Hope we can count on

If you were diagnosed with a serious illness that didn’t have a very good prognosis and then a promising new treatment came to light how would you feel?  Would you feel hopeful or skeptical or some of both?   Perhaps you would wonder if there is enough evidence that this new treatment is worthy of your trust and maybe even your life.

It is good to have hope for this life and to be proactive in our health. As wonderful as it would be to be rescued from suffering to live a long, full life, it is not the end all, be all. Sooner or later we will all face sorrow and deep struggle. What then?  The natural disasters and mass shootings of this past year have left many reeling in unspeakable loss and despair. How do we have hope, what sustains us when we go through those dark valleys?

When Isaiah foretold of Jesus the Messiah he broke forth in song with, “The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine….”  (Isaiah 9:2). That song was handed down through the ages and by the time of Jesus’ appearance, there were some who discerned the fulfillment of this ancient promise and many others who totally missed it.

While there are numerous accounts of Jesus healing the sick and even raising the dead, his higher intent is to give a greater hope, a certain hope that sustains and upholds us in the difficult places. It’s a hope that lifts our vision past this life and into eternity.

Even in the midst of great suffering, the apostle Paul also encouraged his readers to consider this life’s troubles in light of eternity. “Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen.”  (2 Corinthians 4: 16-18 NLT).

When I come across reports of promising treatments for health conditions, I pass that on to those I think would have an interest in hopes that they will find relief from suffering. But my greater passion is to share the hope I have, a hope that sustains me through significant loss and challenge, especially when there is no other way but straight through the valley. That’s the place where I feel particularly grateful that Jesus not only came as a baby, He came as Emmanuel, which means “God with us.” He may or may not deliver me from difficulty, but one thing is certain, he walks with me through it. I come to appreciate His presence with me more than what he can give me. HE is the gift.

Whether you’re the optimist or the skeptic or somewhere in between, may I encourage you to discover for yourself the reality of His abiding presence.

Yes, there can be Joy to the World, even now, even in all our brokenness. “Joy to the World! The Lord is come. Let earth receive her king. Let every heart prepare Him room…” 

Protests and our growing divide

I wonder what all the protesting will accomplish for the good of our country.

I get that people are probably fearful that their voice will get lost in the cacophony of voices in the market and politics and social media,  fearful that their particular point of view will lose ground. I feel that too.  I get that these gatherings can help to garner solidarity for a cause.

But with each protest it feels like our divisions just seem to grow deeper and stronger.  It seems rooted more and more in the fight for our individual rights, the freedom to act in accordance with our moral convictions, the freedom of speech, and all the rest. That has its place, but how does that fit in with accomplishing what is good for the whole? 

There are aspects of protesting that can be demeaning or demoralizing to others that don’t see things the same way. I wonder, really, can protesting make a deep impact on some of the difficult challenges in our day such as generational poverty and all the disenfranchised people on the edges who are feeling lost and hopeless?   And the growing prevalence of chronic illness and dementia?

 The older I get, the less energy I have to devote to multiple causes or interests. All the media’s attention on the protests feels draining to me.  What seems wise for me at this point in my life is to be increasingly targeted in how I choose to expend my resources, time and energy.

For now, I will continue doing what I’ve been doing, working behind the scenes at The City Mission, an organization that restores hope and purpose and meaning to men, women and children who’ve been through circumstances that have left them defeated and hopeless and aimless.  In that way, I let my voice be heard, albeit in some small way.  My voice joins with many others as we work together to accomplish our mission.

It doesn’t get much media attention. But it makes a heap of difference to those whose lives are transformed.  They are finding relief from the years of suffering with untreated mental illness. For the first time in their lives they are learning to live in the reality that God has good plans for them to live with purpose and meaning.  They are experiencing an infusion of hope that God is redeeming their brokenness in ways beyond their comprehension.  They are finding strength and courage to speak life into their children and families. Indeed, there are many worthy causes but for me it doesn’t get much better than seeing the redemption and restoration of broken people.

Waiting without fear

It was a dreary and stormy afternoon.  We were online watching the trajectory of my brother Bob’s flight from Maine. The plane took a turn to the north to make its way around the heavy line of thunderstorms passing over northeast Ohio.  My brother Dan and I had been to the hospital to get the word from the trauma doctor that Dad would not be able to recover from the head injury sustained when he fell from a heart attack.  We retreated to my place to wait for the arrival of family members from far and wide.  

Then back at the hospital we waited more for everyone to complete the last leg of the journey and meet us there.  After the removal of life support we watched and waited as Dad’s breathing became shallower and finally the full surrender of life came.  Undoubtedly it had to be the most painful and grievous waiting I had ever experienced.

In a sense, all the world is waiting, even travailing through all our strife and division, all the struggle and sorrow.  We have eternity planted in our hearts and that manifests as a longing for all to be made right in the world.  In Romans 8 Paul described our travail as “…groaning as in the pains of childbirth,” but it is an agony mixed with joyful anticipation and eager hope for the new life coming.

The characters in the Christmas story, Zechariah, Elizabeth, Joseph and Mary, were also waiting, but with a sense of promise. Israel had been awaiting the promised Messiah for generations. While some had given up the wait, the people in the Christmas story had kept their heart soft and expectant.  They were able to receive the angels’ pronouncements like seeds planted in fertile soil.  But even they must have needed an added measure of assurance for all the angels’ announcements began with, “Do not be afraid.” 

We also can take these words to heart.  God knows how hard it is for us to wait, and especially to wait without fear. There is the fear of loss of loved ones, or health or income. There is fear of the future, hanging over us like a dark cloud of uncertainty.  Whatever it is that you’re waiting and hoping for, you are not alone. God’s desire from the beginning has been to be with us and centuries before that first Christmas the prophet Isaiah foretold the coming of Immanuel which means, “God with us.”

But He does not come to grant all our wishes like a genie in a bottle. I’ve been in a place of waiting for a long time, seeking answers and relief from some challenges. It is in the long wait that I am learning to not only let go of the relentless search for answers and with it a striving for control driven by fear,  but more importantly to trust that He is working everything out in the best way possible and that His pure and simple presence with me is enough.  It seems that the more I “let go” the more I’ve seen Him move on my behalf to bring resolution in ways I couldn’t have imagined or brought about.

This Christmas I pray that He will meet you where you are in your own place of brokenness or need.  More importantly I pray that you come to fully experience His love, grace and forgiveness. He who asks us to wait without fear is also waiting. He is waiting for you with open arms.

One day closer

Reflecting on the passing of 2015 and looking to what lies ahead, I gather my thoughts from several weeks back…

It was November 29, 4 a.m. and I was pacing the living room floor but not in a restless, agitated way but quietly, thoughtfully. I am waiting for my body to do whatever it needs to do to fall back into sleep. The only light in the room is from the not-quite full moon light filtering through the windows and the 7 watt bulb in the crèche, but it is enough to keep me from tripping or stumbling.

Waiting, it's not generally something I do patiently.

It was the first day of advent and advent is all about waiting. Waiting for His coming, and since he has already come in the flesh, we wait now for His second coming.

And as we read the headlines on the churning of world events, and the threats of terrorism near and far I suspect there is a greater longing for his coming stirred up in the hearts of many.

On a recent Saturday I spent some time with some Jews who believe that Jesus is THE Messiah, otherwise known as Messianic Jews. Two of them brought back a report of their volunteer service in Israel, Ukraine and Russia. In spite of all the turmoil and persecution in those regions, there are many Jews coming to believe in the Messiah. And they believe His second coming is imminent. 

In the quiet moments I listen to the tick-tick-tick of the clock, time moving relentlessly forward. I sometimes wish I could hold back its progress, especially in times of joy and rest. I want to linger a little longer in those moments and let them nourish my spirit but inevitably they seem to slip by so quickly. Yet for those suffering emotional or physical pain, the hours can seem to drag by so slowly.

Whether fast or slow, whatever the times or season, it always helps to remind ourselves that life is fleeting, and that every day brings us one day closer to that glorious Second Advent.

"You do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? it is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away." (James 4:14)

John Piper offers this poignant and memorable advice for a new year:

"Life Is Short. Eternity Is Long. Live Like It.”

Christmas 1921

A Christmas greeting sent to my grandfather Webb Hester's parents, Finlay Hester and Mabelle Lorena Webb Hester, circa 1921.  Mabelle was the daughter of Loren Webb and Francis Hannah Holmes Webb.  Our family has a copy of Loren's Civil War diary.

How is your sense of wonder?

There can’t be many alive who haven’t stood in awe and wonder at the sight of a newborn baby, so tiny and vulnerable, so dependent. Let’s pause for a moment from the rush of life and consider…

You, the strong and powerful that have fought hard battles… in wars, on the streets, in the public square. Perhaps your motivation comes from the desire to somehow make the world a better place for that little one.

You there, hiding in the shadows of shame and guilt. You can lift up your eyes and gaze into his face and feel the grace of this moment.

You there, who have hardened up against all the pain and loss.  Take a moment to look again, perhaps even stroke his soft hair, watch as he opens his eyes to catch the first glimpses of light and life.  Let the hardness begin to melt away.

You there, the weary and worn. You can find rest seeping into your bones as you cradle him in your arms, as you contemplate the wonder of the beating heart, the lungs taking in new air.

You there, the forgotten and lonely.  There’s a place for you here too. Let him grasp your finger with his tiny little fist and feel your profound connection in this grand scheme of humanity.

You there, the wise and learned. Consider for a moment all that is yet unknown about the millions of synapses occurring in that little brain, all that complexity and intricacy formed from the joining of two cells.

You there, whose life is dominated by chronic pain or illness. You’ve wondered what went wrong and why it hasn’t healed. I pray that a seed of hope is planted deep in your being, a hope that is able to generate even a little place of healing in your memories, your cells.  Then let it grow. Let it look up and away to redemption of suffering and on to another life where there will be no more sorrow or pain or tears.

Indeed for all of you, that’s my prayer this Christmas whatever your lot.

There’s so much about the Christmas story that seems so far beyond our wildest imaginations. And yet we’ve heard it so many times that we are lost to its wonder and mystery.

You there, the skeptic, full of doubt.  You the disillusioned, with all your unanswered questions.  Just consider for a moment, what it it’s all true?  What if that little babe in Bethlehem really was God made man? What if He really did choose to leave his throne, to become so vulnerable, not only in the manger but on the cross?  What if He really is orchestrating a grand plan that conquers everything that has kept us weighed down-- in defeat and despair, in loss and suffering, in fear of dying? 

Yes, it really is true!  Sometimes it’s hard to see it amidst all our pain and uncertainty, our broken hearts and broken dreams.  This Christmas I invite you to crack open the door, even just a bit and let the “wonders of His Love” bring you lasting peace and joy, not in circumstances or things, but in His Presence.

"Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us’)."- Isaiah 7:14 NLT

Overcoming evil with good

Fourteen years ago this week The City Mission’s development team was busy with last minute preparations for the Laura’s Home groundbreaking.  There was much reason for celebration. Then came the 9/11 terrorist attacks.  We considered postponing the event but decided that it was important to move forward with a project that promised to bring hope and healing to thousands of hurting women and children. 

The day of the groundbreaking ceremony was the day the 9/11 flight ban was lifted for Hopkins Airport. Laura’s Home sits directly under a landing pattern for the airport.  Hearing the planes overhead during the ceremony was searing reminder of the deep and painful wound our land was suffering. 

Yet since that day thousands of women and children have found refuge and hope at Laura’s Home.  In the last five years alone Laura’s Home has been provided nearly 220,000 nights of safe shelter to over 5,000 women and children.

Today and every day Laura’s Home is filled to capacity. Women who have struggled through years of trauma, domestic violence, substance abuse and poverty are finding healing and hope, along with practical support and guidance.  Children and teens who have suffered the effects of chaos and upheaval in their families are cared for in a nurturing environment that supports their developmental and academic progress.

Hearing the planes fly over Laura’s Home today, I’m reminded once again of how important it is that we continue do all we can to overcome evil with good, to offer practical help and genuine hope to those come through our doors.

Thank you to all the donors, volunteers and other community partners who stand with us in reaching hearts and changing lives!