Monday, February 24, 2025

Dear God,

Yesterday I tuned in to the worship service at Second Presbyterian Church in Indianapolis.  The first hymn sung by the choir took me back to a memory that was created nearly 50 years ago.  Standing in a circle around the campfire at church camp, I stood with nearly 100 teenagers, leaders and staff as we sang together, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be added onto you, Alleluia."  

It was Saturday night, the last night of a week-long camp.  Under the stars, we sheltered ourselves under the shoulders of our neighbors and we sang knowing in a few hours we would part from one another.  As we swayed and sang and cried, we thought of holy moments that had happened during the week, insights, unexpected grace, loving hugs, gestures of mercy, blessed wisdom and the making of new friends.  In our hearts we felt our faith, felt its gentle tug and our desire to be a Christian in body, mind and spirit.  We were in love with God and one another.

The next morning we left with more than we brought with us.  At church yesterday I unpacked some of those sweet memories and let them feed me once again.  I really believe the goal of such events is to store up good times, loving faces, new, fresh thoughts of faith and what it can do to help us in difficult and sorrowful times, times of doubt and fear and disillusionment and despair.  Accumulating faith memories, packed quietly away and opened up in the future can bring hope, calm, courage, strength and wisdom.  And it did yesterday on a lovely Sunday morning.  

Such times can give us new resolve, a fresh commitment to rise to higher levels of service to others and a greater desire to work more steadfastly to battle injustice, division and threats to varying groups of targeted people in need.  We need to remember our suitcases filled with spiritual gifts and tools and we need to take them out, give thanks to you and use them for your purpose.

Holy God,

wow, thanks

for that

simple camp song.

It revitalized me,

renewed and

restored me.

While singing it

with the choir

by zoom

and at camp

long ago,

I felt 

your loving touch

and inspiration

to do

my part

to change

the world.

Thank you,

Blessed God,

for the gift

and the challenge.

Love, Andrea

that opened