While walking out of church Sunday, I saw in the midst of asphalt, a small pothole with a plant growing in it. I was thinking about how that is like our lives at times. When we look around, all we see is a sea of barrenness, of nothing. Then when we begin to look around and down, we see some hope even in adverse conditions; we find a sprig of hope. In that space, when it seems so empty and isolating, there is still something growing there in those conditions. 
When I have been in the darkest of hours, a light would glimmer to give me a reason to hold on and to get through those times. During what I call “the narrows,” I would discover more things about myself as well as use that time for healing. It took many times for me to go through these times to actually decide I can learn much and have some peace. Feels like birthing into some place new and more open. Recognizing when I am going into that space is important. I used to believe that the tunnel was so long and slow that it would take forever to pass through it. Now, by acknowledging it, it can take much less time when I honor my feelings and move through the worry and angst.
It can also be considered the “dark night of the soul” when we are wrestling with issues and feelings within ourselves. I think it happens when we refuse to deal with something deeply important or we are fearful of outcomes and do not want to make a change at that deep level. This could also be a strongly held position of how we see and believe something. At its darkest, we are faced with making a life-changing decision. Once that decision is reached, the darkness lifts and there can be a sense of freedom from something that has held us in a tight grip, restricting us from living more authentically.
This life opportunity is for us to discover who we are and to live that out. What we believe, so shall we receive. Why not live our precious lives out as authentically as we are given?
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