2016
Welcome to 2016 and I pray that this year meets all your expectations and that it is good.
As I think of the year ahead and make my bucket list as I always do, it is interesting to look back at ones’ achievements. I have learnt that no season lasts forever and though tough times come, we seem to push through, with survival making us nothing but older and wiser.
I have also learnt that whilst we carry dreams and visions that there is an appointed time. It is only by reflection over time gone by, that we understand God’s timing, or indeed his lack when granting our requests. So many things over the years I have hoped for, prayed for and believed for, but today give thanks that they never came. Why? Because I realise I wasn’t ready, or even worse, I’ve changed my mind.
Strange creatures we are.
As for God, he’s very real to me and millions more like me. But to those who don’t believe I’m sad. Very sad!
Here’s something that I felt inspired to write several years ago when I was sitting in the stillness of the fabulous Bologna Cathedral in the beautiful Italian city.
I called my piece of writing ‘A letter to God.’ and it’s still as relevant today as it was then – in fact more so. I pray that your 2016 will be fruitful. That it’s good to have a plan. To have dreams, visions and a goal. Walk in it, keep moving forward because without vision we have nothing.
Without God, we are lost!
Blessings
Anna
A Letter to God
Today Oh Lord, I relish in your peace. I know you are not to be found in a building, in a cathedral, temple or church. But in the hearts of man. Indeed those hearts that would search you out and receive you. And yet as I leave behind the warmth and luxury of my hotel room, to but sit on this hard wooden bench. To place my feet on the cold tiled floor, it is here that I feel the majesty of your presence. And now I sound contradictory for you are here in this very building. But in my heart Oh Lord! And is it thus, that the prayers of so many thousands of your Saints have risen in this place before – that it has created an open heaven above this spire? Indeed, those many prayers gone before have surely pierced the Heavenly Realm.
Oh Dear God. The peace in this place is awesome. Though the people quietly come and go, barely a sound. The squeak of a man’s sneakers, the tap of the stiletto – though she tries to walk softly – the sound of the old woman shuffling in her seat. The great oak door behind me creaks, as someone leaves and another enters this sacred place. Then the door ajar and I temporarily hear the world outside – the hustle and bustle of those passing by. The traffic at its busiest, a child’s cry and then, once again nothing but the stillness as the door to that world closes.
Yes Oh God. Is that but when you would speak to us in your still small voice? Is this to be today my secret place where I would meet with you? Or, would you speak as I leave and walk once again in the sunshine, in this outstandingly beautiful city? No! Then perhaps, as I return to my room to turn on the television and listen to the International News. Then no doubt, I would weep. Then, I would feel your heart beat Oh God. Then, would I hear your voice, as You weep for this broken, broken world. You never intended it to be like this!
What hope is there for mankind without you? How did man go so desperately wrong? But you gave us free will. And as your heart cries out, as your heart bleeds to our choices, I know you love us. Oh God! Your word tells us. Your ways are not our ways, that they are higher, and that we will never understand.
Never Lord? Will we not finally understand when we meet with you? When our time here is done? When we step into that mansion that you have prepared for us, in that oh so heavenly place.
Or will we then not care, and not need answers to ALL those questions. For to be with you, will be enough. Oh Lord Jesus. My prayer today is this….
Show me what difference, though be it small that, I could make in this world today. And my desire is that you would say when I enter those golden gates. ‘Here comes Anna, one of my faithful servants. Oh she made mistakes for sure. Sometimes she rebelled and other times hastily took the wrong way. But she loved me with all her heart and, I judge a person not by works or deeds but by the issues of the heart.
And I will ask you, Oh God.
Did I make the difference in the life of a child?
And you will show me the work that I had done and realized not. And I will be in awe!
Anna McKann
