Saturday, January 3, 2026

Dear God,

Who is listening?  Who is listening to the heart that longs for peace?  The Buddhist monks walk for peace reminds us there are those who listen.  They listen to the voice calling for peace.  They are putting their feet to work to make peace visible.  People are responding.

There is no better time to listen than now.  When we see a person despairing in the grocery store or on the street, an act of kindness means we are listening.  We are listening to their pain, their sorrow.  We are listening to their quiet cries.

Listening is so much greater than talking.  Talking is just words spoken into the air.  Listening is deeper, more intent, filled with compassion, faith and desire for understanding.  Listening says there is more to life than me.  When we listen, we long for a Voice, a sacred voice who will speak to the longing of our own hearts.  There is One who does.

Merciful God,

in this

new year,

remind us

to listen.

Stir our souls

to reach higher,

deeper and wider.

Teach us again

the art

of listening

and all

her gifts.

Yours, Andrea