Hope inside a seemingly hopeless world

Hope, it's what keeps us keeping on. Life without hope, is life without life, if you ask me. However, does it really matter where hope comes from, whether its false hope or true hope? Well, yes and no, it depends. Let me share the story of three different people, and how having hope made a great deal of a difference.

Meet Frank, he is a middle-aged divorced man almost 59. He had one young adult daughter named Nancy. Frank has Stage 4 Breast Cancer. Based on the prognosis given to him by Frank's medical physician, time is not on Frank's side. However, what Frank has, that many in his shoes lack, IS HOPE. Does Frank know for sure if the hope he is relying on is FALSE HOPE or TRUE HOPE? No, he does not. But in Frank's case, that HOPE is still worth holding onto! Frank has hope that his doctor is wrong, He has hope that he has many more than just one year to live.

Because of the hope that Frank has, he is able to live every hour, every day, every week, every month of the rest of his life, in joy and peace! Now, do you see why HOPE MAKES THE WORLD OF DIFFERENCE? You see, Frank's hope comes from his faith in the miracle working power of Jesus Christ. Frank knows Jesus has the power to heal Frank of cancer and keep him alive on this earth a lot longer than his doctor predicts. The fact that there is no guarantee Jesus will answer Frank's prayer on this side of Heaven, does not keep Frank from believing and having hope. That hope helps Frank live life to the fullest while still having life to live.

Meet Vanessa. Vanessa is divorced middle aged women, age 53. Vanessa has two adult sons, Patrick and Ryan. Both her sons struggle with addiction, and do not know the Lord. Vanessa is also out of work looking for a job. She gets per diem work, but it's not enough to make ends meet. Vanessa is also lonely, she hopes to one day find her person, a partner in life, a best friend. Despite the things that get Vanessa anxious and down sometimes, Vanessa has one thing she will not let go of, and that is her hope!

Vanessa exercises her hope in a variety of different ways. She reminds herself daily that as much as she loves her sons and wants the best for them, including seeing them set free from addiction, Jesus loves them even more. Vanessa remembers that although she feels helpless to change the situation for her children, she is hopeful because she believes in a GOD who can turn things around for her two sons.

Vanessa gets up every morning, and she places her sons in God's hands, reminding herself that His angels stand guard over their lives. Although she does not know what the future has in store for either her or her sons, she has hope because she believes in the one who does know. In the meantime, she gives her 110% to the little work she is getting, she is careful with the resources she has, making it stretch, and as far as other thing is concerned, she is learning to enjoy the pleasure of solitude and her own company! It's safe to say, Vanessa walks in hope.

Kiara sat in the bathroom staring at the positive sign on the pregnancy test she just took 30 minutes prior. "What am I going to do?" she whispers under her breath. You see Kiara is about to turn 18. As of next month, she no longer can be a part of the foster system. She was already told by her foster mother that she cannot afford to allow Kiara to keep living there, once the state sending money to cover her room and board.

Kiara was invited to stay with her boyfriend's parents. but once they find out she is pregnant, that may change things for her. She and her unborn child may find themselves homeless. Kiara drove to the nearby crisis pregnancy center. She took a deep breath as she put her car into park. Before she can remove the keys and exit her vehicle, a text message came in. It was two words, coming from her boyfriend, who asked his parents if she can live there now that she is with child. "NO WAY" the text read. Her fingers trembling too much to type a response. Kiara tossed her phone into the glove compartment, as she thought to herself that she will deal with that later. Tears began to roll down Kiara's sunburned cheek. She let out a sigh, and said," Let's do this and HOPE for the best!"

Behind the receptionist desk sat a woman named Ann. Kiara made her way to the desk and sat down in the chair in front of Ann's desk. Trying to hold back tears, Kiara began to open up to the volunteer behind the desk. Kiarra shared a lot of information in just ten short minutes.

The thing that stood out the most in Ann's mind, when she stopped to take a breath was, " How am I going to expect to support a child, I cannot even afford to buy my dinner between college and my shift at work today." Then something happened. Ann remembered the $20 gift card for the local supermarket that has been sitting in her wallet since church that Sunday. A sweet woman at church felt God put it on her heart to purchase that for Ann. She did not know God's plan for that gift card, but it didn't matter. God did. She just needed to be obedient and bless Ann with the gift card. We were about to find out how God works in mysterious ways!

Ann reached into her wallet and pulled out the gift card. She reached across the desk and handed the gift card to Kiara. A puzzled Kiara, asked, " I do not understand, why are giving me this gift card?" Ann replies, " I wish I can tell you I had all the answers to how you will be able to afford having a baby, but I can help you with your dilemma, as to how you are going to be able to afford dinner this evening between college and work.

Kiara couldn't believe her eyes. A peace that she did not have seconds prior instantly washed over her, from the top of her head to the tip of her toes, calming her nerves. She, once having only a mustard seed of hope, suddenly was filled with a lot more hope. It was that small mustard seed amount that got her through that door.

Kiara ran home and asked her best friend if she can come over to share something with her and her mom. After telling them her situation her best friend's mom offered for her to come live with them until after the baby is born and she gets on her feet. She was so excited. As she sat eating the dinner she was able to purchase with the gift card, she called Ann, the volunteer at the crisis center.

Kiara shared the news with the mentor at the center. Kiara added that it was the kind gesture of the gift card that gave Kiara the courage and the hope to open up to her best friend's mom. After receiving the gift card, Kiara said to herself," If there are people out there who care enough if I have something to eat tonight, then perhaps there are others who will help me and my baby." Hope is a beautiful thing.