To those of us, distressed.

I lost my glasses in the pacific ocean, when a moment of not quite sure what to call it made me dive under a wave and I had my glasses on. When I came up I could not see. I had been thirsty for feeling alive and when I resurfaced everything was fuzzy. I felt a strange peace as I asked a stranger and his kids to look for my glasses as I could not see them even if they were in front of me. They went unfound. I watched the sun sparkling on the waves. If you do not need glasses than you don’t know what this looks like. Many tiny orbs of light dancing on the moving surface of the water. It was beautiful. Yet to be solved was how to get home, as I certainly can not drive without my glasses. We all need a little help from our friends and I found myself in a situation where I was forced to ask.

Trying to have hope.
Broken things can be repaired.
I have hope.
Broken things can be repaired.

James 1.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.

Romans 5

also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

What is character? What is hope? These are the things I want for us… they are backbones so we can stand up straight and dance through the night. So we can live well with ourselves, our friends, our enemies, our God.

When life gives you winter, go ice skating.

Words from brother Roger:

God wants happiness for us! But he never invites us to be indifferent to the suffering of others. When we are faced by trials, God encourages us to be creators.

Our life finds meaning when it is the living response to a call from God. But how can we discern God’s call? Many people ask, “What does God want from me?”

In inner silence this answer can well up: “Dare to give your life for others, there you will find meaning for your existence”

God wants us to be a reflection of his presence, bearers of a Gospel of hope.

All who respond to this call remain aware of their own frailties, but they keep the words of Christ in there hearts: “Do not be afraid, only trust!”

The Holy Spirit has the strength to sustain a yes for our whole life. Has he not placed in human bearings a desire for eternity, the infinite?

In the Spirit again and again it is possible to find new momentum and say to ourselves, “Be steadfast of heart, and keep going forward!” and we can make this discovery: it is sometimes in demanding situations that human beings fully become themselves.

And then by his mysterious presence, the Holy Spirit brings about change in our hearts, rapidly for some, imperceptibly for others. What had been obscure and disturbing becomes clear.

Until the end of our days, daring to say yes can bring about much clarity. This yes is a transparent trust. It is the love in all our loving.

I am praying...