Nurturing Hope - Borrowing Hope for a Challenging Time

Hope!

Usually spring brings with it a deep sense of hope as we watch birds return, the days grow longer

and flowers begin to poke through (anyone seen any prairie crocuses yet?)

This year however is unusual to say the least. Hope may feel a bit elusive – but hope still exists.

This week I share with you an article written by Dr. Alan Wolfelt, with whom I did grief studies.

It says all that I could say and more about nurturing hope.

It is also found at:

The key thing is that nurturing hope is a practice. It isn’t something that just happens to us.

We need to invite hope in. And we can share hope.

We can borrow hope from others when we are in low supply,

and then share it with others when our hope is abundant.

That’s why we are a community of faith – to be there to encourage hope in each other.

That's why we practice our faith every day all year long - so that there is hope to borrow and to share with each other.

Light a candle.

Sing a song - don't worry if you are in tune!

Play a favourite piece of music and sing and dance.

Engage in a favourite activity.

Watch the sunset.

Wait for the first star to appear.

Delight in the shape of the moon.

Chat with a friend. Write a letter.

Read a favourite passage of scripture.

Get lost in a book.

Draw, speak, shout or sing your prayers to God.

Imagine Jesus sitting beside you and listening to your fears and worries, your hopes and dreams.

We don’t have to live in alarm. We feel the alarm, but we don't have to live there.

There is so much that we can’t change or control right now.

But we can engage in the things that bring us hope.

That's the gift of faith!!!! Thanks be to God.