Tiny Ripples of Hope

Let's just face it, get it out, and get it over with right now. This is the season of hope and joy! And we feel like saying bah-humbug, right? Being single-again, especially if it's a new situation to us, brings on welcome activities like pulling the covers over our heads for the next two months!  

If we want to breathe, however, the covers must come off. Actually, we can be stronger than we look. Certainly after that morning cup of coffee, tea, or juice. Getting dressed in something cozy and colorful, doing our hair and makeup, and stepping outside for a walk will fill our lungs with hope. Now, we can think clearly.

We are here to stay
We can take this season and make all sorts of things into new habits and traditions. We can show the world we are here to stay on our terms! Remember, our lives don't have to be a picture of perfection. We can choose to simply live, breathe and survive by what we do and how we act. One definition of hope is "anticipating something good to come in the future." Ready to test that thought? 

Any or all of these fun pick-me-ups could fit right into our new wonderful lives (remember that's a choice we have too):

• Connect with a friend who really understands us. 
• Change our thinking and celebrate our own life. Try simple things we've never before done. A new restaurant. A new route to work. A new workout center. A new quilt for our bed.  
• Keep our sense of humor, even if we're not known as the funny-type. Watch a comedy. Tell jokes with your kids. Share a funny story with a family member.
• Keep an encouragement journal. As often as we can (morning or night) list a few things we are grateful for or that bring us happiness.  
• Volunteer to help someone who is in need. Work at a thrift store that benefits abused women. Read to children or the elderly. Teach someone to dance. 
• If we don't feel like being the cook this year for family dinners, it's o.k. to bring a store bought dish or flowers. Really. 

Every time you stand up for an ideal, you send forth a tiny ripple of hope. 
--Robert Kennedy

What will really help us is the truth. Aren't we tired of being jerked around? Tired of not hearing the truth? Of course we are. On the subject for today, then, we need to know where hope comes from, so we can understand it and, apply it to our lives. If not, our hearts will continue to feel "sick." Our stomachs will react negatively to our situations. 

The truth and nothing but the truth

How many ripples can we create this year?

First of all, the truth: God is the original source of all hope. He knew we would some day need all we could get. He offers it to us with hands outstretched! The Bible, in fact, tells us that hope creates patience, courage, and joy and, so, we can THEN understand why we have none at times. Without hope, we have nothing else. In fact, it is one of the three things which last: faith, hope, and [true] love. 

Hope is produced by endurance--when we "hang in there" and keep moving forward no matter what happens. No matter how much pain we might be feeling. When we do something really hard for a long time and still end up breathing. It is not a magical "wishful thinking" kind of thing. Hope is the confidence we have in things that are unclear or unseen. It's our inspiration! 

I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13