HOPE Can Come In Small Packages

It would be so easy to give in to feelings of depression with all of the tragedy we are seeing in Haiti and with the economy costing people their jobs, and with so many marriages in trouble, etc.... The depressing list could go on and on.  The wonderful thing is that WE can make a difference, by encouraging one another. It may be that we can go and sit with a friend who needs someone to listen, or leave some groceries anonymously on a doorstep of someone who has lost their job. Possibly we are able to give financially to help those who are in desperate need. 

****************************

Some years ago, my husband's business had been downsized and he lost his job and I was very ill and in the hospital.  It was a very depressing time because we didn't know how we were going to continue feeding our family or make our house payments etc... I remember my sister giving me words of HOPE when she hugged me with a smile and said, "Lee Ann, don't worry. The worst that can happen is you can all move in with us!" Well, that never had to happen, but her beautiful encouraging and sincere words gave me HOPE that day. The hope we desperately needed at the time. God worked in such miraculous ways to provide for us through it all, and He used people to do it.. We kept a journal of all the ways God provided for us and when it was all said and done, the price on those things made it seem as if our finances had never been downsized. God truly did a miracle in our lives and our Faith was enlarged.  Don't underestimate what God can do through YOU no matter how small it is.  Your words of encouragement, just as my sister gave me, could be what gives HOPE where it is needed to make it through.

"He has blessed us by carrying our heaviest burdens

 so that we might lighten the load of those around us."

Phil Ware

"Carry each other's burdens and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ."

Galatians 6:2
 

With lots of HOPE,