When I accepted this date for writing an article in Living and Growing series, it was 3 months ago — how much the world has changed in 3 months.
As I reflect on what I would write if this article were written without the happenings of the last 3 months, I realized the article topic would be much the same. In the next few weeks Christians will celebrate Easter. Many are now observing Lent. Our Jewish friends will celebrate Passover. All of these events have meaning in the word of hope. My faith celebrates Easter and the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
This Easter season let us observe and recognize and look with optimism at hope. Hebrews 11:1 says “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
I recently read a talk called “The Infinite Power of Hope” by Dieter F. Uchtdorf, a leader in our church. He said, “Hope has the power to fill our lives with happiness…” He went on to say “We have the responsibility to make it (hope) an active part of our lives and overcome the temptation to lose hope…it (hope) is an anchor to our souls.”
[You never know what a kind gesture will do]
Sometimes, when I think of hope, I think of the analogy of a light at the end of a tunnel. Perhaps the tunnel is curved and we cannot see the light at the end until we have walked a ways into the tunnel. As we walk, we begin to see that small stream of light that becomes brighter the nearer we get to the tunnel end.
Again from Uchtdorf’s talk “Hope is not knowledge, but rather the abiding trust that the lord will fulfill his promise to us. It is confidence that if we live according to God’s laws and the words of his prophets now, we will receive desired blessings in the future. It is believing and expecting that our prayers will be answered. It is manifest in confidence, optimism, enthusiasm, and patient perseverance.”
At this time when COVID-19 seems to be taking over our lives, when we may be tempted to lose hope, let us remember to strive for optimism, for enthusiasm, to go forth with confidence and persevere. I have hope life will return to more normal. May we think on the blessings we have and what we are grateful for. May we all at this Easter season remember to have hope in the good news of the gospel, hope in Christ, hope in learning new ways and new skills and hope in each other.
As Christopher Robin once said “Always remember you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think and loved more than you know.”
• Donna Leigh is member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. “Living & Growing” is a weekly column written by different authors and submitted by local clergy and spiritual leaders.
