Even when we’re surrounded by a harsh and heartbreaking world and our own challenges both within and without, we reach for the roots of our faith. And we find just enough faith to pick ourselves up and move forward. So many times we find ourselves struggling to grasp for hope. Against all odds we journey ahead as expressed in Bishop Steven Charleston’s reflection below. We face the tragic silence before us with hope enough to share our song of faith. It’s melody is found in our acts of compassion and works of justice.

You were born to believe. Even if there have been times when you tried to let go of faith, accepting doubts or disappointments as reason to suspend your dreams, you never were able to release that last spark of light within you. It is you. You were born to believe. Against the odds, despite the culture, through the hard work of hope, you have not only kept the faith but given it away. You sing the silence to song. You trust the love around you. You make justice grow. You were born to do this. It is your birthright. It is your calling. It is the part of time entrusted to your care.

– Bishop Steven Charleston

I have found this to be truth. I have, on occasion, sung silence to song, breaking my silent world into one filled with joyful singing to God. It is the way of faith. It is the soul’s melody of praise. And it is a grace-gift for those whose hope has become small. So when times get rough for me, I’ll be singing silence to song.