We all need hope, don’t we? And many of us have hope of something. It may be for a better job, or promotion, a home that we own or even simply – a home. Some new clothes, being able to afford at least one good meal a day, to find someone to love and be loved in return, or for any number of other reasons. We all need hope.
In the Old Testament we can read of Hannah, one of two wives of Elkanah. She was childless and made fun of by his other wife who had children. When she went to the temple she prayed for a son who she promised she would give to the Lord as his servant. She mouthed the words silently and Eli, the priest, thought she was drunk. But when he understood her prayer he said, “Go in peace and may the Lord give you all that you have asked of Him”. She left the temple filled with hope by those kind words, and Hannah had a son within a year and named him Samuel.
Can we offer someone a little hope today? A few words of kindness or encouragement, a helping hand when someone is struggling. Gently pointing out where someone could be making a mistake and even helping them correct it. Offering comfort to another person who is upset for whatever reason. And be generous, give them a big smile: that can encourage hope more than anything at times.
Lord, help us to show your love to those around us, particularly when things are not going well for them. So that where there may be despair, or a chance of someone giving up, we may offer them hope and a desire to try again. Amen.
Jim Finch
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