The Ache of Grief and the Whisper of Hope
Prayers for our friends in Texas
Dear friends,
There are moments when words feel inadequate — not because there is nothing to say, but because nothing feels worthy to say.
The tragedy in Texas this past weekend has left all of us grieving, angry, heartbroken, and numb. For some, this was a headline. For others, it was the loss of a friend, a neighbor, a child, or a fellow member of the body of Christ. In moments like these, even the strongest words of faith can feel like faint echoes against the enormity of sorrow.
Hope can sound hollow when grief is raw. Light can seem distant when the world feels dark. We might even wonder whether hope is real at all — or just a word we whisper to each other because we don’t know what else to say.
But I want to suggest something, not loudly, not triumphantly… but gently:
Hope does not always feel like light pouring through the clouds.
Sometimes it feels like the quiet endurance to keep breathing.
To pray without expectations.
To stay present in a world that’s aching.
To believe that sorrow will not have the final word.
Hope is not a distraction from grief. It is what steadies us through it.
Hope is not always visible. But neither is healing — not at first.
This week, as our small community passes 100 subscribers, I find no joy in numbers — only gratitude that hearts are gathering here. To pray. To listen. To seek something deeper than what the world shouts. And to remind each other, when strength is hard to find, that God is still near.
Let’s stay close to one another — and closer still to Christ.
Final Thoughts …
If you're new here, welcome! I'm so grateful you're part of this growing community. We publish two feature articles each month, along with a few reflections that are more spontaneous and unscheduled. You might also see the occassional “Righteous Outrage” video that I record when something causes a little fire to light me up! :)
I invite you to take a few moments to explore the archive of past reflections and articles at https://alwaystowardthelight.org.
Whether you’re searching for hope, clarity, or just something steady to lean on, I pray you’ll find words that meet you where you are. The light has always been there — and I look forward to seeing it shine on all of us together!
Here’s a related reflection from Father Mike Schmitz. I think his reflection here gives us something to think about — especially as we grieve with our friends in Texas: