🌬 Year of Breath: Week 2

Hope: Renew our hearts, O God.

In just five days, two feet of snow blankets our city. Thick drifts coat every crevice in our neighborhood.

Our little piece of the world would sparkle if only the sun would shine just a bit brighter, but instead, it insists on its slumber, turning life grayscale as far as the eye can see.

A neighbor who looks like he could use a bit of hope knocks on our door and asks if we could use a bit of help with our sidewalks. We grab some cash.

I look out the window with Eliza on my hip and wonder how the folks I sometimes see under the overpass are doing. Have they made it to a warming center? What does hope look like for them?

Inside, the boys bounce off the walls. Wild wind and frigid air burn our faces (and dogs’ paws), so inside it is. No snowmen or sledding today.

There’s nowhere to go and nothing to do (except chores that I’m too tired to tackle).

This is not new year, new me energy. This is: I’m so tired, and now I’m stuck at home, scrolling on my phone and sad about the wrongs of the world energy.

How do we thaw our hearts when everything feels so cold and bitter?

My husband keeps busy tackling house projects. My kids play Minecraft and watch new episodes of Bluey.

And me?

I’m just trying to catch my breath, I guess.

Whether or not you’re experiencing winter weather, hope can feel dormant in the winter seasons of our lives.

We all could use a bit of hope. And a bit of help, too.

What does hope look like for you today? Tomorrow? This week? What could a glimmer of renewal look like in the days ahead?

Our time together features:

• breath prayer

• scripture

• reflection prompt

• poem

• playlist

• phone wallpaper