Another night, another week,
Dark and gray and even bleak
With snow and ice and bitter cold,
As Summer’s sun and warmth is sold
For Winter’s windy, chilly blast,
That seems to last. . .
       And last and last.

Yet what is this? A twinkling light
Breaking through the clouds of night
Proving that there is above
Hope and peace and even love—
If the soul remains but true
May that be you. . .
       May that be you.

So onward then we shall go
Through the dark and drifting snow
Until the shadows fade away
Under the glorious dawn of day.
Listen now, your heart will tell
All is well. . .
       All is well!

---

I am always amazed at the stark contrasts in the physical world around us—day versus night, light versus dark, summer versus winter.  Our lives are filled with contrasts as well—faith versus doubt, wrong versus right, hope versus despair.  That is a part of life.  Lehi taught that there must be “opposition in all things” (2 Nephi 2:11). 

And there is. 

Knowing this, however, doesn’t always make it easier to live through times of opposition.  Such was a time when the first thoughts of this poem began forming.  My brother was on a mission and for several weeks when I sat at the computer to type an email to him, I would start with “another week.”  As I reflected on the previous week it just seemed like one dull, tedious week after another.  It didn’t help that it was the middle of the winter when days are short, cold, and perpetually grey.  You know those days—when it seems like winter will never end. 

With this backdrop, I was outside one night with dark clouds hanging menacingly overhead, blocking out all light from the moon and stars.  As I watched the sky, some of the clouds parted briefly and beyond the clouds, out of the reach of gloom and despair, were stars twinkling merrily.  They seemed to be smiling down, telling me to hold on, keep going, hang in there, there is hope and happiness ahead. 

And there is. 

Like the scripture says, “weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning” (Psalms 30:5).  For every night there will be morning, for every winter there will be spring, from every rainstorm there will come rejuvenation and new growth.  Through it all, God is in control.  So keep your chin up, keep moving, and keep believing.

All is well.

Written: Winter 2015