Grey on Grey

November 1, 2012

I used to live in Bergen County, New Jersey. Laurent was born there. After that we lived in Maine for nearly a decade. Friends of mine are scattered through Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, and Rhode Island. And Kristen, who I just met last weekend, she lives in a Manhattan apartment with her husband and four kids.

The knowledge of all this washes over me this week like the rain that hasn't stopped for days.

The sun has disappeared to. I haven't seen it for weeks.

There are no leaves left on our trees. The days are grey on grey.

No sun, no leaves, no color. These are trifle concerns compared to floods, fires, evacuations and storm surges. The grey on grey is a little reminder for me of the devastation and struggle other's face.

I don't usually access a lot of news but this news hits close to home and close to my heart. And even admitting that, I feel guilt for how much world news I ignore that does not hit close to my heart.

All Saints' Day dawned grey, again, after a night of steady rain. And in my Bible reading,

do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you...

...standing firm in the faith, because you know that your fellow believers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.

Dear friends I am praying for you, my heart heavy in the grey, that you will be restored and made strong, firm and steadfast.