Friday, February 23, 2024

Dear God,

What is faith but a devout belief in the presence of your living, loving self in human life.  As we look around us, breathe in free air and live and move in this world, how can we not believe in One so much greater and more powerful and creative than we ourselves?

Today as I look upon your created order, a female cardinal stands on a branch in my cherry tree.  She looks at me and I at her.  It is like we know each other's secrets of love, freedom and hope.  Right now at this very moment in my study, the world is at peace.

Holy God,

thank you

for the gifts

of your spirit.

Thank you

for reminding us

that we 

live together,

you and I.

Help me

more than ever

to grow

my trust

in you

and my love

for you,

I pray.

Love, Andrea

Thursday, February 22, 2024

Dear God,

A statue of St. Francis stands just outside my study window.  He holds a bird.  His quiet presence calls me to a faith deeper and deeper each day.  St. Francis gave away his posh life to become a follower of yours.  Today Franciscans care for the poor, fight injustice, give spiritual insight, love the stranger and pray for the world.

It was about a half century ago when a strange monk appeared in my dreams.  Although I did not know his name or his significance, he came often particularly at times of distress.  I found comfort in his presence.  It was about 20 years later that I discovered who he was and what he was about.  I read books and then traveled to Italy even to Assisi to learn more about him and to sit with him in his little town.  He remains with me or maybe it is I who remain with him.

Blessed are those

who follow you,

O God.

Thank you

for St. Francis,

his faith,

his devotion

and his love.

Thank you

for bringing him

to me.

Yours, Andrea

Wednesday, February 21, 2024

Dear God,

How can we possibly find our way without you?  We can choose to live without direction if we desire.  We can live just day to day.  Or we can follow a divine plan.

A contemplative life is one where a person lives in your divine presence, knowingly and intentionally.  One who chooses to pray and to listen for your voice is one who can live daily but also in the light of faith.  One who lives inside and follows a divine plan is one who lives deeper and wider, sees more, finds greater perspective and experiences greater joy, hope and peace.

Holy God,

help us

live on

your divine path.

Lead us,

we pray

to you.

Then fill

our mouth

with praise

and thanksgiving.

Love, Andrea

Tuesday, February 20, 2024

Dear God,

You are always teaching us patience so we can learn the means of trust, wisdom and hope.  Today my patience was pinched because my computer screen went too far to the right and I spent nearly an hour trying to learn how to reconfigure it.

Let's face it, Lord, we do not want to learn as much as we want everything to work exactly as we want it NOW.  We do not want to be inconvenienced in any way.  We do not want to be troubled in anything we do but how will we ever learn patience, life lessons and trust if we do not stumble once in a while?

More than anything I want to be the very person you designed me to be but I really need help, Gracious God, I really need help.

Thank you,

Loving God,

for slowing me down

to listen

and learn.

Never give up

on me,

I pray.

I need you.

Yours, Andreaa

Monday, February 19, 2024

Dear God,

Having cancer causes me to pause, reflect and pray.  It helps me put things in perspective, persuades me to count my blessings and motivates me to reconsider my priorities.  All the extraneous things simply fall to the wayside.  I have another 30+ days to wait to see if my body still holds more cancer.

This holding time is producing fruit in me.  It is keeping me closer to you and to those I love most.  It is forging a deeper faith. It is inviting me to trust you more.  It is keeping me in today realizing if I try to dally in tomorrow, it will not be profitable, so I hold and wait with you.

Thank you,

O God,

for holding me

in this time

of waiting.

I am surrendering

my fear

and anxiety

into your hands.

Praise you,

my God,

who created me

and embraces me

even now.

Yours, Andrea

Sunday, February 18, 2024

Dear God,

Through scripture, prayer and experience, you remind us to count our blessings, like the song, one by one.  If we do this daily, we soon realize that we already have many blessings even before we begin our day.

Today I did just that.  When I feel low or blue or pained by some experience, counting my blessings can help lift my spirit, give me hope and empower me to get up and get to work.  Food on my table, medicine in the cabinet, clean water from the faucet, amazing stars at night, people who love me and let me love them right back was all I needed to get me going.

Thank you,

Gracious God,

for the

loving gifts

of your 

amazing grace,

your gentle whispers

and kind compassion.

There is

no other God

besides you.

Yours, Andrea

.

Saturday, February 17, 2024

Dear God,

Today I watched my granddaughter play in her high school semi-state basketball competition.  Although they played hard, they lost their game.  It was only when she walked into her parents' waiting arms, that I realized it was her last game after 13 years.

Eras that come and go bring us memories to savor because we realize what was is no more.  But then that is the way life is supposed to be.  The question is:  Have we lived those days meaningfully and faithfully?  Have we made the most of each day?  Have we given and received in equal amounts?  

Although it is difficult to accept that our Lucy is finished playing ball and will enter college in the fall, it is time to let her go, to grow into full maturity and to step into her future filled with promise.

Thank you

for blessings

that come

our way.

Thank you

for those

who have participated

in our lives.

Thank you

for eras

that come

and go

in due time.

Yours, Andrea

Friday, February 16, 2024

Dear God,

Today as I read my devotions and listened to you in silence, you reminded me that sometimes I have to go back to the ground to learn once again.  Just as children sit down on the floor and listen to their parent read a book, we too have to return to where we started to learn from the ground up.  Some lessons are simply hard to learn.

When I allow old stories to recycle in my mind reinjuring myself from hurts of the past, I remain a victim, like an injured fawn on the side of the road that no one helps.  But why?  Why do I do it?  Why do any of us do it?  Perhaps we don't want to surrender those hurts.  Maybe we want to hold on to the past as crappy as it may have been.  There is a reason but no reason is good.

Today I tried to release my past again.

Compassionate God,

I so

want to

follow your way.

I want

to let go

so I

can grab hold

of your hand.

Please help me,

I pray.

Please help all
of us

who hurt.

Love, Andrea

Thursday, February 15, 2024

Dear God,

I want so much to follow your will and your way.  I want to rise to a higher level of faithfulness, trust and hope; however, far too often I fail to rise to that level.  I allow my inner feelings of loss, pain and resentment to get the best of me.  At the same time I feel that inner call to want to give all my sorrow, all my emotions to you for your work in me.  It is hard, O God, it is hard.

Lead me

to still waters,

O Holy One.

Help me drink

from your hand.
Fill my thirst

for you,

I pray.

Love, Andrea

Wednesday, February 14, 2024

Dear God

Your ways are not our ways, O God.  When hope erupts seemingly out of nowhere, we witness firsthand your wondrous way.  Although I am living in hope regarding my bladder cancer, I do have moments when I dwell on the fact I have cancer again.

What I have learned about your way is that when we find ourselves faltering, our foundation slipping or doubt creeping in, it is a call to reach out or up to you knowing by faith your hand is already extended.  When we take hold, our hope can swell once again.  Trust allows hope and faith to grow.

Thank you

for your way

and your will,

O God.

Thank you

for extending

your hand

to me today.

Bless you,

O God,

bless you.

Yours, Andrea

Tuesday, February 13, 2024

Dear God,

You just know!  You just know!  You just know what I need when I need it!

Although I believe I am doing fairly well with the news of my bladder cancer, still it niggles in my mind and I think about it several times daily.  I want to completely let it go but find myself returning to the same thoughts.  In the darkness it appears more frequently.

But today I was looking up a friend on the Internet and just for fun, I typed in my own name.  There I was on the page before me.  Not only that, on U Tube there was a sermon I had preached in June, 2014.  Entitled, "Three in the Morning," I watched my own sermon.  Of course, it was about dark moments in life and how light comes to those difficult times.  For twenty-minutes I listened, watched and wept.  Those words penetrated my NOW heart and I heard them fresh once again. The light is always shining and hope is always possible.

You just knew what I needed and you gave it to me once again, Holy God.  How can I ever thank you?

Thank you,

Loving God,

for your

gracious generosity,

for your

holy spirit

and for your

compassionate love.

Thank you

for touching

my weary soul.

Thank you

for your

gentle reminder!

Yours for always, Andrea

Monday, February 12, 2024

Dear God,

We can be so certain of something we want to do but when your spirit sweeps over us, we can change our mind in an instant.  I am not sure how that happens, I just know it does.

You know our past, our present and our future, O God.  You know the ways that will bring us home to new truths, finer perspectives and better decisions.  You care for us more deeply than any earthly being.  Your love can sweep us up changing us into what will bring us home.  

Today your sweet spirit changed me, yes, in just an instant.

Holy and Merciful God,

thank you

for your

loving attention.

Thank you

for your

amazing wisdom

that can

change us

in ways

beyond our comprehension.

Thank you

for changing me today.

Yours, Andrea

Sunday, February 11, 2024

Dear God,

It is time to wait again.  All during Advent we waited.  We were reminded how important waiting is.  We learned there are many gifts while we wait.

Now, I am waiting to know if I have cancer in other places in my body besides my bladder.  I have to wait six weeks to get the results of tests.  This kind of waiting is exhausting.  Yet, while I wait you wait for me to come running to you.  You invite me to walk with you, to saunter down paths toward peace, hope and joy.  You want to grow my faith, increase my trust and teach me greater life lessons.  These are the gifts, the hidden gems of waiting.

Teach me

once more

the meaning

of waiting.

Help me 

surrender into

your hands.

Lead me,

Lord,

to wait

with grace,

hope and peace.

Yours, Andrea

Saturday, February 10, 2024

Dear God,

The song stood out during worship, "We are just walking each other home."  Indeed.  There is something about that that rang true.  

There are so many cliched phrases about home.  Home is where the heart is.  But home is much more than that.  Home, a true home is one where we are accepted, loved, and supported.  It is a place of safety and warmth.  It is the dwelling place of God.

When we walk each other home, sometimes we are holding people up until they can finally arrive there.  Sometimes we just walk beside.  Other times we run or crawl but always do we need to make the journey with others.  We help each other get to where we are most loved.

Home is not just a place in eternity; it is a place here and now.  It is a quiet place always inviting us in.  Come and rest awhile it says.  For me right now I long for home more than any other.

Holy God,

thank you

for the

continual invitation

to come home.

Show us

the way.

Help us remember

there is

no place

like home

with you.

Yours, Andrea

Friday, February 9, 2024

Dear God,

How is it possible that a cut Christmas tree in a stand for nearly two months can sprout new growth? Today after I removed all the lights, baubles and icicles from my 9' tree, I noticed several green sprouts.  I could not believe it.  I simply could not conceive it.  Yet, there it was on several branches.

Why should such a thing be shocking to me?  For no one but you, O God, can bring about the impossible.  I suspect it had something to do with your challenge to me to grow new buds in my own faith.  With difficult challenges before me, there is opportunity to be new once again even though it is very possible that I have some dead branches in my soul.  

Thank you

for the joy

my tree's

new growth

gave me.

Thank you

for the beauty

that appeared

under all

the decorations.

Underneath it all

a treasure 

was forming.

Only you,

O God,

give such

extravagant gifts.

Love, Andrea

Thursday, February 8, 2024

Dear God,

I must admit I tend to sing an old song, one of frustration, pain and sorrow.  Sometimes it swirls around in my head and I get upset all over again even though events happened years ago.  What in the world is wrong with me?

Only you, O God, can give us a new song to sing, a song of hope, peace and renewal.  As we trust in you, you provide resources enabling us to have a desire to sing a new song.  Without desire, no new notes, lyrics or harmonies can appear.  With you, a truly new song can form on our lips.

Help me,

dearest God,

to trust you

for today

and tomorrow.

Although I

cannot rewrite yesterday,

I can find

a way

to pen

a new song

for today.

Lead me,

Merciful God,

to the well

of trust

and faith.

I want

to sing

a new song

for you.

Love, Andrea

Wednesday, February 7, 2024

Dear God,

The voices of love came my way today.  My covenant group, Bill, Jan and Susan, sounded very much like you.  Although we spoke by phone, I felt comforted, loved and supported as I shared my cancer challenge.  Love, yours and theirs, circled round and held me.

Thank you 

for so 

many blessings,

O God.

I needed them

this morning.

Thank you

for the sound

of your love.

Yours, Andrea

Tuesday, February 6, 2024

Dear God,

I met with the oncologist for the first time today.  I breathed a prayer that the appointment would go well and that I could really hear what she was saying about my cancer.  

I realize in life we must always allow room for faith and trust in every situation.  If we give all our space to fear and anxiety, then there is no room for anything else.  When we invite faith and trust to dwell in the spaces of uncertainty, we can gain strength, courage, hope, peace and even joy to help us face the challenges ahead.  I am grateful I was able to take faith and trust with me to my appointment.  It made all the difference.

Thank you,

Loving God,

for your

eternal kindness.

You always think

of us.

You never

leave us alone.

Love, Andrea

Monday, February 5, 2024

Dear God,

I have to be honest that I am feeling a little apprehensive today.  In about 24 hours I will meet with my new oncologist to talk about my diagnosis of bladder cancer and my treatment options.  I am living in silence right now reveling in the quiet space where you are.  For I am listening for your voice above all others.

As I wait and listen, O God, I am growing my faith and trust in you.  Every great challenge that comes our way is an opportunity to meet you in a fresh new way and I want to do that more than anything.

Guide me,

Compassionate God,

to your side

where there

is only

love, hope

and peace.

Remind me again

of the promises

for those

who wait.

Teach me

your will

and your ways,

I pray.

Love, Andrea

Sunday, February 4, 2024

Dear God,

This morning I spoke to my living Christmas tree.  I stood by it giving thanks for the many gifts it gave me all Advent, Christmas and Epiphany seasons.  For weeks I have sat by it with just its lights and the mantle lights glowing.  Each time I breathed prayers of thanksgiving knowing how their light had blessed me.

Twenty-seven years ago very early in the morning I stood in my shower giving thanks to my breast which would soon be removed because of breast cancer.  I wept as I remembered many of the gifts it had given as well.

Some would say I am crazy for talking to such things but why?  Gratitude is one of your most precious gifts.  It is an act of love appreciating the many blessings that are given in life.  I recall a scripture, "To whom much is given, much is required."  I assumed the much is gratitude.

Thank you,

Loving God,

for sustaining me

through my

seventy-seven years.

You have

blessed me

beyond all comprehension.

Today's sweet talk

reminded me

once again

how wonderful

you are.

Love, Andrea

Saturday, February 3, 2024

Dear God,

I love the dawn.  I love the colors that unexpectantly spread across the sky.  I love the silence and the way the earth sings her song of joy.  I love to stand at the window and watch moment by moment as morning arises.

How can we not love you, O God, for you are the author and creator of creation?  When we can finally acknowledge there is something far greater than ourselves, we are free to see, hear and experience more deeply.  We can see you!

Holy, holy, holy

for you

are holy,

Great and Wondrous God.

Thank you

for daily gifts

for awe

and surprise us.

Thank you

for your

majestic sunrise

morning after morning

after morning.

Love, Andrea

Friday, February 2, 2024

Dearest God,

When we taste grace, we can never return to the moment when we did not know it.  It is like manna in the desert or water on a hot, humid day.  Our lives can never fully return to yesterday.

This morning as I read my devotions, the word "grace" popped up and I realized I have been a recipient so many times.  And even when I didn't always recognize it, I knew who gave it.  My heart warmed and my soul soared and my lips could not stop spreading your praise.

You are God;

there is none

like you.

How grateful

I am

to be

in your company,

Holy Father.

I trust

in you.

Love, Andrea

Thursday, February 1, 2024

Dear God,

Every day there are unexpected gifts that make their way to us.  This morning for me it was the scent of pine from my real Christmas tree that I put up on December 12.  It was the light of the candle that throws light my way each morning as I do my devotions.  Last night it was bright stars in a dark night sky.  These may seem like ordinary things and maybe they are but does it matter?  I believe each can convey a deeper message of hope, peace and joy.

For some people it is just making it through another anguishing night.  When we open our eyes, mind and faith, we can catch the moment of surprise and wonder.  We can receive them as special gifts in hard times.  And when hard times are not happening, we can take hold of them remembering that you give gifts every day but we get to choose whether we will open them or not.

Thank you,

Blessed God,

for your

many, oh

so many gifts.

Thank you

for mine

and the messages

they convey.

I am blessed today,

O Lord,

I am blessed.

Yours for always, Andrea

Wednesday, January 31, 2024

Dear God,

I feel like I am greeting you this morning out of the deep well of peace.  Although I look at the sorrow and horror of many at home and around the world, I choose to live by faith-made, sweet peace.

There are so many forces right now seeking to take us down, health, sour politics, racism, general disregard and greed to name a few.  We have forgotten what is at the bedrock of our creation.  We are people made of the spirit of your divine love.  No matter how we were conceived, we are each part and parcel of you, Loving God.  We all carry your DNA.  What we choose to do with it is up to us.  If we continue to forget, we will take the long road toward more sorrow and pain.

But, on the other hand, if we choose to breathe in the celebration of your living, loving presence in us all, we will have resources beyond what this world gives like hope, faith, joy, courage and yes, sweet peace.

Holy God,

build our wells deeper.

For we need

deep wells

to live

in these

sorrowful days.

Give us

your peace

so we can

become peacemakers

for the world.

Yours first, Andrea

Tuesday, January 30, 2024

Dear God,

On Facebook this morning I saw a youth choir competition.  Entitled Wales2Win, I watched one soloist and choir sing the Negro Spiritual, There Will Be Peace in the Valley. As I listened tears filled my eyes.  Once again it was a message from children singing about peace in the world for everyone.  I listened to it five more times.

I shared the message and song on my own Facebook page wishing peace for all people regardless.  I wrote, If I have peace but no one else does, peace doesn't work!  I believe that and so if you are reading this, I wish you peace today and all your tomorrows!

Love, Andrea

Monday, January 29, 2024

Dear God,

This morning as I sat in my devotional chair reading texts from spiritual friends, I kept peeking around the corner of my chair to see the candlelight burning.  I thought it strange until I realized the significance of the spiritual nature of the light.

So often we search for the light believing we need it to travel through whatever darkness we have entered.  Even as we journey we keep looking for that speck of light at the end of the tunnel to make sure we are on the right path.  We like the comfort of the light to keep us going.  For many it is a sign of hope, joy and peace.  I guess I needed a bit of the light myself this morning.

Holy God,

thank you

for holy moments

of insight

and peace.

Thank you

for your light

shining through

my candle.

You are an

awesome God.

Love, Andrea

Sunday, January 28, 2024

Dear God,

Waiting seems to be one of your most common gifts, not common in the sense of ordinary but common in the way it comes regularly.  We wait to grow up.  We wait to graduate.  We wait for our baby to be born.  We wait for the job.  We wait for our paycheck.  We wait so often.  

I used to be annoyed with waiting.  I wanted things to happen right now, still do if I am truthful.  But I also know the value of waiting.  A waiting time can give us pause to reflect upon your many gifts to us.  Waiting can afford us opportunity to evaluate our life, who we are and what we are about.  Waiting can challenge us to consider life in deeper, wider ways.  Waiting can give us fresh perspective.  Waiting can save us.

I have waited on many things in my life.  Right now I am waiting to have my first appointment with an oncologist who will discuss treatment plans for my bladder cancer.  I decided when I first heard the diagnosis not to run to the end of the tunnel but to stay where I am on course waiting with you.  I am finding a sweet reunion with you as I wait.  I think my faith is growing too and my trust as well, two gifts waiting offers.

Thank you,

Compassionate and Loving God,

for this

waiting time

with you.

Thank you

for helping me

to stay

the course

of faith.

Thank you

for unexpected gifts

that come

during this

holy time.

Yours, Andrea

Saturday, January 27, 2024

Dear God,

To some a Christmas tree is just an evergreen with decorations, lights and presents.  We celebrate its beauty along with Christmas dinner, family and gift-giving.  After December 25 it is simply an object to be removed and dragged to the curb.  But for me, it is much, much more.

While still standing brightly in my living room, it is a sign of faith and joy for me.  It radiates with life that stretches into eternity.  It speaks a powerful, profound message of hope.  Every single day, ever since it was selected and purchased on December 12, it offers the sweet, living scent of pine.  As I sit in my devotional chair squeezed between the tree and the window, I whisper thanksgiving for the daily gift of your love and peace.

Although some would say a tree is simply a tree, you say it is yet another gift of life given on an ordinary day with extraordinary treasures.  Today I am feeling it, really feeling it.

Holy are you,

O God,

and all

your gifts.

What treasure

awaits us

as we

open our eyes

to faith.

Thank you

for your

eternal joy

that comes

each ordinary day.

Yours, Andrea

Friday, January 26, 2024

Dear God,

Time with you takes on many forms.  Sometimes I meet you in nature, other times in music, silence or celebration.  But today we came together in sickness.  Although I was too ill to write, we spoke together in my bed.

Lovely are your ways, O God.  You make a way, a pathway to meet you no matter the situation or condition.  When we come together, you make it sweet, merciful and beautiful.  While I lay in bed with fever, chills, body aches, headache and fatigue, we just spoke in quiet and compassionate ways.  Your love was present in the stillness.

Thank you,

dearest God,

for your love

that is 

never ending.

We can

always count

on you

to be present

with us

in our travails.

Bless you,

O God,

for blessing me today.

Yours, Andrea