Saturday, October 26, 2024

Dear God,

With your help, I am learning how to focus on what I have and not on what I do not have.  It is not about possessions.  What more do I need?  It is about relationships, hope and nature.  When I think about what I have lost, what I miss, I fall into despair, not altogether hopeless but enough to feel terribly sad.  But when you whisper, "Think on what you do have," I find myself looking out the window seeing the treasure of Autumn.  I think of friendships, family and special gifts of mercy and love.  My mood slowly changes as I realize I have more than I have lost.

So often we forget what we have, what you have given us.  We forget your constant, unconditional, merciful love that wraps its arms around us like a womb.  This morning I realize I have what I need for now and what I have lost may at some point turn around and return to me.

Thank you,

Holy God,

for every gift.

You are everything.

Keep me close,

my heart,

my mind

and my soul,

I pray.

Love, Andrea

Wednesday, October 23, 2024

Dear God,

Each season reminds us of the daily rhythm of life.  Everything changes; nothing stays the same.  Each season gives way to the next giving us new perspective, hope and beauty.

We are the same.  Although we resist and sometimes fight like hell, we too change.  Our bodies are forever changing.  Our environment changes, our families change and our relationships change.  We can't stop change because we need change in order to grow, to learn and to become wise.  We need to clean out the cobwebs in our minds and souls.  We need to let go of everything that is filled with resentment and bitterness.  We need a good fall cleaning.

Merciful God,

thank you

for making us

for change.

Thank you

for seasonal reminders

of your

divine plan

for humanity.

Open us

to change,

your change

for our lives.

Yours, Andrea

Tuesday, October 22, 2024

Dear God,

While I desperately looked for answers to my unsolved difficulties, Autumn leaves rained down upon me.  At Turkey Run State Park, the sky was blue, the breeze gentle and the colored leaves fell like gems.  I could not help but feel your loving presence in the scene before me especially as leaves collected all around and on me.

It is often not the big things that speak to us when our heart is broken; it is the little things, the natural things, the ordinary things, the smallest of things.  When we open ourselves to the world deeper and wider than ourselves, we discover the most profound of things.  Each thing has a message to share about life.  A dying leaf whispers about surrender and new life. If we are willing and desirous, we can be recipients of these blessings.  Today I was.

Thank you,

Loving God,

for the

amazing gifts

of nature.

Thank you

for Autumn,

for all

her color,

her beauty

and her love.

Thank you

for falling messages

of your spirit.

Yours, Andrea

Tuesday, October 15, 2024

Dear God,

Every day we have to make a decision to trust you for our present and our future.  What we see today is not our future but when we trust we can know the future is secure.

There are so many reasons why people are feeling insecure and frightened about today and tomorrow. We often wonder if we can find secure ground anywhere.  The truth is we are all desperate for something that is sure and certain.  We need to know if we can take a step into today and tomorrow.

Any moment is a good time to reflect on the past.  Back there we can find events, happenings, single moments, miracles and surprising insights where difficulty seemed to take a turn when hope seeped in, peace became possible, and doubt turned to belief.  We discover again the amazing ways you appeared in our lives in ordinary moments reviving us, redirecting us and renewing us.  We can trust in today and all our tomorrows when we dare to trust you with every fragile, vulnerable place in our lives!

Holy God,

thank you

for leading us

back to you.

We need you.

Thank you

for daily reminders.

Love, Andrea

Saturday, October 12, 2024

Dearest God,

I have been lost, wandering in a lonely desert of sorrow, grief and pain.  At times I didn't think I could survive and yet I have.  It is during these times that I remember the net that is always beneath us waiting to catch us while in our distress.

I realize this is not wasted time.  There are lessons here.  I can't see them quite yet, but I know that trust will keep me connected to you.  Although I have to do the hard work, you are already at work within me.  I am not on this journey alone.  You are keeping my feet grounded, my heart held and my soul stirred.  There are treasures to be discovered, even gifts that will save me.  

As I live in this waiting time, may I give you joy, O God.

You are

my God;

I do

not exist

without you.

You are

the best part

of me.

May I

bring glory

to your name.

Love, Andrea