Words from the chaplain services in the VA HEALTH SYSTEM this am…..

From your Chaplain Service: Encouraging Word of the Day – Friday, April 10, 2020

>DARKEST BEFORE THE DAWN

“I like the night. Without the dark, we’d never see the stars..”-Stephanie Myer, Twilight

The COVID-19 pandemic is a stark reminder of how quickly things change. As 2020 began, we were all filled with anticipation of what the new year would bring because we had hopes, dreams, and aspirations for what we hoped “was to come.” A new year is like a new day with a beautiful sunrise reminding of us of immeasurable possibilities. BUT the unexpected happened, a COVID storm was brewing and the skies became gray and the DARKNESS came to stay a while. It has been a long NIGHT and sometimes, it seem like the night will never pass. At some point in our lives, we all have trials and tests which challenge everything we believe. Yet amid the darkness, there are glimmers of light which shine, the stars. Stephanie Myer’s quote is a reminder that this is the upside to darkness. The light from the stars give us hope! The darkness reminds us that there is no respecter of persons when sickness and disease comes. We are all in the same predicament together. Navy man Carlos Wallace learned a powerful lesson about “team” which breaks down individuality and unites people. He said, “When I was in the Navy, everyone fell under the purview of ‘navy gray.’ It is the military’s way of reminding its enlisted personnel that they are all equal. Man or woman, black or white, young or old, everyone was navy gray. With God’s grace I can proudly say a better understanding of this concept has helped me ameliorate disputes, mend fences that appeared hopeless and find light in the midst of darkness.”

As the world is focused on the darkness of COVID-19, we are challenged to not stay stuck in the DARK. The DARKNESS of the NIGHT will pass! COVID-19 will pass, too. We are called to remember it’s always DARKEST BEFORE THE DAWN! On this oxymoron Friday (GOOD FRIDAY), to the world it looked bleak on that fateful day when Christ hung on the old rugged cross but DAY was coming for many. Likewise, for us, people are sick and dying so rapidly around us, fear and anxiety has attached itself to many a human heart and mind but DAY is coming! The DARK in the NIGHT is fading and new grace and mercy are awaiting us!

Embrace it, cling to it, and LIVE TO SERVE OTHERS!

“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.”-Lamentations 3:22-23

rayer of Saint Francis

“Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace, where there is hatred, let me sow love;

Where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope;

Where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console,

To be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,

And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen”.-