The gloom settles on the tree; it too chokes and freezes with each news release surrounding Penn State.
This isn't going away. It shouldn't.
I observe that little tree and notice the black bare center. Stripped down to the core, the tree offers nothing but its own naked shame.
You can't wish the season away or ignore it. You can't imagine your way out of it.
But you can hope.
I stand by the Weeping Cherry, and I think of all the ways shame turns glorious. We aren't who we thought we were! The glorious revelation that we can't ignore stands: sin is real. The ancient story stands!
We've fallen short of glory in a million ways: Those who tease Penn State students have failed in their mockery. Those who detach from the pain have failed in their denial. Those who move on have failed in their lack of compassion for victims who never, never move on. Those who insist they would have acted differently have failed in their self-righteousness.
Who hasn't--when laid bare before a Holy God--failed?
The Weeping Cherry will stay in the stark reality of failure for all the time it takes. And, at just the right time, the sun will pierce through and send it blooming.
How glorious it will be!
_____________________
Journal: How has Penn State's scandal affected you?