Faith darkness...

Morning light has been replaced by morning darkness at Sabbath Rest Farm. I wake and turn to check the time unsure if it is morning. The rooster’s crow cannot be trusted. His crowing schedule is dependent upon some internal clock that has nothing to do with me.
Morning darkness is more difficult than early evening darkness. I am not tied to a commute to work every day so being at home makes the early nightfall manageable. Evening darkness brings candle and firelight, warmth and light, time to settle in, knit or read, catch my soul breath as the winter cold begins to creep up the mountain sides. But darkness at the break of day leaves me in limbo until I see the sunrise. Now I know in my head that the sun will rise but seeing the sun rise as I rise lifts my spirit. So these dark mornings I rise in faith... faith that the sun will come creeping over the mountain tops and make its way to our little hill beginning my day with light and warmth.
On the wall over my kitchen sink are these words... Faith is the strength by which a shattered world shall emerge into the light. I hold these words in my heart as I enter this season of morning darkness. Advent leads to Christmas, winter darkness will give way to spring light and my soul, on walkabout through barren desert, will find new life and light in this season. Faith... faith in the order of creation and the Creator will hold a light that shows me a pathway towards a light I cannot yet see. Faith keeps my feet moving and a small song in my heart. And now abides faith, hope and love...Rejoicing will come with morning light and faith leads me home.