We Still Have Hope

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. (Romans 15:13 ESV).

In the face of tragedy we are all tempted to lose our hope. So it was for the early Christians as they faced great dangers for the practice of their faith. However, the Apostle Paul reminds them that their hope came from God. It is a reminder to us today also. We can find hope again. We still have hope.

If you can look at the sunset and smile, then you still have hope. If you can find beauty in the colors of a small flower, then you still have hope. If you can find pleasure in the movement of a butterfly, then you still have hope. If the smile of a child can still warm your heart, then you still have hope. If you can see the good in other people, then you still have hope. If the rain breaking on a rooftop can still lull you to sleep, then you still have hope. If the sight of a rainbow still makes you stop and stare in wonder, then you still have hope. If the soft fur of a favored pet still feels pleasant under your fingertips, then you still have hope. If you meet new people with a trace of excitement and optimism, then you still have hope. If you give people the benefit of a doubt, then you still have hope. If you still offer your hand in friendship to others that have touched your life, then you still have hope. If receiving an unexpected card or letter still brings a pleasant surprise, then you still have hope. If the suffering of others still fills you with pain and frustration, then you still have hope. If you refuse to let a friendship die, or accept that it must end, then you still have hope. If you look forward to a time or place of quiet reflection, then you still have hope. If you still buy the ornaments, put up the Christmas tree or cook the turkey, then you still have hope. If you still watch love stories or want the endings to be happy, then you still have hope. If you can look to the past and smile, then you still have hope. If, when faced with the bad, when told everything is futile, you can still look up and end the conversation with the phrase... "yeah....BUT.." then you still have hope.

Hope is such a marvelous thing. It bends, it twists, it sometimes hides, but rarely does it break. It sustains us when nothing else can. It gives us reason to continue and courage to move ahead, when we tell ourselves we'd rather give in. Hope puts a smile on our face when the heart cannot manage. Hope puts our feet on the path when our eyes cannot see it. Hope moves us to act when our souls are confused of the direction. Hope is a wonderful thing, something to be cherished and nurtured, and something that will refresh us in return. And it can be found in each of us, and it can bring light into the darkest of places. Never lose hope!