Hope for Today!!!

"I know your works (behold, I have left an open door before you, which no one can close). You have limited strength, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name." Revelation 3:8

When God leads you to the edge of the cliff, trust Him fully and let go. Only one of two things will happen: either He'll catch you when you fall, or He'll teach you how to fly! The power of one sentence! God closes doors no man can open and God opens doors no man can close.



I received the introduction to this post via an email this morning from my friend, Deb. This reflection is "in sync" with my thoughts on hope.

Hope. What is it? What does it mean?

According to the dictionary, it is a noun and a verb. Here are some examples:

Noun
1. the feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best: to give up hope.
2. a particular instance of this feeling: the hope of winning.
3. grounds for this feeling in a particular instance: There is little or no hope of his recovery.
4. a person or thing in which expectations are centered: The medicine was her last hope.
5. something that is hoped for: Her forgiveness is my constant hope.

Verb (used with object)
6. to look forward to with desire and reasonable confidence.
7. to believe, desire, or trust: I hope that my work will be satisfactory.


Verb (used without object)
8. to feel that something desired may happen: We hope for an early spring.
9. Archaic. to place trust; rely (usually fol. by in).—Idiom
10. hope against hope, to continue to hope, although the outlook does not warrant it: We are hoping against hope for a change in her condition.

Hope is a combination of all of these definitions. It is definitely a verb because it requires action. Hope is like a door -- we can choose to be open to it or close ourselves from all the wonderful possibilities hope offers to us. When I choose to close the door, I am choosing despair rather than hope.

This morning's post is dedicated to a Bellevue Marquette '04 alum, Kari.


Kari is an awesome young woman whom I had the privilege to watch grow up during the seven years I worked at Marquette Catholic Schools. I met Kari in 1999 when she was a seventh grader at St. Joe's. She was, and continues to be, a very positive, upbeat young woman. She is the epitome of "live life to the fullest!" and "never give up!" are her life themes.

Currently, Kari is engaged and will be married on September 19, 2009 at St. Joseph's Church in Bellevue. While I was visiting Dubuque last weekend, one of her classmates informed me her fiance, Travis, continues to battle brain cancer. Recently, two more tumors were discovered and successfully removed within the last week or so. Not knowing how much time Travis has, sometime last week, they were married through a civil ceremony. They continue to plan for their sacramental marriage in September.

One of Kari's life themes, "never give up," is very much alive for her right now. I can't imagine what it would be like to be in my early 20s and engaged to a young man in his 20s, battling brain cancer. To me, it is obvious there is such a great love they share that no matter what, they each will be there for one another!

This story puts flesh to one of my favorite Scripture passages from the Gospel of John -- especially chapter 15! "No greater love than this, to lay down one's life for a friend." John 15:13

What does their witness of unconditional love express to me? That it truly exists! Both of them have a choice ... to stick together and be a source of hope and encouragement to one another or to go their separate roads. Obviously, their love is so great and strong, that cancer cannot quench nor dissolve it. To me, they are putting hope and faith into action ... they are counting and focusing on all the wonderful possibilities that may come from this delicate situation. By doing so, Kari and Travis have made a positive choice ... to allow God to have control and to accept whatever He wills. They see how God has freely given them a key to His door and they have freely accepted it. When I ponder this further, they have already "entered the threshold" together. How beautiful is that?!

Ironically, late last night, Kari contacted me through Facebook and invited me to their September wedding. I am not going to miss this true celebration of love and life for the world!

May Kari and Travis' lives be a witness to embrace and live your best life today! And remember, when one door closes, God already has opened a new one! We have a choice to look at the closed door or to walk through the open one. What will you do with the door offered to you today?

Have a great day, my friends!