The Hope That Remains

“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, sure and strong.”  Hebrews 6:19

It is amazing how God uses you when you surrender and listen to His leading voice.  This past week was a unique trip experience.  We took a visit trip.  It was not the usual trip of driving to the Columbus area, but it was an airplane trip to Florida.  I personally delivered two prayer quilts and completed some premarital counseling for a wedding I will be officiating.  Yes, the quilts could have been mailed and the counseling done virtually, but that was not God’s intent or way.

First, my dear friend John died a month ago and his wife, Marilyn, wanted me to visit when she was ready.  She requested a personal visit.  When your ninety-five-year-old friend requests a visit, you book the flight and go.  They had been married for seventy-two years, and she did not know life alone.  Here she was in a new location without her partner.  We shared memories, cried together, laughed together, shared meals and sat outside watching the clouds and blue sky.  I gave her the prayer quilt which had scriptures on each block of material.

The scripture that Marilyn picked on the quilt that she said she was going to hold onto was from Isaiah 41:10 – “Do not be afraid, I am with you.”  Marilyn said this was going to be her scripture of hope knowing God was with her and she did not need to be afraid.  We prayed together knowing God was with her giving her hope in her grief.

One day after dinner, we sat again outside watching the pond and ducks.  Then the rain came but the sun stayed out.  God blessed us with an incredible rainbow for almost an hour.  The rainbow of hope and promise came as we shared together in the grief and sadness and the joys and laughter of life.  God knows when we need a sign of hope and a reminder that He is with us no matter where we go and no matter our circumstances.  God revealed to Marilyn in a very tangible way, “I am with you.”

Even in death, there is hope.  Hope is what remains when we are parted by death.  We have hope of being reunited in Heaven. Hope of being with Jesus and our loved ones.  Hope that God is with us even in our grief and sadness.  Hope of sharing with those who understand and have walked the journey.  Hope remains.

Then, we visited with my friends who are engaged and I will be officiating at their wedding.  Tamara is widowed and after time knew she wanted to share life with someone.  She had lost hope after her dating experiences and wondered if there would be someone who she could enjoy life with again.  Keith was divorced and lost hope of finding someone who would want to be with him.  When they met, both were hopeful.  Keith was hopeful she would want to be with him.  Tamara was hopeful that she could live again and find joy and happiness.  Hope was living forward.  It was taking a firm stand on the foundation of the past and hoping to build upon that hope.

Hope honors the good of the past and helps you build upon it.  Life is meant to be lived in hope.  Some people choose to share life with another partner and enjoy sharing the adventures of life with someone.  Others choose to live in hope by enjoying the fellowship of friends and family.  Hope is what remains.

My last visit was with my friend, Linda.  I have known Linda since early childhood, and we attended school together for twelve years.  Linda had a medical emergency before heading home after vacation and had been in the hospital for many weeks in Florida.  Recently she was released but unable to travel yet.  The visit warmed my heart when she knew me, and we talked about memories of the past.  Linda is a medical miracle.  She is a living hope. The hope remains that she will continue to improve and God will continue to bring healing and hope into her recovery.

My visit trip was filled with hope.  Hope is what remains in life.  When life changes, hope is still there.  We walk through the sadness, the loss, the grief, the fear, the uncertainties of life.  Life is still to be lived.  It is taking steps toward hope.  Hope is a belief that good will still happen.  Hope is an expectation and a trust and confidence in God’s promises.  God still sends rainbows to remind us of His promise.  God still performs miracles of healing.  God still brings good out of the bad.  God still comforts us in our sorrow.  God still loves us and wants us to depend on Him and not be afraid.

Hope remains.