Hope Deferred Makes a Heart Sick

Welcome to the Mata. Some days it's so flat, you can see what seems like forever here. There isn't a lot of protection from the elements. Tired and hungry you could plot on and here at one point near Antanas, you can see everything ahead for a long time. But no matter how hard you look, the village isn't there. It doesn't matter how much you know it's there, how much you hope for a drink or a rest. You simply can't see it. It's easy to lose hope and despair. After all. Hope deferred makes a heart sick. But then suddenly out of nowhere, the trail drops and there it appears. I think this is how our life can feel at times. It's easy in these moments to despair and to curse God, but God and his promises are like Tana. They are always there, but sometimes as far as we can see, they're out of sight even when they're close. What is important to remember is that God's goodness always travels with us. As St. Paul wrote, for, we walk by faith and not by sight. Thomas Merton's Pilgrim prayer said it. Well, my Lord God, I have no idea where I'm going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end, nor do I really know myself. But I believe that the desire to please you does. In fact, please, you may I have that desire in all that I'm doing and I know that you will lead me by the right road. Though I may know nothing about it, Therefore, I will trust you always. Though I may seem lost in the shadow of death, I will not fear for you are ever with me. Amen.