Sunday, January 26, 2025

Dear God,

My friend Cherie taught me how to do stained glass.  I made a one-piece dove and then 10 kaleidoscopes.  I loved picking out the glass, cutting, grinding, cleaning, foiling and polishing each small piece of colored glass.  Soldering them together and polishing one last time always filled me with unexpected joy.

Today at worship I let my eyes follow the stained-glass window from the lowest part to the highest in the front of the nave.  The picture of Jesus is exquisite, white patterned glass for his robe.  Although the scene of Jesus and the angels contains many colors, I am always taken by that dazzling white robe.  Perhaps it is special because the unique glass always allows the eyes to journey to what is deeply embedded into the glass.  I always find it a spiritual journey when I sit in the first few pews.

I had wanted to make create Bethlehem star ornaments for my family this year.  But living in a year of darkness and despair, I could hardly make myself get dressed let alone drive three hours to Columbus, Ohio to view glass at the glass company.  But I kept thinking about it, hoping and praying one day I would feel strong enough to overcome my sorrows and make the trip.

Although I have still not made it to the Franklin Glass Company, I know I will make the journey soon to view beautiful glass and witness firsthand the way the glass invites us to the depths of faith and hope.

Thank you,

Gracious God,

for the

marvelous gift

of your

living presence

in glass.

Thank you

for the

spiritual mystery

that lay

just beneath

the glass surface.

Thank you

for meeting us

in the most

mysterious places.

Love, Andrea