Got hope?

Hope is such an interesting word, isn’t it? It can be used in many ways, one of the most frequent definitions or uses is to want something to happen or be true. If you dig a little deeper, the ‘archaic’ meaning of the word is trust. Coincidence? I think not.

Let me tell you about the hope in my life. In December of 2020, I went on an Advent retreat, that did talk about hope, but the craft was making an ornament- there were 3 versions, you didn’t know what the word inside was until you opened it, and mine said hope. At that same retreat, the sister encouraged us to keep a symbol of Christmas out all year long to remember the fundamental reason for the season. I came home and hung the ornament on the knob of a cabinet. It’s still there.

How did that hope follow me? Well, I switched to online teaching in January of 2021. By the fall of that year, I was working for an online school called hope...it was even part of my email address. I took that as a good sign, perhaps a light on my path.

I take part in a ministry for a place called hope. Not a coincidence. I think every person who walks through the doors there feels encouraged by being there. Sometimes, it doesn’t seem like I am really doing a whole lot, but I know my small part makes a difference to someone else. I can be an agent of hope without ever meeting them.

I was at an event for said ministry yesterday, and I as listened to the stories, scripture, and encouragement being shared and I thought about what hope could stand for. You can search for acronyms, I did as well, but in that moment, what came to mind is Helping Other People Everywhere. That’s what I see in the ministry. They help (or try to help) each person that walks through their door.

That’s what we are called to do. Help others, wherever we happen to be. What is your definition of hope? I encourage you to think about what hope means to you and how you see it in your life this week.