Hope

Hope is a powerful thing, giving us strength at times when nothing else can. I am convinced that hope, more than any other, can change lives and provide a sense of meaning in this world. The prophet Isaiah wrote (Isaiah 40:31) “Those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint” . Almost three thousand years later, it's still true. Hope is happiness, harmony, joy, and peace of mind. It is a belief that things will get better, that good will prevail.

I Shall Be Glad

by Grace Noll Crowell

If I can put new hope within the heart

Of one who has lost hope,

If I can help a brother up

Some difficult long slope

That seems too steep for tired feet to go,

If I can help him climb

In to the light upon the hill's far crest,

I shall begrudge no time

Or strength that I spend, for well I know

How great may be his need.

If I can help through any darkened hour,

I shall be glad indeed.
For I recall how often I have been

Distressed, distraught, dismayed,

And hands have reached to help, and voices called

That kept me unafraid.

If I can share this help that I have had,

God knows I shall be glad.

Ms Cromwell's poem reminds us that we all need a helping hand at times in our life. The feeling of hopefulness sometimes comes from someone helping us.