We Were Like Those Who Dreamed
Throughout my pastoral career, I've had scores of conversations with people who find themselves in grey and difficult seasons of life, and can't seem to see an end to them. I've been there, too. There have been times in my life when the darkness seemed like it was never going to break. One particular season felt biblical--like I was an exile or a wanderer in the wilderness. I couldn't even imagine a day when things would be better. I knew that God was at work in my life, but I didn't feel it, all that much. But the light did dawn. The end of that season of wandering did come at last. And I was finally able to look back on it with new eyes, and a new understanding of God's presence. This morning my Advent reading came from one of my favorite Psalms: "When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dreamed. Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then...