Monday, April 29, 2024

Dear God,

There is such a battle for truth right now, in families, in our nation and our world.  Once something we thought was a given is now not so.  New narratives are being made up hour after hour and for some reason many seem to be okay with it.  But when truth is covered up, distorted or destroyed, humanity loses its way.  We become lost.  We wander.  Without the direction, comfort and hope truth offers, we are bereft as a family, as a nation, and as a people.  Lost.

Your son spoke of truth by saying, "You will know the truth and the truth will set you free."  The versions of truth that are now being proclaimed will not save us.  It will keep us in bondage and create hatred and bitterness.  In my lifetime I have never seen such perversion, corruption and moral decay.  You want more from us, O God, more.

Lead us

to life,

dear God,

the kind

of life

that rescues,

honors and loves

all people. 

We need transformation

from the

inside out.

We need you.

Love, Andrea

Sunday, August 28, 2024

Dear God,

To live a contemplative life means we have opportunity to see you walking among the words in the bible as we read them, hear your voice as we sing the songs of faith and experience you as we worship in your sanctuary whether in church, nature or even as we drive along the road.  Being contemplative simply means we live in anticipation of your living presence in daily living.  We know there is always more than what lay on the surface.

Today in worship we sang the song, "Wade in the Water".  All I could think of was wading in living water, being immersed, sprinkled, rained down upon by water alive with faith.  While I swayed in the pew and sang, I felt a smile stretch across my faith thinking just how close you were.

What joy is greater than the sweet life of faith?

Holy God,

thank you

for making

your presence possible

for all

your people.

Thank you

for giving us

a contemplative faith.

Draw us

ever closer,

Loving God.

Yours, Andrea

Saturday, April 27, 2024

Dear God,

The exquisite nature of your creation drew me in this morning.  As I sat in the early morning darkness and opened the windows, I felt the gentle breeze as I listened to the birds sing and watched as the sun rose bringing light into the new day.  It was like the first day of creation!

But then every new day is like the first day of creation because you created it.  In every new day you bring beauty, music and poetry.  If we each greeted the new day like it was the first, we would believe differently, think differently, appreciate differently, hope differently and pray differently.  We would certainly love more than hate, give more than take, and breathe peace more than chaos.  All this is possible because you are the creator of the creation and us, your children.  

Thank you,

Holy God,

for this

most beautiful

new day.

And to think, 

I actually got

to see

and experience it.

I am blessed

because you are

my greatest blessing.

Yours, Andrea

Friday, April 26, 2024

Dear God,

Who may come into your living presence, Holy One?  Kings, the wealthy or the righteous? Or may even the sinners, the lost, the despairing, the hopeless and the broken?  When may we come?  On Sundays only?  No, the door to your heart is always open to all who are looking for the God who cares, who reaches out and embraces all.

There is no rule sheet on your door, O God, no list of responsibilities that one must do to find you and spend time with you.  It is precisely that we are not perfect or clean or pure that we are invited in.  We are welcome anytime, any way and in any condition.  Love is always calling to us.

The church has not always done a good job connecting us with you.  We talk about a demanding God, a judging God and a jealous God.  You created us out of love.  You talk to us in love.  You offer us your love.  Love can heal, help, reconcile, renew, restore, open, forgive, guide and more.  Love is you, dear God, love is you.

Teach us

your ways,

O God.

Show us

the way

to you.

Help us

take steps

toward you.

Yours, Andrea  

Thursday, April 25, 2024

Dear God,

In our backyard the snowball bush is blossoming once again.  Its beauty is not just in the gorgeous white balls it produces but also in its tenacity to live and thrive.  That plant is nearly 40 years old.  It has survived harsh pruning, drought and disease but it refuses to die.  Year after year those delicate blooms proclaim your glorious beauty in the world.

It is also true among humans that have faced hardship, loss and pain.  I am amazed by those whose lives have been difficult but they continue day after day.  They keep putting one foot in front of the other and create beauty where and when they can.  They radiate hope, trust and faith.  Through it all they too make witness to your mighty work and love in the cosmos.

Every day of life we have opportunity to succumb to the tragedies of life or rise in spite of them trusting in something higher, deeper and more beautiful.  Every day.

Gracious God,

thank you

for speaking powerfully

through nature

and humankind.

We need examples,

witnesses to your

holy work.

Release your

power and love

into us

so we

can have

the strength,

courage and resolve

to rise

and praise.

Yours, Andrea

Wednesday, April 24, 2024

Dear God,

Your ways are not our ways.  You see wide and deep.  We see narrow and shallow.  We live on the surface.  You live beneath in mystery.

We can only know your ways when we pause, reflect and listen to your voice.  We can share in your mystery by anticipating and waiting.  We can discover the deep and wide and find more than we could ever know.  

Especially on this gray day where we have to look beyond the dark clouds can we find more.  A sunny day is just that a sunny, beautiful day.  But a gray day, aahh, so much more.

Thank you

for stretching

and challenging us,

O God.

Thank you

for sharing

your "more"

with us.

You bless us

with creativity,

inspiration and hope.

Yours, Andrea

Tuesday, April 23, 2024

Dear God,

Fragrant purple lilacs dance in the wind just outside my study window.  Their sweet scent reminds me of your love that is made visible year after year after year.  We can count on those lovely blooms to burst out on the limbs and branches every spring. So like your love for us.

Why do we disregard, deny or diminish the significance of the reality of your living presence in the world?  Why do we live lackluster lives without faith, hope or reverence?  All we need to know is right in front of us smiling, dancing, singing, beautifying and inspiring.

Thank you

for blessing us

with your

living hope,

O God.

Thank you

for springtime

that always 

reminds us

of your

holy, creative power

in human life.

Thank you

for speaking through

tiny lilac blossoms.

Yours, Andrea

Monday, April 22, 2024

Dear God,

How can love last 41 years after being friends only 21 months?  I found out today when attending a memorial service of one of those friends after years of not being together.

Love that is created by you lasts forever.  It is visible, physical, emotional, spiritual and eternal.  It is holy and connects people at a very deep level.  It is an unbreakable bond that feeds, nourishes and blesses both parties.  

As I hugged all those folks from the past, I felt your arms hugging me back but then that is your way, isn't it!

Holy and Loving God,

thank you

for all

you bring together.

Thank you

for love

that does not

go away.

Thank you

for blessing

and inspiring

in such

beautiful ways.

Yours forever, Andrea

Sunday, April 21, 2024

Dear God,

If our senses are open to the movement of the Holy in the world, we shall see, taste, smell, touch and hear the spirit of the Living God.  How will we know?

This morning while walking on the treadmill, I watched 35 minutes of the end of the movie, "Captain Corelli's Mandolin."  I saw the horror of war, earthquake and conquest.  Yet, it was at the end of the movie where I was struck by that spirit when the people of the small island once again dined, danced, worshipped, played and laughed together.  Only the power of your spirit can transform human lives from horrible disaster to genuine joy.  Although it was a movie for me, I wept at the joy of your spirit even in film.

You are God;

there is none

like you.

When we trust

in you,

all things

are possible.

Thank you,

Blessed God.

Yours, Andrea

Saturday, April 20, 2024

Dear God,

When we are weak, we are strong.  The biblical story of weakness informs us where to go for living water.  And there are wells all around us.  If we aren't paying attention, we can stumble and fall into one.

You did not create this world and then walk away.  You filled the earth with everything we need beginning and ending with your abundant supply.  

Your love is everywhere, in the smile of a stranger, in the song of the bird, in the growing trees, shrubs and flowers, in the kiss of the sun and the dew of the morning.  It wasn't haphazardly left behind; it was placed within our reach, everyone's.

We are

not alone

for you

are with us,

Loving Father.

Thank you

for the gifts

that strengthen us

in our weakness.

Open our eyes

to faith

that enables us

to see

it all.

Love, Andrea

Friday, April 19, 2024

Dear God,

I can hear the rain's gentle sound through my open bedroom window.  The quiet pitter patter gives me pause and cause to breathe in the air of anticipation, hope and joy.  I smile.

Even as the ground is getting much needed water, so does the human spirit benefit from the living water you send to us.  Our whole body-mind-spirit self needs it too.  We grow parched, thirsty for something more than what we can offer ourselves.  Without divine love, acceptance and hope, we grow limp, weak and vulnerable.  The whole of us can fragment and collapse from all life's demands, hurts and problems.  We need more and that more comes from you, Holy Creator.

We are dry

from lack

of living water.

Rain on us,

O God,

drench us

with your

eternal rain.

Yours, Andrea

Thursday, April 18, 2024

Dear God,

You give us a heart that can stretch wide and deep to love others.  A heart that exists for itself and its own is really no heart at all.  It lacks depth, compassion, inclusion, peace and joy.  It can only give temporary happiness.

A heart fashioned by you is one that embraces strangers, enemies and others with whom we disagree.  It is a heart that has the mark of faith, a divine logo that symbolizes a love deeper and wider than any other.  It has the capacity for change and transformation always open to the other, the stranger, the forgotten, the lost and the hopeless.  It is one that has the face of God upon it.

Lord,

every time

we are loved

by the other

we find

your love

reaching out

to us.

Open us

to greater depths

that we

may learn

to love

more and more.

Thank you

for loving us

so much.

Yours, Andrea

Wednesday, April 17, 2024

Dear God,

The fully-bloomed, ornamental cherry tree whispers, "Look and see the goodness of the Lord."  Every time I gaze upon that beautiful white tree, I think of you, O Lord.  For you have created this amazing wonder.  You have made her a refuge for the cardinals, sparrows and blue jays.  You have made her a sight to see for the neighbor.  You have made her a symbol and sign of hope and resurrection in the midst of a chaotic world.

Without vision, faith and hope we can only see what we can see, simply on the surface of life.  To the naked eye, the tree is a lovely cherry tree.  But through the eyes of faith she is so much more.  So much more.

Thank you,

Gracious Creator God.

Thank you

for springtime

and all

her wonders.

Thank you

for the reminder

to look again.

Yours, Andrea

Tuesday, April 16, 2024

Dear God,

When I sit back, close my eyes and listen to the birds right now, I sense their joy, anticipation and hope.  It is as if they are singing a song to all the earth's inhabitants.  Perhaps their hope can be contagious for earthlings that are hopeless, doubtful and afraid.  They are singing a song of you, O God.

Every day you speak to us, O God.  You invite us into yourself.  You ask us to dwell a while, to listen and to enjoy.  You give us your best offering us opportunity to experience the best of each day.  If we engage in the offered moment, we too will have a song to sing of you.

Holy God,

thank you

for including us

in every

day life.

Thank you

for your love

that always

includes us.

You bless us.

Help us 

sing a song

of love

and thanksgiving too.

Yours, Andrea

Monday, April 15, 2024

Dear God,

Early this morning I opened my front door and gazed out upon a magnificent sunrise.  With colors of red, purple and pink, I watched until the sun rose just above the horizon.

I realize a sunrise is not just a beautiful sky of varying shades but rather a miraculous event that invites us inside to dwell with awe, gratitude and great joy.  It is not a simple, ordinary event.  It is so much more.  As we give ourselves to majestic events, we have the supreme opportunity to meet the Gracious Creator face to face, to experience faith and find peace.

Blessed are you,

God Most Holy.

Thank you

for amazing events

that brings us

close to you.

Thank you

for this 

morning's sunrise

for it

was wondrous.

Love, Andrea

Sunday, April 14, 2024

Dear God,

White buds have fully unfolded on the ornamental cherry tree just outside our study window.  Their magnificent and delicate blossoms lean into the sun's rays.  As the branches sway in the gentle breeze, they seem to sing in unison, "Sing praise to our God for he has looked upon us with great favor."   

Such things we can only see and hear through a contemplative faith that anticipates God's constant movement in daily living.  If we believe that then we can look at most anything and know God is at work in our midst bringing hope, peace and joy.

Thank you,

Gracious God,

for the gift

of your

wondrous spirit.

Thank you

for opening

our minds

and souls

to your

amazing handiwork.

Teach us

to open ourselves,

to actively listen

and anticipate

awesome messages

of eternity.

Love, Andrea

Saturday, April 13, 2024

Dear God,

I have heard of the Enlightenment period in human history.  But I have not always heard about human enlightenment that comes through faith, insight and imagination.  Today I experienced this very thing.

This morning I walked into the counselling office and took a seat in the waiting room.  Meditative music was playing and I saw two paintings on the wall.  As I breathed deeply and listened, my soul awakened and my eyes focused on one of the two paintings.  As the music played the art came alive to me.  Tears filled my eyes as I heard my own words whispered in my soul.  "This is a picture of God's invitation first thing in the morning and all day long, an invitation to hope and promise and beauty."  As I waited for the therapist, I took a picture of the painting for future contemplation.

All enlightenment

comes from you,

Creator God.

You open

our minds

and souls

to your voice.

You whisper

sweet love

and gentle challenges.

You give us hope

and make peace possible.

Love, Andrea  

Friday, April 12, 2024

Dear God,

We walk in faith when we trust you to love and help us.  When we believe your love is the greatest power on earth, we can not only feel love for ourselves but also find more love with which to love others.  

Some days, O Lover of our Souls, we cannot find enough love for ourselves let alone the world around us.  When we fail, disappoint or hurt others, we can turn on ourselves with disgust, self-loathing and hatred.  Lost ourselves, we can turn on others in despair and pain.

But when faith enters into our experience, we see life from an angle not before seen or understood.  When we can discover love for ourselves in our own pitiful condition, we can also see a way to release our anger toward others.  This frees us for love for all.

We need

your way

to love,

Mighty God.

We are frail

and powerless alone.

Help us recover

our own souls

and a

trusting faith

so we

can make

a way

to help others

find theirs,

we pray.

Love, Andrea

Thursday, April 11, 2024

Dear God,

How can we pray for me and mine and fail to pray for brothers and sisters halfway around the world?  We are all connected.  We depend on one another.  What touches one touches another.

Twenty years ago the Carmelite Sisters modeled love at its best as they prayed for strangers as family.  By example they revealed a love that does not end with my loved ones but with the world's loved ones.  One family, all loved equally and unconditionally.  

As wars rage and hatred, fear and bitterness take deeper holds upon the earth, it is imperative we see enemies in a different way.  They are broken like we.  They are lonely like we.  They are fearful like we.  Only when we can pray for all consistently can we aid the struggle for something better.

It is

so hard

to pray

for those

who hurt us,

dear God.

But part

of our healing

is tied

to theirs.

Teach us

a better way,

we pray.

Yours, Andrea 

Wednesday, April 10, 2024

Dear God,

Nearly 80 years ago Japan and America were bitter enemies.  No one could imagine that healing could take place between the countries and yet, it did.  Today the prime minister of Japan and the president of the United States came together for mutual talks, support and fine dining.  This event reminds us that healing can always take place.

We can take cues from this happening.  Healing can happen for us too.  If you can heal nations, O Lord, you can heal us.  Help us to pay attention, trust and surrender into your hands.

Heal us,

O God. 

Heal every nation,

I pray.

Heal every

broken heart

and wounded soul.

You are God.

Only you

can heal us.

Yours, Andrea

Tuesday, April 9, 2024

Dear God,

Yesterday's solar eclipse reminds us of your divine power.  As humans when we see ourselves as dominant, we function to take credit, to rule over others and more importantly, forget who we are.  We are not gods, we are children of the Living God.  

Yesterday's miraculous event teaches us to behave as thankful children.  As we sat and gazed at the moon and the sun simultaneously, we were looking into your handiwork, not our own.  We were wowed as we watched the sky turn dark, the temperatures drop and the cicadas began to sing.  All this was your work, Creator God, your work, not our own.

But today is a new day, a day to remember you are God and to give praise and thanksgiving!

Loving God,

please forgive us

for our

many failings.

Sometimes we

are just

too full

of ourselves.

We are sorry.

Love, Andrea

Monday, April 8, 2024

Dear God,

How can anyone miss the divine majesty of your living presence in the world with a total solar eclipse?  To wait patiently to watch the skies turn gray, the birds quiet their song and the cicadas begin to sing their praise, the moon completely covered the sun.  It was breathtaking!

How much more do we need to see your mighty power in nature?  

Holy God,

thank you

for the work

of your hands!

How majestic

was the

whole experience

with the

sun and

the moon,

the skies,

the temperatures,

the trees

and dancing flowers!

Bless you,

O God,

for blessing us!

Yours forever, Andrea

Sunday, April 7, 2024

Dear God,

It is our practice when we are in distress to ask you to be with us.  But I believe this does not lead us to a full experience of you.  It is when we enter your story, your life, your presence that we find arms waiting to embrace us, love that will sustain us and guidance to assist us right where we are.  We are not the center of the universe; you are.

We fail to remember you were present before us and will continue to be present long after we leave.  We set ourselves up as god and then wonder why we fear, feel anxious and despair.  We are but a speck in the cosmos, less than a speck compared to the vastness of your presence in and around us.  It is only when we fall backwards into your arms that we find them waiting to catch us.

O God, we get so mixed up, so turned upside down that we think we are up when we are actually down.  Direction does not matter to you because you are always present, never absent. We are absent but you are not.  Never!

Holy God,

forgive us

when we attempt

to step away.

We cannot move

beyond your presence.

Hold us close,

near to

your heart,

we pray.

Love, Andrea

Saturday, April 6, 2024

Dear God,

Today is just one of those days to pause, count blessings and give thanks.  As I look outside my study window, I see an exquisite palette of color.  The amazing blue of the sky with greens of many shades in the grass, trees and shrubs, the tiny white blossoms on the serviceberry tree, the gray of my St. Francis of Assisi statue, the amazing brown and red from a pair of cardinals and the green and white folded leaves of the rising hostas all are blessings extraordinaire.  

Inside I see an old, beautiful Christmas picture of my three daughters and their spouses, a photograph of one of my favorite aunt and cousin, school pictures of great grandchildren and a photo of four Carmelite sisters from years ago.  Quietly I feel love passing between us.

All of this is just from this one room.  If I were to take a walk through my home, I would see faith, memories, joy, comfort and hope.  Yes, indeed a good day to count blessings and give thanks!

Thank you,

Gracious God,

for all

these cherished gifts.

They come

to me

every day.

May I

never forget

who provides them.

Love, Andrea

Friday, April 5, 2024

Dear God,

Life was never designed to be easy because a difficult life is one where challenges, lessons and faith enrich our existence.  A beautiful, warm, sunny day complete with gorgeous blooming flowers and trees is amazing but a gray, rainy, cold day produces invitations to look beyond the human senses.  If given a chance, we can see, taste, feel and hear more, oh so much more.

Today is one of those days.  What I experience is mystery ready to unfold.  I know that I know that I know that much is happening just beneath the ground.  I know plants and tree roots are stirring, maybe even dancing just below the surface.  I know that birds are mating, creating nests and bearing young, such a miracle when you think about it.  I know that clouds are helping to create breezes that invite the trees to dance in the wind.  I also know that while they are witnesses to your living presence in the world, they are also an invitation to allow much to happen beneath the skin of my own life.  I can dig and explore and discover more as well.  I can see beauty in a sunny day but I can experience adventure, hope and majesty in a gray day.

Holy God,

thank you

for the lessons

of nature.

Thank you

for their example

and invitation.

Help us learn

the mysteries

of hope,

faith and love,

I pray.

Love, Andrea

Thursday, April 4, 2024

Dear God,

No one can stop us from entering your sacred dwelling place.  All are welcome; all are invited.  There are no sentry guards, no bouncer, no enforcer; there are none of these.  We can open the door anytime, in any situation.  We will all be welcomed inside. There are many doors we cannot open because they are locked to us.  God's door is not one of these.

There is great comfort in this knowledge, great comfort!  We do not have to dress up, change our lives or repeat a set of beliefs.  But we do have to decide if we want to open the door.

When I feel shut out of shoved over, I know a welcoming place.  I can choose to go there.  It is neither far nor near, it is here, in this place where I am right now.  I can take my whole self there any time.  Any time.

O God,

how full

of gratitude

I am

for your

loving presence.

Thank you

for your

divine welcome

not just

for me

but for all.

I love you more

just knowing that.

Yours, Andrea

Wednesday, April 3, 2024

Dearest God,

When I sit down to write you, I feel your presence like a little child crawling up into your lap. I know I am loved no matter the state or condition in which I find myself.  There is so much comfort.  I am so grateful.

I write you daily because I want to be close to you.  I want to share all my doubts, fears, questions, anxieties and hurts.  More than anything I want to acknowledge your presence in my life and to give thanks.  I want to praise you again and again.

Even now as I look out my study window and watch the tall oak tree swaying with the wind, I know it is dancing and giving praise for its own rootedness in you.  I share our personal, intimate letters because I want others to find hope, to realize the small and big ways you are in this world and to know your love, beauty, compassion, joy and peace.

Thank you,

Loving God,

for every gift,

especially for

this special time

we spend together.

Thank you

for whispering

your thoughts

to me

and for listening

when I share.

Thank you

for your

living presence

always waiting

to be revealed.

Yours, Andrea

Tuesday, April 2, 2024

Dear God,

Why do we travel in circles instead of breaking from the circle and walking out into the bright light of day?

Help me,

help us,

O Lord.

We simply 

can't do 

some things

on our own. 

Lead us

in your power

to fulfill

your will

for our lives.

Love, Andrea

Monday, April 1, 2024

Dear God,

Easter is over but it is not over.  The Easter celebration of March 31, 2024 is over but the resurrection is yet to be celebrated today.  If I am watching springtime, then I know what once was dead from the surface of things is alive once again.  Tomorrow will be the same.

I believe resurrection is sitting before me inviting me in right now.  I know I must let die that which is holding me back.  I need to surrender those things that continue to hurt me now, things like my brother's betrayal of our parents, my husband's inability to be fully present in my most critical moments and other things.  Resurrection or death, I ask myself, resurrection or death?

I do 

not have

the strength

or willpower

to let go

just yet.

I want resurrection

but I

am afraid

of death.

Guide me,

I pray.

Love, Andrea