Renewal.

Sadness flies on the wings of the morning and out of the heart of darkness comes the light.
~Jean Giraudoux

Recently, I have felt such disappointment with my church, such sorrow for the suffering of others and right now, I feel completely bereft of healthy community and care.

I can't seem to shake these strange, uncomfortable feelings, and I feel as if I am stuck in the sticky dregs of an emotional hangover that no amount of pepto-bismol and tylenol can hope to cure.

All day yesterday I struggled to shake free and then I remembered.

I remembered, how I have learned that the early dawn will whisper ancient secrets into the human heart.

So, I rose earlier than usual this morning and I watched as a new day slipped over the eastern sky

My soul needed to be reminded that the darkness, no matter how dark, will always be shattered by the light.

Serenaded by song birds, singing to a crazy rhythm tapped by our resident woodpecker, I watched as new life crept over my city, and I felt the sweetness of hope restored.

Hope is a powerful thing.

Hope makes room for forgiveness.

Hope humbles the human heart.

Hope empowers.

I am renewed.