25/11/2020
Hope: what is this? It is a resolute commitment, despite the evidence of today, to a future that will be better. In these uncertain times with a predominance of anxiety-inducing headlines in our daily newsfeeds, we may find ourselves having to put considerable effort in to keeping ourselves connected with any sense of hope. However, hope is there, often seen in small things. Hope is frequently also heard in the quietness that is almost drowned out by the noise of busyness and many distractions.
When our life, our day, has been rough and stormy we need to know that we have a safe place to anchor in for the night. We need to find a harbour: a place of refuge and protection from the worst of the day’s turbulence. We need to practice paying attention to the little signs of hope. So how might we find that Evening Calm after the buffeting of our days?
We need to seek a balance between earth and sky: to remember to look up and see the big picture and not get stuck in minute detail at our feet.
We need to practice being attentive to beauty so we stop and drink it in.
We need to give thanks for the warmth of the evening light and notice that there is still a cold, blue light but it is wrapped around with the warmth of sunlight.
Finally, we need to stop our busyness. We need to drop our anchor and to do so we have to let go of all we have held this day. The warmth of this sunset reminds me of the warmth of love, and most especially of God’s love for each one of us. In the ancient, end of day prayer, Compline, we remind ourselves: ‘In peace I will lie down and sleep for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.’ (Psalm 4:8)
See the original in the Open Show at the Life: Full Colour Gallery in Caernarfon https://www.lifefullcolour.com
