Second Thursday of Advent, 10 December 2020
In today’s reflection, Waiting in Joyful Hope author Michelle Francl-Donnay reflects on Isaiah 41:18a, the majestic Schuylkill River, and the astonishing things that bloom in “barren” deserts.
In the comments section below, share your own response to today’s scripture, Francl-Donnay’s reflection, or the accompanying meditation prompt.
I always see God in the great beauty of the universe. In these times, I see God even more in the essential personnel and caregivers who are risking their health and lives to provide service and treatment for those of us who are still well and those of us who are sick from the virus. My prayers are with them.
I have been privileged to walk through many forests, literally from the redwoods of Muir Woods in California to the pine forests of Maine. The Emerald Necklace and the Cuyahoga Valley National Park are also blessings. So many different types of trees, and wildflowers produce a myriad of shapes in a profusion of colors. They provide shade, soft resting places, and restore peace to my soul. The last time I complained of stress to a friend, that was her prescription: go take a walk in the woods. God extends compassion and forgiveness, but we have to stop and smell the roses, er, pines, in order to receive them.