Never Give Up Hope

I don’t know about you, but I have grown weary of the daily news. My husband has the same broadcasts replaying over and over and OVER nearly 24X7. He calls it background noise; I find it oppressive and distressful and shrouds me in a sense of hopelessness. My idea of background noise is listening to the Turtles, Motown and Beatle tunes with a bit of smooth jazz thrown into the mix.

Today my hope was unexpectedly renewed and the daily news had nothing to do with it.

Here is my story:

My grand kids gifted a fig tree to Poppy (my husband) on Father’s Day. It was to replace a fig tree from three years ago that did not thrive this year. We thought we had done everything to ensure it would prosper, but it bore no leaves. The same was true for a cherished potted rose tree that was failing to thrive. I had placed both plants out on my deck to wither and perish in the heat of the day with plans to burn in the fire pit.

It saddened me to see their fate and I would occasionally water the pathetic looking plants. My husband wanted me to put them in a garbage bag and be done with it; I couldn’t bring myself to do it. These plants were like beloved children to me and maybe, just maybe, there was hope for a rebirth and restoration.

So I began to pray for my two plants. Yes, you read that correctly. My prayer was for restoration. Isn’t that what we would do for our beloved family members? Would we stand by and watch them perish due to addictions, bad choices or neglect? I think not. I wasn’t going to give up hope on my fig and rose tree even though my husband thought I was demented.

Without hope, life loses its meaning. Hope is a firm assurance regarding things that are unclear and unknown. God knew my heart; He knew I needed hope to be restored and it wasn’t going to be through the news. I love how God did it in the most unique, creative way. That is so like Him.

Never give up hope!