When I was little, I loved looking at the rain.

I’d watch the raindrops scoot their way down the side car window as I leaned in close, my breath warming the glass pane. If it was raining hard, I’d see the raindrops race each other down, and I’d trace their path with my finger to see who would win.

I liked sitting in the backseat. It was my quiet little corner in the big wide world.  And I was happy.

Sometimes, if Mom was driving us back home at night, I’d look out to try and find the moon. We lived in the city, so the moon was the best of what was left of nature’s skyline. There was too much city light pollution. We couldn’t see the stars.

But, back home, I’d look outside my bedroom curtains. And sometimes, if it was very, very late and I wasn’t asleep, I might find one or two stars. Twinkling.

Longing for Hope

Life is a journey. Sometimes night isn’t something we see with our eyes, but something we experience in our hearts when we wait too long . . . for something we hope for. A dream. A passion, a child, or a home.

Sometimes, we find our footsteps on an unexpected journey of silence . . . when we’re prayed and prayed . . . for someone we hope would be our friend. Our sister, mother, our father, or husband.

It is times like this, we may find it difficult to find hope alive, lit and new. Even though — like the moon and the stars we know God placed above us in the heavens — sometimes, we just can’t see it.

Jesus knows this longing for hope to be made new.

Jesus understands this journey to find the light — and our need for courage to move towards this light.

This light is hope.

A New Journey

It was with hope God sparked a special star one dark night. It was so bright that men from the opposite ends of the world — the East — could see it. Yet, this light was also placed somewhere no one else would notice it. Except by the wise men — the magi.

The star was a quiet, glimmering sparkle.

Is this real?  Should I go? I imagine the magi asking.

These are questions we may be asking ourselves. Yet at the time, only silence echoed back. Except one thing..

… (to be continued)

Read the rest of “Hope For The Dreams We Let Slip”, click here and join me over at DaySpring’s (in)courage site, where today’s post is published.

Pause. Get soul refreshed.  Join me there.  I’d love your company.

For more encouragement, enjoy a copy of my book Finding Spiritual Whitespace.

#OneWordAdvent Link Up
Whole-hearted Writing. You & Jesus.

Welcome to our special #OneWordAdvent Blog Link Up!  

OneWordAdvent is my invitation this month to do a Thursday weekly one word prompt writing challenge for you — and with you for Advent — using the words: hope, peace, joy love.
* A special thank you goes to our friends Ellie Camp @calligraphellie (hope) and Jamie Johnson, @writinginthestillness (peace) who gifted their soul beautiful calligraphy for our #OneWordArt badges. Visit them & enjoy their artistry.

Join me. Here are two ways:

1. Write your reflection on each week’s Advent prompt.

– Link up at the end of Thursday’s blog post. Click the Link Up button below & share the specific url of your post (not just your website).

– Place the #OneWordAdvent badge in your blog post & link back to thebonniegray.com. It lets us know you’re part of this community. Download the badge by right-clicking your mouse on the image & click “save image”.

– Read the post before yours and comment. Let’s savor the journey together.

2. Share your Advent-inspired art or photos using hashtag #OneWordAdvent on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter. Capture moments that speak hope, peace, joy, love to you.

This week’s 12/3/15 #OneWordAdvent Prompt: hope

Next week’s 12/10/15 #OneWordAdvent Prompt: peace

Experience a more soulful Christmas.  Pick up your pen, camera or brush. Share your Advent journey. ? Share today’s post to invite a friend to journey together.

May the writing prompt bring you to a quiet place in your soul as you share your voice. Click here for details. 

#OneWordAdvent Spotlight

Lynn Richards shares her #OneWordAdvent art journal entry. hand lettering of hope. via instagram @lynnbluesky “a mom, an artist, a wife, a friend. committed to finding the road to art in all I do.”

Every week, I’ll spotlight a tagged #OneWordAdvent image from Instagram (like the beautiful one to the right) or blogger in our community. * To be considered as a spotlight blogger: please kindly be sure to use the #OneWordAdvent Badge and link back to Faith Barista in your post. Kindreds, I can’t wait to see your photos & read your words. Thank you for sharing your voice.