February 12th

“Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer.” Romans 12:12

scrolling through years of war,
wildfire, sirens down midnight streets,
and the empty chair grief pulls up
at far too many tables, joy
has lost its childlike innocence.
and yet—
it dares to look for the dawn,
not that the world is growing
kind, but because God always is.
anxiety hums like power lines
beneath our souls, and patience
walks barefoot on the shards
of shattered prayers, yet we
will continue to root ourselves
in the slow language of trust,
learning the grammar of waiting
which heaven whispers hope.
we will keep struggling to be
faithful in prayers, showing up,
hands wrapped around warm mugs,
cheeks carved with tears,
entrusting our brittle alleluias
into the callused hands of Jesus.
for hope is not a hashtag
but the heartbeat of
quiet resistance, allowing
our hearts to sync with God’s.

© 2026 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman