Hope

December 12hope,christams tree,christmas

I am thankful for hope. In the words of Alexander Pope: "Hope springs eternal in the human breast, Man never is, but always to be blest." Hope is optimistic belief that things will work out for the best. According to Charles Snyder, who studied hope in people, hope differs from optimism in that with optimism we believe in the best outcome; whereas with hope, people believe in but also work for that positive outcome. Hope leads to joy, happiness, and empowerment. Christians generally have high hopes for our future based on the promise and sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Christmas is the time of hope; Easter is the fulfillment of that hope.

This is a photo I took of an ornament on our Christmas tree. The tree was lit with the tree lights but also enhanced with an LED flashlight pointed at the letters.

I wrote the following poem in 1995 for my wife Bebe. It speaks of realized hope.

once with hope

once with hope

you did inspire me

erased every doubt

and removed all hesitancy

we were young

and looked ahead

to the day

when we could be together

forever to stay

you touched my heart

and though so long ago

i feel your touch still

in a way no one knows

once with hope

you did inspire me

and lit a lantern

to guide the way to see

we are young no more

but are together you know

and those feelings

still continue to grow

for you are my refuge

my strength and security

without that retreat

i would fade into obscurity

once with hope

you did inspire me

you were the dream

that became reality.

© rt tulley