The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? –Psalm 27:1 Problems always seem most daunting just before the dawn. When I find myself awakening at three in the morning, it is always a sign to me that I have too much on my mind. Right before the morning light climbs above the horizon and slips quietly into a new day, my eyes are open and my thoughts are racing. In this early yet dark hour, shadows of fear and discouragement may threaten and overwhelm me. Yet God is present and so near. The morning light chases away the darkness, restoring my perspective, filling me with hope and offering me the promise of a new day! The light of God’s love is much like the morning sunlight. It dispels darkness from my heart and sweeps away shadows of fear and discouragement. God’s wonderous light allows me to see myself as God see me— a part of all creation, honestly striving and hopeful, ready to begin again with the newness of day. God, I thank you for flooding my heart with the light of your love,for illuminating the shadows and bring a morning full of hope to my life.