Good news has been in short supply these last weeks. Coivd is playing havoc in the nation with overcrowded hospitals and overwhelmed medical personnel . . .  burned out by too many surges, and the indifference of people who don’t seem to care. Refugees, searching for safe places to stay and live are turned away.  Afghanistan’s have been pulled back into the dark chaos of Taliban rule. Our climate crisis is worse than we thought, already at a tipping point, we didn’t expect for years. We continue to be buffeted by hurricanes. One can understand despair.

The psalmist in a dark moment of time cried out,

“Why are you cast down, O my soul,
and why are you disquieted within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise the Lord,
my help and my God.” Psalm 42:5

Taking our laments to God and trusting God with them, is a beginning place.  In prayer, God shepherds us through the dark passages and leads us to life giving spaces. We are encouraged, restored and renewed.   The work of justice, healing and making positive change is difficult.   God offers us both hope and strength in the midst of them. 

God’s Spirit still hovers over the waters of creation, blessing the earth and all who are in it . . . Giving us cause to continue to hope in God.