Thursday, August 22, 2024

Dear God,

Looking out my kitchen window, I see light and shadow on the oriental cherry tree out front of our home.  As I gaze upon it, I recognize how much light and shadow there is in the human spirit.  Of course, we want light only.  However, what is light among the light?  Light among the shadows shows the depth, beauty and glory of the light.  We need both.

Life is full of light and shadows.  When we step into the shadows, usually we are uncomfortable, irritated and anxious.  But shadow time is important because it causes us to stop what we are doing and assess what is happening in our life.  Although we know you are in the light, we can discover just how much more you are in the dark with us.  During those significant times we can increase our faith, build our trust and find new perspective.  We can learn to lean more on you and find strength.  In finding strength we can gain peace and even joy.  After our time in the shadows, we can step into the light with a new appreciation of your presence in our lives which naturally increases our faith and love for you and just maybe for ourselves.

Holy God,

thank you

for the gifts

of light

and shadows.

Although we often

love one

and hate

the other,

you teach us

there is more

than what

we see.

Reveal yourself

to us

when our way

grows dark,

we pray.

Love, Andrea