Yet, God,
we also have those break-through moments
which affirm the choice is ours:
to move from initial panic to reluctant acceptance,
and, in time,
to respond with courage, vision, and hope.

We remember those
who spent time in grief and contemplation,
who eventually cast their vision beyond the dire straits,
and who moved ultimately into new realms of being.
Rachel—supplanted at her wedding by her sister Leah.
Noah—compelled for more than a century to build a heretofore-unneeded ark.
Jonathan—forced to relinquish forever
the soul-deep union of his closest friend and ally.
John the Revelator—exiled and separated from home and his beloved church.

Lord, each of these, and countless others,
teach us, encourage us
To wait for better days.
To release others to Your care.
To trust in Your faithfulness.
To move onward and forward in spite of the risks.

We gratefully thank You, God,
for those hope-generating moments
that validate the triumphant message our
bruised hearts and quivering spirits
strain to hear:
That You remain the source of ultimate love on bad days,
on good days, and especially
on better days.
Amen
—Virgil Fry