In his book Hope Is Contagious, pastor and former pro football player Ken Hutcherson shares his personal journey of facing a terminal illness. In the process of battling cancer, he heard a story that reflects how we often lose hope in our trials. Henderson said,

 

"A disturbing report hit the news about a little boy in Chicago who was shot and permanently disabled in a drive-by shooting. That fact alone is awful enough, but the reporter went on to say that everyone in the neighborhood knew who the shooter was, but no one came forward to identify him. The boy's mother even acknowledged that she drove by the shooter's house every day on the way to work. But what caught my attention were the words of an educator from Chicago who was interviewed by the reporter. The quote went something like this: "That's what happens when people lose hope. You don't think things will get better, so you just give up."

 

Hutcherson comments on the hope we have through Christ's presence:

 

I don't want to see anyone give up hope, especially when hope is so readily within our grasp. Whether you're walking the streets of the inner city of Chicago or sitting at your kitchen table, no tragedy can dim the hope that comes from knowing that God will walk with you through the valley and that his presence will give you peace.

 

Where would we be without hope?  What would life look like with its presence in our daily lives?  

 

Lord, thank You for the wonderful hope that you give us day by day, and thank You for loving us.  Amen.

 

 

Have a great day and God bless!

 

 

 

Pastor Mike / The Open Word