A friend coming back from a series of medical challenges send me a message and picture from his place at sunrise. The wonderful orange colors and contrasting clouds in the pictures came through as a mixture of hope, wonder, and rebirth. It reminded me of the importance of our friendship and the enduring sense of possibilities I always find in our interactions. As I thought about it a second message came in; what is your view?
It was a wonderful question. Today’s dawn had already given way to the haze of Indonesian fires. I wanted to return his gift of hope with something similar. As I scanned through recent pictures, I found one that was a matching sunset to his sunrise.
“Missed the sunrise, but here is a recent sunset.”
I was reminded of the person I have known for almost two decades. His recurring sense of optimism, seeing the best in others, and relentless confidence that we can achieve what others think is impossible has always filled me with hope. Recent events have clouded this view. Now that he is returning to his true self, I am reminded that “God is gracious – it is he who makes things right, our most compassionate God.” (Psalm 116.5)
For me, this reflection also includes other reminders.
Hope is more than just words. It is best found and experienced in the actions we share with each other. A picture, a gift of action, and shared thought give hope more depth and strength. It is in the contact with others that hope is discovered and rediscovered, again and again.
Hope is resilient however it does not exist by itself. Hope lives within individuals. In their response to hope, it lives and grows or silently dies. Most of the time, I find myself missing hope unaware of when I let go! If I hold onto hope, especially with intent and freewill, any and everything is possible.
Hope acts. It is not something left on the shelf. It is embraced, shared, and consumed!
“Here is my sunrise. What is your view?”
