For much of my life, I carried a quiet ache I didn’t fully understand. I knew I was hurting, but I did not always have the words for it. Something inside of me felt unsettled, as though childhood pain had planted itself deep in my spirit and continued to grow, even when I tried to ignore it.

I recently stayed with friends in Portballintrae, a coastal village in Northern Ireland. On one rainy day, I was watching the wind and waves from inside our cottage. I soon became aware that at any given moment there were both potential challenges and signs of hope—it all depended on where I put my focus and how I interpreted what I was seeing.

There is something mystical about the moment you see a rose about to burst open and reveal its divine beauty. It looks and smells like hope and can bring you closer to God's love and comfort. Give yourself a moment with this reflection on finding new life outdoors.