A few days after Hurricane Ike swept ashore on Bolivar Peninsula, I stepped out of my Jeep just south of High Island and took this picture.  The Sea Fog blanketed the beach.  The color had been completely washed out of the water, sky, and sand.  There was a light breeze.  A single bird flew over the desolate seascape.  The emptiness of the moment brought a chill to my soul.

Moments such as this have a way of becoming icons of our lives.  They lead us into the hidden recesses of our spirit where lurk the castoffs of a busy life,  These images awaken moments of deep emotion that have been long buried under talk and more talk.  They remind us of the things we had hoped to forget.  They awaken us to a world of shadows and fears that we foolishly believed would disappear because they were impossible to bear.

In the years since Ike, I have spent a great deal of time pondering the place that these hidden stories and experiences play in our lives.  I have read and re-read many of the works of Jung and Rohr and others.  I have spent countless hours in contemplation and journaled my way through one darkened valley after another.  And each new struggle to understand has brought me to a deeper mystery and another hidden reservoir of experience, longing, and shadow.

Where has this journey led?  Back to the beach that is lit by a dim sun.  Back to a sun that is fighting its’ way through the fog to bring light to a very desolate place.  When life endures its’ greatest challenges there is a sun struggling to shine through the fog.  When our hearts are submerged in sorrow and desolation, there is life-giving sun fighting its’ way through the fog.  When our lives feel empty, barren, and forlorn there is a sun above the fog.  When I find myself locked in a battle within myself and I am losing ground, there is a light shining through, striving to burn away the joy-stealing fog.

There is but one constant in life.  The sun is shining.  Even though we may find ourselves in a fog, covered by clouds, and lost among the desolation of life’s storms… the Sun continues to shine.  And that constant is enough to keep me going.  It speaks to my mind of possibilities.  It strengthens my back to bear the weight of the darkness.  It whispers into my soul words of companionship and hope.

And the Sun continues to shine…

Bob