Hope

Hope is a word that we have been hearing a lot lately.

As a verb…to wish for something with expectation of its fulfillment / to look forward with confidence or expectation
As a noun…a wish or desire accompanied by confident expectation of its fulfillment, and for the faithful, the theological virtue defined as the desire and search for a future good, difficult but not impossible to attain with God's help.

It is both the action of confident expectation, and the actual virtue that allows us to have that confidence. It is this faith, that with God nothing is impossible, that gives me hope when things may seem unachievable.

In my office I have had two posters up for many years to remind me of that fact. One with the quote of Julian of Norwich ‘All shall be well, all manner of things shall be well.’ The other Margaret Meade “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

I have to take actions that bring about a better world tomorrow, confident that inch by inch, step by step, it can be achieved. There are patients who seek care at mission hospitals and clinics for whom hope comes in the form of a Mission Doctor. Their expectation that they or their family member will receive care is exactly that, hopeful. There are many obstacles to that hope. Distance from the hospital, ability to travel, their families ability to make the sacrifices to accompany them. Yet they come, they hope.

My prayer for 2009 is that we each grow to be more hopeful ourselves. Hopeful in a future where there is peace between all people and where all peoples basic needs are met. We can begin and then help ignite a spark of hope in others through our daily actions, difficult but not impossible to attain with God's help.