There is this part of me
That, if it were not
For the singing of the Wood Thrush,
Would feel so hopeless.
There is this part of me
That, if it were not
For the beauty of the yellow butterfly,
Would find no joy.
There is this part of me
That, if it were not for
The wild abandon of a puppy’s play,
Would sink deep into despair.
In this long, hard season
Of sickness
Of death
Of isolation
Of injustice and fear …
Where is our hope?
Where is our joy, our purpose, our anchor?
Our hope comes from each other.
Though we are apart,
We are woven together in the fabric of love.
Our hope comes from within,
From the heart of courage
That beats inside each living being.
From the essence of the Holy One, Knit into our spirits
Before we were imagined.
Our hope comes from the One
Who said that nothing.
Nothing.
Nothing in all creation
Can separate us from Love.
Love.
Love is our joy,
Our purpose,
Our anchor.
Love.
Love is our hope.
All the Wonders 
I just recorded my sermon for Aug 16 on TUesday… If you had posted this then my sermon would have been better… blessings!
Dear one. Thank you for these kind words. Much love to you. ❤️
This is exquisite, Beth. I love it.
Thank you, friend.
I needed this today. I’m not very brave and our dearly loved only grandchild moved into her dorms at Auburn. I feel like I have lost her. She will never really come home again. She will probably never sleep in her bed here which has been second home for 19 years. I am worried she burns out, she is alone, the terrors of the world surround her; but I also know she had been my special gift from God and she is His. I am thrilled for this new adventure for her. She had worked hard and planned and it is happening and I applaud her. As I turn my head so she doesn’t she my tears. Sigh
Pam, my heart is touched. I’m struck by you saying you are not very brave … It seems to me that loving with the kind of whole heartedness that you have for your granddaughter is the bravest act of all. Prayers for you, for her, for Auburn. Prayers for this special gift from God. ❤️