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Blogs by Lorna Tremaine
In Whom My Hope Rests 1/1/2008 8:00:29 PM
While standing in the checkout line at the 99 cent store (Yes, that’s right…I shop at the 99 cent store), the man ahead of me turned and said, “Do you hope it will be a better year?” Slightly taken back by his question, I shook my head in surprise and said, “I’m sorry?”
The man repeated his question, “Do you hope it will be a better year?”
“Well, sure; of course,” I said.
“Yah, me too,” he replied.
Thinking about it now, wasn’t that an odd question? I wonder what he would have thought had I relied with something like, “No, actually, I’m hoping this coming year will be worse than the previous one.”
Now, I’m not sure if the reason for his question had to do with the fact that we were both standing in the checkout line at the 99 cent store or not. Maybe he assumed that shopping there meant neither of us wanted to part with the extra penny it would cost to shop at the dollar store. Or maybe his question all together meant nothing other than simple conversation with a stranger on New Year’s Day.
Either way, the question has some interesting implications. If I hope the coming year will be better; what exactly do I hope will be better? More importantly, in whom does my hope rest, so that the coming year can be better? If I hope that the coming year will be better because of my own efforts and might, I will be greatly disappointed. If I hope that the coming year will be better because of the efforts and might of those in political or corporate power, I will again, be left wanting. But if I place my hope into the nail-pierced hands of the very one who has made my eternal future secure, and rest on his efforts and might, then I confidently hope for a year that will be better.
Matthew 11:28-30
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
