We encounter many obstacles in the course of our living.  Physical and emotional obstacles, or financial, or spiritual.  Each has its own inherent challenge, and those challenges attack us at our core.  That is the nature of obstacles, and why we dread them.  How we choose to deal with them, however, is what defines us.  Bravery, fortitude, dedication – all attributes we might hope to muster in meeting these barriers.  Let us also conjure our compassion, our trust, and our faith in meeting the demands of this moment and the next.  Obstacles are not always to be conquered; sometimes they must simply be navigated, with grace.  For meeting all our obstacles with our best selves forward we give hopeful appreciation.  Blessed Be, and Amen.