Glimpses of Hope

 

Sometimes it can seem too much, can it not? The war continues to rage. Inflation is at the highest rate in years. There seems no end to mass shootings. The challenge of getting our minds around a million deaths due to Covid is overwhelming. The list could easily be continued to a depressingly painful length. Add to that a stymied system and a cynical public and it can seem, at times, too much.

Yet, all around us are glimpses of kindness and compassion. Early one morning last week I found this message chalked on the sidewalk at the main corner of our park. How wonderful to see parents involving their children in caring for those in need. How wonderful to see the teamwork between families and an established nonprofit. I was surprised at how much seeing this open invitation to the neighborhood brightened my day. It is too easy to forget that people care.

This message also reminded me that we should not wait and look for signs of hope and caring in this troubled world, we should be those things ourselves. We should be that for those in our families, in our workplace and with the countless people we encounter each day, no matter how briefly. If we give them a glimpse of hope, if we care, it may in turn inspire them to be that person for someone else. Then the ripple begins, radiating slowly out in all directions, making a difference in life after life.

We read in Colossians, “Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience..” What might happen if each of us were intentional about that challenge every day this week? Who might be encouraged? Who might find hope? Who might be inspired to join us in such a life? Yes, it is a small thing in our small corner of the world. But for someone, maybe even today, our caring might change their whole world, if only for a brief moment. But that moment might be enough for them to find strength and hope for the day. And that, to me, would be a day worth living.

Peace.