We have had an unusually rainy spring/early summer following an unusually snowless winter. Here in Minnesota, we look forward to the long days of light and the warm sun when we get out to play in the lakes, ride our bikes along endless trails, or golf or garden. My early morning walk is normally bathed in light at 5:30am but not this week. As my alarm goes off beckoning me to get up and get outside, it is dark and I hear the all too familiar sound of rain thrumming on the roof. Very demotivating. Dark, cold and wet are not my favorite conditions for the walk along the wooded paths near my house. I am tempted to roll over and snuggle back under the blankets when I hear a bird singing loudly and cheerfully just outside my window. I’m drawn into her song. I am convicted about my own fair-weathered fickleness. But to be fair, we get weary, don’t we? The daily-ness of life and struggles with work or relationships or finances or health or, well….you fill in the blank. Hearing the birdsong in the throes of the storm, challenges me to not let the circumstances of life diminish my song. I’d miss hearing the lovely sound of that bird if she stopped and I would miss hearing the “song” of those I count on and love if they were silenced or refused to sing because it was raining. And I need to contribute my song. It may be the encouragement someone needs to hear to get up and try again. Regardless of the economy, politics, the callousness of people, or whatever discouragement you face, today may you find your song, and sing it loud and proud. And if you can’t find your voice, may the song of another lend light to your dark morning.