Good Morning, Hope

Dear Reader,

I’m assuming you are receptive to the idea that hope is eternal and divinely inspired and, if not, may I encourage you to be so. Day by day, as the sun rises and sets, I find myself seeking her - I think “hope” is feminine.  I open my blinds outside of my bedroom every morning to listen to what my trees are saying to me.  Yes, I talk to them and they communicate in many ways.  Often times, by merely being a tree.  This morning, standing strong in a lovely golden light still garbed in their reflective Autumn gowns, they waved in a tranquil greeting, setting the tone for my hours ahead that was comforting and calm. Above and around them, God waits for me to say ‘hello’.  Some days, my greeting can be pretty cranky. But, today, I’m sighing into a smile and I hear God’s  whisper that ‘hope’ is standing by waiting for me to hold her proverbial hand in confidence that she exists.  So, now I step into this day seeking her more and more.  And there she is…

In the writings of the Gospel of John 1:3b-5…

What has come into being in God was Life, and the Life was the
Light of all people. The Light shines in the darkness, and the
darkness does not overcome it. 
NRSV

In Richard Rohr’s daily devotion from the Center for Action and Contemplation with commentary about the Lakota nation views of the world, for me a hope-filled perspective…

“By realizing the connectedness of humankind to all animal and plant life, the Lakota believe that we become aware of new possibilities for preserving all living things. In humanity’s dependence on the Earth, the Lakota and others believe we can learn to sustain our planet and can find fresh prospects for nurturing food, conserving water, and developing renewable energy. All this and more is contained in their two simple prayer words: mitakuye oyasin, “All my relations.”‍  ‍

In quotes from Rebecca Solnit’s book Hope in Dark Times: Untold Histories, Wild Possibilities shared in Maria Popover’s brilliant and inspirational column, The Marginalaian…

“The hope I’m interested in is about broad perspectives with specific possibilities, ones that invite or demand that we act. It’s also not a sunny everything-is-getting-better narrative, though it may be a counter to the everything-is-getting-worse narrative. You could call it an account of complexities and uncertainties, with openings.”

From Valerie Kaur’s Revolutionary Love Project…

“Hope is like the moon, waxing and waning.”

And the day has barely begun. 

I think I’ll write you again later today and let you know how ‘hope’ showed up.  I’m expecting her.

Shared by Susan Ceely Philips