Light of hope.

  

 Yesterday was the first Sunday in Advent--the season of waiting begins with hope.

Emily Dickinson writes:

Hope     

Hope is the thing with feathers 

That perches in the soul, 

And sings the tune--without the words, 

And never stops at all,

And sweetest in the gale is heard; 

And sore must be the storm 

That could abash the little bird 

That kept so many warm.

I've heard it in the chillest land, 

And on the strangest sea; 

Yet, never, in extremity, 

It asked a crumb of me.

I love this image of hope because it reminds us that hope is so very different than a want or a wish--when we hope there is an unspoken sense that we do not know and may not see the end result of our hope. 

     I began to think of the signs of hope that surround us and in doing so I remembered yesterday's church service and the people kneeling at the rail after communion.  These people were praying; praying is literally sending out on wings what has been residing in our souls to God.

     I wonder if when people have "lost all hope" if what they have really lost is their willingness to settle in with God for a good old "one on one".  So this advent I am going to do what I preach and not only pray for others, which is the easy part, but also pray for myself so that hope my live in, through and beyond me.

     What if we began each day with some form of prayer like this?

Dear God,

Help me to-listen and see.......

Show me- when I am to lead and to follow....

Give me-strength, courage, patience to get me through my difficult times such as....

Heal me--Spiritually, emotionally, physically....

Remove my—doubts of worthiness, lack of confidence……

Let me--accept Your love, Your forgiveness, Your image of me....

I thank You for this time, guide me through my day, my hope is in You.

Give way to God,

Give way to hope,

The earth waits,

We respond;

Prepare the way, prepare the way!

We are the children made warriors, lovers, light bearers,

Created in God’s image,

Good News!  Good News!