Hold onto hope
Most of the time, I try to keep things light around here. I love having a place to capture sentimental or fun snippets of life, and I’m so thankful that all of you stop by from time to time to read and say hi.But sometimes I get a comment or an email and someone shares something that tugs at my heart and reminds me that life isn’t always light.
When I posted If You’re Having One of Those Days last week, I was hoping it might give somebody who was having a bad day a smile.
But what it really did was make me think more about what others are going through.
I was touched by stories this week…
stories from people who shared that they’re having much more than a bad day.
A story about someone’s friend who took his own life.
Stories about broken families.
I’ve spent time thinking about my own story too.
This wasn’t the post I planned on putting up today, but I felt like I needed to write it.
I needed the reminder that, so often, we interact with people or pass them on the street, completely unaware of what they are going through.
What if the woman at the grocery store who was rude… just lost her husband?
What if the friend who talks about everyone else… just wants to find a way to heal her own pain?
What if?…
We all have a story, some more difficult than others.
I’ve heard it said that when we’re in the middle of tough times, it’s often that one person who comes alongside us and gives us a glimpse of hope that gets us through. When I look back over my life and the times I faced challenges, I know exactly who those people were.
And I know the hope I found, too.
I love this new song by Rapture Ruckus and the way it says, “You gotta hold on; help is coming; you gotta hold on; you’re gonna make it through the rain.”
So, even though I know my words are inadequate, I guess I just wanted to encourage you and say if you’re going through something difficult right now, hold onto hope. And if you’re not going through a tough time, maybe you can be that one person who brings hope to others…
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Hope is that thing with feathers that perches in the soul and sings the tune without the words and never stops… at all. ~Emily Dickinson
Once you choose hope, anything’s possible. ~Christopher Reeve
Hope is faith holding out its hand in the dark. ~George Iles
Hope is the only bee that makes honey without flowers. ~Robert Ingersoll
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” – Matthew 11:28, NIV
love your blog and your inspiring posts!!!! do you ever consider guest blogging? i would love to have someone so inspiring like you!!! hope you have a happy 4th!!!xoxoxLO
This is something I need reminding of fairly frequently. I know I'm pretty bad about getting totally self-absorbed in my own problems, and not thinking @/helping others with theirs (which are usually worse!).
Thinking of you… thank you for your honesty… and big heart!Be blessed-Amanda
https://www.comcast.net/articles/news-world-asia/20100613/AS.Australia.The.Suicide.Watchman/I recently read this and the part the really struck me was "Mental health professionals tell the story of a note left behind by a man who jumped off San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge. If one person smiles at me on the way to the bridge, the man wrote, I will not jump."It made me think, do I smile at someone, even if they look grouchy? Especially if they look grouchy?
I love that verse in Matthew. I am so thankful for godly, compassionate friends – even blog friends- who have come along side me in my trials.Thanks for posting this.
What a great post! I am one of those people who always look up. I always have hope and never give up. But I am surrounded with people who don't and I think that is why God placed me in their lives. I think it is because when things are really bad for me/us, I look to God and he directs me.
Genny, this is a beautiful post — so perfectly written. I recently watched the youtube video of some younger people out in the streets of Italy holding a sign that read "free hugs." It really moved me. Here they were putting themselves out there and offering to share just a little love with complete strangers. It moved me to tears. It was just beautiful. As I was watching that video I thought to myself may be that "free hug" was just what that stranger needed most that day. You just never know.As for you, you have been a bright spot in my e-mail reader. I don't pop over as much as I'd like, but I'm going to add you to my sidebar, you know, for my four readers!Hugs!
Great post! I'm glad I stopped by to read it as it was very encouraging to me.
Thank you for writing this. I am facing a new season in life it seems everywhere I turn…selling our home and having to rent; allowing God to bring me into greater areas of freedom, which at first cause pain; a hsuband who is unemployed. But I still cling to Hope, every day. He is the one who brings hope. And I know no matter what I am going through there are others who have it much worse than they. I want to be a bright spark in someone else's otherwise gloomy day. Thank you for reminding me that I always have hope!
Such a good reminder – to be aware of the needs around us. Thank [email protected]
What a great post…the part about the rude woman and losing a husband hit home. Thanks for the reminder. Just stumbled it. Kim
My life lately is getting better but for about 6 years I was going through a very bad time. God is the only thing that kept me together.. and at this time he also, brought old friends back to me.