We are all connected.

"Our human compassion binds us the one to the other-not in pity or patronizingly,but as human beings who have learnt how to turn our common suffering into the hope for the future."  

Nelson Mandela

We, each of us have dark times.  We have times when those we love are in pain and all we can do is walk beside them.  We have times when we feel powerless and insignificant.  We have times when we are unsure how to put that foot forward.  

With God's grace we also have those times of seeing the light begin to peak through the mist.  With God's grace we have the times when we realize that we see hope.  With God's grace we have those times when we can look back and know that we have come through when were not sure we ever would.  

We are connected to each other through these times.  It is through our experience of hope, faith and courage that we are connected not only to God, but to each other.  

No matter where we are on the journey on this day, we are part of something far greater than we can imagine.   

The shadows are revealed only because of the bright white light of new fallen snow. 

The cross is revealed below the fast moving water, it is reflected on the hard surface of stone.  

"God of the daylight, 

you come also in darkness,

and even in shadows

you make a home. 

Be rest to the weary

and solace to the brokenhearted;

be healing to the sick, 

and to the troubled, be peace.

Be our comfort, our dreaming,

our sleep, our delight;

breathe through these hours,

O Great God of night. " 

Jan Richardson