As I was letting my dog outside in the very early morning hours, I heard an owl hoot in the distance.  No sooner had the owl declared its presence, another bird joined in the song. This duet suddenly exploded into a chorus. It was their Alleluia song which radiated through the darkness.  In the space between night and sunrise, a new day had begun as the birds in their Alleluia song ushered it in.

With this pandemic virus atmosphere, I wonder if the feeling of being between darkness and sunrise is where many of us may find ourselves.  This in-between time of waiting and wondering may tend to grip us such that we are stuck in that space. 

But as I listened to the birds in their Alleluia chorus, I was reminded of our Hope in God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, which does not disappoint us.  A sense of calm and peace emerged. God created…and it was good. 

Hope comes to us in different forms, and ways, through people, places, and nature.  God’s love for us through Jesus is poured out for us through the Holy Spirit and that gives us hope. “Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow, blessing all mine…Great is thy faithfulness!”

– Chaplain Cheryl Szabo

Therefore, since we are justified by faith,
we have peace with God
through our Lord Jesus Christ...
and character produces hope,
and hope does not disappoint us,
because God’s love has been poured into our hearts
through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.

– Romans 5:1-5

PRAYER

Great is Thy Faithfulness, O Lord.  We give you thanks for your pouring out of love for us through Jesus. Knowing that you are with us gives us hope for emerging from the darkness of the pandemic into the sunlight.  We ask for strength for each day. We pray in Jesus name. Amen.