Sunday, October 12, 2025

Dear God,

This morning I am expressing my full heart of thanksgiving for living friends who continue to inspire, challenge, comfort, warm and bless me!  People like St. Francis of Assisi, Maya Angelo, St. Teresa of Lisieux, Corrie Ten Boom, Henri Nouwen, St. Teresa of Avila and my own grandmother Lois Hughes, to name a few, continue to travel with me daily.  Although it seems they only lived a short time, passing through life so quickly, they touched and loved so much that the rays of their light still reach out and live to bless.

How can it be so?  I never met any of these except Grandma Hughes; yet, their lives, their faith and their witness reach through the decades and even centuries to touch human lives, even mine.  When I read their words, prayers, reflections, meditations and questions, I step into their presence and tarry there a while.  During that mystical time, I am strengthened, mobilized and challenged.  My faith grows, my confession bubbles up and my resolve spreads. 

When I pause to consider all I have been given, I quite naturally erupt into praise.  When life is tough, when troubles come or when I feel despair wanting to creep inside me, I turn to these praiseworthy pilgrims of faith and once again I live on absorbing and giving away the blessings that comes to me and then are passed on.

Thank you,

Blessed God,

for the

countless number

of gifts

I have received.

Thank you

for blessing

my life

with faith.

You are God;

there is

no one

I would rather serve.

Yours, Andrea