The place where hope lives….

The Star is a symbol of hope. In my faith, we have the star of Bethlehem, the bright light in the night sky that led the humble to hope, the hopeless to faith, the darkness to light. Also, in my faith, the Son of God is called the bright morning star- the dawn of eternal light, the personification of hope because He conquered death.

You don’t have to share my faith in order to understand how The Star equates to hope, though. The north star brings people home, a guiding light in the darkness, hope for safe passage and refuge. Stars bring to us a sense of awesomeness, of awakening, of connection to a Universe so vast and beautiful that it is impossible not feel SOMETHING.

We are all made of stardust and that connection is so crazy, so magical. When there is no sun or moon, the sky is a magnificent spectacle of stunning beauty, diamonds shimmering in the night sky, beckoning us to rejoice. We are pulled in, connected, and in awe together. We are bonded. We are never alone as long as the stars exist. .

The stars remind us of the past, present, and future. There is hope there as we look up and see the lingering, seemingly eternal legacy of stars long gone. There is knowledge that we, too, have a legacy to leave and there is hope that we will be remembered for time to come.

The star lets us embrace the night without fear of what’s hidden in the shadows. The night sky, full of stars, brings us a sense of peace and hope, a tranquility that all will be well. Let the star embrace you, and fill your senses with hope as it overcomes despair. Remember that the bright morning star appears to dispel the darkness. Find hope there. Find peace.

I chose The Star today because my friend received some sad news about a loved one who lost his hope. The other day, another friend shared a story about a young boy who also lost his hope. And yet another shared the news of a local community member who also lost her hope. I am sad for their families and their friends. I know what it feels like to lose loved ones to the darkness of hopelessness. My heart goes out to all of them. The numbers of this pandemic are rising. It’s time to change what we’re doing.

If you’re feeling hopeless, if the darkness seems too long, the loneliness too deep, the pain unfathomable, please, if you’re reading this, don’t give up. It may sound trite but the light is right there, around the bend. And you don’t have to walk the path alone, you really don’t. There is a place where hope lives and it is in the warm light of love, family, and friendship. It lives in the eyes and arms of a stranger that cares so much for you that it is nearly impossible to explain. Hope lives in the faith that things can get better if you hang on a little longer, believe you were created with and for love, for a greater purpose, and believe in the love that flows from each one of us and let it surround you and fill you up until the hopelessness is defeated and destroyed.

Today, I just want to hold space with anyone who feels hopeless and sit with you as long as you need. I know a place where hope lives.