HOPE

Yesterday was the first Sunday of Advent, so every night this week R-kids and I will light one candle.

The candle of hope.

I’ll be honest, though.

When I sit in the dark with my children later tonight and light a single wick, and they look at me for some reason behind why we’re doing this, or what it means, I’m not quite sure what I’ll say.

I’m having a harder time with that word lately than I used to.

Hope.

What is it, really?

Is it a feeling?

A choice?

A fact? A longing? A dream?

A philosophy? A belief?

Is it based in logic? History? Fear? Faith?

Is it the glass half full?

Can it be lost? Stolen? Given? Received?

Does it come and go on its own? Do we have any power over it?

Can we force it? Find it? Recover it?

And do I have it?

…

I wish I knew for sure.

by julie rybarczyk