Seeking to Become - May 2014

Let thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, according as we hope in thee. 

Psalm 33: 22 

Throughout this month, I have had hope on my mind. How does a person learn how to hope? And why do I seem to have an inexhaustible amount of it despite my challenges? It all doesn't make sense until I stop to think about the faith that my parents worked to instill.

Faith breeds hope. Or at least that's how I see it. A few examples of how my faith has brought me to hope come to mind. The abuses that I suffered from a young age could have taught me that nothing is ever as it seems. My poor choices could have taught me that I won't ever amount to anything. The divorce that I have recently survived could convince me that no one will ever care enough about me to stay. But—I have hope. I have hope that life is worthwhile—and it is. I have hope that I will amount to something good—and, so far, I think I'm doing well. I hope that I will find someone who will want to be my eternal companion—and I believe God knows what I need and loves me enough to guide that person to me. My faith in the Savior teaches me that I must have hope. He is there for me in my darkest of nights, showing me that I matter. Mercy is forever before my face and hope is how I can see it.

I want to strive to become more hopeful so that I might recognize God's mercy with greater understanding. I invite you to join me.