I was recently in a group setting where we were all sharing what we were hopeful for. It was warm, reflective, and full of possibility—until one person quietly said, “I don’t think I have any hope.”
That moment broke my heart. Because if there’s one thing I believe you should never run out of—it’s hope.
Life will test you. You’ll face grief, setbacks, burnout, disappointment, or just a lingering heaviness you can’t explain. In those moments, hope can feel out of reach. But I want to remind you: no matter what, never let go of hope.
💡 What Is Hope, Really?
I did a little research, because I wanted to remind myself—and you—of what hope really is:
• Emotionally: Hope is the feeling that something good is still possible, even if it’s not guaranteed.
• Psychologically: Hope is when you envision a goal, believe it’s achievable, and feel inspired to take action toward it.
• Spiritually: Hope is trusting there is light—even when all you see is darkness.
John C. Maxwell said it best: “Where there is no hope in the future, there is no power in the present.”
And Desmond Tutu said, “Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all the darkness.”
Let me share some visual metaphors for you:
• Hope is a lighthouse – It won’t calm the storm, but it will guide you through it.
• Hope is a seed – Even planted in hard, dry soil, it holds the promise of growth. • Hope is a compass – It always points you toward purpose, even when the path is foggy.
• Hope is a match in the dark – Tiny, but just enough to light your way.
• Hope is your front-row seat to the future – You don’t need to see the whole stage… just what’s right in front of you.
If you’ve got just the smallest spark of hope—protect it, speak it, and fan it into flame. Here’s to a hope-filled, front-row kind of day.
See you next Friday.
Your Head Usher,
Marilyn
