One thing is for sure, this life is full of challenges. Some of these challenges do nothing more but aggravate us; however, some shake us to our core leaving us to call everything  into question. Most of life's tribulation falls somewhere on this spectrum between these extremes.

Recall the mythological creature, the Phoenix - its feathers the colors of royalty: gold, red, and purple and its sole purpose to praise the sun. This majestic creature goes through an infinite cycle of dying a weary and violent death by fire, being reduced to nothing more than ashes.  After a time it undergoes a metamorphosis and ressurects emerging stronger and revitalized. Through a crafted egg, it honors its killer and giver of life - the sun, and travels to paradise with an entourage of less beautiful and fearful birds. He finds sanctuary in the desert to sing praises to the sun to whom he's infinitely grateful only to return to the same fate 500 years later in order to experience renewal.

The plight of the Phoenix seems daunting and hopeless, but I would argue that way of thinking. There are layers of metaphor and symbolism that could lend itself to such meaningful discourse. For now, consider the ashes...the remnants. At first they seem worthless rubble, dirty, messy - the leftovers of a tragic event better off forgotten. Like life's troubles we wonder about the "what fors" - " Why did this happen?", "When will I be loved?", "How could he/she it do that to me?". I would counter that those very incidents and happenings are a cleansing force for the spirit. The ashes were not dirty for the Phoenix; they were the evidence of a powerful lesson called life. Those ashes were stories and wisdom that he was able to offer up to his sole purpose and truth. He chose to be grateful for his experiences - joyfilled and painful. His metaphorphosis was evolution; he never died - he only changed. He grew more knowledgable and powerful and full of love.

I welcome you up from your ashes! I celebrate your metaphorphosis and evolution. You have been released of the heartache and pain that plagues you. You are magnificent and favored; your struggles have been honored by your enduring spirit. This is my prayer for you.