I recently found the works of the poet and philosopher, Mark Nepo (he will be a keynote speaker at our annual mountaintop retreat). In his daily reflection work, The Book of Awakening, I'm finding such a rich guidebook into my own soul.

In one of his essays he speaks of the white-plumed sea anemone. It grows along the ocean floor. It is a watery blossom whose white lace opens under tons of black as if bathed in the sun, while so far from the sun.

Mark speaks to us to "feel the sun even in the dark; to not lose the truth of things when they go out of view. To grow just the same. To know there is still water, even when we are thirsty. To know there is still love, even when we are lonely. To know there is still peace, even when we are suffering. To know that, none of this invalidates our pain, but only strengthens our way back into the light."

Each one of us has our stories - our continuing response to the challenges life presents to us. Sometimes it may feel as if there is no way out of the dark - please know that the light is just out of our view - still there. Hold on to the faith that "God can open ways, when to the human sense there is no way."

During difficult times I remember "other times" when there didn't appear to be an answer, when I couldn't find a way to "fix" things. God breathed through me (I don't remember being able to take the breath) and opened ways, brought people, and opportunities that moved me and my loved ones into the light again. Again? It was always there, I just couldn't see it for a time.

If it's a confusing or difficult time for you, breathe. If you can't, ask God to breathe for you. Know that as you open to the breath of God, a shift happens, and the sun can be seen through the clouds. Movement happens, and life adjusts, re-aligns, whatever. I call it the breath of God - some call it grace.

In the One Love We All Share,

Rev. Lisa