Shining Spirit

I can handle sadness because there is still a glimmer of hope. I can still see a little light ahead. Sadness comes to visit often but doesn’t move in like a permanent guest. Sadness causes me to pause, not to sit down and stare at the floor.

Despair, though, is different. Despair is the absence of hope. It is that hollow feeling like someone has ripped your heart out. Despair moves in and turns out all the lights. Francis, in his beautiful prayer, knows that the antidote for despair is hope. Just say the word: “Hope” and you feel your lungs move a little and you hear a faint heartbeat. Hope says: “it’s possible.”

What a wonderful gift you and I can give to the world, not an artificial “everything will be ok” but a redeeming, renewing hope based on a promise and a presence. Love is the seedbag from which seeds of hope can fall onto the dry ground of despair . When that happens, flowers bloom.

Once I was afraid and alone, and my friend came to me and sat by my side through the worst moments. A seed was planted. I lost my job and had no way to care for my family. A neighbor brought groceries and an envelope containing cash to help us get by. A seed. When my loved one died and grief was overwhelming, she called every day to check on me and was always available. Seed planted. I laughed at someone who found strength in faith; not for me. Then my friend told me what he called “good news” and slowly it all made sense. Over time, I learned so much about life from his faith explanations. Seeds.

Lord, where there is doubt or uncertainty or ignorance or indifference, give me the courage to plant seeds. Allow me to be a seed bearer for you and I will plant if you will bring the growth.

St. Francis would never claim to be the Master Gardner, just the seed bearer, the planter. By word, witness and work. May your life today, what you say and what you do, bring someone closer to the garden of God’s grace.