NEVER HOPELESS

The two widows lived in a quaint retirement community with it’s manicured lawns, perfectly trimmed bushes, a view of the valley to the south and social events scheduled months in advance. Presumably all this and more was to keep the old folks from complaining about the conditions, how things used to be and how dismal the present was which paled in comparison as imminent planetary doom that surely lay just beyond next week. Some folks could real off a tirade, bash the government, complain about medicine prices, show pics of the grandkids and take in a healthy breakfast all before their 9:00 a.m. shuffleboard reservation. These folks are professionals.

But, the sad reality is that there is alot of pain in those places. Loneliness, isolation, memories of better days, powerlessness, emptiness and hopelessness takes over for some people and that’s exactly what was found as we pushed open the door and stepped through into an apartment, once filled with laughter and now a tomb of death.

Ok. This is an especially tough subject given the state of things here in the United States these days. Statistics on Divorce have been getting worse and worse and today, more than half……HALF!……. of marriages end in divorce. It’s a staggering statistic.
We sat there as our friend asked for a few moments to address the group. All eyes turned to her and there was a collective breath held as we all imagined what was coming. She trembled as she began.

I got thinking about this the other day while talking to a friend who is going through a huge struggle in their life. Talk about feeling hopeless! But at one point they said something to me that made a whole lot of sense especially as I look back on my own life and thoughts. They told me that one day I would open my eyes and see just how broken they really were.

Ok, so maybe the hopelessness isn’t something directly focused at you. Maybe it’s a loved one you’re concerned about and the struggles they’re dealing with. It might be as plain-as-the-nose-on-your-face and they just can’t seem to get a grip on any help you are trying to offer them. You are the one, reaching into the darkness with your hand outstreached, but touching nothing. You call, but no one answers. You grope and feel but there’s only emptiness.

You find yourself consumed with questions of, “Why can’t my reach be farther? Why can’t I say the right thing to coax him out or at least into reaching back? Why won’t he grab onto the hope I’m trying to offer? Why won’t he save himself?” [...]

How many of you have wanted to be something other than what you are? Have you ever thought “If I only could………”, “If only I were……….” Face it, we all have. We have dreamed. We have wanted. We have tried to do or be things other than what we are.

But have you seen this?

If you do not hope, you will not find what is beyond your hopes.
–St. Clement of Alexandra

“What would life be if we had
no courage to attempt
anything.”

–Vincent Van Gogh

It’s Easter morning and I’m looking at a Love Life ring my youngest daughter was getting as a gift. The Easter dresses are all beautiful and we are ready to head off to church for Easter service. I read the quote on the tag of the ring and it struck me as so in tune with the message of this site. Life for many of us seems empty, devoid of any real meaning. We just trudge our way through each day, just hanging on. We see our lives as meaningless.

The Crucifixion

Many centuries ago, on a Passover night
IMany centuries ago, on a Passover night
In a garden called Gethsemane, my Lord was in prayer
A crowd rushed upon, this precious Nazarite
And He was betrayed by a friend, as shouts filled the air
Yes when they arrested my Jesus, I was there

This is the day they will crucify my Lord. Read it all,….right here.

Having seen the cost of hopelessness and nearly paid the tab in full, the alternative, being hopeful, suddenly seems much more appealing, requiring only the whim of a child, the dream of a fool and the effort of one who has no choice but to live. See, where there is hopelessness, there is a severe price that goes with it.

So your life is a big pile of crap? Hmmmm. Do you really think so? What do I know about your life? Maybe it is. We generally tend to be a bit harder on ourselves than others might be, but you may have rightly assessed your situation. But then again, maybe not. But for now, let’s assume u r right.