beggars

"Being in the dazzling presence 

of God is a wondrous experience; 

realizing God's majestic, just, and 

compassionate action in the world 

and in our lives urges us to let all 

thanks break loose! We come so often 

to God, if we come at all, as beggars. 

We ask and beg;

give me;

bless me;

guide me;

grant me.

And that's one necessary level of

our existence. But in thanksgiving and 

adoration we come to God not to ask

but to give! We come not whimpering

but shouting praise; not in guilt,

but in gratitude. We feel not distant

from God, but close to God. We are like

a traveler who is home again at last,

the prodigal at a banquet. Those moments 

may be seldom, but when they happen 

we know that we were created for God."

~Andrew Kuyvenhoven