve in a spontaneous moment.  I learned a lesson today about grace.

O God,

thank you

for turning

my head

and my heart.

Thank you

for the lesson

that came

in the rain.

Teach me

your lessons

every day,

I pray.

Love, Andrea

Friday, December 1, 2023

Dear God,

How still must we be in order to hear your voice, Mighty and Compassionate God?  Must our minds be completely shut off in order to hear you?  How do we shut out the noisy chatter all around us?

You are loving and merciful.  There is no one like you.  We long to hear your voice and strain to hear you over everyone and everything else.  We want, need to hear you.  

Gentle God,

hear our prayers

for hope,

compassion and peace.

Lead us

to your well

of living water.

Quiet our hearts

to receive

your loving message.

Yours, Andrea

Thursday, November 30, 2023

Dear God,

As the day dawned gray and gloomy, I thought of those who will despair today.  A dark day can throw people over the edge.  Some of those people are my family members.  I think of them.

It was on a gray day you spoke deeply to me.  Twenty-six years ago diagnosed with two kinds of breast cancer, I felt my own mortality.  I knew I could die.  So I did the only thing I knew to do.  I fell to my knees in prayer.  I did not ask for complete healing or a stay on a radical mastectomy, rather all I wanted was to feel your heavenly presence every moment of every day.  I wanted to walk by your side so I could trust you for all things.  I wanted to be close, to breathe in your air, hear your words and feel your hand upon me.  I knew if I had those things, I would be okay.

And so, on a gray day, I smile and feel the warmth of your love.  I am grateful, deeply grateful.

Thank you

for your

constant love,

Merciful God.

Thank you

for reminders

of quiet miracles

and miraculous hope.

You are God;

there is none

like you!

Yours, Andrea

Wednesday, November 29, 2023

Dear God,

This morning I was directed to Luke 1:26-38, the story of young Mary.  Every time I read her story, I think of you.  You asked her to carry your son, our savior.  She did not hesitate; she simply said yes.

Oh, to be like Mary!  To say quickly, yes, yes, yes!  She did not ask for more time to think about it.  She didn't make excuses or quibble over the asking, she just said yes.

Seems to me Mary had a lot of love for you and much trust in you to be so decisive.  She knew you would be faithful to her, to embrace her and walk with her especially as the questions started coming.  She not only believed, she expressed her love for you in doing as you asked.  As we enter Advent, Mary can serve as an example.

Holy, holy, holy 

are you,

Lord God Almighty.

All praise

is due you.

Thank you

for a savior,

for Mary

and for

continuing to

request our yes.

Love, Andrea