“However long the night, the dawn will break.”
African Proverb - Hausa Tribe
Good morning, friends! Was this weekend the last gasp of fall? Who knows, but it sure was beautiful. I hope you found beauty somewhere this weekend. Enough chit-chat; let’s get to it!
(Note: The Encouraging Word thoughts for the four weeks of December [4, 11, 18 and 24] will focus on the four themes of Advent – hope, peace, love and joy. Today we begin with hope.)
Time has a funny way of playing with our minds. Some times fly by while other times drag. Simple experience teaches us that good times tend to speed up time while struggles apply the brakes. If you’ve ever ridden a roller coaster do you remember the long, slow climb up the first hill, clink, clink, clink? It was sooooo slow, but once you crested the hill time didn’t change but time sure flew. So too does life.
Recently I experienced a kidney stone, a first for me. I’ll spare you the gory details except to say time was affected. A very long day of aches and pains, a more long night in the ER, and all the while I wondered if the pain would ever, ever pass. Of course it would; of course it did. Life is that way. The struggles and challenges of our lives apply the breaks to our time. Perhaps it simply because we are more mindful in those times. No matter. In the tough times of life we fear it will never change while in the better times we hope it will never change. And we’re wrong both times.
I sure could have used today’s quote as a reminder in the ER but equally we all need it today. Time is neither on our side nor against us. As long as we have life tomorrow comes, the dawn breaks, the sun rises. It may be hard to believe in the grip of the dark but the light is surely coming. Keep up the hope.
• What is a struggle in your life putting the breaks to your time right now?
• How is that struggle challenging your sense of hope?
• What reminders do you have that the dawn is coming?
I want to remind you that feelings of hopelessness are common and understandable. I was there. To maintain hope takes strength and courage and I believe you have that in abundance. Give it a try and have a wonderful week.
Isaiah 11:1-10
