December 16 devotion

Rev. Shelley Hamilton
Associate Pastor for Congregational Care, Cathedral of Hope UCC, Dallas, TX

Scripture 
Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. I will help you. I will uphold you ….. Isaiah 41:10

A Word of Hope
The past few days I have awakened early in the morning to beautiful, wholesome echoes of rain falling sweetly against my windows. Looking through the window, I could see the wind moving tenderly through the trees causing the rain to slide effortlessly to the earth. I snuggled into the warmth of my bed listening to what – for me – is music. The rain and wind were doing a dance together. A dance blended into melodies only God and angels can create. Sounds way beyond my abilities to articulate with the eloquence it deserves.

Lying very still, I allowed the sounds to renew me. I stood up, unable to resist going outside. I opened the door and stepped outside on the porch: the rain embraced me with an intensity that overwhelmed me in memories. Memories of women – ah yes – women, their embrace, kindness, friendship, love – healing me and loving my brokenness into new life. Memories of late night conversations with all kinds of people saying all kinds of heated, passionate and wonderful things – of great food and splendid people to share it with – adventures great and small – some dubious and all fun.

The rain poured down on me calling me to relinquish the images and sounds from the past. The rain wasn't forceful – nor soft – just right. The smell of it invigorated me – the cool warmth teasing me into alertness too intense for so early in the morning. The rain quickly drenched me. Soon the wetness and wind began to chill me – reluctantly I stepped back inside and out of my wet clothes into the towel I had waiting. I turned the heater on and allowed the warm wind to dry me. I put on dry sleep wear, laid back down and slept peacefully until 6:30, thankful that when I awakened, rain was still gracefully and steadily falling.

In those moments I felt the possibilities of not being afraid or dismayed, assured that the promises of God—though ancient, mystical and mysterious—are, nonetheless, true. I felt the strength and arms of God upholding me and helping me be who I was created to be. I call Isaiah the Advent prophet, perhaps because it seems to me he more than any other prophet understood who the coming messiah would actually be: the maker of all things new.

Prayer 
Almighty God, everlasting mother/father, you have brought us in safety to this new day. Preserve us with your goodness that we may not fall into sin or be overcome by adversity. In all we do, direct us to the fulfillment of your purpose through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.