Whispers of Hope

"I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk
in darkness, but will have the light of life."  John 8:12 RSV

     When I was a child, I used to look out my window as I fell asleep and imagined that my father was a superman.  I would look at the stars and the one that appeared the brightest, I would deem that one as superman.  I did not believe in Santa Claus, but I believed in superheroes.  Their power seems to give me life and light my path. 

     As I got older, I never stopped believing in superheroes.  A few years ago, I witnessed a man with superpowers on Facebook.  His name is Aaron, and he is beautiful inside and out.  Aaron had a brain tumor.  He was in the hospital for months.  Recently, he told me that those months were a kind of lonliness that he had never known before.  He told me that he loved people and he missed them immensely while in the hospital. 

     To combat lonliness he posted on Facebook, pictures of himself without hair, looking pale and skinny.  He wrote about how he was feeling, challenges, and successes.  His openness, honesty, and obvious search for connection made him my hero, in some ways he is my superhero. 

     Don't we all have a type of superhero power in us?  An ability to find even a small amount of light in the darkest times, an ability to find power even in the most powerless situations.  Isn't that where we are met by God?

     It is in those times I imagine God tapping me on the shoulder to get my attention, giving me my superpower.  The gift of the Holy Spirit, to comfort and guide my journey. 

     During Aaron's time in the hospital, I believe God was speaking to many through him.  God showed me his superpower...is love.  In seeing Aaron's superpower, I saw mine...and now may his story help you see your source of superpower...as God our Father.

     Aaron had his operation and for years now he has been cancer-free!

     I do not have a relationship with my biological father, but I have found that superman type power that I was looking for, in others. Now, there are times that I find it in myself, the power of life as love...that power is God. 

Prayer of Hope: Father, let your light shine bright as each reader follows your guidance with hope and the thrill of the power of your presence with them. 

Clancy Kiener
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT, MAR