A dawn of new perspective and hope

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? --Psalm 27:1 Problems always seem most daunting just before the dawn. When I find myself awakening at three in the morning, it is always a sign to me that I have too much on my mind. Right before the morning light climbs above the horizon and slips quietly into a new day, my eyes are open and my thoughts are racing. In this early yet dark hour, shadows of fear and discouragement may threaten and overwhelm me. Yet God is present and so near. The morning light chases away the darkness, restoring my perspective, filling me with hope and offering me the promise of a new day! The light of God's love is much like the morning sunlight. It dispels darkness from my heart and sweeps away shadows of fear and discouragement. God's wonderous light allows me to see myself as God see me--- a part of all creation, honestly striving and hopeful, ready to begin again with the newness of day. God, I thank you for flooding my heart with the light of your love,for illuminating the shadows and bring a morning full of hope to my life.

What gives you HOPE

There is a line in the Talmud that says "We see things not as they are, but as we are." If this is true, our view of reality at any given moment is colored by many factors. The dominant view among many in our nation, church, and community is that disillusionment is very acute.

Now I am not one to expound on what is wrong with our nation, our Church or our religious community, but I am one who continues to hope. I am inspired by people who continue to seek employment even when jobs are seemingly unavailable. I am touched by families who make sacrifices so that their children might have quality education. I am edified by elderly who get out daily to receive Eucharist despite all the physical aches and heartaches they carry on their heart. I am humbled by a friend who remains passionate about her ministry and love for the Church while running back and forth to the doctor. What give me hope? St. Josephine Bakhita, who survived a horrible life as a slave said it so eloquently. " I am definitely loved and whatever happens to me--I am awaited by this Love."

Look for reasons to hope. Hope keeps me going day by day. What gives you hope? I would love to hear your experiences of hope that you encounter on a daily basis. Please consider sharing them with me. I also invite you to join me in striving to be a bearer of hope in our hurting, dark and expectant world. Let's illuminate wherever we are and as we are with hope!

you contribution to God's plan

As the new year lurks closer, I am reminded of the importance of creating some time and space to reflect on the past and plan for the future. I read yesterday that Ignatius of Loyola one day was walking along a river bank and found himself immersed in God. As he reflected on his experience he grasped that "God's plan is really a project that each person on earth contributes to; what God HOPES in us rises in our consciousness and, by God's grace, to free enactment."

This resonates with my own experience for I believe we ARE CALLED to be Women of HOPE and in our hopes the plan of God is revealed and made manifest. I look forward to a day off from work tomorrow to savor some time and space to reflect on this past year and welcome God's plan and hopes for me for the new year.