By Rev. Donn

Recently I’ve been reminded of the importance of hope. Do you remember the childhood rhyme, ‘April showers bring May flowers?’ It’s a simple reminder that all of us go through dark and difficult times, but those times are not the last word. We know there are times when we will be in difficult and demanding seasons of our lives that don’t change with the changing of the seasons. But hope is on the horizon, even if it is not always on our laps.

These days, each headline seems heavier than the last. We may find ourselves tempted to bury our heads in the sand, hoping if we ignore it, it will go away or improve. We may find ourselves asking how much more pain our hearts can hold. It’s in these moments when we need eyes to see glimmers of hope in hard times. It’s that whisper deep in our souls that reminds us though life might not be better right now, it will be someday. It’s why we’re drawn to a video of a little girl singing “Let It Go” in a bomb shelter in Ukraine. These glimmers of hope don’t fix anything, but they keep us going.

In Mark 9:20-24 a man is desperate for healing for his son. He begs Jesus to help his child, and says, “I believe; help my unbelief!” When hope seems lost, sometimes the best we can do is get honest with God who knows our every heartache and pray: I hope. Help me in my hopelessness.

We cannot stop a warring world, or hate, or injustice. But we can hold tight to hope. Despair does not have the final say. Cynicism won’t win. Holding onto hope is not ignorant optimism; it dares to sit with us in pain and darkness. Hope is dirt under our fingernails as we plant seeds. What we plant will not grow tomorrow, or next week, or maybe even next month, but someday.

Hope is defiant. It’s a stubborn. It’s a gritty belief that even when our world is caving in, the pain and darkness will not last forever. Making space in our souls for hope even when nothing seems hopeful doesn’t ignore the suffering in our world but believes the truth that suffering does not have the final say.

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1). May we continue to be faithful in planting seeds of hope in ourselves and others. God Bless, Donn

Donn on Vacation: Donn will be leaving for vacation on Thurs. May 26^th and will be back in the office on Thurs., June 2^nd. If you have a pastoral concern please contact your Elder or Deacon.