Piercing the Gloom

It is one of those dark, dull, dank days here in Coventry.

A greyness settled over everything, and lowering skies.

Even so there is enough light from somewhere
 to shine through some of the leaves in the garden 

and my eyes are drawn to them.

They stand out against the gloom,
 illumined splashes of colour and light.

Watching the news from all over the world our eyes and hearts can become loaded,

over- loaded even ,

with the darkness of fear and sorrow.

At the same time as we are

 moved to feel the burden of our common humanity

we can discern, and give thanks for the acts of heroism

also being played out before our eyes.

Yesterday there was the ambulance teams in Liberia, 

 who are daily putting themselves at risk,

 shown collecting a comatose Ebola victim from her home.

The Sergeant at Arms in Ottawa who acted with un-thinking bravery

on a day he probably never expected to draw his gun.

The social worker who repeatedly

 drew attention to the abuse of children until her voice was heard . . .

In day to day life  this side of the television screen I see mothers,

 (so often on their own),

struggling against all the odds to give their children a good foundation in life.

Dads working long hours in difficult work situations to provide as best they can.

Elderly couples supporting each other with tender fastidiousness

 through mental or physical sickness

until the very last of their own strength is spent.

At the other end of the scale,

young people  are caring for sick or struggling parents

as their own childhoods slip away.

So much light being poured into dark places

it's a wonder we are not dazzled,

but strangely it is the darkness that often blinds us to the good, 

but not the light that helps us see.

This weekend

 may we be granted the grace not only to be more aware of the light all around us, 

but to discover,

and celebrate,

the light within ourselves,

Be Blessed