I needed some HOPE this morning.
It came in the form of a friend willing to drop off something I really needed in my mailbox.
It came in the form of a text from another friend reminding me of God's tender care over me.
It came in the from of a Pastor who spoke words of gentleness on my TV screen.
You know what? Each act of kindness brought a small flicker of HOPE that opened up the discouraged place in my heart and fanned it into a little brighter flame.
Sometimes, we are the givers of HOPE. Other times, we are the receivers of HOPE.
We have permission to be both.
It might change from day-to-day, even moment-to-moment.
I love being the bringer. In fact, I pride myself on it.
Today, I will be the receiver.
Tomorrow, I may be back to being the bringer.
It's really okay. Really okay to be either.
What matters is that HOPE is stirred and gifted and received, multiplying over and over and sent out into the world one flicker at a time.
HOPE does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. (St. Paul)