Hours before my dad's funeral, I walked into the church and greeted my sister. Upon seeing each other, tears filled our eyes. We embraced, then stared at the floor.
"This completely sucks," I said to break the tension.
I don't even remember her comeback, but it started a series of one-liners, the kind of comfortable banter we'd grown up using, the sort of silliness that always ended in laughter. It wasn't irreverence for our father, but a way of coping with our grief. It was a moment of release, a glimmer of normalcy, of hope, knowing life would go on, though this particular day would go down as one of our worst.
“Hope fills the afflicted soul with such inward joy and consolation, that it can laugh while tears are in the eye, sigh and sing all in a breath; it is called “The rejoicing of hope”
by William Gurnall
Hope is God's gift of blessed relief. It helps us rejoice in the middle of rotten days. Hope says, "This is not all there is. Something grander awaits." It shouts, "Better days are ahead." It reminds, "Though we don't know what God's doing, we know He is good." Hope whispers, "Trust. Rest. Believe. Know."
And when we dare to listen, when we let it seep into our shell-shocked minds, our sorrow is lessened, our burden lifted. A light pierces our darkness. Can you hear it?
This is not all there is.
Trust.
Better days are ahead.
Believe.
Rest.
God is good.
Know.
Hoping is not naive´. It does not deny an awful situation. Hoping is coping.
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
Romans 5:1-5
Hope does not disappoint. Though our hoped for results may not come this side of heaven, they will come. Let yourself believe His best, my friend. Above all odds, trust His plan. Know He still works, though you may not see it. If you fan the flame of hope, rejoicing can come in your mourning.
Hoping is coping.
To see what thoughts this quote inspired in others, visit Twinkle Mom at Sunflower Faith.
6 comments:
God bless you for the words that you shared.
It was just, wow, reading,"Hope is God's gift of blessed relief. It helps us rejoice in the middle of rotten days. Hope says, "This is not all there is. Something grander awaits." It shouts, "Better days are ahead." It reminds, "Though we don't know what God's doing, we know He is good." Hope whispers, "Trust. Rest. Believe. Know.""
Amen! *HUGS* Thank you so so much for sharing your heart and words.
Been there my friend. Thank you for always sharing your heart to guide others. Love you.
"...sighing and singing all in one breath..."
Hope is like that, isn't it?
God bless you - Marsha
Beautiful Tami. Sometimes hope is all we have to hold on to and I love how you described it. "Hope whispers Trust. Rest. Believe. Know" Hope leads to Faith and Trust and we can rest in God's promises.
I'm not sure when your Dad passed on but I pray that He rests in peace in the bosom of our Lord.
Love & Blessings
Thanks for sharing your hope and the verses from Romans 5. Your post is an encouragement today.
"And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love . . ."
Our hope is built on God's word.
Peace and joy,
Carol
Yes, sometimes life sure does suck, doesn't it? I shared about a 37 year old friend of mine that just died. Her memorial service was tonight.
Thank you for sharing about your dad too.
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