Hope

hope comes from faith

is rooted in the Love

of the One who first loved us

but in the face of death...

trial and sorrow that overwhelms

our puny defenses

why’s so often triumph

over hope

in the face of seemingly

overpowering odds

questions pierce our armor

and deal dark blows to our souls:

who can understand loss?

why is this happening to me?

this is so unfair

where's the justice in all this?

others seem to get off scot-free

so why me?

this is too much...

I can't take all this...

when's this going to end?

I'm not feeling much hope 

about this...where's the promise that

all things work for good

for those who love him?

I don’t see it

I don’t feel it

only darkness surrounds me and 

the Light of the world doesn't 

seem to be interested...maybe

too busy to take notice...

the One who said He

will always be with us

seems to have forgotten me...

I know He isn’t a liar but

maybe He was exaggerating 

a little bit...but

comfort avoids me

no matter how much I beg

the trial goes on and on

without any certitude nor

end in sight... 

but His Word stands firm

it doesn’t waver

it doesn’t collapse

in the face of dark powers

it’s light beacons hope

even when feelings fail

faith in the One who bore

our pain and carried our sorrows

who suffered for our wrongs

who walked through the valley of death

sharing our trials and aloneness

lifts us up by the Spirit's Strength

it is His Power not mine that

buoys my soul when I cannot

He is the One who touches us

when we cannot feel His embrace

He is the One who loves us

when we feel we are unlovable

He is the One who carries us

when we cannot walk anymore

Hope is in Him because by 

Grace Alone we can believe

even when we are numb-

not feeling faith / hope-

doesn’t mean we are conquered

it only means we need others

to help us bear the burden

of our calling right now...

it's a stark reminder of our

humble human condition that

needs a Savior...is dependent

on Grace...needs purification

shows our need for More than

what is seen...touched...the 

material limitations around us... 

are we not called to an eternal 

fulfillment which points beyond

these pitiful limits?

does not the love of others

manifest His Heart of Comfort?

do not His wounds and scars-

still visible in Risen flesh-

cry for us to come to Him

in Trusting Hope that we too 

will Rise someday with Him...

this too shall pass...His Grace

is sufficient for me and that

a Graceful flower shall blossom 

from this seed of sorrow 

telling a story of hope-filled

re-creation by this sharing of 

His Passion bringing a Union

that was beyond my own making...

trial and sorrow can conquer us 

but they can also bring us closer

to the One who first loved us and

who will never leave us nor 

forsake us...Faithful...our Rock...

Fortress...our Eternal Hope

Reflection / Discussion:

-Describe some challenging trials you have endured.

-How were you tested?

-What were the ups and downs involved?

-Where did the Lord fit into your experiences?

-How did you grow through these trials?

-What did you learn?

-What would you do differently the nest time?

-Let us be grateful even for the hard times. His is still Lord.