Thursday, March 27, 2025

Dear God,

You have taught us through your word, our own experience and the experiences of others that hope is a living organism.  It cannot be killed, altered or reduced except by us.  As humans, we are harbingers of hope.  As we practice hope, live with hope and are hope, others will find hope for their own lives.  If there is anything we need for human living, it is hope.

There are always those who desire to dash our hope.  However, you have shown us how hope can weather even the greatest storms.  Although circumstances can cause us to waiver in hope, no one, nothing can steal it away from us.

One of the reasons why I enjoy reading historical novels set in war zones is because I learn how hope is held during horrific times.  I remember reading the diary of Etty Hillesum who was a prisoner at Auschwitz.  In her time there she prayed to you saying, "Help me, God, to help you safekeep that piece of you in me."  She dared believe that you and she remained deeply connected during the most difficult time of her life before dying in the gas chamber.  Periodically, I am drawn back to her for her hope and her faith.

As we weather the storm of evil in our time, you teach us to hang on to hope because after all hope is you!

Thank you,

Loving God,

for teaching me

about hope,

for being hope

for me,

for all

of us,

your children.

Thank you

for your compassion

that gives us

what hope

can bring.

Thank you

for the reminder

this morning.

Love, Andrea