Hope Actually
Written by Sarah Bentley
Nothing is impossible with God.
Luke 1:37
For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us,
so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures
and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.
Romans 15:4
“I am living in my car.” A colleague came into my office and made this announcement. It was the first week of Advent and chapel was about to begin in twenty minutes. We sat for a minute while this news sank in. Michelle was crying. She had just started a new job and her children were outside, in the car.
How could this be? Here we were in one of the most amazing countries in the world and a woman with two children was homeless.
I asked, “Will you come with me to the Advent chapel? There will be refreshments afterwards.”
During chapel we heard a message about hope. It was a beautiful word from the Lord and Michelle leaned in. I could not believe it! As she sat listening and enjoying the fellowship of others around her, she continued to weep. As did I.
Through a unique set of circumstances after the service, I introduced her to a few people, and I asked Michelle to tell her story. As she shared what was happening in her life, everyone who heard it declared that nobody working on campus should be living in their car. There had to be a place Michelle could stay until a permanent home was found.
As Michelle and I navigated the day together, I thought of Mary and Joseph. Without a place to stay and maybe feeling hopeless, Mary and Joseph were turned away from several dwellings. We all know the story. Finally, someone opened their heart and provided the stable for the birth of Jesus, the Hope of the world.
Hope. It is a powerful word.
And hope for Michelle was never more on that day. She had witnessed love and hope around her as everyone rallied to prepare a place for her and her children. Christmas decorations and lights were found. Food and a tree were put into the small apartment.
Upon entering her new home there were more tears. This time, tears of joy!
I think Mary and Joseph had similar feelings of joy and relief as they settled into the stable on that holy night.
We don’t enter the Christmas season on a level playing field. In the busyness and the hustle and bustle, my prayer is that we may be mindful of others and look and listen to what is happening around us. Perhaps we can be bringers of help and hope to someone in need of food, shelter, or encouragement.
How could this be? Here we were in one of the most amazing countries in the world and a woman with two children was homeless.
I asked, “Will you come with me to the Advent chapel? There will be refreshments afterwards.”
During chapel we heard a message about hope. It was a beautiful word from the Lord and Michelle leaned in. I could not believe it! As she sat listening and enjoying the fellowship of others around her, she continued to weep. As did I.
Through a unique set of circumstances after the service, I introduced her to a few people, and I asked Michelle to tell her story. As she shared what was happening in her life, everyone who heard it declared that nobody working on campus should be living in their car. There had to be a place Michelle could stay until a permanent home was found.
As Michelle and I navigated the day together, I thought of Mary and Joseph. Without a place to stay and maybe feeling hopeless, Mary and Joseph were turned away from several dwellings. We all know the story. Finally, someone opened their heart and provided the stable for the birth of Jesus, the Hope of the world.
Hope. It is a powerful word.
And hope for Michelle was never more on that day. She had witnessed love and hope around her as everyone rallied to prepare a place for her and her children. Christmas decorations and lights were found. Food and a tree were put into the small apartment.
Upon entering her new home there were more tears. This time, tears of joy!
I think Mary and Joseph had similar feelings of joy and relief as they settled into the stable on that holy night.
We don’t enter the Christmas season on a level playing field. In the busyness and the hustle and bustle, my prayer is that we may be mindful of others and look and listen to what is happening around us. Perhaps we can be bringers of help and hope to someone in need of food, shelter, or encouragement.
Merry Christmas!
Reflective Question for the Day
Will you invite someone to an Advent service this year?
Sarah Bentley does not like early mornings. Her husband, Dave, always brings in a cup of tea to help start the day. One of her favorite books this year was Disruptive Thinking. Sarah loves to be in, on, or by the water.