Saturday, August 9, 2025

Dearest God,

Although I have been far away from my writing to you, I have been breathing your air as I face many challenges.  My longing for you never changes.

As I flew home for some respite care, I called several monasteries and retreat centers to find a space for four or five days while I rested and recuperated.  I finally received a call from one and as I talked with the director, another call came through at the same time.  When I arrived in the back woods of the Daniel Boone National Forest in Kentucky, I found myself deep in your creation.  As each day unfolded, I could breathe a little easier and feel more rested.  As I packed up to leave, it was only as I closed the door the last time that I noticed the name of the cabin:  HOPE.  I smiled realizing that was what I was looking for.

After I returned home, I looked at my hundreds of emails.  I opened one from the other retreat center who called through when I talked with The Close Retreat Center.  The director there had offered me a cabin that I could have had.  I wrote back to tell them I was sorry I had not gotten back to them earlier.  Tears came to my eyes when I realized the cabin they had offered to me was also called HOPE.

Dear God,

you know what

we need

when we

need it.

You come

so close.

You breathe

upon us

giving us

your breath.

Thank you,

Holy Father,

for the gift

of hope,

your special gift.

Love, Andrea