The Craft of Hope

A few days before Thanksgiving, I woke up forming a mental list of the things I needed to accomplish before hosting the holiday feast. 

• Bake a pumpkin dessert
• Make fresh cranberry relish
• Press the tablecloth
• Craft a centerpiece

Then I read a Facebook post by my writer friend, Elisa Sue Edwards Johnston. After recently being diagnosed as both pregnant AND with a life-threatening disease, she described her state of mind, “My life and my baby’s life are directly linked to whether I can practice the craft of hope. Right now, my best way to survive is by clinging to ridiculous hope—hope for supernatural miracles or contentment in suffering.”

As a result of her words, another list began to form in my mind, a list of hard things in my history that with hindsight were not setbacks, but set-ups for trusting who I am to God and all He is to me.

• My illegitimate conception placed me in God’s hands before I drew my first breath
• My adoption by loving parents foreshadowed my adoption by a loving God
• My extended family demonstrated inclusion, not by birth, but by unconditional love
• My desperation to belong caused me to try out diverse social groups and their values
• My confusion and insecurity drove me to pre-marital sex and a brush with adultery
• My marriage crisis revealed my desperate need for forgiveness
• My desire to protect my children revealed my desperate need for control
• My brother’s alcoholism and subsequent homelessness destroyed my sense of control
• My professional failure as a teacher destroyed my sense of worth and identity
• My writing about professional failure helped me discover my core identity in Christ
• My identity in Christ brought freedom from shame, inadequacy, and judgment
• My grandchildren demonstrated God’s joy in us isn’t based on our behavior but his love
• My faithful husband showed God’s sovereignty and protection through it all

This is just a taste of my trials and their blessings that continue day by day. Surely you have your own, friend. Therefore, I’m giving you yet another list filled with the truth of God’s Word, praying it will provide you with ridiculous hope in a ridiculous world.

• John 13:7 “Jesus replied, “You don’t understand now what I am doing, but someday you will.” (NLT)
• Romans 8:28 “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” (NLT)
• Jer. 29:11 ^“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” (NLT)
• Romans 8:11 “The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.” (NLT)
• 1 Cor. 13:12 “For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.” (KJV)
• 1 Cor. 1:18 “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
• Psalm 34:8 “Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!” (NLT)
• Psalm 100:4-5 “Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation.” (NLT)

Lastly sisters, remember, whatever it is you’re facing this holiday season, God’s power is made perfect in weakness, (2 Cor. 12:9) so practice the craft of hope, and hang on! His grace is sufficient.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Cover photo by Nick Fewings on Unspalsh