Saturday, September 7, 2024

Dear God,

Yesterday Carrie Newcomer wrote a note entitled, "Altars Everywhere."  I couldn't help but wander through the world with her as she talked about picking up items that caught her eye because they held special meaning for her.  She shared many of the special treasures she has in her home.  Wrapped in meaning and joy, she can just look at them and experience the memories, hope and peace they offer.  Little altars, she calls them, little altars that ultimately direct her to you.

We all have little altars, gems we hold dear.  My grandmother's lovely handkerchiefs draw me to her as I remember selecting one to carry to church when I was a little girl.  The woven white altar cloth made with small pieces of fabric, yarn and metallic threads made for me with scraps of women's difficult lives, holy experiences with God and hopes that emerged out of despair.  Heartstones, small beach stones worn into heart shapes over hundreds of years, bless me over and over again.  All these are altars, places to gather in worship to give praise and thanksgiving. 

Holy God,

you direct us

to mementos

that speak

peace and joy

to us.

Thank you

for each

and every one.

Thank you

for revealing yourself

to us

again and again.

Yours, Andrea